Keelay's beats first came to fruition during the era of hyphy hype, but his sound has progressed since then. His 2009 album with MC Zaire, Ridin' High, showcased a soulful signature sound slicker than the usual indie-rap beats, with songs that boomed with the professional weight of something that might emerge from Dr. Dre's stable. But as expansive as Keelay's output is, his roots are firmly grass level: Next up for 2010 is the Good Grillade Project, a collaboration with local live backing band the Park and Ragen Fykes (a singer who has described herself as "Dolly Parton meets Kool Moe Dee"), and then an EP with Sacramento's Lee Bannon. As the year unfolds, Keelay is set to prove that staying indie doesn't mean skimping on quality.