Un-who?

Photo credit:

Sometimes, national magazines give major love to the people you least expect. I remember when, two years ago, the Fader put Maceo on the cover. He may be the least-known cover subject in the magazine’s seven-year history. The story was even written by Diplo (aka Wesley Pentz). The rapper hasn’t exactly set the world on fire since, even while other Big Cat Records stars have moved on to major deals (Rasheeda to Imperial/EMI, Gucci Mane to Atlantic). “We’re just going to come right out and say that our Maceo feature was one of the most slept-on looks in the history of the mag,” read a subsequent blog post on the Fader’s website.

Fast-forward to the June issue of Spin, which has a very long article on Uncrowned. This doesn’t mean that the long-suffering hard-rock band has signed a major deal and is about to blow up like Hinder. Instead, the story follows Uncrowned during this year’s SXSW as it tries to network with label executives and other industry slugs. It’s called “The Art of Hustle,” and it doesn’t really have a happy ending.

Earlier this month Uncrowned posted a long note on its MySpace page about the story, just in case anyone got the false impression that the band is a wannabe. “Let me straighten up some things. First I was raised to be a bottom feeder of society. I wasn’t given a chance, and I am very uncomfortable around money. When we waltzed up into the Four Seasons, the first thing I saw was an orange Lamborghini, and fifty year old men with 20 year old girls in 900 dollar dresses. This was so ludicrous to me.” That sounds ludicrous to me, too.

The note, which is credited to the entire band, goes on to read, “I don’t want your Kobe filet, or your orange Lamborghini. (although I will have a few of your 13 dollar martini’s please) I already have something I have never had…a family…Uncrowned.” It’s a contradictory statement, sure. Uncrowned was clearly at SXSW in search of a major recording contract and/or opportunity. But I guess that’s understandable. When your life’s work gets interpreted by someone else, you tend to issue clarifications, no matter how slight or insubstantial the errors.

You can read the article here. Uncrowned plays at the 10 High tonight (June 27).