There are so many reasons to be hopeful for hip-hop's future, and these two guys are prime examples. From Flatbush, Brooklyn, Issa Gold and AK were signed in 2012 by Flying Lotus' label, Brainfeeder. Their first mixtape, Indigoism, is must listen for its mixture of jazzy elements, 90s-era beats and psychedelic flows that speed through the air. I previously wrote about The Underachievers as Indigoism was #17 on my Top Albums of 2013, and if I had to pick one song, "The Mahdi" is everything you need to know about these guys.

My 5 favorite tracks has a cut from all of The Underachiever's releases (including their debut album this year, Cellar Door: Terminus Ut Exordium - translated from Latin to be "The Border to the Beginning").

I love to hear when artists' influences broach the wide realm of music. The Underachievers have a near and dear place to my heart because they told Complex Magazine, "We love Local Natives ridiculously," and Issa said that his favorite band of all time is Fleet Foxes and favorite artist is John Mayer!! So cool to hear that since each of those bands have been so instrumental in my love of music.

Here are 5 tracks I hope get you into these guys!