People often associate New Orleans rap with artists such as Lil’ Wayne and Juvenile, and the very popular call-and-response music known as bounce. There’s also an underground local rap scene that focuses on sending their listeners a conscious message, separating themselves from the cash, cars, sex, and women—prevalent themes in much of today’s hip-hop. New Orleans-based Dragon’s Breath Records gathered several of these conscious rappers together and recently released The Restless Natives, a compilation dedicated to Katrina victims.

The better tracks sound pure East Coast. The Euphonetiks, for example, deliver powerful words and “Kings Hwy”, sounds a little like East Coast greats such as A Tribe Called Quest and Mos Def. Don Libido the 9th Ward Avenger’s “If Memory Serves” sounds like old school Bronx schoolyard mixed with his New Orleans roots.

DJ Maxmillion and Trinidad-born emcee Truth Universal introduce their lyrical and production talents on the album, and “Promise” features former college DJ Raj Smoove and his protégé Dizzy. Impulss and Saddi Khali sound similar to West Coast favorites Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg on “Never Get Enough,” and the final track, “Mayhem in Metropolis” by DJ J Infinite, gives a synopsis of Katrina coverage.

The overall project was good, but some tracks lacked a clear message—a problem when your music is encouraging thinking. Still, The Restless Natives showcases some artists who will one day get the recognition they deserve.