THE TRIBE & BIG CATS!

The Tribe & Big Cats operate on a simple philosophy: rap music can be fun without being stupid. It can be intelligent without being pretentious. Over a full-length album and an EP, rapper TruthBeTold (Chris Hooks) and producer Big Cats have crafted a sound that ties together all of these impulses, blending the tireless DIY work ethic of the underground, the confidence of the mainstream stars, and the kind of pure technical talent that defies easy categorization. It’s “real hip hop” without the elitism. It’s party rap that doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure. It’s gimmick-free music that will make your trunk knock and your neurons fire.

In 2011, TTxBC released two albums. The first, Forward Thinkers Movers Shakers, featured guest appearances from Planet Asia, Phil Da Agony, Toki Wright, Abstract Rude, and more. City Pages called the album “... equal parts respect for hip-hop's traditional methods and efforts to progress, all couched in the desire to make you nod your head and shake your ass.” The second album, Make Good, was released on December 2, with a sold out release party at First Avenue's 7th St. Entry. The album features appearances from Smoke DZA, BJ The Chicago Kid, MaLLy and more. City Pages named it one of their Albums of the Year. TTxBC continues to work on new music and will also be hitting the road, with shows scheduled throughout the midwest.

Past Shows


Dec
21
st
2012
Mainroom
Dec
21
st
2012
Mainroom

END OF THE WORLD

official party of the apocalypse
with DJ NAME, Sean Anonymous, The Chalice and more!
Nov
3
rd
2012
Mainroom
Nov
3
rd
2012
Mainroom

Grieves

with THE TRIBE & BIG CATS! and Sweatshop Union
Oct
26
th
2012
Mainroom
Oct
26
th
2012
Mainroom

P.O.S

with THE TRIBE & BIG CATS!, Audio Perm, Mike Mictlan and more!
Jul
14
th
2012
7th St Entry
Jul
14
th
2012
7th St Entry

THE TRIBE & BIG CATS!

with Jimmy 2 Times, Metasota and F. STOKES
Jun
28
th
2012
7th St Entry
Jun
28
th
2012
7th St Entry

Claire de Lune

with Noam the Drummer, K.Raydio, Greg Grease and more!
May
18
th
2012
7th St Entry
May
18
th
2012
7th St Entry

MaLLy

with Jimmy 2 Times, 925ve and THE TRIBE & BIG CATS!
Mar
28
th
2012
7th St Entry
Mar
28
th
2012
7th St Entry

BLACK MILK with live band NAT TURNER

with THE TRIBE & BIG CATS!, J. Pinder and A.Dd+
Dec
2
nd
2011
7th St Entry
Dec
2
nd
2011
7th St Entry

THE TRIBE & BIG CATS!

with Alicia Steele and The Endeavors, MaLLy and Art School Girls
Jul
15
th
2011
Mainroom
Jul
15
th
2011
Mainroom

Keys to the City

with PLAYATTA, THE TRIBE & BIG CATS!, Noam the Drummer and more!

More Shows

Apr
17
th
7th St Entry

The Lagoons

Apr
2
nd
7th St Entry

Arts Fishing Club

Mar
14
th
First Avenue

JoJo

with Emmy Meli
Apr
11
th
Turf Club

The Weather Station