Richmond, Virginia, hip-hop collective Mutant Academy announce their formal introduction as a full collective with their forthcoming debut album, Keep Holly Alive, out September 20th via Equity Distribution. This seminal work not only marks their official first Mutant Academy effort involving all of the group’s core members, but serves as a bold proclamation to the world of their intent to become a pinnacle name in the tapestry of hip-hop’s rich history of dynamic, multi-faceted groups. Picking up where they left off with the collective’s 4-song “appetizer” that was their TALK SOON EP released earlier this year, Keep Holly Alive is the group’s definitive statement and a testament to the power of working and creating alongside your chosen family.

Along with the album’s announcement, the collective shares the album’s lead single “Liberation,” featuring frequent collaborator Quelle Chris. The single epitomizes its title—altruistic yet subtle. With breezy production aided by ULB (Unlucky Bastards), Mutant Academy establishes their strength as a collective with each emcee bringing a distinct style to the track.

What began more than a decade ago between two friends (Fly Anakin and Henny L.O.) in Richmond, Virginia, has now blossomed into a self-sufficient and multi-disciplinary collective that also includes Big Kahuna OG, Ohbliv, Graymatter, Foisey, ewonee, Sycho Sid and Unlucky Bastards. Each Mutant Academy project is rife with a chemistry that can only be found amongst longtime friends, but also a friendly competition, with each Mutant Academy song serving as a chance for each member to spar and hone their skill set as an emcee or producer.

As members of the collective grow in stature as solo artists, each project, mention and credit illuminates the Mutant Academy name and draws eyes back to the group to continue to expand its audience. Notably, Fly Anakin has received notable recognition for his solo work of the years, including praise from The Alchemist, and collaborations with Madlib and Pink Siifu, but the rest of Mutant Academy has never been far behind. Conway The Machine has ensured steady production placements from Graymatter sprinkled throughout a large swath of his discography, and the MA producer also collaborated with Domo Genesis on “What You Don’t Get?” Now, the collective is ready to come back together to exert their musical identity as a group, cementing Mutant Academy among the storied groups in hip-hop’s history.