Biography
Main Attrakionz formed as a rap duo in North Oakland, where their relaxed rhymes floated over dreamy, ethereal beats that positioned them as early 2010s trailblazers of the underground Cloud Rap movement. MondreM.A.N and Squadda B. first began recording together while still in junior high. By age nineteen they had aligned with Green Ova, a loose collective of left-field Bay Area rap acts and electronic producers, and began shaping their own lane by delivering verses atop hypnotic beats steeped in chillwave atmospherics. They declared themselves Best Duo Ever on a 2010 mixtape of the same name, then issued Blackberry Ku$h, Two Man Horror Film, Chandelier, 808s & Dark Grapes, and several additional projects. Online blogs soon amplified the pair’s singular approach, and their visibility surged when New York City clothing brand Mishka offered 808s & Dark Grapes II as a free download in 2011. That mixtape showcased beats from Clams Casino, Silky Johnson, Keyboard Kid, Friendzone, and other central architects of the cloud rap sound, plus a guest verse from a then-obscure A$AP Rocky; multiple web outlets praised the release, which experimental label Type later pressed in limited vinyl edition.
Main Attrakionz went on to supply remixes for Peaking Lights and Lo-Fi-FNK while appearing on tracks by Ryan Hemsworth, Jam City, Kool A.D., and additional artists. In 2012 they joined Anticon producer Jel and L.A.-based hip-hop artist Zachg for the EP cLOUDLIFE, its title honoring cLOUDDEAD as the clearest antecedent to cloud rap. Their first proper full-length, Bossalinis & Fooliyones, arrived the same year on Young One Records and included production from Supreme Cuts, Zaytoven, the Mekanix, and others alongside a guest verse from Gucci Mane. The duo next teamed with Grown Folk for the 2013 EP Cloud City on Templar Sounds, which incorporated remixes by Planet Mu artist Kuedo. After several lower-profile mixtapes, Main Attrakionz resurfaced in 2015 with 808s & Dark Grapes III on Vapor Records, an album crafted entirely by longtime associate Friendzone.
Main Attrakionz went on to supply remixes for Peaking Lights and Lo-Fi-FNK while appearing on tracks by Ryan Hemsworth, Jam City, Kool A.D., and additional artists. In 2012 they joined Anticon producer Jel and L.A.-based hip-hop artist Zachg for the EP cLOUDLIFE, its title honoring cLOUDDEAD as the clearest antecedent to cloud rap. Their first proper full-length, Bossalinis & Fooliyones, arrived the same year on Young One Records and included production from Supreme Cuts, Zaytoven, the Mekanix, and others alongside a guest verse from Gucci Mane. The duo next teamed with Grown Folk for the 2013 EP Cloud City on Templar Sounds, which incorporated remixes by Planet Mu artist Kuedo. After several lower-profile mixtapes, Main Attrakionz resurfaced in 2015 with 808s & Dark Grapes III on Vapor Records, an album crafted entirely by longtime associate Friendzone.
Albums
