Sweatshop Union is a Canadian-based collective of artists that have come together to produce mindful, thought-provoking lyrics, unlike popular hip-hop/rap artists today. The chorus of Humans Race (a single from their second album Local 604) says it all: “Inside the place where we hide our face/And try to fake our fate with the fate we place/Inside a world wide race where the humans chase/For more than what we’re given.” However, they definitely don’t sacrifice their beat or the background track. Their rhythm flows seamlessly between the four rappers, they are truly talented. In 2000 they came together to form this socially-charged group: Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole (a rap duo), and Innocent Bystanders. They began touring in the United States with Jurassic 5 and Swollen Members (with whom they share a label). Over time they have added new members to the collective, but still continue to pursue their individual careers in addition to the progressive hip-hop collective. Check out Humans Race and others from Sweatshop Union if your craving some stimulating hip-hop.