In 3

Rapping in the Beijing dialect and representing the masses, In 3's Chen Haoran, Jia Wei and Meng Guodong have one of the largest followings among Chinese hip hop fans.

The crew's single Hello Teacher, released in 2008, has lines that read like a Chinese Expletives 101, while Beijing Evening News talks about life in a changing city with contradictions.

Album to check out: Unknown Artist

Dumdue

A three-man crew from Guangzhou, Monster Lon and Kid God provide the vocals, while DJ Edi brings the beats.

With their first album released in 2006, Dumdue staked their spot out on the Chinese hip hop scene with lyrics in the Cantonese dialect and laid back jazz hip hop beats.

Monster Lon has since gone on to produce solo works, including Loneliness Trip, an album/visuals fusion of jazz hip hop and cosmic art.

The crew is currently working on a new album with Hong Kong producers, so watch this space.

Album to check out: Mind Fission

Yin Cang

Where it all began, Yin Cang is one of Beijing's longest serving hip hop acts.

In their 2003 debut album For the People, rappers Mc Webber and Zhang Jie were joined by other scene heavyweights Sbazzo and Heff, producing an album that was the first of its kind in the Chinese underground scene.

With lyrics about city life, their tracks mix conventional beats with Chinese instruments, giving their sound a local feel.

Album to check out: For the People

Where to pick them up:

Music store

Address: 66 Dong Si Nan Da Jie

Tel: 6513-8637

C Rock records

Address: 99-1 Gulou Dong Da Jie

Tel: 8405-0679

Be warned, local artist CDs are hard to find. Be prepared to do some rummaging.

catching up on The blogs:

Diggaz in Beijing. Chinese and international hip hop reviews and downloads (English, Mandarin).

www.dibc010.com

You call that hip hop. Keeping a watchful eye on the Chinese hip hop scene (English).

www.youcallthathiphop.com