Ubi

One-half of Strange Music group-turned-duo Ces Cru, Ubi (aka Ubiquitous) has recorded solo material on a periodic basis. Seven years after the incisive and voluble MC debuted with the mixtape Matter Don’t Money, he returned with a series of EPs titled Under Bad Influence (2018-2019), which were subsequently compiled to become his first proper album. Arvada, Colorado native Mike "Ubi" Viglione got his start alongside partner Godemis in Ces Cru, a Kansas City, Missouri-based act that made their recorded debut in 2004 with Capture Enemy Soldiers. After a few more releases and a set of solo 2012 mixtapes — Ubi’s set was Matter Don’t Money — the duo became one of the core artists on Tech N9ne’s Strange Music label, hitting the Billboard 200 four times through 2017. During an extensive tour in support of their fourth charting title, Catastrophic Event Specialists, Godemis left unexpectedly, prompting Ubi to quickly adapt as a solo performer. During the continued hiatus of Ces Cru, Ubi signed a solo deal with Strange Music and put together a three-volume series of EPs titled Under Bad Influence. The first volume arrived in 2018. After two more installments (one of which featured an appearance from Godemis), the three EPs were combined and expanded in 2019 for a full-length of the same title. That August, it entered Billboard’s Independent Albums chart at number 32. ~ Andy Kellman