These days, street marketing is a corporate-funded phenomenon. But back in the day, labels like Sugar Hill broke artists on a street level, pumping 'em through the clubs and the mom-and-pop stores. Emcees Rasco and Planet Asia of the Bay Area duo Cali Agents return to those old-school, DIY ethics on How The West Was One, which comes from Ground Control via Nu Gruv Alliance, a small California label that's recently been gaining notoriety in hip-hop circles. The enterprise is a matter of artistic and economic autonomy, principles not exactly high on a major label's priority list. "If we can sell 50,000 units, we're cool," Planet Asia says. "The advantage of being on an independent is being able to do what we want to do." The group's no nonsense musical style and estimable rhyming skills have already brought them much respect within hip-hop's inner circles, with The Source naming their 1997 breakthrough Time Waits For No Man one of the best independent albums that year. In the wake of their strong support in the indie world, both have heard the call of the major label world, as well. Planet Asia, who has also garnered notice for his work with the Lyricist Lounge, is working on a solo debut for Interscope. Ironic? Maybe. But with Cali Agents, he will no doubt stay true to the game. "I'm trying to play both sides," he explains. "But people are gonna know me from the underground." - CMJ New Music Monthly (August, 2000). Listen below...