T-Weaponz

Brooklyn hip hop trio T-Weaponz may be making a play for mainstream love, but the group has its roots firmly planted in underground rap.

Once known as Tomorrowz Weaponz, T-Weaponz is comprised of brothers Hector (Arkitekt) and G. Medina (IzReal) and high school homie José Padilla (Psalmz). The Nuyoricans met in the '90s but didn't make their debut until 2003, when they released BlackOut, an eight-song EP of gritty NY hip hop. Two years later, the trio shifted to more club-friendly sound, scoring a minor hit with Mira Mira, a thumping Spanglish track featuring Notch and Pitbull. In 2006, the group dropped the single Dem Boyz, a Dirty South-influenced banger that debuted at No. 7 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart.

T-Weaponz's full-length debut, Just Begun, was released late last year. The album has a more commercial if sometimes political sound (think Tupac) and includes previous hits like "Mira Mira" and "Dem Boyz." Their latest single, "XtraOrdinary," featuring Latina rapper Diamonique, is an anxious track with buzzing synths, crisp '80s handclaps and a melody reminsicent of 50 Cent's "Just A Lil Bit."

Arkitekt, IzReal and Psalmz are currently preparing for the upcoming RICAN Tour, a five-city Puerto Rican Parade concert tour that is scheduled to hit New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.

See: myspace.com/tweaponz