A seven-piece radical hip-hop soul collective from Oakland, Mass Bass grew out of an informal jam session hosted by activist-minded drummer Jay Conui and keyboardist Armael Malinis. Originally called Bandung 55, the group started honing an infectiously energetic sound at college campuses, community events and local venues. By the time they recorded their 2015 debut album Movement Movin’ they’d renamed themselves Mass Bass, a moniker referring to the band’s deeply funky sound and progressive politics. Drawing on funk, soul, reggae and rebellious rock, this hip-hop inflected group erases stylistic boundaries while delivering a message about the importance of working together for social justice.