One of two male/female hip-hop duos enriching the uniquely non-sexist Twin Cities hip-hop scene (also: Villa Rosa), this one features mindful rapper and poetess Desdamona along with mind-blowing beatboxer and wordsmith Carnage. The "chemistry" in the name is as real as their stories of struggle and determination. They started as an improv act six years ago and still carry a lively freestyling spirit along with jazzy undertones and hard-rocking oomph on their eponymous full-length debut, issued in April on a French label.

Runner-up: More Than Lights