Debaser is a two-man hip-hop group from Oregon, United States,[1] and are part of the crew Sandpeople. The duo consists of Ethic (MC) & Sapient (MC/Producer) and was founded in late 2005. Their name is a direct reference to the definition of the word debaser, not to be confused with the popular song Debaser by the Pixies.
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Ethic & Sapient both grew up in the small town of Eugene, Oregon where they were family friends at a young age. It wasn't until 2005 that the two began making music together and the group Debaser was quickly formed the same year.[2]
In early 2006, Debaser juggled driving from Eugene to Portland on weekends to record Sandpeople projects with doing shows in the Pacific Northwest & recording their debut album Crown Control [3], which featured Opio (of Hieroglyphics), Luckyiam (of Living Legends), Grayskul and Sleep (of Oldominion). They began touring as a group regularly throughout the Western United States in 2007.
Debaser spent much of 2008 & 2009 working on music with their crew Sandpeople and touring. During that time, Sapient also focused on establishing himself as a producer. He has since made beats for tracks that featured Slug (of Atmosphere), Aesop Rock & Inspectah Deck (of Wu-Tang Clan) to name a few.
In late 2009, they released a follow-up to Crown Control as a free album named Back to Work. It was offered exclusively as a download on Sandpeople's website and features Phat Kat, Rasco and Luckyiam.
Debaser released the album Peerless on May 4, 2010. The 14-song album features The Grouch [4], Cage & Eyedea.
Before Debaser was formed, Ethic spent a little over one-year in Australia living in the city of Melbourne, Victoria. During his time there, Ethic collaborated with many of Australia's most heralded artists including Bliss n Eso who have featured the MC on two of their albums. He also appeared on the album Interview with a Madman by Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, a man considered to be a part of "Australia's criminal folklore" [5], and was a judge for the first ever MC battle between Australia & New Zealand [6].