The Upstarts

The Upstarts

The Upstarts are a hip hop and jazz fusion group from San Diego, United States. The core lineup consists of Profile, formerly of The Sound Providers, Price on emcee duties, and Iron Mike on DJ and drums. The group also operates as part of a wider collective, The Upstarts-Society, which brings together artists and musicians around the core trio.

Style and context

The group works across hip hop and jazz-rock fusion, and is described as drawing on a shared respect for art across different forms rather than following current trends in music, social life, or fashion. Their sound is presented as a bridge between classic hip hop and newer styles, with an emphasis on a golden-era sensibility.

Releases and collaborators

The Upstarts release their debut album, The Know How, in 2007. That project includes vocal contributions from Grap Luva, Kev Brown, Latanya Lockett and Blest. Production comes from Kev Brown, Freddie Joachim, Quaaludes and W Steele, alongside the group’s own work.

Related artists and background

One member, Profile, is identified as the former lead emcee of The Sound Providers, linking The Upstarts to that earlier group’s history. The broader collaboration around The Upstarts-Society includes artists and producers working around the main trio rather than as a fixed separate band.