Multi-disciplinary musician Alissia is making her debut from behind the boards as a producer. The funk and R&B-tinged “Get Away” video is out now — with the full support of Alissia’s number one fan, the inimitable Bootsy Collins, who raves, “I’m digging Alissia’s new song because it makes me want to pull up a chair and sit with you, baba!”
This young woman has enough talent to have been called to produce, play bass, write and arrange on Bootsy Collins’ upcoming album World Wide Funk, also featuring the likes of Kali Uchis, Bernie Worrell, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E Fresh and Musiq Soulchild. “Working with Bootsy has been an incredible journey and definitely a challenge to push myself harder everyday. Definitely one of the most inspiring projects I have worked on. ‘You got to keep it funky at all times Baba!’”
In addition, Alissia has also been in collaboration with Khalid, Q-Tip, Anderson Paak, Havoc, and more. Given the company she keeps at her Soho-based studio dubbed “The Spaceship,” it’s certain that this young bass prodigy-turned-producer is primed to begin the next chapter in her musical career.
Her latest track “Get Away” carries listeners from hip-hop to disco to funk and beyond. The mood is chill and the groove is locked. Expect more from Alissia this year; whether solo, collaborating with the greats, or teaming up with new talent, she consistently proves that whatever music she creates just feels right.
“For those unfamiliar with Tattoo, he’s an artist to watch. He approaches Hip Hop with an alternative, almost indie perspective that gives his sound a unique feeling.” –EARMILK
“The startling track, both intimate and anthemic, could perhaps best be described as feminist-folk-rap.” – BlackBook
Brooklyn-based, alternative hip-hop artist and songwriter, Tattoo Money, announces his debut untitled EP. The lyric driven EP was inspired by his surrounding world, using only one guitar, one synth and a drum machine. Untitled is due out August 11th, 2017.
Today, Tattoo Money shares his latest video, “Caffeine On An Empty Stomach” via EARMILK, who uncovered the deeper meaning of the video and track, stating, “Throughout the video, different groups attempt to put Tattoo into a stereotypical box. Whether it’s Timberlands or a bottle of Hennessey, groups try and force products onto the emcee as if he should accept them because of his looks. As the video goes on, he runs away from all of these forces before confronting them with his music at the finale.” Last month, lead single, “Black Girl Magic,” premiered on BlackBook, who stated, “The startling track, both intimate and anthemic, could perhaps best be described as feminist-folk-rap.”
Tattoo Money (also known as Pete Armour) was born in Brooklyn before hipsters, bike lanes and artist lofts. Hip-hop was at the core of his upbringing. but Armour’s treasured music collection always included rock bands, such as Cold War Kids, Avenged Sevenfold and Arctic Monkeys. Playing around with the dichotomy of growing up in Brooklyn during the hip-hop golden age, and being into rock and metal, Tattoo Money is an authentic fusion of modern youth culture, creating something new out of a distinct variety of influences.
For Tattoo Money, fitting in has never been part of the agenda, nor was it attainable.
“When I showed up to play hip hop shows they always thought I was an R&B singer. When I show up to play at rock shows (with a guitar on my back, mind you) I always get asked if I’m DJ’ing.”
Tattoo Money writes songs about relationships. Relationships of all kinds – with lovers, exes, friends, enemies and his relationship with New York City. Performed live, these songs aren’t just his songs, these songs become everyone’s songs. The energy transferred in the room between the crowd and the performer is what Tattoo Money feeds off of – for him, it’s all about vibes and connection. With a focus on narrative, Tattoo Money’s minimalist instrumentation and style drives focus to the meaningful stories and personal experiences within the music. EP tracks such as “Black Girl Magic” and “Caffeine On An Empty Stomach” display Tattoo Money’s way of incorporating his personal hardships into meaningful change. The first track hopes to uplift black women and the future of amazing black women during this difficult time, while the second hopes to push beyond the boundaries of black stereotypes.
UNTITLED – TRACKLISTING
01. Caffeine On An Empty Stomach
02. Barrington Levy
03. Levels
04. Black Girl Magic
05. Liars
“Tackling contemporary issues —and universal themes of the heart and home, the multifarious southern hip-hop crew creates a smart, infectious, 13-track LP exuding positivity and self-awareness.” – SPIN
“For folks who think the ’90s was Golden Age of hip hop, Birmingham, Alabama group The Green Seed recalls the days of De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Black Star and more.” -Brooklyn Vegan
“Comparing the socially conscious four-man crew’s rhythmic and lyrical dexterity to Ghostface Killah and Kool Keith isn’t stretching too much.” – Nashville Scene
Over the summer, inexplicable commercials have been popping up all over local Birmingham television stations. The commercials are only a quarter of a minute long, but thanks to the odd imagery involved they have created quite a memorable impact on all who have seen them.
Birmingham residents have been perplexed as to what the commercials were designed to advertise since they were all quite obscure, leaving much to the viewer’s imagination.
The confusion was taken to an all-new level when one of the spots was aired on national television during Late Night with Seth Meyers and Saturday Night Live commercial breaks.
Today, the source of the perplexing commercials has been revealed, and it is not what people expected. Online, many television watchers speculated as to the source with some arguing it was for a comedic sketch show and others saying it was a publicity stunt for some soon to be released product. While all the guesses were good, they were all wrong.
Birmingham, Alabama hip-hop group The Green Seed is the proud source of the surreal commercials. Each member of the four-piece group (Jean Jefferson, Ted Thompson, Psychic Mike, and Winston James) recorded their own commercial in a viral marketing campaign for their debut full-length album, Drapetomania. The record was released July 15th via Communicating Vessels and is available for purchase now.
In case you missed seeing the commercials on television then you can catch them on the YouTube playlist above. Of course, be sure to dial the number at the bottom of the screen.
The Green Seed is an exciting new act hailing from one of the current most musically fertile cities in the US. Their debut album has gained nationwide critical acclaim and is most definitely one of the best hip-hop albums to have been released this year. Drapetomania is currently at #2 on the CMJ Hip-Hop charts.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Drapetomania wasn’t the product of the Dirty South rather than the blunted grit of J Dilla’s Detroit or the otherworldly productions of Lex Records. But Drapetomania is no homage – it’s a unique blend of heart, laughter, and guts. While the album often contemplates bondage – artistic, romantic, etc. – but, ultimately, it’s a soundtrack to Freedom… And whatever comes next.
If the commercials have you intrigued then the music will have you hooked. Listen to the stream of Drapetomania on Spin now, right here.
While their recorded songs are amazing, there’s nothing quite like seeing these guys live. They’ll be playing a handful of dates in the coming weeks, so check out the tour dates below.
Tour Dates
9/5 in Florence, AL @ 116 Mobile 9/12 in Little Rock, AR @ White Water Tavern 9/19 in Hattiesburg, MS @ Thirsty Hippo 10/21-25 in NYC @ CMJ Music Marathon
I love Teddybears. The group and the bears. And now, the group returns with a psychedelic summer jam, “Sunshine”(out now via Big Beat Records) which highlights their signature—pop x electronica x rock n’ roll x hip-hop x reggae x punk—and arrives with a video to accompany that shares an outrageous mix of themes and color schemes.
Featuring Jamaican dancehall star Natalie Storm and Swedish musician Kee Marcello (hailing from mega-bands Europe and Hellacopters); smashing a drum-kit made of ice, this playful video, combined with equal parts electric guitar, gold lamé, and neon illustrations is simply fun to watch – and definitely not like anything else you’ll see all day.
Brooklyn-based denitia and sene have mastered the fine art of soulful sensuality with their luscious, smooth-as-silk sound. The duo’s intoxicating music effortlessly melds elements of electronic, hip hop, R&B & soul in equal doses- a reflection of Denitia Odigie & Sene’s respectively diverse musical backgrounds. In addition to a Red Bullsingle & video collaboration on the horizon, denitia and sene have just announced the release of their his and hers LP on vinyl, out February 11!
his and hers LP cut “Casanova,” is a deliciously addictive number that features the intertwining silky vocals of the duo in a “his-and-hers” battle of the hearts. Another stellar LP single, “trip. fall.”was transformed into an evocative live video with the help of Brooklyn collective BKLYN1834, as part of their hand-curated BKLYN AIR series. Matching the sultry dynamic of the song, the video portrays the pair in an intimate hotel room – Denitia’s stirring vocals stripped down as she sings from the shower, and Sene providing the instrumentation.
Check out the new song and video from Atmosphere featuring Chloe the Golden Retriever in a performance praised by MTV, who says, “Not since ‘Cool Dog’ have we seen a dog express such an array of emotions in front of a camera.”
New album, The Family Sign, is due April 12th on Rhymesayers Entertainment. The album is available to preorder here.
This April Atmosphere will embark on a 21-date US and Canadian tour. Check the cities and dates below.
04.20.11 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.21.11 – Munhall, PA @ Carnegie Music Hall of Homestead – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.22.11 – S. Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground – SOLD OUT! | RSVP
04.23.11 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.24.11 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.26.11 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.27.11 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.28.11 – Richmond, VA @ The National – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.29.11 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel – Buy Tickets | RSVP
04.30.11 – Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.02.11 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.04.11 – Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.05.11 – Pomona, CA @ Fox Theater – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.06.11 – San Diego, CA @ House of Blues – SOLD OUT! | RSVP
05.07.11 – Berkeley, CA @ Greek Theatre ^ – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.09.11 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.10.11 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.12.11 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.13.11 – Edmonton, AB @ The Starlite Room – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.14.11 – Saskatoon, SK @ The Odeon – Buy Tickets | RSVP
05.17.11 – Boulder, Co @ Fox Theatre – SOLD OUT! | RSVP
Look Up Stop Texting (LUST) was started by Cat Greenleaf, a hardcore Blackberry addict, Brooklynite and host of NBC’s “Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf” where she interviews celebrities, musicians and newsmakers right on the front steps of her Brooklyn home. She is also a new mom who realized that her textaholic nature managed to take her attention away from her son and from the physical world overall.
Through stylish clothing and accessories, LUST’s mission is to remind us to put down our PDAs more often, and live in the actual world instead of in the virtual one. LUST isn’t saying we should NEVER text – just that adding a measure of control can add so much to our experience of being alive.
Each season, LUSTbklyn will donate a portion of it’s proceeds to a not-for-profit organization. This Fall, LUST will give to The Common Ground Foundation started and run by hip-hop artist, actor, and author Common. The Common Ground Foundation is dedicated to developing youth in underserved communities into contributing citizens and strong leaders. LUSTBKLYN is available at Spangle Jewelry in Brooklyn , Fred Segal in Santa Monica and online at www.LUSTBKLYN.com.
Join Cat Greenleaf at the LUSTbklyn New York City launch party on September 23rd at Spangle Jewelry in Brooklyn. The party will be just blocks from the famous “Talk Stoop” stoop and will feature innovative DJ Keith Shocklee (Public Enemy, Run-D.M.C.) on the decks.
The band Ozomatli has been around since 1995. You might have heard of them, you might not have, OR you might not know that you actually have. I heard them on my satellite radio awhile ago and liked what I heard. Then, in my various music browsings, I discovered a little more.
Here’s how you might not know that you do know of Ozomatli: Remember the movie Never Been Kissed with Drew Barrymore in 1999? They are the band playing in the reggae club when her character Josie ingests “weed cake,” a cake with marijuana. In the scene, the song playing is “Cut Chemist Suite.”
Pretty cool fun fact, I think.
The band currently has 7 members, but they’ve in the past had as many as 10. Some of those members included DJ turntablist Cut Chemist and Chali 2na, who both moved on to a different project, Jurassic 5.
That’s another fun fact!
Anyways, Ozomatli’s latest album came out in April this year. Fire Away is definitely worth listening to. You may just find yourself a new favorite. You’re welcome.
Band members Jiro Yamaguchi and Ulises Bella describe Ozomatli:
“You drive down Sunset Boulevard and turn off your stereo and roll down your windows and all the music that comes out of each and every different car, whether it’s salsa, cumbia, merengue, or hip hop, funk, whatever, it’s that crazy blend that’s going on between that cacophony of sound is Ozomatli, y’know?”
Did anyone else know that the character Darnell (aka Crabman) from My Name is Earl is in a sweet ass group?
No stranger to the New York underground scene,No Surrender is gearing up to release their intricate sophomore effort Medicine Babies (ZerOKilled Music, Fall 2010). Blending hip-hop, electro, soul, synth-pop, and indie-rock, No Surrender’s spanning sound is genre-bending.
Enlisting European production team Radioclit, TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe, New York fixture DJ Monica Sharp, and former Tricky muse Costanza, their guests are equally as diverse, and equally as interesting.
After self-releasing their critically lauded debut, White Power Black Magic, No Surrender was put on hold when Eddie Steeples became a permanent cast member on NBC’s My Name Is Earl, playing Darnell/Crabman. Putting unfinished tracks on the back burner, Seraphim participated in different projects (including guesting on tracks for Evil Nine) until Steeples finished filming. Picking up right where they left off, but adding years of experience and influences, No Surrender took on producer Costanza Francavilla to finish Medicine Babies in the ZerOKilled studio in Brooklyn.
“Your new favorite shit.” –Vice Magazine
“…a groping, grimy jam sticky with parking-lot feedback, Rick James-esque yelps, and fuzzy synths… Just remember that Medicine Babies is the name of the album dropping this fall, and it’s gonna be dope.” – RCRD LBL
Get It Now: The first single from Medicine Babies is “Godda Get It” featuring production by Radioclit.
Musically Amusing 