Minneapolis-based rap collective Doomtree is essentially the Odd Future of the Midwest, except they don’t get into foolish antics like Tyler, the Creator and company. This seven-member group boasts a couple of producers, a DJ, a female rapper-singer named Dessa and P.O.S., who has worked closely with Rhymesayers talent including Atmosphere.  Released today on Wired.com, Doomtree’s latest single, “The Grand Experiment,” off of their forthcoming album No Kings is a good introduction of several different sounds coming together smoothly. If Doomtree’s last summer Wu-Tang Clan and Fugazi mash-up mixtape, WUGAZI (13 Chambers), had a couple of spins in your iPod; they are ready to reclaim their spot in hip-hop. No Kings drops November 22.

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In one of the more intriguing and anticipated mash-ups since Danger Mouse brought us The Grey Album, Cecil Otter and Swiss Andy have finally released Wugazi, the fusion of the Wu-Tang Clan and rock band Fugazi. Listeners have gotten a taste of the album’s sound with “Forensic Shimmy”, a mix of Fugazi’s “Forensic Scene” and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard‘s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”.

This is certainly a completely different and intriguing way to experience the Wu, and with no cost attached it’s definitely worth a listen or two. The fact remains, however, that the production from the original tracks is so ingrained in the hip-hop conscious that there’s a certain discomfort that comes with listening to the re-worked songs. So where does this rank within the great tradition of mash-up albums?

Wugazi • 13 Chambers by WUGAZI

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