Wide Eyes

Wide Eyes is house parties. Handing out flyers in sub-zero temperatures. Freestyle cyphers. Handshakes. Seven long years of paying dues and back-roads touring. Wide Eyes is independent hip hop stripped of scenester politics, underground rap for people who love underground rap.

With their new album, “Hands Tied,” rappers Filth Phantom and Sean Anonymous, DJ Name and producer Dimitry Killstorm have crafted a fifteen-track love note to the culture that nurtured them. The album is a testament not only to the depth and talent of the Twin Cities hip hop scene, but to the power of independent hip hop in general. On tracks like “Yesterday,” “Freedom” and the title track, the two emcees trade rapid fire, acrobatic flows about life, love and hip hop; well-worn territory, sure, but done with such passion, humor and technical skill that it feels completely new again.

Their soulfulness gives the music the kind of balance that’s made TC big-brother acts like Atmosphere and Brother Ali so successful. It’s neck-breaking, punch-you-in-the-face hip hop, but there’s a musicality to it that makes it fun to listen to. While independent hip hop is still widely misunderstood, derided or outright ignored, it’s the tireless work of groups like Wide Eyes that’s going to change that—not by getting on MTV or top-40 radio, but by playing shows in cities all over the world, bringing the music to the people.

This is indie, underground hip hop done right—passionate, confident and skillful.