#stereo13

Stereo 13 (formerly Existereo) of the Shapeshifters and Candy's .22

Stereo 13 (born Courtney Gibson) is a one man band from Los Angeles who has been quietly making some of the most technically skilled rap music of the last decade with warts-and-all honesty. While most of us were too busy bugging out over Def Jux and Rhymesayers to properly take note, Stereo was diligently recording with every indie rap legend in the L.A. area and tirelessly booking his own tours through Europe and the States. Whether taking the stage before Eminem or dropping songs with the Mars Volta's Ikey Owens on his own Dead Guy Records the man's dues have been paid.

Fans of his solo album "Hopeless Crooks with Open Books" know the hard-living evidenced in his lyrics has become as much of a calling card as his machine-gun cadences. A matured, world  traveler who makes his way on an authentic Indian Larry chopper, Stereo 13 has lived life as many of his contemporaries have only dared tell it. A couple of close calls behind him now, he's outlived his interest in glorifying self-destruction and suffering. "I'm tired of the dark. I just want to grow through happiness and love.", he says. Asked about his change in outlook he quipped, "When you're going through hell, you just keep going."

The debut mixtape from Stereo13. Photography and Art Direction by The Wolf Counsel.  Click above to download. 

Track listing: