Des Moines is not the first place most hip-hop fans look for their fix, but Aeon Grey is out to change that.

This Saturday, Des Moines-based emcee Aeon Grey will host a release party for his upcoming album, “Primate Curriculum” at the Vaudeville Mews in Des Moines.

Grey has spent the last several years leading the growing Des Moines hip-hop scene. A strong mix of atmospheric beats, socially conscious lyrics and powerful live shows have garnered him attention locally and nationally. His previous albums “MarionetteWorkBench” and “CheaperThanWar Vol. 1” have both earned praise in the underground hip-hop community; he also recently performed at the Des Moines Music Coalition’s Gross Domestic Product concert with local acts The Envy Corps and The Lifestyle.

According to Grey’s Web site, “chiseled on the desk of society’s classroom, ‘Primate Curriculum’ is Aeon Grey’s devolution. Like ancient paintings lining the walls of a cave, ‘Primate Curriculum’ is a poetic collage of urban growth mixed with Midwest fears: Terrorism, inadequacy and the general identity crisis.”

With “Primate Curriculum,” Grey hopes to reach a wider audience, while remaining true to his style.

“I think the album might be a little more accessible,” Grey said. “My thoughts are clearer and I think some of the metaphors might be a little more apparent now than they had been in the past. It seems much more coherent.”

Lyrically, Grey aims to avoid the cliches of modern hip-hop and the media’s influence. Instead he’s places an emphasis on personal identity, originality and pride.

Grey did the majority of the album production himself with help from Ace bandage from the Minnesota group The Pushovers and Iowa local Sabicas.

Grey is backed live by DJ Diverse, who he’s been with since his former DJ Really Real left the group.

“Really Real recommended Diverse and I couldn’t really go against his parting wishes,” Grey said. “He is probably the best DJ I have had the pleasure of working with. He brings a good solid base to the shows. I can always count on him to hit his cue.”

Diverse said he works on keeping the live energy up.

“I just try to hype up the show, add some different beats and try to make it more friendly,” he said.

Between his solo albums, Grey has kept busy touring and working side projects. His collaboration with fellow Des Moines emcee Angle spawned the group Lost Cause, who released its album “Paper Cuts” in 2004. He also wants to tour beyond the Midwest, with upcoming shows in Utah and Arizona.

“I really want to get out and tour this year,” said Grey. “That is going to be one of my main points to focus on. And I really enjoy the looks on people’s faces when I tell them I’m from Iowa.”

Grey says he’s looking forward to the show this Saturday, but he’s also anxious to get through it.

“It is a lot of work organizing a show around the release of a CD, and I hope it all goes off without any problems,” he said. “I’m sure it will, but I’m kind of a nervous wreck for every show.”

Although he’s pushing his music further across the Midwest and the country, Grey is still optimistic about Des Moines’ budding hip-hop scene.

“I feel the scene is becoming more accepted. People are not as scared of hip-hop as they used to be,” Grey said. “I think the attention myself, and people like GaiDen Gadema, Angle, Rebels Advocate and the Gutter Bros. . are starting to wash away the stereotypes a little.”

Diverse said Grey has a loyal following of fans.

“It surprises me how open they are to this kind of music and how people actually want to hear what he has to say,” he said.

Also performing at the show are Soulcrate, Articulate and Angle.