Normally, all that emerges from a freestyle battle is one winner and a bunch of losers. Now imagine a battle featuring both Bill E. Shakes, a.k.a. Hazm@, and Mr. Moser, a.k.a. ProZach. Both known for their wit, hustle, and flow, the two rivals were now pitted against each other on a local college campus. Shakes and Moser were like two UFC gladiators, foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the bell. The DJ dropped it, and the rest is history. Spectators that night did not see a winner and a loser. Instead, they witnessed the first live performance from what would become Potnus, one of hip-hop's most talented up-and-coming independent acts. Within a week, the two had an energetic and entertaining 20-minute set. They had penned and produced '503 Ohh', the first single off their debut album, 'Join the Club', which was released in July, 2001. When asked what it was like to start as a hype man, Moser replied, 'I just wanted in and this seemed like an opportunity to creep my toes through the back door." He knew that all he wanted to do was rap, as he had always "loved every aspect of hip-hop culture." However, up to that point, he never had the means to record. He realized that "it's easy to get respect on your block if you have skills, but that block is as far as the respect goes...and this seemed like a stepping stone towards a much bigger rock.
' Soon, Emaculate, a.k.a. Grubb E. Paw, joined Shakes and Moser. The trio was now complete. They rehearsed an entire year with a 10-piece band. They perfected their stage performance as they played over one hundred shows throughout the Pacific Northwest. Potnus spent the majority of 2005 expanding their fanbase, as they reached into California, Arizona, and New Mexico. They networked with the likes of Aceyalone and the project Blowed Crew. Amidst all the touring, Potnus managed to record two mix tapes and complete their next release, 'Members Only'. Potnus also collaborated with Fat Fish Entertainment, thus aligning themselves with another buzzworthy artist. They were part of the popular compilation 'Live from the Southwest, Pt 2', featuring Daz Kurrupt, Oowee, and Boy Dirrt. As proof of their work ethic and their ability to promote themselves, Potnus moved over 9,500 of their releases in 2006. 2007 has already seen the January release of 'Live From the SouthWest, Pt. 3', which features Jae Millz, 40 Glocc, Dubee, and J. Diggs, as well as all of Potnus. This release served as a prelude to their February release, 'Is Bill Shakes a Janitor?'. 'All Access', another album by Potnus, is scheduled for a summer '07 release. The rest of the year will be filled with advertising campaigns and a plethora of videos, including features on YouTube and Myspace. The hope is that soon everybody will know the name Potnus. With consignments throughout the Northwest and the Southwest, as well as a forthcoming DVD release, all signs are pointing in that direction.
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