Rozswell's Beneath the City solo debut was scheduled to follow Unprogrammed's release, but due to financial constraints, it never saw the light of day.

     Money motivates the latest release, The Headlina Fundraiser. More truth than toungue-in-cheek, the aptly titled record is equipped with 12 new tracks intended to collect enough coin to release more product including the yet-to-be released Gone Mad, a re-release of Unprogrammed, an album entitled ICIS and a Koz solo album.

     "What we want to do is pretty much get four to five albums done. We want to put them out at the same time we go on tour instead of going on tour with one album. So our tour will be worth it," says Rozswell.

     Lack of dollars prevented more copies of Unprogrammed from being released, an obstacle the now six-member contingent hopes to hurtle by making The Headlina Fundraiser a little more accessible.

     This new record takes a detour from the usual route with a set of material never scheduled for official release.

     "This is more on the lighter side of confusion," explains Koz, the newest member.

     The Headlina Fundraiser is a far cry from the weighty subject matter of Unprogrammed. "Sour Panties," "Happyland" and "Bad Reviews" unleash the comical side of Headlina Tracks that is more prevalent on stage than on record.

     It is through their live act and a growing number of shows that they have been able to raise their profile in the local emcee economy.

     "There's the underground community, who's part of our following, which I guess is expected and then there's a younger following who doesn't even know what underground hip-hop music is. They're listening to Dr.Dre and still like our stuff at the same time," says Rozswell.

     Like most independent music acts, Rozswell and Koz are cognizant of the perils of industry and are taking each step carefully. Neither is trying to become a millionaire.

     "That's the part I hate the most: worrying about the money. That's the part that causes the most stress," says Rozswell.

     With the closing of PlanB two months ago, there is been little for local heads to check for but Koz and company are hoping to provide another weekly spot for underground hip-hop. Along with former group member Swindla, they will be hosting a weekly residency at The Connection.

     "We want to invite DJs who don't have a lot of experience and a lot of emcees too; pretty much an amateur night," says Rozswell. "we want to give the locals that chance."

Angelou J. Flores 
Frequencies section 
Uptown Magazine