{{Short description|American hip hop band}} {{about|the hip hop collective|the rock band|Steve Zing|the doum palm tree|Hyphaene thebaica}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Doomtree | image = Doomtree Cecil Otter, P.O.S., Mike Mictlan, Dessa, and Sims.jpg | landscape = yes | caption = Doomtree performing at First Avenue in 2010 (left to right: Cecil Otter, P.O.S, Mike Mictlan, Dessa, and Sims) | origin = Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | genre = Hip hop | years_active = 2001–present | label = Doomtree Records | current_members = * Dessa * Cecil Otter * P.O.S * Sims * Mike Mictlan * Paper Tiger * Lazerbeak | past_members = * MK Larada (aka Kai Benson) * Turbo Nemesis * Tom Servo * Divine (aka Beautiful Bobby Gorgeous) | website = {{URL|www.doomtree.net}} }} '''Doomtree''' is an American hip hop collective and record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/doomtree-build-collective-hip-hop-force-20120320|title=Doomtree Build Collective Hip-Hop Force|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Chad|last=Swiatecki|date=March 20, 2012|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> The collective has seven members: Dessa, Cecil Otter, P.O.S, Sims, Mike Mictlan, Paper Tiger, and Lazerbeak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/doomtree/Content?oid=2733839|title=Doomtree|work=Salt Lake City Weekly|first=Reyan|last=Ali|date=March 4, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref> The collective is known for incorporating a wide range of musical influences into their work with lyrical complexity and wordplay, and their annual "Doomtree Blowout" events held in Minneapolis venues to showcase their group performances and the Twin Cities music scene.<ref name="boiseweekly">{{cite news|last=Parker|first=Chris|title=Boise Gathers Around the Doomtree|work=Boise Weekly|date=March 15, 2012|url=http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/boise-gathers-around-the-doomtreethe-collective-good/Content?oid=2585827|access-date=July 13, 2013|archive-date=September 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905190618/https://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/boise-gathers-around-the-doomtreethe-collective-good/Content?oid=2585827|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Early years== The name "Doomtree" is a made-up word that doesn't have a meaning, according to P.O.S, who says that it has come to represent "my people and my life's work so far."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/article-292-12525-doomtree.html|title=The Gang's All Here: Minneapolis' slept-upon hip-hop crew head out on their first full tour|work=Salt Lake City Weekly|last=Ali|first=Reyan|date=November 4, 2010}}</ref> When Dessa was asked about the name, she said "Initially it was a proposed name for a Cecil and P.O.S. record. The name followed us when we all lived together in a big rundown house a few years ago. Whether it was the fault of architecture or some sort of cosmic wormhole, dead pigeons always showed up on our doorstep."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/music-merchants-of-doom/26107959/|title=Music: Merchants of Doom|newspaper=Star Tribune|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> The group was originally named "False Hopes" when it was just P.O.S and Cecil Otter, but after consideration, it was traded off to be the name of a series of releases (there are 15 total) by Doomtree members (such as Cecil Otter's or Doomtree's debut).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://respect-mag.com/2011/11/wings-and-teeth-an-interview-with-doomtree/|title=Wings And Teeth - An Interview With Doomtree {{!}} RESPECT.|website=respect-mag.com|date=2 November 2011 |language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-05}}</ref>
thumb|right|Doomtree's "Wings and Teeth" logo Members of Doomtree have described the group's formation as a gradual process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/music/interviews/1851|title=Doomtree Interview|work=Caught in the Crossfire|author=Abjekt|date=August 30, 2006}}</ref> The initial lineup saw P.O.S and MK Larada, friends from high school, making songs with other local artists such as Cecil Otter and Beautiful Bobby Gorgeous. The beginning of the name began when P.O.S and Cecil Otter first envisioned Doomtree to be an in house production team.<ref name="P.O.S. of Doomtree">{{Cite news|url=http://urbanbeancoffee.com/iheartmpls/2013/9/18/pos-of-doomtree|title=P.O.S. of Doomtree|newspaper=URBAN BEAN COFFEE|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-05}}</ref> Soon enough Sims and Lazerbeak, fellow Hopkins High School alumni, followed. Mike Mictlan, having also attended high school with P.O.S, became an official member when he moved back to Minneapolis from Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/interview/doomtree08.html|work=Rap Reviews|title=RapReview Feature for August 12, 2008 - Doomtree Interview|date=August 12, 2008|first=Adam|last=Bernard}}</ref> Dessa joined after having a chance encounter with P.O.S, who was living down the street from her at the time along with Sims, Turbo Nemesis and MK Larada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/2004-03-03/news/doomsday/all|title=Doomsday!|work=City Pages|first=Peter S.|last=Scholtes|date=March 3, 2004|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606053744/http://www.citypages.com/2004-03-03/news/doomsday/all/|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> Sims and Dessa were said to be the last to join the collective.<ref name="P.O.S. of Doomtree"/> After its final formation, members MK Larada, Turbo Nemesis, Tom Servo, and Bobby Gorgeous gradually drifted away from the group.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/doomtree/status/93436977449418752|title=DOOMTREE on Twitter|newspaper=Twitter|language=en|access-date=2017-02-05}}</ref> MK Larada is responsible for Doomtree's famous "Wings and Teeth" logo.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.listenupdenver.com/8821/doomtree-talks-no-kings-and-their-famous-wings-and-teeth-logo/|title=Doomtree Talks No Kings And Their Famous Wings And Teeth Logo « Listen Up Denver!|newspaper=Listen Up Denver!|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-05}}</ref>
==Musical career== Doomtree's first official album, ''Doomtree'', was released on July 29, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sputnikmusic.com/album.php?reviewid=35915|title=Doomtree - Doomtree|work=Sputnikmusic|author=Inveigh|date=April 2, 2010}}</ref>
Their second official album, ''No Kings'', was released to critical acclaim on November 22, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/doomtree-no-kings-1798170561|title=Doomtree: No Kings|work=The A.V. Club|first=Genevieve|last=Koski|date=November 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=No Kings by Doomtree|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/no-kings/doomtree|access-date=2017-02-05}}</ref>
In 2012, ''Time'' included Doomtree in the "11 Great Bands You Don't Know (But Should)" list.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2012/08/07/11-bands-you-dont-know-but-should/slide/doomtree/|title=11 Great Bands You Don't Know (But Should)|magazine=Time|first=Melissa|last=Locker|date=August 7, 2012|access-date=October 28, 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811213101/http://entertainment.time.com/2012/08/07/11-bands-you-dont-know-but-should/slide/doomtree|archive-date=August 11, 2012}}</ref> December 12, 2012 was proclaimed by Mayor R. T. Rybak as "Doomtree Day in the city of Minneapolis" in conjunction with the opening night of the Doomtree Blowout 8 show at First Avenue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2012/12/doomtree_day_is_friday_mayor_rybak.php|title=Doomtree Day in Minneapolis is Friday, proclaims Mayor Rybak|work=City Pages|first=Reed|last=Fischer|date=December 13, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219080506/http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2012/12/doomtree_day_is_friday_mayor_rybak.php|archive-date=December 19, 2012}}</ref>
Doomtree's documentary film, ''Team the Best Team'', was also released as a DVD in 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2012/11/doomtree_documentary_team_the_best_team_dvd.php|title=Doomtree to release documentary, Team the Best Team DVD|work=City Pages|first=Reed|last=Fischer|date=November 7, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165318/http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2012/11/doomtree_documentary_team_the_best_team_dvd.php|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> and also as a digital stream and download in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26521/title.doomtree-releases-team-the-best-team-documentary|title=Doomtree Releases "Team The Best Team" Documentary|work=HipHopDX|first=Andres|last=Tardio|date=December 8, 2013}}</ref>
In December 2014, Doomtree had the final installment of the annual Blowout concert series,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/what-does-the-last-blowout-ever-mean-for-doomtree-6642273|title=What Does the "Last Blowout Ever" Mean for Doomtree?|work=City Pages|first=Jerard|last=Fagerberg|date=December 15, 2014|access-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref> which the crew hosted for 10 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/the-best-twin-cities-concerts-this-weekend-12-12-14-6633820|title=The Best Twin Cities Concerts This Weekend: 12/12-14|work=City Pages|first=Erik|last=Thompson|date=December 12, 2014|access-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref>
On January 27, 2015, Doomtree released their third group album, ''All Hands''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doomtree.bandcamp.com/album/all-hands|title=All Hands, by Doomtree|website=Doomtree|access-date=2017-02-06}}</ref> In October 2015, Doomtree curated the first Doomtree Zoo festival at the CHS Field.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/our-likes-and-dislikes-of-doomtree-zoo-10-7724775|title=Our likes and dislikes of Doomtree Zoo 1.0|work=City Pages|first=Ryan|last=Warner|date=October 5, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref>
==Distribution== While P.O.S and Cecil Otter have released solo albums on other record labels (Rhymesayers Entertainment and Strange Famous Records, respectively), each of the group albums and the majority of the collective's solo work are released on their own label, Doomtree Records.<ref>{{cite news|last=Parker|first=Chris|title=Steady As She Grows|work=Colorado Springs Independent|date=March 15, 2012|url=http://www.csindy.com/colorado/steady-as-she-grows/Content?oid=2442636|access-date=July 13, 2013}}</ref>
Doomtree has also formed a publisher, Doomtree Press. In 2009, it put out ''Spiral Bound'', Dessa's first book of poetry and fiction.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Behm|first1=Jon|title=Dessa 'Spiral Bound' Review|work=Culture Bully|date=January 13, 2009|url=http://www.culturebully.com/dessa-spiral-bound-review|access-date=July 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606071148/http://www.culturebully.com/dessa-spiral-bound-review|archive-date=June 6, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Officially, the CEO of the label is Dessa,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.minnesotabusiness.com/dessa-ceo|title=Dessa the CEO|newspaper=Minnesota Business Magazine|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> but the label is run by the entire group, with outside help from friends such as Ander Other, Doomtree's "Intern/Merchant/Graphic Designer/Webmaster/Video Editor/Social Media Agent/Librarian."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://first-avenue.com/performer/ander-other|title=ANDER OTHER (Doomtree) {{!}} First Avenue|website=first-avenue.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>
==Style== As a group, Doomtree's sound reflects being a collective of many members with unique individual musical influences. Officially classified as hip-hop, the influences of jazz, punk rock, blues, rock, and soul can be detected throughout their music.<ref name="boiseweekly"/> Doomtree is known for having "tangled, multihued and pointedly intellectualized lyrics"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/music/139308308.html|title=Hip-Hop Collective Doomtree Lands In Philly This Week|work=Philadelphia Weekly|last=Ali|first=Reyan|date=February 14, 2012|access-date=July 13, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130714031925/http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/music/139308308.html|archive-date=July 14, 2013}}</ref> with "cerebral rhymes and moody beats."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eugeneweekly.com/2010/02/11/music3.html|title=Doomtree's Brain Fruit|work=Eugene Weekly|last=Brickner|first=Sarah|date=February 11, 2010|access-date =July 13, 2013}}</ref>
==Honors and awards== [[File:Doomtree - First Avenue Star.jpg|thumb|Doomtree's star on the outside mural of Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue]]The group has been honored with a star on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue,<ref name="FirstAveStars">{{cite web |url=http://first-avenue.com/about/thestars |title=The Stars |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=First Avenue & 7th Street Entry |access-date=2020-05-10 |archive-date=2020-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418135117/https://first-avenue.com/about/thestars |url-status=dead }}</ref> recognizing performers that have played sold-out shows or have otherwise demonstrated a major contribution to the culture at the iconic venue.<ref name="StarTribune2019">{{cite news |last=Bream |first=Jon |url=https://www.startribune.com/10-things-you-ll-learn-about-first-avenue-in-new-minnesota-history-center-show/509374312/ |title=10 things you'll learn about First Avenue in new Minnesota History Center show |work=Star Tribune |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-03 |access-date=2020-05-10 }}</ref> P.O.S also has a star for his solo work. Receiving a star "might be the most prestigious public honor an artist can receive in Minneapolis," according to journalist Steve Marsh.<ref name="MSPMag2019">{{cite news |last=Marsh |first=Steve |url=http://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/first-avenue-star-wall/ |title=First Avenue's Star Wall |work=Mpls.St.Paul Magazine |location=Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota |date=2019-05-13 |access-date=2020-05-10 }}</ref>
==Members== ===Current=== * Dessa: rapper * Cecil Otter: rapper/producer * P.O.S: rapper/producer * Sims: rapper * Mike Mictlan: rapper * Paper Tiger: producer/DJ * Lazerbeak: producer
===Former=== * MK Larada: producer * Turbo Nemesis: producer/DJ * Tom Servo: producer/DJ * Beautiful Bobby Gorgeous: producer
==Discography== ===Studio albums=== {| class="wikitable" |- !|Title !|Release date !|Formats |- |''Doomtree'' |July 29, 2008 |CD, vinyl, digital download |- |''No Kings'' |November 22, 2011 |CD, vinyl, digital download |- |''All Hands'' |January 27, 2015 |CD, vinyl, digital download |}
===EPs and mixtapes=== {| class="wikitable" |- !|Title !|Release date !|Formats !|Notes |- |''False Hopes'' |December 16, 2007 |CD, digital download |12th ''False Hopes'' record and the first to feature all members of Doomtree (14 tracks) |- |''False Hopes 13'' |December 9, 2008 |CD |Accompanied by Doomtree Blowout DVD |- |''FH:XV (False Hopes 15)'' |December 6, 2009 |CD, digital download | |- |''Affiliyated'' |March 4, 2011 |Digital download |Remix of Gayngs' ''Relayted'' |}
===Singles=== {| class="wikitable" |- !|Title !|Release date !|Formats |- |"Bangarang" |May 28, 2012 |Digital download |- |".38 Airweight" |July 29, 2014 |Digital download |- |"Spill Me Up" |June 13, 2016 |Digital download |- |"Five Alive" |February 24, 2020 |Digital download |}
===Other=== {| class="wikitable" |- !|Title !|Release date !|Formats !|Notes |- |''Doomtree Blowout'' |December 9, 2008 |DVD |Accompanied by False Hopes 13 |- |''Team the Best Team'' |December 11, 2012 |DVD, digital download |Documentary film |- |''Doomtree: Every Single Day'' |August 21, 2014 |Book | |}
==Doomtree Blowout== [[File:Doomtree Blowout at First Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota - 2012 8285630473 o.jpg|thumb|right|Doomtree performing at First Avenue in 2012.]] Between 2005-2014, Doomtree performed in annual group shows ("Blowouts") at local Minneapolis, Minnesota venues.
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Blowout !! Date !! Venue !! Notes |- | Blowout 1<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doomtree.net/2005/11/doomtree-blowout/|title=Doomtree Blowout|date=20 November 2005 |publisher=Doomtree|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> || December 10, 2005 || Varsity Theater || |- | Blowout 2<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doomtree.net/2006/12/blowout-wrapup/|title=Doomtree Wrapup|date=3 December 2006 |publisher=Doomtree|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> || December 2, 2006 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 2 Jr. || December 16, 2006 || Triple Rock Social Club || "Under 21" show |- | Blowout 3<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doomtree.net/2007/10/blowout-3/|title=Blowout 3|date=25 October 2007 |publisher=Doomtree|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> || December 14, 2007 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 4<ref>{{cite web|url=http://first-avenue.com/event/1746/doomtree|title=89.3 The Current and Vita.mn present DOOMTREE BLOWOUT IV|publisher=First Avenue|access-date=July 12, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529002521/http://first-avenue.com/event/1746/doomtree|archive-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> || December 6, 2008 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 5<ref>{{cite web|url=http://first-avenue.com/blog/machen/2009/09/doomtree-blowout-v|title=Doomtree Blowout V|publisher=First Avenue|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> || December 5, 2009 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 6<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviler.org/2010/10/19/doomtree-announces-blowout-2010/|title=Doomtree Announces Blowout 2010|date=19 October 2010 |publisher=Reviler|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> || December 10, 2010 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 6 || December 11, 2010 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 7<ref>{{cite web|url=http://first-avenue.com/blog/2011/10/doomtree-blowout-week-first-avenue|title=Doomtree Blowout Week at First Avenue|publisher=First Avenue|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> || December 4, 2011 || First Avenue || Curated by Sims |- | Blowout 7 || December 5, 2011 || First Avenue || Curated by Mike Mictlan |- | Blowout 7 || December 6, 2011 || First Avenue || Curated by Dessa |- | Blowout 7 || December 7, 2011 || First Avenue || Curated by P.O.S |- | Blowout 7 || December 8, 2011 || First Avenue || Curated by Cecil Otter |- | Blowout 7 || December 9, 2011 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 7 || December 10, 2011 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 8<ref>{{cite web|url=http://first-avenue.com/event/2012/12/blowout8sun|title=Doomtree Blowout 8|publisher=First Avenue|access-date=July 12, 2013}}</ref> || December 14, 2012 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 8 || December 15, 2012 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 8 || December 16, 2012 || First Avenue || |- | Blowout 9 || December 12, 2013 || Triple Rock Social Club || All Ages |- | Blowout 9 || December 13, 2013 || First Avenue || 21+ |- | Blowout 9 || December 14, 2013 || First Avenue || 18+ |- | Blowout 9 || December 15, 2013 || First Avenue || 18+ |- | Blowout 10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doomtree.net/2014/09/the-last-doomtree-blowout-ever/|title=Doomtree Blowout 10|date=30 September 2014 |publisher=Doomtree|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref> || December 6, 2014 || Turf Club || 21+ |- | Blowout 10 || December 7, 2014 || Surly Doomtree Day || All Ages |- | Blowout 10 || December 8, 2014 || Icehouse || 21+ |- | Blowout 10 || December 9, 2014 || Triple Rock Social Club || All Ages |- | Blowout 10 || December 10, 2014 || Varsity Theater || 18+ |- | Blowout 10 || December 11, 2014 || First Avenue || 18+ |- | Blowout 10 || December 12, 2014 || First Avenue || 18+ |- | Blowout 10 || December 13, 2014 || First Avenue || 21+ |}
==See also== * Underground hip hop * Twin Cities hip hop * List of record labels
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Doomtree}} * {{Official website}}
{{Doomtree}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Doomtree Category:Alternative hip-hop groups Category:Midwest hip-hop groups Category:American independent record labels Category:Independent record labels based in Minnesota Category:Hip-hop record labels Category:Companies based in Minneapolis Category:2001 establishments in Minnesota Category:Musical groups from Minneapolis