The term "purist" has no place in music, since one genre often influences or gives birth to another genre every few years. Jazz purists are sometimes displeased with the genre being sampled by Hip-Hop artists, but no one can argue that it has inspired a new generation of Jazz enthusiasts. Bop Alloy, comprised of Baltimore, MD emcee Substantial and the Seattle, WA producer Marcus D, is the name that best describes the brand of hip-hop

(labeled "Jazz Hop" by today's listeners) made popular by legendary groups like Gangstarr and A Tribe Called Quest. Bop Alloy haven't set out to be the next group of artists with a throwback sound, but to "make quality music that anybody, from any walk of life can enjoy,"

says Marcus D.