Before releasing a single song, the trio of Rafayel, Butta and Lady Ink first built a strong foundation to be able to compete with the music industry.

“We’re competing with major labels, major budgets,” Rafayel says. “We’re talking about artists that get millions of dollars thrown their way for marketing. We don’t have the luxury to do that, we’re working-class heroes when it comes to music. We have our nine-to-five jobs and we’re truly the underdogs because of that. We have to thrive under that pressure.”

That underdog mentality is central to the group, which formed three years ago with New Jersey rappers Rafayel and Butta, who are also cousins, and rapper and singer Lady Ink. They even took their name from it – The Underdogs – and now they’re ready to show the industry that “we’re coming for their heads,” as Butta says.

With that foundation in place, as well as an extensive music catalogue, The Underdogs released their first project this year, the 10-track album Who let The Dogs out?

“Butta brings a sarcastic, funny nature kind of like old school rap style but with a modern twist,” Lady Ink says. “He brings that old school style and vibe and Rafayel has that big charisma and he’s got a very unique vocabulary. I bring that sexy kind of tone to the record. When it comes to the music, we all really contribute in unique ways and people pick up on that. It all ties together.”

“We’re not just trying to leave an imprint,” Butta says. “We’re coming to leave your head off. We’re coming for your spot. We’re ready to compete.”

Each member of the group was writing music before The Underdogs. Lady Ink was previously signed to Hit City Records as a 17-year-old, Rafayel has been making music for about two decades, and Butta was an accomplished songwriter in his own right. Butta and Lady Ink went to school together, and it was Butta who introduced Lady Ink to Rafayel, after he moved from Florida to New Jersey.

“When I listen to Rafayel’s old records and my old records, I could hear the growth and it was pretty gradual,” Lady Ink says. “But when we came together as a unit, it’s like the growth was accelerated in a crazy way. I knew it was a great idea to work together because of how much we grew together.”

While the group’s style was ready to go, the production, engineering and mixing wasn’t – so they spent the last three years fine tuning their sound. Now that everything has come together, Lady Ink said The Underdogs felt pressure to start releasing music because the improvement has been so great she worried the music they’d already produced would be overlooked by what’s to come.

“The huge maturity that has happened with our voices and charisma and just being so dedicated to it, the growth was definitely way bigger than it ever would have been as singular artists and our artistic growth is unstoppable now,” Lady Ink says. “Even now it’s on a different level because a record we wrote last week is so different from a record we’ll write this week. The growth is crazy.”

The leading single from the new album is “Be About It,” which serves as an introduction to the group and a statement by the three artists that they don’t just talk about it, they be about it and they’re a force to be reckoned with. The song features Truey S. It features a psychedelic space-themed official video.

Who let The Dogs out? also showcases the group’s versatility and includes Spanish tracks like “Asi, no” and “Los Domi.” “Annihilation” is more of a club record.

“We’re Spanish and we started from below the bottom,” Rafayel says. “I’m Dominican, Butta is Dominican and Lady Ink is Puerto Rican. We come from places where poverty is insane. We’re blessed to be in America and to have the opportunities we have. I come from a third world country and people come here illegally looking for a better life. That’s why we are The Underdogs because people can relate to that struggle.”

“Every record showcases what we’re capable of,” Lady Ink says. “The goal for all of our projects is to step out of that hip hop/rap box. A lot of rappers, when they drop an album, it’s just the same record over and over again, saying the same thing in different ways on different beats. I want people to feel something totally different every time a new song comes on and we really accomplished that.”

“We have a no skip policy,” Rafayel says. “When we put projects together I feel like every song has something special and resonates with people.”

Sometimes the group doesn’t have anything positive to say, and in those cases they preach negativity, Butta says. He’s big on expressing frustration and getting a rise out of people.

“He’s very blunt about what he wants to say and a lot of people like that nitty gritty element he brings to the table,” Rafayel says. “It’s always a surprise when it comes to our creativity.”

“It’s not smoke and mirrors, it’s raw, unchained energy,” Butta says. “We’re letting loose on them.”

Guided by Lady Ink’s business savvy, The Underdogs are more than just a music group – it’s also a brand.

Underdog 360 features a clothing line and a limited edition sneaker manufactured in Italy that combines elements of hiking boots with a futuristic design.

“We aspire to inspire for the world,” Rafayel says. “We want to be what people can model their journey on, a blueprint for them to do it. Being an underdog is the message we want to put out there. Embrace the journey and steps it takes to get there doing it the right way.”

“Our message is to embrace your upbringing and be confident in your music,” Butta says. “Do your best with the cards you’ve been dealt. That’s what being an underdog is all about.”

Make sure to stay connected to The Underdogs on all platforms for new music, videos and social posts.

Websites:
Underdog360
Apple Music
YouTube

Socials:
Underdog – IG
Lady Ink – IG
Butta – IG
Rafayel – IG