Los Angeles duo Blu and Exile are two of the most underrated hip hop artists going around right now. Their debut album Below the Heavens was released last year to deafening acclaim from critics but translated to only a whimper commercially.

Fortunately through rabid word of mouth their LP is starting to make an impact amongst conscious hip hop circles and crate diggers.

I was introduced to this group earlier in the year after a friend praised their soulful brand of hip hop. I was extremely sceptical because that kind of style has been commercialised to within an inch of its life.

However once I heard the record I realised what made it so special. It was the humility and humanity within the tracks that reach out and holds you captive.

The Red Bull Music Academy* was the perfect gig to introduce them to their growing legion of fans. The night was split in two parts with the first being an intimate Q and A with fans, burgeoning rappers and DJs while the second was a live showcase.

Both artists were relaxed and heavily jet lagged during the Q and A, but their waxing lyrical about their influences and writing techniques held the crowd’s attention. Exile’s practical demonstrations on his MPC 2000 were a highlight with many DJs hovering around his deck writing instructions on notepads.

At midnight the duo returned on stage to larger audience to perform a breezy 40 minute set featuring the best tracks from Below the Heavens such as Soul Amazing, Blue Collar Worker and Dancing in the Rain.

Blu displayed the skill that got MC greats such as Talib Kweli interested in working with him while Exile technical virtuosity left the crowd in awe. Forty minutes was not nearly enough, yet considering it came with a cosy meet and greet and a cheap price tag it was defiantly worth braving the cold.

It will also set them up nicely for their next trip down under. Till then you have time to the grab the record and get acquainted with what could be the next big (and best) thing in hip hop.