Think back to 2010. Darxiide was perhaps the biggest underground local hip-hop crew making street music.

But in 2011, Darxiide was noticeably absent from the scene. They took the year off to regroup and slim down their roster. The head of Darxiide has always been and still is Sic Ill. Like Wu Tang, when Darxiide form like Voltron, he's the head. He gets Darxiide together to record. He produces lots of their tracks. He designs the graphics, films the videos, runs the monstrous Internet marketing machine and (oh by the way) MCs.

Well, we've been waiting a whole year to say this, but Darxiide is back. Sic just released a solo LP, Epidemic. It's a follow up to his 2009 album, Pandemic. The album is available for free download at sicill.bandcamp.com. The album features fellow Darxiide MCs Shame, Nick Dominguez and 211, with other guest verses supplied by Moe Greenz, Ese Cricket, A.R. Mastermind, Doughkain, Leezy Soprano and even myself.

There are two types of Darxiide tracks on this album. About half the songs are spacey, looped-out, stripped-down street bangers. The other half of the record consists of more typical boom-bap hip-hop beats. Darxiide covers all bases with this formula.

The crew has a following of young hip-hop fans that has grown to love Darxiide's unique, drawled-out, almost syrup-induced haziness. The rest of the listeners can appreciate their young up-and-coming vocals chosen over more classic beats.

2012 could be the year of the local crews. As we now have Gonzo Family, Blue Nose Music and Darxiide all giving raw energy to the scene.

Moving onto solo artists, Tall Cann released his official video for "My Vans," directed by Cameron Couch. YouTube it. While you're on YouTube you might as well watch every video with Cameron Couch's name in it. He's one of the most active underground hip-hop music directors Tacoma has. He's also a sometimes artist himself, releasing plenty of solo work.

To top it all off, go to sunnyred.bandcamp.com to hear and/or download Sunny Red's entire discography, which is DEEP! Sunny splits his time between trapped-out, alley-way, corner-standing, block-boy music, and glossy-club tracks featuring guest verses from top hip-hop national acts. He has truly done songs with almost everyone mentionable on a national scene. Considering Sunny is signed to Li'l Flipp's music label, so he might be hitting the national scene soon himself.