Date of Birth September 11, 2001

“Every now and again, a hip-hop outfit emerges and threatens to take the music from its growing commercial context and back to the essence... not only do the Arsonists offer up an amazingly imaginative form of lyricism and unbelievably sharp delivery, but also they support the wider aspect of hip-hop... Integrating their old-skool outlook with forward-looking production skills and lyricism... and tackling effortlessly both the humorous and the hardcore, The Arsonists shine so brightly they send most of their contemporaries scuttling shamefully into the shadows.”
Paul Sullivan — DJ Magazine

If hip-hop were a sport, the Arsonists would have been considered all-stars years ago. The crew, which began 13 members strong in Bushwick, Brooklyn back in 1993, has since been reduced to Q-Unique, Jise One and Swel Boogie. No longer the size of a football team, but pared down to a compact three-man group, the trio has developed a signature mode of expression that has earned them a loyal international following. In September, their eagerly awaited second album drops on the public.

Following the release of three innovative 12-inch singles (on Bobbito’s Fondle ’Em Records and Serchlite/Geffen), and their critically acclaimed 1999 Matador debut As The World Burns, members Freestyle and D-Stroy left the group, leaving Q-Unique, Jise One and Swel Boogie to carry the reins on the group’s new album, Date of Birth.

Despite the first album’s excellent reviews and fan support, the guys considered it just a baby, and strove for a more mature, thoughtful sophomore effort through which they could be reborn, hence the title Date of Birth. Concentrating on smarter song structure, melody and provoking lyrics, the Arsonists developed an LP rich with head-nodding cuts, from the piano-laced crew manifesto "We Be About" to the haunting sounds of "Language Arts," the funky "Space Junk" with Kinetic Energy and the gothic, string heavy "Alive," which details the group’s triumphant rise above struggle and adversity. "Self-Righteous Spics (Anthem)," produced by the Beatnuts’ Psycho Les, is a high energy track guaranteed to get you moving, while "Millionaire" is a hilariously clever take on the popular Regis Philbin game show.

While the Arsonists’ creative and bold music speaks for itself, the group is also well-known for one of the best stage shows in hip-hop. They have toured the world and played with such groups as the Roots, Public Enemy and Gang Starr; Q, Jise and Swel are currently in the midst of a 27-city North American tour with the Beatnuts and Greg Nice. The group will follow up this North American run with a late summer/early fall tour of Europe, Australia and Japan.

Also on the horizon for the trio is the soundtrack for "Empire," starring John Leguizamo, Denise Richards and Isabella Rosselini, and Fox Sports’ new extreme sports show, "Bluetorch TV," which will feature music from the new album. The trio can also be seen as featured players in the new Coca-Cola advertising campaign that is plastered across buses and bus stops in the Northeast, and in a Nike radio spot incorporating sports and hip-hop.

The Arsonists are quick to point out that they won’t compromise their creativity or integrity merely for the sake of sales, but they do acknowledge that commercial recognition is due. "It’s like the Olympics," says Q-Unique. "You train all your life to come to what? Fourth? We want a gold medal like everybody else, but we won’t surrender ourselves. We just try to make hot music."

As the World Burns August 24, 1999

Few M.C’s can compare to their lyrical fire. None can match the charismatic swagger that gushes forth from the moment you see any of them to when they leave the area. But for every outrageous prophecy, for every half-assed group or solo artist that’s out with their daring assault on the mic, it is matched by a tremendous presence of mind that has you aware Arsonists are one step ahead of the game.

Proof?

Put it on. As The World Burns. It’s a bold, blistering addition to their groundbreaking 3 singles, which feature many classics. Unlike other MC’s there is no air of panic in the Arsonists’ zany antics, reclaiming one of the most influential styles in music by playfully dominating the rhymes, trusting their instincts and never dodging the dark or difficult phrase. They’re not so much playing with fire as they’re bringing all challenges directly to them. They’re calling on the so-called forces of rap’s new millennium who dare to cross swords with their empire.

Since 1993, when they formed as the Bushwick Bomb Squad, the five young impresarios now known as The Arsonists have been one of the most impressive acts on the hip-hop scene. Q-Unique is a ten-year plus member of The Rock Steady Crew and has released records on both the Columbia and V.I.P. labels. D-stroy is known for his mix tape appearances and performance work on the title track for "Palante Siempre Palante," a documentary based on the Young Lords. Freestyle, working with Shabazz The Disciple, met D-Stroy when he won a Zulu Nation M.C. battle contest which D-stroy was hosting. Swel Boogie is a long standing partner of D-stroy, embellishing the group with his witty verbal content. Jise One rounds out the group with his frenetic lyrical style and lion-like mane.

The Arsonists’ greatly anticipated album As The World Burns is a bold statement, following three groundbreaking 12"s which featured such classics as "The Session" and "Halloween" (both appearing on Bobbito Garcia’s Fondle ’Em Records), "Venom" (on Serchlite Records), and "Seed." Covered in such magazines as Urb, SPIN, El Pitirre, Rap Sheet, The Source, Rap Et Ragga, Japan’s Warp magazine, and interviewed on MTV News, The Arsonists already have the fuse lit with ill songs showcasing a fresh new lyrical delivery. Furthermore, As The World Burns is expertly self-produced at a time when producers’ names seem more important than the artists.

The four elements of hip-hop have long been ignored in commercial rap, but The Arsonists use their own experiences in the worlds of B-Boys, Graff Artists, DJ’s and MC’s to explore these themes, pushing them all equally to the forefront.

Although you may at times find D-Stroy, Q-Unique, Swel, Jise One and Freestyle ordering from different menus, their direction in music is clear and united.

As The World Burns is out now.