To understand the energy that operates between Mirage512 & Side Effect aka The Undergrind you have to be a student of hip hop Culture not just rap music. You have to go back and study the history of hip hop Culture. Together they have over 40 years of hip hop culture, life and music between them. Thier music almost requires prerequisites but it feels very comfortable at the same time.
The story of The Undergrind is the story of 2 underground emcee/b-boys, 1 from the West Oak Lane section of Philladelphia and one from the Northeast side of Austin, Tx that cross paths at a local radio event in Austin circa 2012 and build a great partnership. The 2 had similar childhoods, both growing up in 2 parent households in middle-class America in the 80s. They were both engulfed in the golden era of hip hop music and culture. Mirage comments "we toured last summer and from talking to each other while driving we liked the same emcees and groups from that era". The 2 also both share an affinity for the Soul, R&B and Blues music that are staples of their cities. Both are also college educated majoring in business.
SIDE EFFECT: started rhyming in the mid to late 80’s after being exposed to Hip Hop radio shows such as “The Rap Digest” on WDAS, and “Street Beat” on Power 99. In 1990, Side Effect bought himself an MPC, and focused on making beats. He took a brief hiatus from rap and focused on becoming a better song writer. In 2002, he reemerged on the Philly Hip Hop scene after networking with other artists on the now defunct website phillyhiphop.com. Through interacting on those message boards, Side networked with artists such as Happ G, Subhoodz, Adlib, Cimer Amor, Planetary, Reef the Lost Cauze, and Viro the Virus. He then started getting shows in the local tri-state area and quickly gained a reputation as a dope lyricist and animated performer. Side Effect produced and self-released his first Album “Underground Concoction” in 2003. He then hooked up with Stress the White Boy and Havok from Subhoodz in 2004 to release his second album “Rocking Chair Theory” on Krush Unit Recordings. In 2006, Side self-released his third album “Dirt Hustlin” which featured Rasco from Cali Agents and many other talented producers from the Philly scene. Side Effect released his first mixtape, “Grown Man Grizzly” in 2007. Then in 2008, Side Effect linked up with German-based producers the Snowgoons, and contributed the classic song “Knockatomi Plaza” to their album “Black Snow”. Side Effect and the Krush Unit crew hooked back up with the Snowgoons again in 2009 to record the song “Krush University” on their “Trojan Horse” album. 2010 proved to be an even busier year. Side Effect teamed up with Snowgoons for a third time to record the song “Who’s Side” for their fourth album Kraftwerk. That same year he also teamed up with Philly producer Happ G and released the full length album “Cabin Fever” on Karma Response Unit Records. Side Effect also collaborated with another Philly artist C. Raine, and released the classic mixtape “Hip Hop Hoarders: Buried Alive”. Side Effect believes in creating a brand for himself and understands that the key to his success and longevity is releasing consistent quality music
MIRAGE512: spit his first rhyme in 85 after being challenged by a schoolmate to a battle. After being beat in that battle he went home and taught himself to rhyme by rhyming along with the rappers he heard on the radio. He got serious about being an artist during his years at Prairie View A&M University near Houston, Tx. He linked with local artist Tee Double to form Kinetic Entertainment in 1995, the company now called Kinetic Global enjoyed regional success. Mirage recorded his first full album in 1996 called "Grown Folk Music", the album made a bit of noise around campus and in nearby Houston. Upon graduation from P.V he returned to Austin and began recording his L.I.A.R ep and released it through Los Angeles based Goodvibe Recordings. The ep was distributed worldwide and got a great response and was played on college radio and internet radio all over the world. In 2001 Mirage decided to establish his own company to release his music called Melodicscience Media Group he released his "BONAFIDE" album that same year, the album was 98% produced by Arson Optics (17yrs old at the time) and did well locally in Austin selling over 650 copies in Austin alone. In 2003 Mirage collaborated with Arson Optics to form Soul Oddysey the 2 recorded an album that never saw release but the mixtape they did (FORMULA 512) is highly regarded as a classic. Mirage released his self-titled album M.I.R.A.G.E in 2006 to critical acclaim from local publications and fans. In 2005 he released 2 mix tapes "The Other Side of Texas Vol. 1 & 1.5" Between 2006 and 2008 he began making beats and built a home studio in his extra bedroom @ his house, he also formed a group called The GUUD. ( Continue on next page)