Magna Carda

Biography

Magna Carda is an Austin-based hip hop group known for their genre-blending sound that fuses rap, jazz, R&B, and electronic music, often performed with a live band. The group was founded in 2012 by Megz Kelli, a queer Black female rapper originally from New Orleans, and Dougie Do, a producer and keyboardist, while both were students at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas[2][3]. Kelli’s early life in New Orleans immersed her in a rich musical environment, and she began writing lyrics as early as age seven; after her family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina, she moved to Dallas and later Austin, where she and Dougie Do began crafting music that would become Magna Carda’s signature style[2]. The duo quickly expanded into a full band, incorporating live instrumentation and earning a reputation as 'Austin’s answer to The Roots' for their dynamic performances and genre-defying approach[3]. Over the past decade, Magna Carda has become a staple of Austin’s music scene, sharing stages with notable acts like The Pharcyde, Joey Bada$$, Chali 2na, and Oddisee, and winning the Austin Music Award for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Artist five years in a row[2][3]. Their music is celebrated for its lyrical depth, jazz-inflected melodies, and the organic interplay between Kelli’s sharp, socially conscious rhymes and the band’s lush, live arrangements[3][5].

Fun Facts

• Megz Kelli began writing lyrics at age seven and credits her New Orleans upbringing for her deep connection to music[2].
• Magna Carda’s formation was a direct result of Kelli and Dougie Do meeting at St. Edward’s University, where they bonded over a shared vision for live-band hip hop[2][3].
• The group has been recognized as a leading force in Austin’s hip hop scene, despite the city’s stronger reputation for country and rock music[3].
• Magna Carda has performed alongside hip hop legends such as The Pharcyde, Joey Bada$$, Chali 2na, and Oddisee, highlighting their crossover appeal[2][3].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• The Roots - Stylistic and live-band hip hop influence (General body of work) [2010s–present]

Key Collaborators

• Dougie Do - Co-founder, producer, and keyboardist (All Magna Carda releases) [2012–present]
• Michael Longoria - Drummer (Live performances and recordings) [2010s–present]
• Brandon 'Tank' Tanksley - Bassist (Live performances and recordings) [2010s–present]
• Billy Blunt - Guitarist (Live performances and recordings) [2010s–present]
• Michael Gonzales - Percussionist (Live performances and recordings) [2010s–present]
• Eric 'The Greek' Nikolaides - Early guitarist and collaborator (Early Magna Carda works) [2013–2010s]
• Derek Van Wagner - Early bassist (Early Magna Carda works) [2014–2010s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Digits (Digits)
2. The Root (Cirqlation)
3. Running With The Clouds (Mercedez Babies)
4. Temptation (Temptation)
5. Angels/Devils (Mercedez Babies)
6. Co-Sign It (Mercedez Babies)
7. Cowboy (Cowboy)
8. Somewhere Between (Somewhere Between)
9. HOME (Little Trumpet (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
10. Back Then (Somewhere Between)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found)
• MusicBrainz