EMCEES / SONGWRITERS / PRODUCTION DUO

The Human Condition (THC), a dynamic duo comprised of twin siblings Quince Martin and Cinque Martin. If music had a "Swiss army knife" award, these two would be polishing it right now. They're not just artists; they're the whole damn package: songwriters, singers, emcees, producers, and musicians. Basically, if it involves sound, they've probably mastered it, likely with a twin telepathy advantage.

Their origin story begins on the west side of Chicago, where they were practically born with a gospel choir in their souls. With a pastor for a father and an evangelist for a mother in the Church of God In Christ (COGIC), their early years were less about lullabies and more about powerful hymns and spiritual discipline. Quince, the rhythmic mastermind, started out as the church percussionist, while Cinque, the melodic architect, held court on the organ, piano, and keyboards. They even hit the road, traveling with their church to revivals and prayer conventions, essentially getting a head start on their world tour before they could even drive.

But their musical education wasn't confined to the sacred. Throughout their school years, they were bona fide band geeks (the cool kind, of course). Quince was busy laying down the law on the drum line, probably perfecting his future beat-making skills, while Cinque was a multi-instrumentalist in the jazz band, likely improvising her way through complex harmonies and simultaneously planning her next chess move. It was in high school that they started penning tunes, initially for church and local groups, before realizing, "Hey, we're pretty good at this together!" and forming their own formidable duo.

After high school, they decided to make their musical prowess official, both enrolling in Columbia College Chicago's Music program. Quince dove deep into Music Production, learning all the buttons and knobs, while Cinque earned her degree in Performance and Songwriting, perfecting the art of making words rhyme and notes sing. The result of this divine and academic fusion? A truly unique sound that's been described as a delicious "mesh of gospel, soul and futuristic pop-hop." Their songwriting? It's not just good; it's "indelible, relatable, original and creative." Prepare for earworms that also make you feel things.

Their musical inspirations are as eclectic as a curated Spotify playlist after a few too many late nights. They pull from the intricate jazz-rock of Steely Dan, the foundational gospel power of The Winans and The Clark Sisters, the smooth R&B vibes of Jodeci and Aaliyah, and the cutting-edge sounds of modern mavens like Syd, SZA, Chris Brown, Anderson.Paak, Vince Staples, and Freddie Gibbs. Basically, if it's good, they've probably absorbed it and spun it into something uniquely THC.

Beyond the studio, these two are just as fascinating. Quince, when not crafting beats, is likely under the hood of his 1984 Olds Cutlass, whispering sweet nothings to the engine. He's also a racing instructor at Autobahn Motorsports in Joliet, so he literally teaches people how to go fast without crashing – a skill that probably comes in handy in the music industry too. His "guilty pleasures" involve The Three Stooges marathons and Call of Duty, proving he's a man of refined, yet delightfully chaotic, tastes.

Cinque, on the other hand, is less about horsepower and more about brainpower and sheer willpower. She's a certified Grandmaster in chess, a title earned by winning the Women's World Championships. We're pretty sure she plans her album rollouts like strategic endgames. And if that wasn't enough to make you feel underachieved, she's also an avid runner, participating in the grueling Chicago Marathon annually. Because apparently, conquering the music industry and the chess world just isn't quite enough of a challenge.

In essence, The Human Condition isn't just a band; it's a testament to what happens when two incredibly talented, slightly quirky, and deeply connected individuals decide to make music that speaks to the soul, tickles the funny bone, and pushes the boundaries of sound. Get ready for a journey.