Not That TTC

French rap group TTC makes one thing clear on their MySpace page: "We don't make rap for people who don't like rap. We make rap for people who love rap more than anything else in the world, and who fucking love many other things too." They're a passionate bunch.

The problem with these irony-obsessed goofballs is that based on appearances, they're easy to dismiss as fashionable in an American Apparel, Euro-Trash, gold chains 'n' grills kind of way, and therefore one may assume that they are probably bad. Locate your sense of humour, turn it on, listen to a few tracks, and you might change your mind. With catchy dance hooks combined with basic techno and well-produced beats, this group is worth checking out tomorrow night as they promote their newest record, 3615.

TTC are Teki Latex, Tido Berman, Cuizinier (or "Young Cueezy", who performed at the Drake last summer), DJ Orgasmic, Para One and Tacteel, all with various producing and rapping responsibilities. And, like any self-respecting rap super-group, they all have solo projects and collaborations worth checking out.

Sampling everything from the Hokey Pokey to Dem Franchize Boyz to The Platters, TTC are creatively diverse. Sometimes they sound like Toronto's Junior Boys, but most of the time they come across as a curious, one of a kind group with irresistable poppiness.

See TTC with ThunderHeist and Toronto's Nasty Nav Wednesday, February 28 at The Social, 1100 Queen St. West, $10.

Photo by Akroe.