¡Mayday!

Emerging out of the awkward era of early-aughts rap bands, alongside groups like Flobots and Gym Class Heroes, ¡Mayday! would be easy to write off as a gimmick if it wasn’t for their actual talent. The sort of Hot Topic group out of Miami possesses legitimate rhyme skills and noteworthy production, which probably helped get them signed to Strange Music, the independent label owned and operated by rapper Tech N9ne. Their latest single, “Shelter,” boasts a reggae swagger with the rappers attacking the swinging beat from all angles, a reflection of their skill as seasoned lyricists. The group is on tour in support of their new release South of 5th out Friday, September 7.