Biography
Higher Brothers, a quartet from Asia specializing in hip-hop, transport elements of Chinese culture beyond national boundaries through trap rap performed in English, Mandarin, and the Sichuanese dialect native to their region. The group has operated since the early 2010s, achieving a major breakthrough in 2016 upon connecting with 88Rising and reaching broader listenership through worldwide performances plus the label's Head in the Clouds compilation. Their first release, Black Cab, appeared in 2017.
Originating in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province in central China, the members consist of MaSiWei, Psy. P, DZ Know, and Melo. Deriving their moniker from the domestic Haier brand, they combine intense cultural pride with rebellious stances and incisive yet lighthearted wit. Although the four encountered hip-hop during middle school, active involvement in the developing local underground came only afterward. Refining their skills through ties to Sichuan collectives CDC (Chengdu City Rap House) and TDC (Tiandi Clan), they united as a group and released the early single "Haier Brothers" in 2015. That recording spread virally and appeared on their debut mixtape, Higher Brothers Mixtape, issued in 2016. During the same period, the single "Black Cab" drew attention from the U.S.-based Asian entertainment collective 88Rising. A swift signing followed, along with growing notice via the singles "Bitch Don't Kill My Dab," "WeChat," and the hit single "Made in China" featuring Famous Dex. These cuts formed the basis of their inaugural official album, 2017's Black Cab, titled for the unlicensed taxis operating discreetly across China. Drawing from U.S. acts such as 50 Cent, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Migos, Black Cab included further contributions from labelmate Keith Ape, Korean-American rapper Jay Park, Sudanese emcee J Mag, and New Yorker Ken Rebel.
Building on growing visibility, the Brothers maintained high output throughout 2018, delivering collaborative EPs -- Type-3 alongside producer Harikiri and Chenggong Mingjiu ("Successful and Famous") with fellow Chengdu rapper Ty. -- while contributing to most tracks on 88Rising's label showcase compilation Head in the Clouds, which contained the hit single "Midsummer Madness." Higher Brothers also put out their EP Journey to the West -- an allusion to the classic Chinese tale centered on the Monkey King -- featuring appearances from Ski Mask the Slump God and production by Smokepurpp. They joined the 88Rising roster for a North American tour that concluded that September at the first Head in the Clouds festival, where the quartet shared headline billing with Rich Brian and Joji.
Early in 2019, the four delivered their second album, Five Stars. The project fused traditional hip-hop beats with modern sonic elements, enlisting American rappers JID, Ski Mask the Slump God, Denzel Curry, Soulja Boy, and additional guests alongside 88Rising labelmates Rich Brian, Joji, and NIKI for an energetic, celebratory set that connected American and Chinese audiences on songs such as the Chinese New Year anthem "Gong Xi Fa Cai."
Originating in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province in central China, the members consist of MaSiWei, Psy. P, DZ Know, and Melo. Deriving their moniker from the domestic Haier brand, they combine intense cultural pride with rebellious stances and incisive yet lighthearted wit. Although the four encountered hip-hop during middle school, active involvement in the developing local underground came only afterward. Refining their skills through ties to Sichuan collectives CDC (Chengdu City Rap House) and TDC (Tiandi Clan), they united as a group and released the early single "Haier Brothers" in 2015. That recording spread virally and appeared on their debut mixtape, Higher Brothers Mixtape, issued in 2016. During the same period, the single "Black Cab" drew attention from the U.S.-based Asian entertainment collective 88Rising. A swift signing followed, along with growing notice via the singles "Bitch Don't Kill My Dab," "WeChat," and the hit single "Made in China" featuring Famous Dex. These cuts formed the basis of their inaugural official album, 2017's Black Cab, titled for the unlicensed taxis operating discreetly across China. Drawing from U.S. acts such as 50 Cent, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Migos, Black Cab included further contributions from labelmate Keith Ape, Korean-American rapper Jay Park, Sudanese emcee J Mag, and New Yorker Ken Rebel.
Building on growing visibility, the Brothers maintained high output throughout 2018, delivering collaborative EPs -- Type-3 alongside producer Harikiri and Chenggong Mingjiu ("Successful and Famous") with fellow Chengdu rapper Ty. -- while contributing to most tracks on 88Rising's label showcase compilation Head in the Clouds, which contained the hit single "Midsummer Madness." Higher Brothers also put out their EP Journey to the West -- an allusion to the classic Chinese tale centered on the Monkey King -- featuring appearances from Ski Mask the Slump God and production by Smokepurpp. They joined the 88Rising roster for a North American tour that concluded that September at the first Head in the Clouds festival, where the quartet shared headline billing with Rich Brian and Joji.
Early in 2019, the four delivered their second album, Five Stars. The project fused traditional hip-hop beats with modern sonic elements, enlisting American rappers JID, Ski Mask the Slump God, Denzel Curry, Soulja Boy, and additional guests alongside 88Rising labelmates Rich Brian, Joji, and NIKI for an energetic, celebratory set that connected American and Chinese audiences on songs such as the Chinese New Year anthem "Gong Xi Fa Cai."
Albums
Singles
