MP3: Wu-Tang/El Michels Affair Remix Project Enter the 38th Chamber
A-Plus, Von Pea, Nuk Fam, And More Conclude El Michels Affair Wu-Tang Clan Covers
Critical Praise for El Michels Affair:
"Usually, hip-hop samples funk and jazz to manufacture its crowd-pleasers. Cinematic soul pusher El Michels Affair has reversed that polarity on its sophomore effort by revising Wu-Tang Clan’s immortal debut, Enter the 36th Chamber, using only El Michels’ taut rhythm section and a devoted love of hip-hop." - Wired.com
"The ensemble approaches the Wu-Tang material with genuine appreciation and artistry, bringing out some of the original influences that RZA's brilliant production drew on in the first place." - EntertainmentWeekly.com
The Songs:
After leaking the initial series of remakes from Enter The 37th Chamber in late 2009, El Michels Affair is back with the final three installments to the remix series. Released last year on Fat Beats, Enter The 37th Chamber is El Michels Affair's retro-soul recreation of many classic Wu-Tang Clan songs with an infusion of their signature style. In a project presented by URB.com, Fat Beats, and Audible Treats, Enter The 38th Chamber was released featuring a slew of artists remaking their own versions of these Wu-Tang Clan songs using El Michels Affair's instrumental covers.
The first leak in this series, "C.R.E.A.M." features A-Plus of Souls of Mischief and Knobody of the Hieroglyphics crew. While recreating a Wu-Tang anthem may be a difficult feat, the two met the lofty challenge. Over top El Michels' jazz-soul instrumentation, the duo maintains Wu-Tang Clan's original mantra with, "Cash rules everything around me / C.R.E.A.M. get the money / Dollar dollar bill, ya'll." Their new tone is complimented with upbeat guitar and bass and a more prominent embellishment of the track's original piano melody, all while maintaining the original sounds and elements that made the track a classic. Next on deck is Nuk Farm, N.R.O., and The Dugout's cover of "Protect Ya Neck," re-titled "Trifect Ya Neck." Taking the original dialogue from Wu-Tang's version, the cover's distorted bass, aggressive lyrical attacks, and strong instrumentals bring Wu-Tang's classic sound into the 21st century. Paying homage to the clan, the trifecta performed "Trifect Ya Neck" live at Southpaw in conjunction with the release of Enter The 37th Chamber. The third and final leak is "Shimmy Shimmy Ya," by the late Ol' Dirty Bastard of Wu-Tang Clan. Remade by Von Pea of Tanya Morgan and Spec Boogie of the Lessondary crew, the track overflows with horns and adds a child-like voice to rap the chorus. While recreating the classics was never an easy task, the variety of artists that created Enter The 38th Chamber didn't try to overshadow the legends. Instead, they revamped the tracks to demonstrate their own unique styles, bringing new life to the Shaolin classics.
NEOSONIC Blog: Pre-Order 12 Step Program on CD & Vinyl
Last Tuesday was the (digital) soft-launch of 12 Step Program, which has been garnering all kinds of great reviews! Now that the Kickstarter campaign has ended, the funds we raised, thanx to our die-hard & supportive fans, are being put toward the physical pressings of the album on CD & Vinyl.
Of course, the first people to get their physical copies of 12SP will be the aforementioned fans who "backed" us during the campaign, but we will have a good stash of CDs and even some vinyl left to sell as well! So, if you wanna make sure you get one of those rare pressings, then PRE-ORDER NOW for CD and/or Vinyl. We anticipate the end of the month as far as when the CDs & wax will be ready to ship, but please know its in the works!
For those who still get their digital downloads outside of Bandcamp.com (shame, shame), you can purchase 12 Step Program on iTunes, eMusic & Amazon, to name a few places, too. I'll have more details top of next week regarding the Panacea t-shirts, so stay tuned... and thanx for supporting Neosonic Productions' first OFFICIAL release!
Just dropping by to let you know the video for 'Drunken Master Strikes Back', the first single for the upcoming 'Moment Of Clarity' album by Belgian hiphopgroup BEAT DRUNX is now online. You can check it here:
NEW ARTIST: J. KEYS “TRACK BY TRACK BRINGING HIP-HOP BACK”
Emerging artist J. Keys is dedicated to providing Hip-Hop lovers with the genre's true essence through his clever lyrics, witty wordplay and dynamic storytelling.
We introduce J. Keys to you with the first leak off his upcoming mixtape The Dead Horse entitled "I Like It (Keys to the City)" featuring R&B/Pop singer Adeline via Anonymous Records. Keys has a good time rhyming over Grand Puba's classic, while Adeline's vocals on the hook complete the song.
Always looking to strike the right tone in his music, Mid-West emcee J. Keys approaches every rhyme and song much like an author approaches a story, by outlining his message and conceptualizing music around his thoughts.
This emcee’s music transcends the poppy sounds that drive today’s hip hop. Keys’ hip hop is driven by clever rhyme schemes fusing life’s realities with humor and satire to make the significance of his music stand out.
“Musically I do what feels right to me in the moment. I do not believe in boundaries or conceding completely to other people’s expectations and don’t necessarily do what’s popular. Sometimes I go with the grain; a lot of the time I go against it. I feel like this makes me shine,” says Keys.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Keys discovered his love for music at a very early age. Naturally he was influenced by the melodies of Motown recording artists such as Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Anita Baker. Growing up on the outskirts of Detroit, he was introduced to the lyrics of Gangstarr, Tupac, Nas, Outkast, Common, and countless other emcees that evidently fostered the sounds we hear from him today.
Keys’ debut EP, Something to Live For, was a powerful album packed with tight production and provoking lyrics on independent label, Anonymous Records. Along with his most recently released heater, The Dead Horse Mixtape, he has released the digital single “The One Two” on iTunes.
Coming soon from Keys are The Dead Horse Vol. 2: Vodka + Vegetables as well as his as-of-yet untitled second studio album that is sure to mark his arrival on hip hop’s larger stage.
In the current music climate, it seems everyone has a cliché definition for what is to be considered “real” hip hop. If hip hop is defined by giving hope to the hopeless and a voice to the voiceless, then without a doubt J. Keys is real hip hop.
J. Keys’ music is a direct reflection of the experiences that all hip hop lovers share, both good and bad. Listeners can enjoy the raw emotion that he pours into every lyric. His ultimate goal is to create a musical legacy that will last beyond his lifetime.
J. KEYS ON iTUNES TODAY!!!
Visit iTunes.com today for J. Keys official single "The One Two" here.
Epicsauce.com Presents the Terrorbird Media 4 Year Anniversary with Man/Miracle, Baths, The Splinters, Sister Crayon & more! *Also featuring DJ sets from Sugar & Gold and Disco Shawn*
THURSDAY MAY 20TH @ MILK BAR 1840 HAIGHT ST. (ACROSS FROM AMOEBA RECORDS) SAN FRANCISCO, CA 8PM, 21+ ONLY $5 ENTRY, $3 SPECIAL ON TRUMER PILS
For those who haven't heard TRUTHLiVE's new album, Patience, or his EP, The UnLearning, yet, there is now a new way to experience TRUTHLiVE. Kudos to DJ Vinroc who had a mixtape made in true and classic mixtape fashion that doesn't skip from one track to the next. Running 20-minutes long, DJ Vinroc took the recent and best songs from both albums to put into the mixtape starting with title track, "Patience". Mixing it seamlessly right into "Shoot Me Down" from the EP, DJ Vinroc is presenting the finest of TRUTHLiVE to the public. Landing the celebrated turntablist for the blend was a coup for TRUTHLiVEMix who states, "He is unquestionably one of the best turntablists of all time. Getting to work with him was a blessing." The proof is right here in the mix. Whether you've loved TRUTHLiVE or have never heard of him before, the mixtape will turn you into a TRUTHLiVE fan.
TRUTHLiVE will be performing May 21, 2010 at Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa with KRS-ONE. For those 21 and older, tickets are available for $20 at http://ticketweb.com
For those fans yet to have a chance to scoop one up to date, in addition to the release of his album, TRUTHLiVE is offering fans a Deluxe Kit through the Interdependent Media label website: http://imculture.com/shop-2/truthlive-patience-deluxe-preorder/ . At a $20 price point, the Deluxe Kit includes one copy of the Patience CD, a TRUTHLiVE red baseball tee, original TRUTHLiVE sleep mask, a physical copy of The UnLearning EP, a 45" split record featuring fellow iM artists Tanya Morgan and Finale, posters, stickers, flyers and more.
Evan "TRUTHLiVE" Phillips, owner and founder of Interdependent Media, has certainly made his mark in the music industry with his wide range of talents. As an emcee, DJ, entrepreneur, and artist, TRUTHLiVE has had his hands in everything from a very young age. After a traumatic adolescent period where his health was at risk, three heart surgeries proved the artist to be quite a fighter. He explains to his new listeners, "The name TRUTHLiVE doesn't mean that I'm proclaiming myself as the truth, end-all be-all; it's more of a reminder to myself on how to conduct my life and career." The MC best summates, "My music is my truth and my life." That meaningful music is available nowin the form of Patience, TRUTHLiVE's debut release, courtesy of Bay Area label Interdependent Media.
About Interdependent Media:
Founded in 2006 in the Bay Area by Evan Phillips, Interdependent Media has built unique strengths in the development, production, and marketing of recorded music via new methods of marketing and promotion. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of both traditional and emerging methods of marketing, iM has successfully created multi-faceted methods of raising awareness and interest in their projects. Industry veterans Ian "ID" Davis and Dominic Del Bene head operations at iM and are credited with discovering and/or developing artists such as 9th Wonder, Little Brother, Tanya Morgan, Blackalicious, Del the Funky Homosapien, the Hieroglyphics and more. In 2010, iM will be releasing multi-media projects from artists Donwill, TRUTHLiVE, Canibus, Von Pea, A-Plus, and more. For more information, please visit http://www.imculture.com
From the forthcoming album CAPE VERDE dropping June 22 on Backwoodz Studioz.A concept album from the NYC rap duo about a day in front of the television. Featuring Vordul of Cannibal Ox, Superb, Masai Bey, Bigg Jus and more... http://backwoodzstudioz.com/
KOSHA DILLZ- "DooDoo" (Video) Directed by Robbie Barclay
Kosha Dillz is pleased to present the 2nd video from his highly acclaimed album Beverly Dillz. Kosha reunites with director Robbie Barclay, who also directed the first single "Cellular Phone" off Beverly Dillz (click here to view), for "DooDoo", the album's 2nd single, produced by Belief (Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, El-P, Murs). Check out the cameo's from Flex Mathews & Homeboy Sandman. If you like what you see, feel free to support good music by downloading Beverly Dillzhere or on the album cover below. on iTunes by clicking
"Kosha Dillz is not only a clever play on words, but also presents a rarely seen culture clash in music. He voices his political opinions on foreign affairs and oppression with fresh rhymes. This makes him a universal voice..." URB MAGAZINE
Beverly Dillz, his solo red carpet debut LP, was recorded entirely in the Beverly Hillz section of Los Angeles, while the lyrics were composed at various overpriced coffee houses and internet cafes through out the city. A frequent maker of history, Kosha Dillz will attest to rhyme the first song in Hebrew on an American indie album, "Kol Ha Kavod Lirkod (its all good to dance)". And for those who don't speak Hebrew, songs like "Dilly Wonka" and "LA Ish" will keep you dancing from the happy go -rich lounges of any US city to the pretty sides of your local dive bar, any day of the week.
Bay Area Rapper, Spit Doctor, Releases Anticipated "Go Getta Glimpse" Record, Out Now
* * * * * * * * * Spit Doctor Re-introduces Himself To The Rap World, And Enlists Bay Legend, With New Release "Go Getta Glimpse"
LOS ANGELES, May. 11 /2SPR/ - With California's Bay Area history of being a staple for independent releases, its become natural for its artists to follow in the footsteps of many of its sucessfull artists.
With his new record "Go Getta Glimpse", Spit Doctor re-introduces himself to the Hip-Hop world with hard-hitting tracks , well written lyrics and creative hooks.
After releasing several street albums with his label mates, Spit Doc offers listeners a breath of fresh air with tracks like "Turn It Up", the title-track "Go Getta Glimpse" and "California Grown" featuring Northern California legend San Quinn.
With many well known West Coast artists laying low in the first quarter of '10, Spit Doctor has taken advantage and provided fans of great music with a fresh sound well rounded enough for any listener.
"Go Getta Glimpse" is available now, at all major digital retailers.
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Here are links to the first two singles of the album: