The vocals for the Warblers are actually done by The Beelzebubs, an all-male a capella group from Tufts University.[1] The guys you see on screen are just actors. read more
In this way, "Through the Wire" is archetypal of the lyrical content and creativity (and sped-up background samples) that became the basis of his continued popularity. Ok, that last part is mostly just my opinion (backed up by many listens), but references to the rest of this can be found on Wikipedia, Rap Genius, and the interviews quoted therein. read more