Posted March 6, 2008
By RDaniels

High-energy gigs are their trademark. The Urban Sophisticates, of Greensboro, deliver live hip-hop like no one else in the South. The septet formed in 2002, combining their influences to make a unique sound: a fusion of hip-hop, funk, rock and jazz. A strong horn section compliments the smooth rhymes of brother MCs, Benton and Aaron James. The band is reminiscent of The Roots: sharing a raw, instrumental style. The Sophisticates got their big break when they won the Independent Music World Series Southeast showcase in Atlanta. As a result, Billboard named them the best-unsigned band in the nation. The Sophisticates have performed with artists like Weekend Excursion, Talib Kweli and KRS-One. Later this month, The Sophisticates will perform at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

The Urban Sophisticates 356 Clemson March 6 10 p.m. (864) 654-1356 www.theurbansophisticates.com