Cleveland Steamers
Cleveland Steamers
“The Cleveland Steamers are Gen.Erik and local emcee/hero Mic Crenshaw, apparently rapping with the force of a freight train.”
-Portland Mercury, July 31, 2003
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
In imagining the standard, stereotypical hip-hop group, listeners will find that the Cleveland Steamers are anything but. Comprised of Mic Crenshaw, the 2001 Portland, Oregon poetry slam champion and national finalist, Gen.Erik, a satirical lyricist with the ability to transform into a hip-hop DJ, and DJ Aero, who has toured the world with Tommy Lee as part of Methods of Mayhem and Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom Huck Jam, the group’s creative cohesion has mesmerized numerous crowds since the three members decided to form a union. Although each member of the Cleveland Steamers is a veteran to the music industry, they have emerged as a group, combining Crenshaw’s socially conscious clever lyricism and Gen.Erik’s thought-provoking wordplay with DJ Aero’s melodic, head-nodding beats and world-class scratching ability.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Throughout the Northwest. Coming soon to the Northeast.
Your musical influences
A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Pharoahe Monch, Common, EPMD, Public Enemy, Black Star, Pete Rock. "I can only speak for myself" (Gen.Erik).