Presenting the lighter side of Houston rap, K-Otix forgoes gangsta clichés, strip-club antics, and DJ Screw intoxicants in favor of traditional hip-hop simplicity. More apt to remind listeners of A Tribe Called Quest than the Geto Boys, K-Otix provides beats and rhymes of classic design. With their producer Russel "the Are" Gonzalez having received much inspiration and some actual training from Gang Starr legend and ex-Texan DJ Premier, their music clearly expresses the re-constructive nature of the hip-hop aesthetic. As first and foremost an avid fan, diligent record collector, and student of jazz, soul, and funk music, the Are only then allows himself to become a crafty composer of original pieces. His knack for unearthing just the right samples and drum cadences to move crowds is of course greatly enhanced by the presence of Damien Randle and Micah Nickerson on microphones. Their aggressive manner of lyricism, characterized by blunt insights and percussive inflections, completes the K-Otix formula for dynamic rap music. Quickly after the group's formation in 1992, K-Otix established itself as a formidable live act, extensively touring throughout Texas and even winning an award at the 1995 Gavin Convention in New Orleans. By the time that their first official release surfaced in 1997, the Spontaneity EP, an already sizable fan base, teased for years by dirtily reproduced demo tapes, collectively jumped at the chance to purchase their finished material. Indeed the high quality of the independently released record, as well as the buzz that it created, was enough to initiate a collaboration with legendary Philadelphia DJ Cash Money called "Do You Wanna Be an MC." On top of that, K-Otix also landed a major distribution deal by signing to Bronx Science. A series of singles put out by the New York-based label garnered much excitement surrounding K-Otix as songs such as "Mind Over Matter" and "World Renown" entered radio play lists across the country. With the release of their first full-length album, titled Universal, in 2001, K-Otix had truly become an international draw. Within the next year or so, tours of Japan and Europe were mingled amongst single collaborations with the Lone Catalysts and Dallas radio personality Head Krack. Refueling with a new series of recordings released on their own K-Otix imprint, both Hustler's Theme and The Black Album were unleashed in 2002. While the former presents the Are working with a cast of emcees that includes Count Bass D, Truth Enola, D-Ology, and K of Example, the latter features Damien and Mic rhyming over their own production. ~ Robert Gabriel, Rovi