CunninLynguists – Southernunderground (OBI)

CunninLynguists – Southernunderground

2xLP "Emerald & Sapphire Smoke" Colored Vinyl + OBI

Limited to 200 hand-numbered copies

Coalmine Reissues in partnership with Stunning English are pleased to announce this special edition repress of CunninLynguists’ acclaimed sophomore LP, Southernunderground.

Originally released in April of 2003, the album is a masterclass in Southern hip-hop that artfully balances lyricism, storytelling, and soulful production. The trio — consisting of Deacon the Villain, Kno, and at the time Mr. SOS — carves a niche in the Southe rn rap landscape with a sound that's deeply rooted in the region's musical traditions while pushing the boundaries of the genre. From the outset, tracks like "Southernunderground" and "Dying Nation" showcase Kno’s eclectic production, blending soulful samp les, live instrumentation, and organic boom-bap beats. The production style complements Deacon and SOS’s sharp lyricism, adding depth to the album's social commentary on race, poverty, and politics.

One of the album’s standout features is its impeccable balance between introspection and wit. Songs like "Love Ain’t" offer a somber reflection on love and heartbreak, while "War" presents a poignant critique of the United States' foreign policy. However, the group doesn’t shy away from playful and humorous lyricism either, seen in tracks like the Masta Ace assisted "Seasons," which cleverly uses the metaphor of changing seasons to chart hip-hop’s evolution.

What makes SouthernUnderground particularly timeless is its unique fusion of Southern roots with a boom-bap sensibility, allowing the group to avoid the typical rap tropes often associated with Southern rap. All things considered, SouthernUnderground cements the CunninLynguists as underground rap titans capable of crafting complex, thought-provoking music without sacrificing Southern charm.

This repress features the illustrated version of the album cover, with Disc 1 pressed on Emerald Smoke vinyl and Disc 2 pressed on Sapphire Smoke vinyl. Housed in 24pt direct-to-board jackets and complete with an OBI strip designed by Jelle Smid.