Reading title must have you thinking to yourself Kem has left the building...huh? Well that is not the case I want to bring something to the light that I have not heard much on. A piece of work that is awesome and can not go unnoticed on the mass scale as it has.
So what am he talking about you ask! Stephen Marley's debut album 'Mind Control', a gem of true musical melodic rhythms fused with lyrics that will take you to the next level.
Let us not forget the gifts that Bob Marley left behind within his sons. They have allowed his essence to continue on in new music that will bring you to your knees then back to your feet. Repeating joy and inspirational chant and movements of pure purpose. Stephen Marley is one window into the house of Marley. My suggestion is to open that window take a look inside, shout into with the belief you are their closest friend coming to visit. Once inside quiet your mind and take part into something awesome.
Mind Control may be a gem that needs not to be shined. So to wind up your revolutionary spirit you will need this album, a gallon of water, and a great spirit. Do you have it? If you answered yes, the rest is up to you.
Live at J&R Music World in NYC Stephen Marley - Mind Control
You have style daring and something different from the norm blending sounds of the world, offering up a delightful buffet that is healthy to the soul. Lupe Fiasco is an artist that is rated high and overlooked just that same. With the lack of gimmick rap videos, he offers up a style that has gone below the radar, much like jay z with Reasonable Doubt, Mos-Def with A new Danger, and the list goes one.
This does not have to remain that way, this is an opportunity to digest real music. Just last week I entertained several guest to this album and I got nothing but raving comments about the album. Here I want you to take a look at an artist that is pumped out of Chicago, a place that is giving us some of our current artist with spirit, such as Kanye West, and Veteran Common.
Everlast - A popular artist who emerged out of the group House of Pain. I know many can remember Jump around. That song that the DJ puts on in the club every weekend to get us riled up to have a good time. This is the father of that group. Everlast Branched out on his own in the late 90's to put together Whitey Ford Sings the Blues. The album bounced around the scene for some time and received great reviews from the underground music scene as well as the mainstream.
The year was 1999 and What its like fell onto my lap, I looked over to my roommate and asked him what is this, and he stated to put it in and vibe to it. So I Followed his instruction, placed the disc into my CD player, and what came out in my opinion was an instant classic. A classic that has gone unnoticed for too long. When I say unnoticed, it is to say that Everlast has gone down as a one hit wonder and this is not the case. When someone can put together a solid album such as Whitey ford, one hit is so far from the truth. The record companies are to blame, they made too many attempts to box him into a category and from that, resulted in the loss of a dedicated fan base. However his fan base is built on rebellion, those who know you do not need a category to exist, those who took the correct pill, and are always willing to see how far the rabbit hole goes( one for cliche). Remember this album was both a commercial and critical success (selling more than 3 million copies). However the world needed to classify his music and the artist. They did not appreciate that he is as multi talented as he is. He can deliver both Rap Lyrics and Bass Guitar strumming for your listening pleasure.
He is the best of both worlds, with out the second artist to ride along. Now who can deny that? He is the complete musical a package, heck I think he would sing you a love song if you gave him an opportunity to do it his way.
So for this posting Everlast is my Artist to Reconsider, and begin the petition to keep good music alive.
What its like
Endz
Many would remember the misunderstanding between him and Eminem or not. Either way ti went something like this.
In 2000, a feud erupted between Everlast and Eminem. Eminem felt insulted by "I'll buck a 380 on ones who act Shady" from Everlast's verse from the Dilated Peoples all star track "Ear Drums Pop (Remix)". Eminem then in turn dissed Everlast several times in public and on the song "I Remember (Dedication To Whitey Ford)", mocking Everlast's rap/rock style, released as a b-side to the D12 12" vinyl single "Shit On You". Everlast then recorded the track "Whitey's Revenge" and released it on his official website. The track contained the lyric "Better run and check your kid for your DNA," referring to Eminem's daughter, Hailie. Eminem responded with the help of his group D12 on the track "Quitter", in which he took shots at Everlast and threatened to kill him if he ever mentioned Hailie's name again. Everlast later stated in various interviews that he felt everything had been said and he would now refrain from further responses.
Now their is a new stage in Everlast's life; a new group by the name of La Coka Nostra, hardcore no filler. They feel that the industry is missing good Rap music. That is something that you know I am in agreement with, and I can endorse La Coka Nostra as I would Wutang, it is time for real music with substance to make its return, and not this "Contrived" stuff we hear every day.
La Coka Nostra Which is a combination of House of Pain and some new members. Embracing the new members they has expanded and rearranged some things but HOP is still in there with new blood.
I will have more on this group and the featured artist as they have available. I look forward in continuing to bring you great artist and their mission to bring good art no matter their outlet.
Not much about this artist is placed into the limelight. So I feel the need to put it back out there until someone walks up to me in Coffee shop or the bookstore and say to me, they appreciate good music from real musicians. I will reply, Ayo is a good place to start, a legend in the making, the beginning of something real, she is reminiscent of Lauren Hill and Bob Marley, with a little bit of global spice to complete. Danielle Phillips on IGN repoted :
Ayo Is an up-and-coming recording artist who has made a huge splash in Europe and Asia, and is now looking to make her mark in the United States. Born to a Nigerian father and a Romanian Gypsy mother, Ayo's rich sound reflects her diverse heritage and cultural upbringing. Her music recalls such diverse influences as Jimmy Cliff, Joni Mitchell, Sade, Otis Redding, Joan Armatrading, Stevie Wonder and Carol King.Ayo's unique brand of blues, soul, R&B and pop music influences blended together on her first hit single, "Down on My Knees," which swept through Europe shortly following its release. Ayo used the momentum from her first single to record her debut album, Joyful. Jay Newland, Norah Jones' trusted producer, produced the album's eclectic sound. Ayo made her American television debut on Public Television, when her live concert special, "Ayo - Live from Monte Carlo" aired on October 21st. She is now continuing her goal of conquering American audiences with the release of her album stateside.
Watch the Video - Down on my Knees live and Original Video for your viewing pleasure from her 2007 Debut Album :: Joyful , here is Ayo @ Myspace :
As Far Back As I can Remember, I always thought Camp-Lo (Geechi Suede and Sonny Cheeba) was one of Hip-Hops Hidden Gems. A gem that is hard to find, but once you find it you put your head back, and you Marvel at it Beauty. With Camp-Lo you get that Gem of Hip-Hop, at its most relaxed, Ambiance to take you to the chill zone. I am hoping that this Throw back session, allows you the reader the opportunity to delve into a timeless set of beats and lyrics, that were married and show that a divorce between them is a non issue with these fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Soul, splashed with Funk.
Lucini
Collie High
Black Nostaljack
Camp Lo - 2007 - Black Hollywood - Freestyle in NYC
Camp Lo made their first appearance in 1996 on The Great White Hype soundtrack, with their single "Coolie High". The smooth party song was a minor hit, peaking at #25 on the BillboardHot Rap Singles chart. Their first major exposure came with the release of their second single, the upbeat, horn driven "Luchini AKA This Is It". The song became a crossover hit in 1997, breaking into the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reaching the top 5 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. The duo released their debut album Uptown Saturday Night in January 1997. The effort was widely acclaimed, praised for their light accessible content and their smooth, funk and jazz inspired production.
The majority of the album was produced by Ski, famous for his work with Jay-Z. Guest appearances were provided by De La Soul's Trugoy and Digable Planets' Butterfly. The album's 70s-style content was influential on a number of artists within the next few years after its release, like Will Smith, who enlisted Camp Lo for an appearance on his top-selling Big Willie Style album. Also in 1997, they appeared on Oran "Juice" Jones' single "Poppin' That Fly". They collaborated with Hip Hop legends De La Soul in 2000, on the song "So Good" from the Hip Hop 101 Compilation. They finally returned with another album in 2002, titled Let's Do It Again. This effort was not nearly as well-received as their debut, and was met with mediocre reviews and sales. Shortly after the album's release, Aesop Rock enlisted them to appear on his album Bazooka Tooth, exposing them to fans of the underground Definitive Jux label. The duo has recently been in negotiations with Blacksmith Records, a label headed by rapper Talib Kweli. Kweli has expressed interest in signing Camp Lo to his label. In 2006, Camp Lo recorded the song "I Wanna Be" for Midway's NBA Ballers: Phenom Soundtrack. Also in 2006, "Bed Rock", the first single from a mixtape called Fort Apache, was released exclusively through on-line sources. In June 2007, Camp Lo released "Black Hollywood".
If you want more on Camp-Lo Check out their Myspace page.
JOHN ROCKINS UNIVERSITY has been brought into existence do to a silent demand for representation. A representation in the media of Ethnic American Films, music, books, and plays. Although this blog is not singular in a focus solely on Ethnic American art, it allows the reader to see that it fits into a full spectrum of works, across the entire industry.
With the exposure JRU's hopes to be a piece of a large pie. An integral part that can be shared at all tables involved and with all who take an interest in the art of our modern day as well as past, and leaping towards a greater future.
No longer should Americans or the America we love, have a split down the center. If in art that continues it will forever bring out the underlying mistrust, and misunderstanding that we face in reality.
I hope to bring all races together with this blog and to bring about a change within our work in the media as well as the art forms of entertainment that we love.
