Planet B

San Diego-based duo Planet B combine the punk and hip-hop backgrounds of its respective members into fiery, genre-defying music. Following a couple of 7" releases, the band's 2018 self-titled debut full-length illustrated a deft touch at fusing hardcore punk with turntablism and all manner of other influences.

Having worked together on various projects in the past, Justin Pearson, of hardcore punk band Dead Cross, and hip-hop producer Luke Henshaw discovered a mutual desire to synthesize their talents into a new project. Their first release was the 2015 single "Wrong Utopia," which immediately set out their stall as confrontational category-resisters. A split 7" release with turntablist group Invisibl Skratch Piklz followed in 2017 before the duo began working on their debut full-length in earnest. They attracted a number of notable artists for guest spots on the album including Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner and PiL, and Killing Joke's Martin Atkins. Kool Keith (Dr. Octagon) also made an appearance on the bombastic lead track "Crustfund." Their self-titled debut was released in 2018 and featured raw, socially conscious lyricism and fuzzy, industrial beats indicating they were successors to Beastie Boys' particular brand of punk/hip-hop. ~ Bekki Bemrose