As a hip hop band, Philadelphia Slick feels obligated to keep their ears tuned into everything. They cherish rap music because of its ability to cut across styles, tying differences together with drum loops, bass lines, and poetry. Funk, Soul, and Jazz were starting points, but the group has since branched out to incorporate classical, tango, techno, and other genres into their music. What results is a sound that is “both retro and futuristic in equal doses” according to Under the Radar. At times a tight trio, at times a sprawling orchestral twelve piece, Slick is able to rock venues from small bars to large theaters with a consistently energetic and diverse sound. Wonka Vision observes, “(Lead Emcee) Noesis likes to concoct rhymes that don’t just center around blind insults and rampant ego strokes.” After three years the group still doesn’t feature a guitar; Slick’s drummer doesn’t use toms except to hold set lists or samplers. The group released their second album, Oil, on May 12, 2009.