Deep Puddle Dynamics

Few groups in hip-hop have sparked such intense reactions as Deep Puddle Dynamics, a collective that includes Dose, Sole, Slug, Jel, Moodswing9, Mayo, and Abilities (aka the Anticon and Atmosphere guys). While their debut LP, The Taste of Rain...Why Kneel, is noteworthy in that it helped sparked an explosion of angst-ridden bedroom rappers and tone-deaf beatmakers, and put the term "emo-rap" into the world's vocabulary, it remains debatable whether that's such a good thing. Eschewing all traditional hip-hop structure (and some would say soul), the DPD, and Anticon in general, found themselves unlikely heroes to multitudes of disenfranchised computer-literate youths and aging indie rock journalists. Meanwhile, others find their style to be unlistenable, overindulgent, and pretentious. Despite some vocal haters (including Def Jux honcho El-P), the members of Deep Puddle have flourished, gracing the pages of Spin magazine, touring the globe relentlessly, and delighting an intensely devoted following. This is a group you will either love or hate; there is no middle ground.