In the opening years of the 21st century, Antipop Consortium distinguished itself in underground hip-hop through an inventive style that linked New York rap with glitchy IDM. The lineup of Priest, Beans, and M. Sayyid formed in 1997 and brought producer E. Blaize into the fold. A handful of underground singles circulated mainly inside New York’s boroughs until Ark 75 issued the debut album Tragic Epilogue in 2000. Although Tragic Epilogue proved less bold than the group’s later work, it drew notable acclaim and aligned Antipop Consortium with other daring New York underground rap acts such as Company Flow.
Warp Records, the storied English IDM label known for Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada, and Autechre, signed the group and issued the EP The Ends Against the Middle in late 2001, then the full-length Arrhythmia in 2002. Both projects displayed a clear IDM imprint, especially in their production. E. Blaize replaced conventional hip-hop breakbeats with glitchy beats and angular rhythms. The change allowed Antipop Consortium to move from the American underground hip-hop circuit into the international IDM scene, which was growing more receptive to rap in the early 2000s. After completing DJ Shadow’s North American tour at the end of July 2002, however, Antipop Consortium disbanded. High Priest, Beans, and M. Sayyid were expected to deliver solo releases before year’s end, yet only Beans launched a solo career while the other two formed Airborn Audio.
In 2007 Antipop Consortium announced its reunion. The group resumed touring in 2008, including a British run as openers for Public Enemy, and returned to the studio to record Fluorescent Black, released in 2009.
