Quakers: The Underground Hip-Hop Supergroup
Quakers is a mysterious and prolific underground hip-hop collective formed by producers Portishead's Geoff Barrow, 7STU7, and Fuzzface. The group, originating from the United Kingdom, made a significant impact with their self-titled 2012 debut album, a sprawling 41-track project featuring a vast roster of underground MCs from around the globe.
Early career
The project was conceived around 2009, born from Geoff Barrow's desire to create raw, sample-heavy beats outside the context of his main bands. Barrow joined forces with two beatmaker friends, known only by their pseudonyms 7STU7 and Fuzzface, to form the production core. Their early work focused on crafting a massive library of gritty, instrumental hip-hop tracks, deliberately seeking vocalists outside the mainstream.
Breakthrough
Quakers' breakthrough arrived in April 2012 with the release of their self-titled debut album on the influential UK label Stones Throw Records. The album, Quakers, was a bold statement, comprising 41 tracks and featuring over 30 different vocalists, including established names like Dead Prez's M-1 and newcomers like Jonwayne. It was critically acclaimed for its ambitious scale and authentic boom-bap revival sound, though its underground nature meant it did not chart commercially.
Key tracks
Fitta Happier — This track, featuring Dead Prez's M-1, served as a prominent single, linking the group's new sound to conscious hip-hop legacy.
Jones — Featuring rapper Phat Kat, this song exemplifies the group's signature style of heavy drums and soulful, chopped samples.
What Chew Want — A collaboration with MC Aloe Blacc pre-"Wake Me Up," this track showcases the collective's ear for diverse vocal talent.
War Drums — With its aggressive production and guest verses from Lyric Jones and Prince Po, this cut highlights the album's raw, energetic side.
The collective maintained a low profile after their debut, with members focusing on other projects, but the Quakers album remains a cult classic. The project is celebrated for democratizing the recording process and spotlighting a global network of MCs over a unified, gritty production style. Their work continues to influence producers interested in collaborative, sample-based hip-hop.
Fans of Quakers' sample-rich, collaborative approach to hip-hop may also enjoy the work of similar artists. Explore Madlib for his prolific beat-making and genre-blending albums. Discover DJ Shadow for pioneering instrumental hip-hop and intricate sampling. Check out Portishead for the atmospheric, downtempo side of Geoff Barrow's production. Listen to The Roots for another large collective with a live, organic hip-hop sensibility.
RADIO ROTATION: The music of Quakers finds a natural home on the airwaves of independent music radio stations and specialist hip-hop shows that champion underground sounds. Their classic boom-bap beats and featured MCs are regularly featured on online radio streams dedicated to alternative and experimental hip-hop, ensuring their collaborative spirit reaches dedicated listeners.
The gritty, sample-driven hip-hop of Quakers can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover the vast Quakers catalog and their roster of MCs through the underground and alternative hip-hop radio stations available on onairium.com.
