Since 2007, UBO MAG has tracked the movements and music of Humboldt County’s finest underground exports, the Dirty Rats. After years of successfully covering their story in publications like UBO MAG and Midtown Monthly Magazine in Sacramento, decades past, and we’ve reconnected with the seasoned crew to dive deep into a new solo project: 555, the latest album from veteran emcee Kush.
The Rats’ Underground Lineage
The Dirty Rats originated as the core crew of Dirty Rat Records, a label and crew established in 1998 by founder Sonny Wong. The initial lineup included Kush, Franco and DJ Stir Fry Willie, along with Sonny Wong. As their unpolished, grimey style sharpened, key members like Callous (also known as CallousMC, who first connected with Kush while attending UC Santa Barbara) joined, alongside others who have joined throughout the years; GMG, D-Rize, Mr Ocean, Karina and DJ Saursaus.
Operating primarily out of Fortuna, the crew quickly became a well-known part of the local Humboldt Hip Hop scene, earning recognition by opening for iconic acts like KRS-ONE, Cypress Hill, Redman and Too Short. Their crew discography includes albums like Spitshine (2006), Kill The Dead Horse (2009) and Sentences Remain (2012).
555 By Kush, Dirty Rats Track Review
The entire vibe of 555 is pure Golden Era Hip Hop, filtered through the unique, seasoned lens of Humboldt’s beautiful city by the sea, Arcata. Kush’s solo work on this project confirms his presence in a much bigger scene than just Humboldt; his lyrical vibe is part of the robust Northern California legacy that spans Sacramento and Reno all the way up the West Coast to Washington.
This is authentic, curated and rich in underground consciousness. It is about storytelling—these seaside mountain hip-hop legends making music that can energize listeners across the U.S. from Cali to Washington and Oregon and the Midwest states like Colorado, Wyoming and Indiana.
The track “Choices” is a standout that blares the classic Humboldt Dirty Rats sound fans are used to, with a slight Bay Area influence running through the beat. Kush rhymes over spooky sound samples and boom-bap beats that hit hard. The core messaging of responsibility and reflection is powerful, suggesting a future track with a storytelling legend like The Grouch would be a must-hear.
“‘Everybody’s got choices, repercussions, find forgiveness and then you crush ‘em, you dust them in the rear view mirror.”
The production on “Overunder” goes hard on 555, driven by a deep bassline that locks in perfectly with Kush’s rhythm. The track features complex wordplay that delves into the hustler’s mentality and the contradictions of the underground life.
“I am the stick in your spoke… / The West West Coast Called, just to Yes, Yes Ya’ll… / Over worked, undergrown, overpaid, underdog, overlooked – I don’t even understand.”
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Youtube Playlist “555”
