Radix

by Cyril Cordor
In college, people make the types of decisions that will change their lives for years to come, and in the cases of Ja'Quaine Lamer Coe and Brian Seekins, the fortunate happenstance of becoming college roommates led to the formation of indie hip-hop troupe RADIx. Through the blind housing process, Coe and Seekins, aka Quite Nyce and SEEK respectively, met at Fitchburg State College in Massachusetts in fall 2001. Taken from the Latin word meaning "root," RADIx forged together in 2003 to bring about the creative spirit of hip-hop's golden years alongside MCs like Mr. Lif and Akrobatik in Boston's distinctive underground rap scene. Before the group got underway, Quite Nyce had been pursuing a solo career with an album slated to come out through Day by Day Entertainment. When the deal folded, Quite Nyce came to SEEK, and they formed RADIx as well as their own independent label, Abstrak Recordings, in 2003. The following year saw the release of the EP From the Studio to the Stage, which placed into their hands the opportunity to open for old-school veteran Kool G Rap at Boston's renowned Middle East Club. Although they did enjoy some airplay on Boston's mainstream R&B and rap stations, their loyal fan base evolved from their heavy rotation on New England's college radio stations. The "Rush" b/w "DJ/Emcee" vinyl 12" hit those radio stations hard, leading the way for their April 2006 debut LP, The Staple. Boasting turntablist guests DJ JS-1 and the X-Ecutioners' Mista Sinista, it was their first record to be found in retailers around the country.