Biography

Main Attrakionz are a rap duo from North Oakland whose laid-back rhymes and dreamy, ethereal beats earned them praise as pioneers of an underground movement called "Cloud Rap" during the early 2010s. The two rappers involved, MondreM.A.N and Squadda B., started recording together in junior high. By the time they were 19 years old, they'd joined up with a talented collective of left-field Bay Area rap acts and electronic producers called Green Ova. There, Main Attrakionz carved out their own niche, rapping over hypnotic beats with chillwave atmospherics. The pair proclaimed themselves Best Duo Ever with the title of a 2010 mixtape, which was followed by Blackberry Ku$h, Two Man Horror Film, Chandelier, and 808s & Dark Grapes, among several others. Blogs quickly picked up on the duo's unique style, and their profile was raised exponentially when New York City-based clothing brand Mishka released 808s & Dark Grapes II as a free download in 2011. The mixtape featured production by Clams Casino, Silky Johnson, Keyboard Kid, Friendzone, and other key architects of the cloud rap sound, as well as a guest appearance by a then-obscure A$AP Rocky. The release was praised by several online publications and was subsequently given a limited vinyl pressing by experimental label Type. Following this, Main Attrakionz completed remixes for Peaking Lights and Lo-Fi-FNK and appeared on tracks by Ryan Hemsworth, Jam City, Kool A.D., and several others. The duo collaborated with Anticon producer Jel and L.A.-based hip-hop artist Zachg on 2012 EP cLOUDLIFE (named in tribute to cLOUDDEAD, the most obvious precursor to cloud rap). Main Attrakionz' proper full-length debut came in the form of Bossalinis & Fooliyones on Young One Records. The 2012 album featured production by Supreme Cuts, Zaytoven, the Mekanix, and many others, as well as a guest rap by Gucci Mane. The duo collaborated with Grown Folk on 2013 EP Cloud City on Templar Sounds, which featured remixes by Planet Mu artist Kuedo. After a few years of under-the-radar mixtapes, Main Attrakionz re-emerged in 2015 with 808s & Dark Grapes III on Vapor Records, produced entirely by old cohort Friendzone. ~ Jason Lymangrover & Paul Simpson, Rovi