Surprise Ingredient
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On April 24, the local Thrill Jockey label released All Natural’s sophomore album, Second Nature, and it’s one of the smartest, most musical hip-hop records to emerge so far from Chicago’s underdeveloped scene. But it probably won’t get the attention it deserves: About a year ago Kelly converted to Islam, and some Muslims believe that Muhammad frowned on music making. After some consultation with his imam, who told him the matter was open to debate, he decided not to quit–yet.
But he has pledged not to set foot in any venue where drinking or smoking is permitted, a choice that drastically limits the band’s opportunities to perform and expand its audience. The release party for Second Nature isn’t until Memorial Day, which was the earliest the label could secure an acceptable space. To accommodate Kelly, the chosen venue, the Empty Bottle, has agreed to shut down its bar for the night.
Thrill Jockey owner Bettina Richards became a fan of the duo after buying their first album and offered them valuable contact information and advice about distribution. Before long she was distributing the whole All Natural Inc. catalog. She also helped them finance a vinyl version of No Additives, No Preservatives, even though the CD had already been out for a year. “She took risks with us,” says Fields. “She thought our music was that good that she would just take a risk with no upside to that risk. That speaks volumes to me.” So when she offered to put out their next full-length, they said yes. (The New York underground hip-hop label Fat Beats, which has also worked with the local Molemen crew, will release the vinyl.)
Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): photo/Suzy Poling.
