Common Market: An Artist Profile

Along with Blue Scholars, Common Market has established itself as one of the premier intellectual rap groups of the underground hip-hop community. Based in Seattle, Common Market is comprised of MC RA Scion (Ryan Abeo at birth) and DJ Sabzi (Alexei Saba Mohajerjasbi). Both artists are world travelers: Scion has lived in Greece and Zambia, but is originally from Lexington, KY, while Sabzi is of Iranian decent.

MC Scion (left) and DJ Sabzi get their hipster style on.

Musically, they incorporate jazzy, eloquent beats and smart, stinging lyrics that hit hard in both substance and style.  Known in Seattle, and the Northwest, as a strong musical force, the two may have a small following.  But, what they lack in popularity, they make up for in setting the industry standard for intellectual rhymes and musical skill.  Their musical discography.

Common Market has been compared to Blue Scholars, Atmosphere, Brother Ali and Gangstarr.

Below are some of my favorite songs of theirs.

"Escaping Arkham"




"Re-Fresh"




"Trouble Is"