The Newport News, VA emcee Awon and Portland, ME producer Phoniks have been working together for a few years now. Their debut LP “Return to the Golden Era” was a throwback to 90s hip hop in every sense, with lyrics focusing on Awon’s troubled youth and tales of street grandeur. On their second LP “Knowledge of Self” they maintain their signature sound while refining things both musically and lyrically. Awon is speaking more from the present where he has adapted his rhymes to more relevant topics while keeping his all-natural flow groove-locked in the pocket while Phoniks brings extra colour to the table with jazzy piano chops, subtly layered samples and off-beat, un-quantized rhythms.