Best Of CLE: Hip-Hop Band

MuAmin Collective released Tailor Made on Juneteenth, a collection of songs that deal with oppression, what it's like just hanging out and life as a Black person.

MuAmin Collective turned heads by releasing the cerebral and socially charged Tailor Made on Juneteenth, about a month after the May 25 death of George Floyd. Over one of the album’s signature jazzy, thumping and grimy grooves, the title track discusses how society’s systems of oppression shape the lives of Black people.

But seven albums in, lyricist Josiah Quarles, producer and lyricist Aaron Snorton and lyricist James Quarles don’t feel like they’re reacting. Audiences are finally primed to what they’ve been preaching since their first record in 2006.

“We’ve been making records like this,” says Snorton. “We’ve stayed consistent, and we’re finally having people come around to the concepts we’ve been talking about.”

Tailor Made was recorded before the pandemic. Even so, the band’s among the most aggressive in Cleveland, having performed a feature livestream at the Maltz Center For Performing Arts in August and a DIY skate park show in June.

When it comes to new music, however, don’t expect MuAmin to hit the next news cycle.

“This is not a protest album, and it’s not positive hip-hop,” says Josiah. “It’s about how you’re doing with your lady, how’s your people, what’s it like hanging out. Even just catching the bus. It’s life music.” muamincollective.com