South Minneapolis rapper Greg Grease knew he had to get his debut album Cornbread, Pearl and G out to the masses before the end of 2012. If anything, it would be a good holiday gift to family and friends. What he didn't know was that the record would end up making just about every best album list from local critics.

This definitely took him by surprise. But what followed was even more inspiring for the humble artist: his music quickly circulated hip-hop blogs across the world with many proclaiming Greg Grease as initiating a sort of genre renaissance.

Greg Grease's music is experimental, highly stylistic and reminiscent of beatmasters J Dilla, Madlib and the latter's collaboration with MF Doom known as Madvillain. It's also a slightly new sound than Twin Citians are used to. Perhaps that's why people have reacted so warmly to his adventurous and lyrically complex style.

With new EP Black King Cole, Grease will expand his reach even further, and it will be in people's hands just in time for his performance at this year's Soundset.

Songs performed: "C.R.E.A.M. Dreams," "Black King Cole" and "Forward"

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