The hip hop world is hungry for a show that gives a fresh take on what’s really happening within it and the independently produced “Distortion 2 Static” is serving it up on the WB network.

Made and produced by former SF State students Ariel Nunez, aka “Reo,” Aries Nunez, aka “Prince Aries,” Phil Chua, aka “Chicken Skratch,” Halline Overby, aka “Halo,” and Purdue University graduate Zach DeVincent. The San Francisco-based show is putting classic underground Bay Area hip hop artists and underdogs on the map.

Each show includes artist profiles, interviews, videos, street ciphers, and concert footage, which appeal to hip hop historians, artists, fans, and outsiders, according to the group.

Featuring artists like Triple Threat, Mix Master Mike, Scarub, MF Doom, the Hieroglyphics and DJ Melody, "Distortion 2 Static" creators give it their all to make sure the show gets the televised play that it needs to fire up fans and help artists evolve.

“TV is so saturated with garbage and for us to get where we are shows that the next generation wants something different,” said DeVincent, 26, a DJ, who does budgeting, contracts, paperwork, and tape dubbing for the show.

"Distortion 2 Static" has been inspiring fans from a hip hop saturated set in a secret location since April of 2002, when it first aired as a variety show on San Francisco public access television.

“Back then, we (excluding DeVincent and including former member Ray Pira, aka “Brainchild”) were all friends, there wasn’t much on TV, and we wanted to put our majors to use,” said Aries, 26, a former design and industry major, who does graphics, camera work, and art direction for the show.

Overby, 25, a DJ and former BECA major, conducts interviews and does editing for the show. He said his best memories stem from that time period.

“We had minimal resources and we worked really hard to reach out to people,” Overby said. “I hate when fans try to denounce what we did back then; saying that the show’s so much better now that it’s on the WB. My feeling is that we’ve already accomplished all that I wanted, just by reaching out to a couple people.”

The show’s transition from public access to the WB occurred in October of 2003 with help from DeVincent, who works there as a coordinator doing data entry. He joined up with the group in September of 2002 after seeing the show on public access and being impressed enough to e-mail the group asking to join.

The group pitched episodes to the WB network and after several meetings with general manager Bob Anderson, the show was accepted.

Making the show is an exciting process and a full-time job from start to finish each week, according to the group.

On Mondays, they tape their prepared show from approximately noon to one and then attend a three-hour formal group planning meeting at the WB in the evening. Tuesdays through Thursdays they edit their tape and prepare it for submission. Fridays through Sundays they conduct interviews and attend open mic battles in preparation for the show to be taped again on Monday.

“We’re always two weeks ahead of schedule with the taping,” said Chua, 26, biology major.

Even with their head start, the group is constantly working toward new goals; the newest is featuring more female artists. They also face their share of challenges, including overcoming creative differences, making deadlines, dealing with transportation issues, and getting paid very little.

“We really want to stress that by supporting us (watching the show and buying merchandise), fans aren’t putting money in our pockets, they’re funding the show,” Ariel said.

Disadvantages aside, the group said they feel blessed to be creating a show that they maintain full creative control over, and that airs during the time slot they requested (midnight on Sunday). They also said they are thankful to have an extensive fan base, access to equipment, and the power to inspire and even re-unite artists, like Bored Stiff, who have long been split-up.

“In the end, the goal for us really is to make a living by putting out talent that you never see on TV,” Ariel said.

The group agreed with a series of nods.

“I couldn’t ask for a better job,” Aries said.