The Stranger’s Noise Complaint: 4UST Collective

Is 4UST Collective Seattle’s Next Big Hip-Hop Export?

Hip-hop typically hits harder when rappers are backed by actual ace musicians, as performances by the Roots and Shabazz Palaces (among others) prove. Seattle’s fast-rising 4UST (pronounced “forest”) uphold that claim with a grip of riveting live sets and recordings such as TR4IL MIX and All About the Growf. Led by MCs Webb Wavvy, D. Mikey, and Tyler Soze, they’re a tight crew in which all of the many moving parts smoothly click into place with a satisfying inevitability: intricate vocal arrangements, strong, fluid flows, clever wordplay, and instrumentation that expresses gritty funkiness, gripping suspense, or chill bluntedness from producer Qreepz, drummer/vocalist Mr. Hendrixxx, guitarist Aaron Lusher, bassist Palmer McDaniel, and others. Sure, 4UST have plenty of songs about weed, but the lyrics are cleverer than most about its importance to the (agri)culture—e.g., “All I need is some indica and I’m in da cut” from “Potluck.” With every track and gig, 4UST refute the common belief that pot induces laziness. DAVE SEGAL

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