Partners In Rhyme: two individuals united as one cohesive creative unit, using verbal tactics to display their worldly vision of what hip-hop can be if unapologetically taken back from the cold corporate massive. Complex, born Sasha Ostrovsky, 22, and Prospect, born Tim Costello, 21, are freedom fighters utilizing the only form of power left: voice. Hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana, hardly a hotbed for hip hop notoriety, these emcee’s have established themselves as torchbearers for truth in a genre where tales of the absurd are far too common. This is exemplified best on We Could Only Hope… We Could Only Hope…, their most recent release courtesy of Made From Scratch Records, is an album full of honesty, desperation, and urgency during an era where corporate hierarchy dominates the public’s exposure to a full range of music and artistry. Even more, these Partners embrace the grassroots, ‘do-it-yourself’ philosophy, independently opening the door to their artistic future and ushering in a healthy fan base. Complex cites, “Hope is all we have left since it is difficult to break through in Indy, hence the title. We became sick of waiting for someone else to make moves, so we decided to carve out our own path.” Still, it is the music on …Hope that captures the audience’s attention. Constructed with dark, grimy overtones and sharp, intense lyricism, both Complex and Prospect take on the arduous task of uncovering the ugly corners of existence with the desire of inspiring change. Elements of Atmosphere, Big L, D.I.T.C., Nas and Cage can be found within, but wound with their unique wordplay, genuine posture, and predilection for raw expression. Prospect details their experience as independent artists: “Right here is exactly what happens/ To two emcees that used to cut classes// Now we just write/ And try to cut classics// And that right there is a life spun backwards!” Production credits extend to Panik from the Molemen (“The Remedy,” “Sick of Them” and “9 to 5”) as well as Toe Jam. Collaborations are few and far between as this duo truly stands on their own two. The only exception includes Toe Jam from The Philosophy on “Three.” Tracklist: 1. We Could Only Hope 2. That Route 3. 9 to 5 4. Surrounded 5. This is 6. The Remedy 7. Can’t Stop 8. Sick of Them 9. Three 10. Drownin’ 11. Underground 12. Hip-Hope We Could Only Hope… – October 19th, 2007 – Made From Scratch Records – www.myspace.com/wearepartnersinrhyme - prospect_complex@yahoo.com - 317.850.1497