"...this is a GREAT record"
- Jeff Chang (cantstopwontstop.com)

"...talk about political, REAL hip hop? Coming from hardcore filipino political minds? This is what I'm talking about, artistic... This is that Immortal Technique, that dead prez sh**, from the Filipino side of the coin. You need to check this out."
- Adisa Banjoko, the "Bishop of Hip Hop" (lyricalswords.com)

"...you'll immediately want to reload the album and listen again. This is hot."
- www.caughtinthecrossfire.com

"The fifteen tracks on Barrel Men fight for control of your booty and your brain, but never fight over the two. Each beat, complete with scratches by DJ Phatrick, is as dance-worthy as anything you'd hear at a club."
- Left Turn Magazine

"More than just street-conscious, the pair shares a fearless attitude of no-holds-barred vocalizing and staying true to their roots."
- L.A Alternative Press

"Barrel Men may be the best rap album by Pinoy gang members turned conscious MCs you've ever heard...filled with militant-but-not-gangsta sentiments, crucial reggae and hip-hop mashdowns, outspoken social commentary, and introspective self-reflection."
- Eric Arnold, East Bay Express

Los Angeles/Bay Area, CA - Acclaimed revolutionary Pinoy hip hop group Native Guns are proud to announce the long-awaited, highly anticipated release of their debut album, “Barrel Men.”

An urban tribal masterpiece—“Barrel Men” reflects the life, times, and mission of these “two bald-headed brown brothas with tattoos.” MCs Kiwi and Bambu both grew up in inner-city Los Angeles districts where gang culture was an integral part of their youth. Building names for themselves as emcees separately in L.A.’s prolific underground hip hop scene, they were united through the same passion to improve their community. Both credit hip hop for providing an alternative to gang life and sparking their social consciousness.

With production from DJ Rhettmatic (World Famous Beat Junkies, Visionaries), Sabzi (Blue Scholars), Asi and others, the Native Guns combine music with critical thought, covering topics ranging from third world sweatshop labor (“Work It”) to self-criticism (“Look in the Mirror”). Spitting knowledge doesn’t have to be boring: the Guns prove this with their head-nodding anthem “Champion,” the first single from the album. Another song that is sure to get crowds jumping is the track “Hammer,” which is a bouncing call-to-arms for fellow youth from the hood. “1995” has Kiwi and Bambu reminiscing about the feel-good innocent days of discovering hip-hop, while “Kombat” provides a scathing critique of today’s mainstream rap industry.

“Barrel Men” represents a fresh perspective in hip hop, embodying the bridge between art and activism. In this tradition of socially conscious music, this album will certainly be an important contribution, both in the classroom and on the street corner.