The hip hop trio combine to carry on the spirit of Native Tongues.

Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and 9th Wonder have come together to form a new collective called Indie 500. The collective will pull together the rosters of Kweli’s Javotti Media, Monch’s W.A.R. Media and 9th Wonder’s Jamla Records to form a much greater force independent from the major label system.

“We looked at each other and we were like, we should do business together and music together.” said Pharoahe Monch.  “Not just on the rap side, but on the touring side, the business side and sharing of information. It’s empowering, it’s beautiful, and it’s important for that to be known. To inspire younger generations to not only rap, but to start companies and corporations.”

9th Wonder gave fans an insight into what they can expect from the trio, stating “Indie 500 is a kind of continuation of the Native Tongues sound all the way to the Rawkus sound. Badu, Jill Scott, Slum Village — anywhere that has that texture of sound that feels good with good lyrics — Indie 500 is a continuation of that and a new generation. We’re trying to continue on the tradition of classic — what they like to call ‘traditional’ — hip-hop. Grass roots, deep-rooted hip-hop music.”

Watch all three rappers discuss their plans for Indie 500 in the video below. [via OkayPlayer]