Being from Washington, D.C., automatically raises the stakes for any emcee. The original “Murder Capital” ranks 8th in America’s urban markets, is the nation’s #1 most watched political center, and is the birthplace of Go-go, a musical subculture which has influenced Hip-Hop since its nascence nearly 30 years ago. Even with all of this in hand, the true voice of D.C. Hip-Hop has yet to be defined, and for the district’s premier rap group, Likeblood, establishing that voice has always been paramount. As a true personification of the rarely-seen culture of the nation’s capital, which has been ingrained in the group since their youth growing up on the streets of D.C., Likeblood genuinely brings a unique sound and experience to the Hip-Hop game.

Already equipped with a blazing hot single (“Red Carpet” feat. Chris) that is impacting radio across the country and a video to match that premiered in April 2009 as BET’s “New Joint of the Day” on their hit show, “106 and Park,” Likeblood (Eric “Yung E” Mann, 25; Andre “Dre Strong” Strong, 26; Mbea “Mbea Da 1” Bassil, 27) is surging up the industry ranks and is headed to the studio to begin working on their debut album, “Da Bi’Ness” (slated for release in late 2009). With this album, Likeblood is not only striving to make a classic LP, but they are also looking to continue establishing themselves as a genuine voice for the streets of D.C. in the global hip-hop community.

Like most crews, Likeblood started off as a full regime, even crossing intra-city boundaries to fill its ranks. But as everyday life soldiered on, the group found itself scaling back to the current trio to officially push their product. In early 2006, the group signed a record deal with indie label, Soblu Music Group, who cast the group alongside Wood Harris (“Remember the Titans,” “Paid in Full,” “The Wire”) and Clifton Powell (“Norbit,” “Ray,” “Next Friday”) in the company’s debut feature film, “Jazz in the Diamond District.” In addition to acting in the film, Likeblood was heavily involved in creating the music and solidified a spot on the film’s soundtrack, which was produced by D.C.’s own super-producer, Chucky Thompson. “I think the biggest opportunity that we got goin’ right now is that we did the soundtrack with some of the hottest artists in D.C. �" Go-go bands, producers, rap artists, singers…” Dre says. His training as an actor landed him a leading role in the film.

In addition to promoting the film (movie and soundtrack will hit the streets in July 2009), Likeblood is taking their music nationwide. “At the beginning of ‘09 we started promoting our new single, ‘Red Carpet,’ co-produced by Chucky Thompson and Black Diamond producers, Best Kept Secret,” comments Yung E. “The video debuted on BET and the single has gotten a lot of radio support across the country. I think that really put us on the map and now it’s up to us to continue delivering great music to our fans. We have a lot of great records on the way.”

Likeblood’s current mixtape, entitled “WLBR: Likeblood Radio (Vol. 3) �" The Jazz in the Diamond District Edition,” is the third in a series of WLBR: Likeblood Radio mixtapes that they plan to release. This special edition mixtape not pays homage to the first feature film that they worked on as a group, but also serves as an outlet for Likeblood to release music for their fans as they head to the studio to work on their debut LP. Likeblood brings to the hip-hop game an experience that contrasts what is heard on the commercial scene and focuses on the positives and negatives of growing up in the streets of D.C. �" from the experiences, to the culture, to that unique D.C. sound. For Likeblood, originality is key and they are ready to show the world just how original D.C. is.