The Niceguys: Free, Christolph, Yves Saint, DJ Candlestick

Meet The Niceguys; arguably Houston’s best kept hip-hop secret. The group’s debut album, The Show, which was released independently this past September, is a refreshing reminder of the era of group hip-hop that reigned in the 1990s.

Lead emcee, Yves Saint, helps channel the group’s inner Wu-Tang Clan with raw delivery to accompany the savvy lyrical style, while the top-notch production duo of Christolph and Free use experimental jazz beats and guitar-based rock melodies in a style reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest. Everything about the Niceguys’ sound and style comes off as “big”, with the potential to break loose of Houston. Not bad for four guys who met at the University of Houston. That sound will be on display tonight at the House of Blues when the Niceguys headline a show that also features Mantis and Thurogood.

“None of this was planned, we all knew somebody through mutual friends,” said Saint. “Free and Christolph were planning this before they met me. We all found out about each other’s talents just from being friends.”

There is a strong group dynamic and continuity with everything the Niceguys do, from slick-looking music videos to tongue-in-cheek online shorts chronicling the group’s musical progress done by Dan Ocean, the group’s director of cinematography and unofficial fifth member. The vintage sound also sets the Niceguys apart from today’s hip-hop, where everyone is trying to be the next Drake or Lil’ Wayne.

“Nothing was forced, everything was kind of organic,” Christolph said of the departure from what is currently big in the mainstream.

Initially, the group was aimed to make an EP, but decided on making a full album representing what they were all going through individually in their lives and a musical representation of what “the show” is all about.

“We wanted to keep that live-show feel to it,” said Free. “That is why you hear a lot of horns, big drums and stuff like that. It is all about the show.”

Niceguys: The Show
The Show has drawn rave reviews from the hard-to-please blog community as well as respect from the local scene. Rather going for the cash grab, the Niceguys released The Show free of charge.

“In this day and age, times are hard and people aren’t as willing to buy CDs and products,” said DJ Candlestick. “We just have the mentality if you aren’t going to buy it, you need to hear it at least.”

While releasing an album for free is more common in the download era, the Niceguys see it as a way to introduce people to what they are all about. They are young, hungry and willing to combat convention that has stagnated the modern hip-hop scene.

“There is a way we approach rap,” said Saint. “We aren’t your typical rappers or producers; we are all people first. Looking at it from a people perspective, you have to turn a blind eye to the business aspect. The business doesn’t know us. We didn’t come in with a co-sign with some major artist. We didn’t have anyone usher us into the ‘game.’ So when your doing what we do, how do you wipe your feet on the rug? How do you show you are here to add something and show humility? How do you show the effort?”

The Niceguys have had opportunities to open for hip-hop heavyweights like Talib Kweli and Kanye West protégée Big Sean, but prefer to do shows on their own terms, and Tuesday night's show is likely to be as much of a party as it is a concert.

“(Our show) Is a representation of relationships between ourselves on stage and our supporters and friends,” Saint said. “It is not about people coming to worship you, it is about them. That is why we are up there sweating. You can say ‘thank you for coming’, but we like to show it.”

THE NICEGUYS
with Mantis and Thurogood
9 p.m. Tuesday
House of Blues Bronze Peacock Room
1204 Caroline
$10

For more of the interview with The Niceguys

The Niceguys "Mr. Perfect"

THE NICEGUYS | Myspace Video