It's not too often that you hear about projects in support of Asian culture in North America, but a California based group, the Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance (APISA) has joined with Asian Improv Records to bring to you an undergound hip hop compilation entitled "Elephant Tracks", supporting cultural advancement within the local Asian community.

APISA is a student run organization situated on the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) campus, providing support for the collective Asian/Pacific Islander community. Their annual High School Motivational Conference encourages high school students to set their goals for higher learning, and realize that college/university is within their grasp. Topics and events covered, include theatre, financial aid opportunities, cultural showcases, talent show/open mic, and more. This conference in the past has involved high school from surrounding areas including the Bay Area cities of Berkeley, Daly City, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, Seaside, and Walnut Creek.

Asian Improv Records is a San Francisco based label that showcases Asian American contemporary music, combined with traditional Asian music. The label has been responsible for 37 releases to date, of artists who generally are passed over by major record labels and the mainstream industry. With a depth of talented artists, community organizations, and activists this indie label is one to look for in the future.

"Elephant Tracks" features a stellar line up of emcees, lyricists, DJ's and producers. DJ's featured include DJ RHETTMATIC of the Beat Junkies, KUTTIN KANDI of turntablist crew 5th Platoon and founder of the all-female group Anomolies, ITF 1997/1998 champion VINROC, MISTA SINISTA of the X-ecutioners, and ROLI RHO of 5th Platoon. Emcees include MEDUSA the "Angela Davis of Hip Hop", Philly's MOUNTAIN BROTHERS, Bay Area's LATYRX, San Francisco's AME, ENCORE (heard on J5 and Dilated tracks), KNT, ZION I, RIZING SUN PRODUCTIONS, New York's ANOMOLIES, STALAGMYTEZ and VISIONARIES. Producers include 427 and more. All artists donated their time and music to the label, and all proceeds from the albums sales will be donated to the APISA high school campaign.