Hail Mary Mallon

Hail Mary Mallon formed in 2004 as a New York hip-hop collective centered around MC Aesop Rock, with DJ Big Wiz and Rob Sonic as core members. Their debut album 'Are You Gonna Eat That?' came out that same year, establishing a dense, layered approach that drew from jazz and experimental sounds. They followed with records like 'Bestiary' in 2006 and 'Big Bad Wolf' in 2011, working with collaborators including El-P, Doseone, and jazz musicians Roy Hargrove and David Murray.

Their music often dealt with explicit or confrontational themes, which sometimes drew criticism. Live shows could address social and political issues directly. The track 'Whales' appears among their notable songs, though their catalog remained largely underground despite critical attention.

They kept a consistent lineup through most of their active years, releasing music on the Def Jux label alongside peers like El-P. Their sound avoided easy categorization, mixing intricate wordplay from Aesop Rock and Rob Sonic with turntable work from Big Wiz and live jazz instrumentation. The group's name itself referenced an infectious disease, hinting at their provocative stance.