Empty Pockets

Empty Pocketz consists of brothers Nick Valentine (aka Cello) and Joe Valentine (aka JoeDamself aka G Lox). The duo originates from Phoenix, Arizona though eventually moving back to there original hometown Albuquerque, New Mexico in the early 1990's. The duo teamed up with the desert funk mob. An underground group of collective producers and MC's. Empty also began their own movement called "Small Town", a known group of MC's driven by Cello's production.The group is known for their energetic, house-rocking stage shows. Creating a local buzz at The Rap Fest shows, state fairs, and any club that would let them perform, E.P. became the most known local rap group around in the 505.Local mc, Xzibit (Detroit native) also performed along side of the group before becoming a household name. In 1994 the group released a single on vinyl called "Who Got Mottz / The Stick Up" on Core Records. In 1995 "Illusions / All Fo Nothin" was released by Vestry Records, a foreign indie label from Europe. In 1999 the group finally released, local classic, "Letters From The Field" along with single "On 'E' / Marvelous". All singles featured production by T-Nyse, Rukus, Kool E.D., Twirp, Cello and other local production legends. Empty Pocketz and the Smalltown MC's had the pleasure of blessing stages with the likes of Tha Alkaholiks, Souls of Mischief, Raekwon, The GZA, KRS-One, Das EFX, Common, Xzibit, The Pharcyde, Kool Keith, Defari and more.. The Empty eventually uprooted to Los Angeles in 2000 and recorded a collection of songs which can now be heard on their latest upcoming release "Sleep Hungry". The album features collabs with rhyme legends Rass Kass & Xzibit. What sets this group apart from many is the blue collar 9-5 concept laced with fresh throw back appeal for the real hip-hop listener...