CunninLynguists

CunninLynguists are an American hip-hop group formed in the late 1990s in Lexington, Kentucky, built around producer and rapper Kno alongside rapper Deacon the Villain and rapper Natti. Rooted in Southern underground hip-hop, the group is known for soulful, sample-heavy production, often crafted by Kno himself, paired with introspective, socially conscious lyricism that sets them apart from more mainstream Southern rap.

Across a run of independently released albums, CunninLynguists built a devoted following in underground hip-hop circles for concept-driven records exploring themes of struggle, faith, mortality and Southern identity, earning respect for both lyrical depth and Kno's atmospheric, often melancholic beat-making.

The group's lineup has shifted over the years, with founding member Deacon the Villain and later addition Natti forming the current core alongside Kno, who has remained the group's constant creative anchor and primary producer throughout its history.