The Seed

There couldn't be a better title for this project than The Seed. If The Seed is about anything, it's about roots. On the EP, rappers Kahlee and Uptown Swuite and producer Adikt 1 come to define their identities by exploring their different roots -- to their city, their culture, and their music.

Although Kahlee and Adikt 1 reside in San Diego, they rep their Los Angeles hometown hard (Bay Area native Uptown Swuite keeps this vibe). "Ridin'" and "Summer Time" evoke sunny images of L.A., cruising in a low-rider while passing by palm trees, bikinis, and ice cream trucks. Deeper in, the trio goes beyond regional ties. The group members, all of Polynesian descent, draw parallels from their ethnic heritage to their present reality on "the Streets" and "Roots & Culture." Unfortunately, these songs come off as didactic and unbelievable, like when your English teacher tries to convince you that Shakespeare is just old school rap.

Despite the album's faults, production is solid throughout, anchoring it. The collection stays in the mold of traditional '90s hip-hop by employing soul samples. Once the trio can transcend their past, they may realize the promise ahead.

Album title: The Seed
Artist: Kahlee, Uptown Swuite, Adikt 1
Label: Independent
Songs: 1. Ridin', 2. Summertime, 3. Keep Rockin' On, 4. the Streets, 5. Find You, 6. Trying, 7. Roots & Culture