There are a handful of current talented acts impacting Arkansas at this very moment, however one band in particular has recently made a head-first splash in the local Little Rock music scene. Flint Eastwood is an Indie/Hip-Hop group composed of Rapper/Singer Malik Flint, Guitarist Marcus Meier, Drummer Philip Cottingham, Bassist Tyler Inmon, and Synth/Keyboardist Jon-Michael Harper. Flint Eastwood brings a fresh sound to a sometimes lackluster music scene with a completely new vibe to today's music. To put it simply, Flint Eastwood is "Rock/Rap". Though this genre left a bitter taste in some mouth's in the late 90's and early 2000's, Flint Eastwood dares to take this sound into a completely new direction. Taking influence from bands and artists such as Kid Cudi, Big K.R.I.T, Beach House, Rage Against The Machine, The Roots, Tool, and more, their goal is to turn the current music scene "on its damn head." Being together for nearing a year, FE has managed to open up for artists such as, Asher Roth, K.Flay, Big K.R.I.T, and Slim Thug, pulling in crowds of more than 300 people. From their original music to their creative covers of everything from Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" to Waka Flocka's "Hard In the Paint", they know how to keep their audience tuned-in and fully entertained. "Little Rock quintet Flint Eastwood undoubtedly brought the most musically eclectic set of Round 2 of the Times Musicians Showcase. Frontman Malik Flint seemed like he was born to hold a mic, and the rest of the band provided fluid and unconventional backing." Their fusion of indie rock and hip-hop impressed the panel of judges, especially Mandy McBryde, who wrote, "This sound is so new. I love this band and want to hear so much more of them." Guest judge Rodney Block appreciated the variety in Flint Eastwood's set. "Very smooth lyricist," he wrote of Flint. "Very Kid Cudi-like." He said it was "swank hip-hop music" from " a very precise group of musicians." Curiously, there is a new generation cropping up in Central Arkansas that has mobilized an entire movement. Inheriting the Internet as their playground, these young rappers (ages ranging from 17 to 25) and crews from Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood and Bryant have handled their own booking and promotion, befriended older rappers like Epiphany and crews like LabRatz, and created their own publicity machine with music video production, scene blogs, and even burgeoning fashion designers. They are motivated, organized, and undaunted by the thwarted reputation Arkansas hip-hop may self-consciously shoulder. One benefit is that some of the rappers or promoters have affiliations outside the state. Malik Flint (who goes by MP the MVP), founder of Bryant-based crew Weekend Warriors, is originally from Denver, Colo. He says the music scene there was so broad and efficient that when his family relocated to Arkansas, it was something that he wanted to make happen here. And, for the most part, he has. Flint's crew consists of a group of fun suburban skater kids (black and white) whose songs have a chill party vibe over tracks culled from myriad genres. Flint also fronts an Afrobeat-influenced hip-hop band, Flint Eastwood, who are about to embark on an initial string of out-of-state gigs. - Arkansas TImes. "Flint Eastwood is a fluid blend of powerful and somewhat ambient indie rock and alternative hip hop. Like the best drinks do, the music sneaks up on you. All of a sudden your hands are high and you're singing along with Malik's smooth vocals and very powerful stage presence." - Ryan, Verse 8 Records