Alicia Wagner Calzada Lotus Tribe is more than a band, they're a hip-hop collective, production company and record label. Just don't ask them to smile for a picture.

THEY ARE: Lotus Tribe, a hip-hop collective, production company and record label

THE SOUND: Intelligent, melodic hip-hop

THE NEW ALBUM: “The Art & War of Misanthropic-Philanthropy” is an album of political and social commentary by a subset of the Tribe known as S.E.L.F. (“Self Expression is Living Free”), which consists of MCs Reason (Mark Gonzales, 26), Aura (Jacob Lopez, 24) and Trinit-i (Jason Torres, 24) and producer Aether216 (Diego Chavez, 22). They take on the war in Iraq, organized religion, American democracy and racism — that's the misanthropic part. But there is hope: S.E.L.F. believes in new perspective and rebirth through loss and suffering and in the human capacity for positive change.

THEIR WORDS: “(In our music), you hear a lot of ‘revolution, revolution,' but we're not talking about taking up arms. We're talking about taking up arms mentally. We're talking about revolution in the mind. You need to revolutionize your thinking before you can change anything.” — Jacob Lopez.

WHERE TO SEE THEM: The San Antonio CD release party will include performances by S.E.L.F., Dance Like Robots, A.M. Architect, Vertual Vertigo and Asymbolist and live art by the Art Slam Crew on June 16 at Limelight, 2718 N. St. Mary's St. Cover is $5-$8. Check 'em out now because they'll be embarking on a two-leg national tour in July.

THE WEB: myspace.com/lotustribe

THE 210 TAKE: You don't have to be a hip hop fan to appreciate Lotus Tribe. In “The Art & War,” which took more than four years to make, S.E.L.F. seamlessly blends thoughtful introspection and political awareness with smooth beats, avoiding excessive preachiness. Chavez makes liberal use of samples, especially from films, including “Waking Life” and Charlie Chaplin's “The Great Dictator,” which have a powerful effect. Torres puts it best: “I've had people tell me, ‘Some of your songs depress me at times, I can't listen to the whole thing at one time, but I love it nonetheless.'.”

Jessica Belasco | 210SA contributor