Atlanta is no stranger to hip-hop. The city has long been a breeding ground for talent, but CRS Culture is bringing something rare to the scene: a married couple chasing the dream together, side by side, mic by mic.
Pronounced Cross Culture, CRS Culture is made up of Saidu, originally from Staten Island, NY, and Nemiss, hailing from Chicago, IL. Their story isn’t just about music—it’s about family, survival, and the balance between chasing a passion and paying the bills.
“We’re a story about a married couple trying to support the family, pay our bills while pursuing our dream of blowing up as a hip-hop band,” they explain. “There aren’t too many hip-hop bands consisting of a married couple around. Moving from the north to the south has also been an adjustment and we think people need to hear our story to show that anything is possible regardless of what people may say.”
Building Respect, One Stage at a Time
CRS Culture has already carved out a resume that demands attention. They’ve opened for heavy hitters like Tank and the Bangas, Ghostface, and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Their bandmates bring an impressive pedigree, too—having played for Hamilton, Beyoncé, and Divinity Roxx. Add to that the fact that CRS Culture counts both a Grammy nominee and a Grammy winner among their crew, and you start to see just how serious their grind is.
Pushing Through the Hardest Times
Like many artists, the pandemic put their journey on pause. Their album 3.0.9 stalled between mastering and release, while Saidu and Nemiss juggled jobs that had them constantly on the road. All the while, they were also recording another project in Atlanta and working on solo material.
“Recording 3.0.9 through the pandemic was tough,” they say. “But we were able to complete two projects this year and can’t wait for them to come out.”
Despite the obstacles, the momentum hasn’t stopped. Their single Dancing in the Light is already available on all streaming platforms, while 3.0.9 dropped exclusively on Bandcamp and hits streaming services July 18.
Eyes on the Future
When asked about the next few years, CRS Culture is clear about their goals. It’s not about chasing clout or being the biggest act in the world—it’s about respect, longevity, and stability.
“In a few years, I see myself with enough of a brand to support ourselves doing this,” they explain. “The goal was never to be the biggest thing out there. It was to be respected by enough people to make a good living for ourselves, our families, and the band. We admire artists like Tech N9ne and Russ who can make what they do a brand and sustain it for life. We want to be doing this for a very long time.”
The Grind Doesn’t Stop
CRS Culture knows that nothing about their path has been easy—but they wouldn’t have it any other way. Their story is about persistence, about proving that even in an industry where trends come and go, hard work and authenticity still matter.
“None of this was easy,” they admit. “But we continue to work as hard as we can to achieve and maintain our goal of musical notoriety and respect.”
With 3.0.9 out now on Bandcamp and arriving soon on all streaming platforms, plus Dancing in the Light already in rotation, CRS Culture is ready for the next chapter of their journey. And for Saidu and Nemiss, that journey is about more than music—it’s about family, love, and the grind that keeps it all together.