El Jefe

Hailing from San Francisco, CA, hip-hop’s newest hybrid super-group is El Jefe. Originating from the coastal town of Santa Barbara, the group’s dark, thumping production and thought-provoking lyrical styles are undeniably cut from the hip-hop mold, but blend elements of rock, reggae, and punk (think Living Legends meets Sublime). Now, coming this summer, El Jefe is set to release their debut album, Amorphous Phormula on the San Francisco based indie label Zip Records. The 13-track LP deals with topics on the minds of many American youth -- insecurity, dating, and partying. On the album’s first single, “Reflected Deception,” MCs Nomad, Wiz, and Daryl charge that when we hide behind masks -- instead of revealing our true selves -- we’re left with painful, empty feelings. “It’s about realizing who we really are underneath what we present to the world,” explains Peter Lazarus, the bands’ bassist. On “Nature's Signs” (track 10), the group waxes poetics about using your surroundings as inspiration for creativity and growth. It’s no surprise that last year band moved from the college town of Santa Barabara to San Francisco. “The Bay’s music scene is so vibrant,” notes Nomad, one of El Jefe’s MCs who adds that The Roots, Living Legends, KRS-One, Bad Brains, DJ Shadow, Capleton, Buju Banton, and Prefuse 73 are all among the groups’ musical influences. “We get so much inspiration from artists in this city.” Formed in 1999, El Jefe is composed of Peter Lazarus (bass) and Fernando Cardoso (drums), Ken Bryant (guitarist), and MCs Darren Reid a.k.a "Daryl,” MC Carlos Julio Gonzalez a.k.a "Nomad” and Eric Wecker a.k.a "The Wiz.” El Jefe has opened for acts such as KRS-ONE, Living Legends, Del La Soul, Sage Francis, and Aceyalone. They are currently shooting a video for “Reflected Deceptions,” and will join numerous dates on the VANS 2004 WARPED Tour.