When I first saw a flyer for this group around UNO, I thought that the Metropolis was just another wannabe Rage Against the Machine, Korn-like group from New Orleans. But after listening to this CD, and witnessing their performance for two non-stop hours at the Warehouse (in front of a crowd of about 150), I can safely say that this group is not a part of the popular metal/rap scene.

Who or what is Mental Metropolis? These rappers and musicians from across the United States (students at Loyola University) bring New Orleans underground hip-hop to the forefront. The first two tracks establish rappers Bionik, Brotha Slim, and Kodiene as confident, intellectual lyricists on the pathway that took artists such as the Roots to musical fame. “Oil ‘N’ Water” states their attempt to conquer the hip-hop scene with lyrics like “When it comes to MCs, it’s like Oil ‘n’ Water/’cause we just don’t mix/ they sound so ridiculous… Some call us grease, cause we just too slick…” The CD’s only slow tempo song, “You gotta know,” expresses dreams to “bring life to the ghetto,” and “to be rich or at least comfortable…” They stress that “life is not bout rocking the mic all night/it’s about keepin’ your mentals tight and your spirit man right.”

Mental Metropolis have the ability to go from underground concerts at the Warehouse to national prominence.