With all of the negative press pointing at hip hop, a fresh new group called Kooley High brings it back with its soulful sounds, enlightened lyrics, and positive energy with their new upcoming album, Summer Sessions EP. Named after the Chicago film Cooley High, this group was formed in 2005 by a group of students from North Carolina State University who created a hip hop organization on campus called H2O. The organization put on hip hop events for the students on campus and through their love of the music, gave birth to their own hip hop creation.

This eclectic group is made up of six guys and one girl both black and white, it’s not just another Myspace music group, they are showing the world that hip hop has a universal sound.

“It’s a bonus that we are so diverse and thus can relate to many different groups of people, hopefully they’ll receive it like a pack of skittles or any assorted flavor of candy, eat up!” said Rapsody from Kooley High.

The North Carolinian members, Tab-One, Charlie Smarts (who are also apart of a rap group called Inflowential) Rapsody, Foolery, Sinopsis, J Sol and DJ Ill Digitz had previously produced mixtapes such as “Raleigh’s Finest,” but the demand for an original project grew. Summer Sessions EP became that fulfillment which drops in March.

“The Summer Sessions EP gives the world a taste of what we are capable of doing. It’s an appetizer, so get ready for the full course meal,” said Charlie Smarts of Kooley High.

The album was mainly produced by group members Sinopsis and Foolery. 9th Wonder, a professor at NCCU, helped produced the track “Water” on the album. The anticipated single for the album release is the track “There You Go,” a song for the lovers.

For those who are familiar with Raleigh’s hip-hop group Inflowential (similar to the Roots crew), Kooley High is just another branch of the NC hip hop family.

Charlie Smarts, being members of both rap groups, is said to be the pole in the middle of the tepee that holds it strong. Smarts skill for networking and love for hip hop helped create the family affair in which both groups plan on having their own online record label together.

The only difference between the two rap groups is the sound. Inflowential involves a beat boxer, bass player, saxophonist, keyboard etc., while Kooley High involves beats that are more studio-based.

“Kooley High is lyrics, beats and the DJ, and we also put on a crazy live show. We are similar to Inflowential in that we both make dope hip hop,” said Rapsody from Kooley High.

Kooley High is all about bringing the soul back into hip hop music. The underground rap group receives inspiration by many hip hop artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Just like those artists, Kooley High conveys a message for all its listeners. One of the messages that they convey is to focus on being yourself, regardless of your looks, car, money or gender. Another message they express is that life is too short, might as well make it fun.

For those who enjoy bending their necks to raw hip hop beats, Kooley High is the sound for you. However, with club bangers on high demand, it makes it hard for artists such as Kooley High to hit mainstream.

The era of sweat box dances and explicit lyrics are in effect and the trend of wanting to become a rapper only for money, cars, girls and gold chains continues. It would seem as if the music business has tainted the image of hip hop culture by only glorifying the lifestyle of hip hop’s luxuries. Not to mention, the music behind all the glitz and glam for some such as Kooley High has claimed to have nothing to show for it.

“The major labels made it more of a business and look how bad things are now,” said DJ Ill Digitz. “The people who love the art form are thriving though. They’re ignoring the middleman, selling music independently, rocking shows, and gaining fans. It’s back to the grassroots and, the internet gives plenty of fuel to the grassroots movements,” he said.

Like DJ Ill Digitz and the rest of his fellow rap mates, the current condition of Hip Hop drives Kooley High to continue doing music for the people who are looking for an outlet from radio hip hop that lacks substance.

Kooley High is an underground rap group who is crazy about hip hop, stays true to themselves with music that represents free expression.

Kooley High’s first show of the year is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 15th at the Local 506 in Chapel Hill.