Departing slightly from his Pharcyde roots, Tre has put together a new band, Fuqawi, and a sexy, soulful sound based in live instrumentation rather than DATs and turntables. Hardson's new record, SlimKid3's Caf�, offers a much needed alternative to the current hip-hop "bling" trend and further solidifies him as one of the great musical innovators of this generation.

"Tre Hardson has to be one of the most unique artists around right now," says Ugo Stevano, CEO of Flying Baboon Inc., Hardson's record label. "People from all different backgrounds are feeling Tre's style on the record, and at his live show."

In support of SlimKid3's Caf�, Tre will be embarking on a national tour, Rap Renegades Tour, with his 5-piece band Fuqawi and another alternative hip-hop artist, Speech of Arrested Development (www.speechmusic.com). Also on the bill are Modill (www.modill.com) and Longshot (www.evproductions.net), who will spin the party started.

The Rap Renegades Tour will begin on the west coast in April and eventually comb the country by summer 2006. Current confirmed tour dates are as follows: