What do you get when you combine two of the Northwest's most talented and revered lyricists with a world class DJ? Line of Fire, formerly known as Cleveland Steamers, is comprised of Mic Crenshaw, a Portland, Oregon poetry slam champion and national finalist and Gen.Erik, one of the Northwest's finest MC/Producers. The duo is also assisted on production by the world famous DJ Aero, who has toured the world with Tommy Lee, as part of Methods of Mayhem, and with Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huck Jam. Cleveland Steamers "Treasure Chest" was release at the end of 2006, and featured Rhymesayers' artists I Self Divine and Nightclubber Lang from Boom Bap Project, along with Sy Scott. Since their initial release Mic Crenshaw and Gen.Erik have continued to create a buzz, with the 2008 releases of Animal Farm's "The Unknown", which features the legendary KRS-One, as well as Crenshaw's "Thinking out Loud", which features Stic.Man from Dead Prez, among others.
Gen.Erik's Animal Farm has quickly developed a large regional following after performing live throughout the United States with the likes of Common, Method Man and Redman, GZA and RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, N.E.R.D., KRS-One, The Cool Kids, Del the Funky Homosapien, Brand Nubian, Aceyalone, Mike Jones, and at festivals such as CMJ Music Marathon and MusicFest NW. Animal Farm's album "The Unknown" is currently receiving radio play throughout the country and recently peaked at Number 3 on the CMJ Hip-Hop chart, where it remained in the Top 10 for seven straight weeks. Animal Farm was also recently praised in Urb Magazine’s Next 1000 column, which claimed “The animated Animal Farm achieves a classically feel-good tone.”
After gaining a number of fans as a part of Suckapunch, Cleveland Steamers, and Hungry Mob, Crenshaw continues to add to his already significant fan base since the recent release of his first solo album, "Thinking out Loud". Mic Crenshaw was also recently featured in URB Magazine's legendary Next 1000 column, and has been featured in XLR8R Magazine, on Myx.tv, hiphopdx.com, okayplayer.com, and a number of other music websites. He has shared stages with the legendary Fugees, Ice Cube, Outkast, Wu-Tang Clan, and many others. His significance was probably best described in a recent article in the Portland Mercury, Portland's entertainment weekly newspaper, which claimed, “To get an idea of the importance of Mic Crenshaw to the Portland rap scene over the last 15 years, picture the first caveman rubbing two sticks together to create a spark. The term "pillar of the community" is not one that should be thrown around lightly, and Crenshaw embodies it with numerous creative and scene-building efforts that span genres and musical styles.”
ANIMAL FARM THE UNKNOWN AVAILABLE NOW!!! Click on the Album to Buy.
We offered a limited amount of these Focused Noise mixtapes on our tour in March. If you were not able to get one then, we are offering them for FREE now. The mixtape is hosted by Nightclubber Lang from Boom Bap Project and was mixed by DJ Wels and Gen.Erik. It features Animal Farm, Mic Crenshaw, Serge Severe, and Line of Fire, along with very special guests, KRS-One and Nightclubber Lang.
Click on the link below to get a FREE copy.
WWW.FOCUSEDNOISE.COM
"I know what you’re thinking. The Cleveland Steamers!? But wait, what we have here is much more compelling than the depictions of libertine sex acts one would expect. Hailing from Portland, Oregon the Steamers are comprised of two MCs, Mic Crenshaw and Gen.Erik, accompanied by DJ Aero completing the trio on the wheels of steel. Touching on topics ranging from underground rap groupies and the redundancy of modern Hiphop to political follies and the horrors of war, this record is a classic example or why you shouldn’t judge a book (in this case an album) by it’s diamond encrusted cover. Behind the faux Pen and Pixel cover art lies nearly flawless multi-syllabic lyricism and unique flows delivered over production that will no doubt draw comparisons to fellow Portland inhabitants Boom Bap Project.
The tone is set from the very first track as Mic Crenshaw calls for revolution, while Gen.Erik takes a more personal approach to social issues with lines like “We’ve become desensitized/ Avoid homeless like the plague/ I myself have been known to evade/ I want to change but it’s a task/ I can’t afford spare change for everyone who asks.” Two tracks later we’re treated to I’m The Decider, a hilarious attack on the King of the United States and one of the most creative joints I’ve heard in a very long time. Dubya is questioned by the Steamers and answers in the form of samples of the many of the notably preposterous quips he’s made since taking office.
Not everything is so serious though as they follow up with Rap Clichés, an admittedly cliché song which I won’t insult anyone by explaining the topic of. Day By Day is an absolute gem featuring a rare I Self Devine guest spot and a verse by Mic Crenshaw that is so incredible I would have to quote it in it’s entirety to do it any justice. Production is a little unpredictable on this record, but something that’s remarkable is the pair of MC’s ability to demonstrate enough skill and charisma that even when the beat’s not that great you still want to hear what they’re saying. Fortunately, this isn’t the case too often as the collection of producers provide mostly satisfying sonics of the boom bap variety.
Perhaps the most important talent The Cleveland Steamers possess is their adeptness at combining humorous and serious elements allowing them to make a point and get it across while not coming off heavy handed or preachy. The emcees compliment each other very well, rocking distinct styles and both are dope enough to hold it down on their own so there’s no “wack one”. The culmination of all the weapons this trio has at their disposal is an album that... can be listened to front to back repeatedly. Hopefully the Steamers saved enough shit to get off their chest for another album."
www.hiphopdx.com
"Portland-based trio Cleveland Steamers are one hell of a group; musically and topically united, the recently-formed trio of Hip Hop veterans showcases a collective craftsmanship, versatility, knowledge and humor that is sorely lacking in the current maelstrom of get-rich-quick "artists" who couldn't distinguish Ed O.G. from Special Ed. With two MCs (Gen.Erik and Mic Crenshaw) and a DJ (Aero) handling the lion's share of mic controlling, scratching and boardwork, Cleveland Steamers can't help but remind me of the good ole days, when being Hip Hop meant being multi-talented (remember the 4 elements anyone?!), original (as in fresh, dummies), and confidently self-assured (a genuinely believable self-assuredness built up over many years and based on endless practice and performances, not just vain cockiness and pipe dreams, like today's youngins). "
www.rapreviews.com
"When the soundscapes do rise to the word bending capabilities of emcees Mic Crenshaw and Gen.Erik, the results are quite pleasing. "
www.okayplayer.com
"The two MC's in the group have two very distinct flows, and they work very well together. Gen.Erik has the kind of flow similar to Cypress Hill's B-Real without the high nasal tones, while Mic Crenshaw has the kind of finesse that has him sounding like a cross between El-P and Large Professor... They do this very well, and these guys are ready for next-level status. "
