At a time when the masses are spoon-fed recycled beats and inundated with status-quo, imitation sounds, a force rises above the complacency to move forward what is possible in music. In an age in which hip-hop seems to have been hijacked by dereliction and degradation, a voice speaks to call it back from the darkness. Not content to let a dilemma fester, one man has emerged to light the way toward the change that is needed. In the process, he is sending out a positive message and bringing about healing and unity through his unique style and blend. A Squared is quite literally pushing the boundary for what is possible in music and creativity.

His unique sonic style of “soulful hip-hop” is carving out a divergent presence in the music world. Thought-provoking, illuminating, and never spam-fed, he aims to portray truth and send out a message that is always uplifting, while never pretentious. His target is humanity. His words explore the margins of pain, suffering, and loss, while simultaneously imploring transcendence to overcome personal struggles, move beyond tragedies, and transform grief. A Squared is a broad metaphor with a concrete direction. He is accountability and creativity. He is fresh, original harmony, straight out of the heartland of America.

The power behind these rhythms rests with an optimistic individual. A Squared began when vocalist and MC Angelo Rodriguez met guitarist Carlos Wheelhouse by chance at the home of their mutual friend, Aaron Newton. There was instant creative chemistry. The next day, they dropped two songs, and the collaborative synergy began, forming the force that became A Squared. The sum of their individual talents is a testament to 21st century diversity. A Squared brings a distinct cultural background and set of life experiences that liquefy into lyrical harmony.

By carving out new layers in hip-hop, A Squared helps heal and inspire. Rejecting the notion of conformity, their sounds are a unique manifestation of three voices and three experiences molded into one, powerful force. They project positive energy and bring people together. Exploring the outer limits of music, they push the boundaries of possibility.

Outerboundary
Wichita Eagle

When it comes to hip-hop, Wichita band Outerboundary knows there’s a problem. Band member Julian Langston feels it’s been on the backburner. “Hip-hop is supposed to be about love and uplifting the masses, yet it’s somehow been hijacked by gangster rap,” he says. Not content the let a dilemma fester, the seven members of the ensemble have decided to be the change they feel the genre needs. In the process, they are sending out a positive message and hoping they can bring about healing and unity through their unique sound and style of music.
Formation of the band began randomly in 2006. Angelo Rodriguez, vocalist and MC of the group, met guitarist Carlos Wheelhouse at the home of their mutual friend, Aaron Newton. There was instant creative chemistry between the two. “The next day, we jammed out together and dropped two songs,” Rodriguez said. “It was collaborative synergy at its finest.” The two discovered that they weren’t the only ones interested in pushing the boundaries of music. Soon, they teamed up with bassist Adrianne Williams, vocalist/percussionist Julian Langston, ribbon guitarist Alex Palomares, and drummer Justin Defever to form the force that became Outerboundary. Recently, Newton, who has his own following as an acoustic musician, joined to complete the group. The sum of their individual talents is a testament to 21st century diversity. Each member brings with them a distinct cultural background and set of life experiences that liquefy into lyrical harmony.
The band describes their music as “soul rock, hip-hop”. They take great pride in the fact that they are carving out a divergent presence. “We’re tired of the same, played-out tunes you heard on the radio. This is as original as you can get, straight out of the heartland of America,” says Langston. “Our music is thought-provoking and not spam-fed. We try to portray truth and send out a good message without being condescending or preachy,” Williams says. “The motto is ‘make it tasteful’. Our target is humanity,” says Wheelhouse.
Defever sees their ability to mix their unique styles and perspectives together as their strongest point. “It’s quite a force when seven very different people can come together, bring something different each, and have it melt into something beautiful,” he says.
Many of their songs are about overcoming personal struggles, moving beyond tragedies, and transforming grief. It’s what Rodriguez calls “survival testimonials”. They challenge their listeners to live outside traditional boundary lines. “We’re a broad metaphor with a concrete direction. We’re about accountability and creativity. We just have to imagine what’s possible. We can step outside of the box, and not be superficial,” he says.
Their message is catching on and thus far, the band has been greeted with success. They began playing shows in Wichita about three years ago at places like Barleycorns and The Blue Lounge. The early performances were works in progress, but as the band grew and expanded, so did their opportunities to reach broader audiences. Their first big show was in Lawrence when they opened for anther band’s CD release party. Langston recalls the experience as being “one of the best shows, and the beginning of something really special.” More recently, they’ve performed at The Brickyard and America’s Pub. During their May First Friday Brickyard performance, their set went over so well that they were asked to get on stage and play more. “We were almost all torn down, but then an enthusiastic crowd persuaded us to get back up and give them more,” Defever said. They were also center-stage at this year’s Take Back the Night rally that took place in the Warren Old Town Square. Standing up to violence against women parlayed well with the band’s overall message of peace, unity, and hope. “That show was a great test of our range. We saw people of all ages and races at the rally come out and connect with our message and music,” Rodriguez said.
As the band works to wrap up recording on their first album, they are excited about where their distinct blend of music is going. “With hip-hop, there are always new boundaries being pushed. That’s what we’re doing. It’s always evolving,” says Williams. “We’re not going to sit idly and be force-fed anything. We’re going to be the change we want to see,” says Palomares. Langston especially wants people to see that positive change can come from the heartland. “Be proud of Kansas and be proud that good things come from this state,” he says.
The overall mission and message of Outerboundary is perhaps best summed up by Wheelhouse. ““We’re here to help heal and inspire. We’re here to project positive energy and connect”