M.I.S.F.I.T.z
Austin, Texas, United States
Music
Press
Rap group highlights musicality, looks back at life on campus
By Cass 'Money' Luskin
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Published: Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Updated: Friday, January 9, 2009
M.I.S.F.I.T.Z., which stands for Ministering Ideals Suitable For Impeccable Teaching(z), is an Austin-based rap group that includes members Tal B, left, and Xavier, aka "the GBP," right.
"There are two things that you can find out about us from our mix tape: One, we from Austin. Two, we smoke a lot of weed," says Tal B., aka "The Ice Cold Ocean of Flow," aka "The Provider," (aka insert hilarious metaphorical title here) from the Austin-born-and-raised rap group, The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z.
But, considering the palpable quality of their mix tape, Vol. 1: Past and Present, and their upcoming appearance on "ATX Most Wanted," the statement seems more than a little humble. The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z., made up of Tal B and Xavier, aka X, are instead a deliciously Southern group, stacked with laid-back yet lyrical flows set to some of the best production to grace the Austin scene.
Their name, which stands for Ministering Ideals Suitable For Impeccable Teaching(z), is a pretty good indication of the sheer positivity of the group.
"We're very conscious of what we say," Tal said. "[We're] trying to spit a positive message ... to bring good and combat evil out there."
That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect preachy moralism or unwarranted life instructions (think recent KRS-One). Rather, their positive focus is one of musicianship.
"This is way more than just rap to us. We're not coming in for a quick fix or a quick hit," says X, aka "The GBP" (which stands for "Golden Baby Pro").
Their production credits are equally musical. Between Chad Anderson, Ches Johnson and Cassidy, The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. have managed to craft genuinely listenable songs ("epic soundscapes," as my wordier colleagues would say), that support Tal and X's southern flows with ease and grace.
This sense of artistry seems to be common to all Austin musicians - whether it's rap music or indie rock. Tal B. calls it "a realness, an authenticity." Often, this artistic authenticity is the undefinable quality that separates the great from just the mediocre. Just as significantly, when asked the ubiquitous rap question (Biggie or Pac?), both Tal B. and X went with 2Pac, for his social influence and "spirituality."
Regardless of whether this spirituality is a product of the Cap City, Tal and X are undeniably Austin. Tal remembers, "I would go hoop at Gregory Gym. We found out how to break the locks on the back of the gym, and we used to come up and hoop all day."
X referenced a UT experience that may be familiar to many students: "I remember being in Jester, just, like, stupid drunk, knockin' on the wrong doors for hours," he said.
It's clear to me, as a student who's spent hours in Jester, stupid drunk, knocking on the wrong doors, that The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. have a close relationship with UT students.
"The mistfit name, ironically, is someone who is poorly adjusted to their environment," X said.
Tal B. added, "[We're] chameleons . . . [we'll] flourish musically in any genre."
But don't be mislead - this is still rap music, and these guys are not indie rockers.
The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. will appear tonight on "ATX Most Wanted" at 9:30 p.m. on KVR-TV. - The Daily Texas
Rap group highlights musicality, looks back at life on campus
By Cass 'Money' Luskin
Print this article
Share this article
Published: Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Updated: Friday, January 9, 2009
M.I.S.F.I.T.Z., which stands for Ministering Ideals Suitable For Impeccable Teaching(z), is an Austin-based rap group that includes members Tal B, left, and Xavier, aka "the GBP," right.
"There are two things that you can find out about us from our mix tape: One, we from Austin. Two, we smoke a lot of weed," says Tal B., aka "The Ice Cold Ocean of Flow," aka "The Provider," (aka insert hilarious metaphorical title here) from the Austin-born-and-raised rap group, The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z.
But, considering the palpable quality of their mix tape, Vol. 1: Past and Present, and their upcoming appearance on "ATX Most Wanted," the statement seems more than a little humble. The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z., made up of Tal B and Xavier, aka X, are instead a deliciously Southern group, stacked with laid-back yet lyrical flows set to some of the best production to grace the Austin scene.
Their name, which stands for Ministering Ideals Suitable For Impeccable Teaching(z), is a pretty good indication of the sheer positivity of the group.
"We're very conscious of what we say," Tal said. "[We're] trying to spit a positive message ... to bring good and combat evil out there."
That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect preachy moralism or unwarranted life instructions (think recent KRS-One). Rather, their positive focus is one of musicianship.
"This is way more than just rap to us. We're not coming in for a quick fix or a quick hit," says X, aka "The GBP" (which stands for "Golden Baby Pro").
Their production credits are equally musical. Between Chad Anderson, Ches Johnson and Cassidy, The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. have managed to craft genuinely listenable songs ("epic soundscapes," as my wordier colleagues would say), that support Tal and X's southern flows with ease and grace.
This sense of artistry seems to be common to all Austin musicians - whether it's rap music or indie rock. Tal B. calls it "a realness, an authenticity." Often, this artistic authenticity is the undefinable quality that separates the great from just the mediocre. Just as significantly, when asked the ubiquitous rap question (Biggie or Pac?), both Tal B. and X went with 2Pac, for his social influence and "spirituality."
Regardless of whether this spirituality is a product of the Cap City, Tal and X are undeniably Austin. Tal remembers, "I would go hoop at Gregory Gym. We found out how to break the locks on the back of the gym, and we used to come up and hoop all day."
X referenced a UT experience that may be familiar to many students: "I remember being in Jester, just, like, stupid drunk, knockin' on the wrong doors for hours," he said.
It's clear to me, as a student who's spent hours in Jester, stupid drunk, knocking on the wrong doors, that The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. have a close relationship with UT students.
"The mistfit name, ironically, is someone who is poorly adjusted to their environment," X said.
Tal B. added, "[We're] chameleons . . . [we'll] flourish musically in any genre."
But don't be mislead - this is still rap music, and these guys are not indie rockers.
The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. will appear tonight on "ATX Most Wanted" at 9:30 p.m. on KVR-TV. - The Daily Texas
Discography
Bomb, Jewels, and Gemz, 2005
Past and Present, 2007
Black, Beautiful, & Bold Coming Soon
Photos
Bio
Tal Belvin and Xzavier Leonard dont want to work anymore. They arent lazy or looking for sympathy. They arent delusional or disgruntled, and they dont want to build a cabin in the woods. Belvin, 24, better known as Tal-B, and X, 27, his partner in rhyme, are life-long rappers born and bread in Austin, Texas.
I just wanna be an individual, says Belvin, with honest ambition in his voice. We want to be our own business, our own entity.
For two rappers in Central Texas, the road to autonomy has been long. Belvin and Leonard, who are close cousins, have dreamt of being full-time musicians since they were kids playing Tupac tapes on a circa 1994 radio. Now the two spend as much time as they can in a recording studio
The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z.
On stage, Belvin and Leonard are known as The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z., an acronym that stands for Ministering Ideals Suitable For Impeccable Teaching. For cousins, the two dont look much alike. But their interactions are in-sync, and they frequently face one another while rapping fervently into the microphone. Their words and motions seem natural and effortless. X steps forward, Tal-B steps back.
After graduating high-school, the duo parted ways and left their futures uncertain.
Leonard spent a year at Prairie View A&M before dropping out and spending a short time in L.A. Belvin attended the University of North Texas for a semester, but was expelled after being caught with marijuana. After a spat with his mother, Belvin decided to transfer to the University of Houston. Between classes, he continued pursuing his music dreams, rapping and recording.
The last one or two years were like Rap 101, he says. In 2005, Belvin graduated with a degree in marketing He decided to return to Austin where he took up various hustles and reunited with Leonard with the goal of taking The M.I.S.F.I.T.Z. to the next level. Like X, his achievements have only fueled his ambitions.
With Austins reputation as the live music capitol of the world, the river city has been a fertile ground for a special blend of hip-hop infused with laid, head-boppin beats, live instrumentation, and fluid EMCESS like the M.I.S.F.I.Tz, whose songs are hauntingly contagious. Urging the listeners finger to press repeat, while simustaneously holding back in anticipation of the next M.I.S.F.I.Tz jam.
Up to Date one of the groups most memorable shows was opening up for Method Man at the University of Texas Ball Room, The energy was crazy exclaims X, not to mention they had all the Ladies in the crowd humming their melodies all night. But most importantly they put on show that established them as one the most entertaining musical acts of this generation.
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