In this weekly column, RFT Music gets to know local creatives, musicians and their missions. Get a slice of the local scene, complete with a snippet of sound and info about upcoming releases and shows. Stick around to see what St. Louis artists have to say whenever they Fill in in the Blank.
MME's spazzed out hip-hop crew eschews big time promoters in lieu of strong, community-based roots. With this group, MME labels in two ways: Musical Mastermind Entertainment and Mastermind Einstein. The latter's been the subject of local praise, and for good reason. When this collective combines, they come off as some super-hero rap squad and straight up animate on stage. With DIY ethics in tow, MME has set out to book its first tour and is looking to crowd source funds through indiegogo.
See also: Mastermind Einstein's A.D.D. (Artistically Day Dreaming): Read Our Homespun Review and Listen
MME bleeds distinct beats, unafraid to explore sounds outside the rhyme. Through working with the sharp Franco-Hill or Adult Fur, MME comes out equally fresh live and on-record. Muhammad Austin, who moonlights as Mvstermind, has a keen ear for quality and a good eye when it comes to his crew.
Not one head in MME is dead weight; they all splinter into solo and sub-groups. Their recent cut 80-D has Austin with AtM (Amir Wakil & Malcolm Chandler), Lyrique (Jermarco Britton), Ciej (Charles Jacobs) and Sixela Yoccm (Alexis McCoy). The song gives headroom for each major player and edges in enough screen-time for a proper introduction to MME as a whole.
Not that I'd advise the following, but: Satellite members of MME set up a kit and amps right across from our office on Delmar earlier this Summer. No doubt breaking some city ordinance, they got our attention (with the help of Jeffery Hill Jr. Of Franco-Hill). RFT Music happened to be meeting that day, and these heads kept interrupting. Before U-City's finest could hassle them, I ran down and dropped my card off.
To other bands: If you're brave enough to do the same, go ahead, but RFT Music offers no protection from the fuzz, and we certainly don't guarantee any press. Busk at your own risk.
So they survived what was likely a hissy fit from the cops. MME hopes to crowd-fund a fall tour, featuring dates in Chicago, Columbia, Kansas City and Springfield. The recent push with Mvstermind's latest A.D.D., the video for 80-D and this indiegogo campaign marks a full effort - growth through the fans, local art and community.
We met with four core members this week to discuss their drive and post-show food. They've all been kind enough to Fill In The Blank. Click through for the head chef, Mvstermind, and his thoughts on Steak 'n Shake, nature and making music.
