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Press Releases

Latino Hip-Hop Pioneer Sen Dog from Cypress Hill Emerges With Highly-Anticipated Debut Solo Album Blazing New Track “Capo” Streaming Now On MySpace Diary Of A Mad Dog Hits Stores September 30th, 2008

Latino Hip-Hop Pioneer Sen Dog from Cypress Hill Emerges With Highly-Anticipated Debut Solo Album Blazing New Track “Capo” Streaming Now On MySpace Diary Of A Mad Dog Hits Stores September 30th, 2008

Los Angeles, CA – Sen Dog (aka Senen Reyes), the notorious co-frontman of hip-hop legends Cypress Hill, has released his hot new track “Capo” from his forthcoming solo album Diary of a Mad Dog online at www.myspace.com/sendog The album will hit the streets on September 30, 2008 through Suburban Noize Records and marks the first solo album from one of hip-hop’s most influential artists.

Sen Dog’s bark is louder than ever on his debut. Taking matters of money, faith and family to the music, Sen Dog sets out to unleash personal dramas in a no-holds-barred symposium of introspection and a narrative insight into his life. Diary of A Mad Dog is a cathartic release for the rabid emcee, but totally accessible to a ravenous audience eager for a solid Sen Dog assault. A few of the Cali pals found on Diary of a Mad Dog include Tangled Thoughts, DJ Ace, and even his Cypress Hill partner B-Real joins in on the attack.

“I’ve done the whole dark, morbid thing and the whole rock n’ roll crossover thing. I’m not going to have an agenda on this; I’m going to jam and record whatever is fun to me,” says Sen Dog about his first ever solo offering. “With Cypress Hill I’m working with B-Real and DJ Muggs, but with my solo material it’s a bit more of a challenge and more rewarding for me as a songwriter when I come up with tracks and they sound banging” he adds.

MORE ON SEN DOG:
Sen Dog has been a pioneer in the world of hip-hop, as one of the he and his Cypress Hill brethren were the first Latino hip-hop superstars and instrumental in helping to break down the door for Latin hip-hop. Sen Dog enjoyed #1 albums on the Billboard Charts (Black Sunday), Top 10 singles (“How Could I Just Kill a Man”, “Insane In The Brain” and “Rock Superstar”) and countless platinum and gold plaques with over 17 million albums sold worldwide. After nearly two decades in the game, Sen Dog has consistently been an innovator in the hip-hop world. From breaking down the door for Latin hip-hop to helping shape the whole West Coast urban/hip hop sound.

DIARY OF A MAD DOG IN-STORES SEPTEMBER 30, 2008.
Be on the lookout for Sen Dog on the Strange Noize tour with Kottonmouth Kings, Tech N9ne, (Hed)p.e, and X-Clan through August 2008!

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Press Releases

BRITNEY SPEARS, MARIAH CAREY, USHER, RIHANNA, CHRIS BROWN, LIL WAYNE, KATY PERRY, T.I., JORDIN SPARKS AND FLO RIDA NAB MOONMAN NODS FOR “2008 VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS” | BEST FEMALE VIDEO AND BEST MALE VIDEO NOMINEES | British Comedian Russell Brand Set To Host Star-Studded Award Show | Set To Air Live On Sunday, September 7th, 2008

BRITNEY SPEARS, MARIAH CAREY, USHER, RIHANNA, CHRIS BROWN, LIL WAYNE, KATY PERRY, T.I., JORDIN SPARKS AND FLO RIDA NAB MOONMAN NODS FOR “2008 VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS” | BEST FEMALE VIDEO AND BEST MALE VIDEO NOMINEES | British Comedian Russell Brand Set To Host Star-Studded Award Show | Set To Air Live On Sunday, September 7th, 2008

“And the MoonMan goes to!!!” Well, we don’t know that yet but on Sunday, September 7th a few names you may hear when envelopes are opened and winners revealed are Britney, Mariah, Rihanna, Usher, Chris or Katy. Beginning on Friday, July 18th, MTV viewers began their contribution to the 2008 Video Music Awards by helping to decide this year’s nominees for “Best Female Video” and Best Male Video” guaranteed to create an award show with the music they want to hear and see. As previously announced, MTV’s 25th annual Video Music Awards will be hosted by comedian/actor Russell Brand and will air live and only one time in its original incarnation, on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at 9PM (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT). Host, presenters and additional performers will be announced at a later date.

Artists nominated for the coveted MoonMan in the “Best Female Video” category include Britney Spears for her video “Piece of Me.” Other talented ladies nominated in the “Best Female Video” category include the always fabulous diva Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Jordin Sparks and talented “girl kissing” newcomer Katy Perry. And now for the men…nominees for “Best Male Video” are Usher, Chris Brown, Flo Rida, T.I.. and Lil Wayne. Each Friday night at 8pm ET/PT on “FNMTV,” two new categories will be announced and open for viewers to vote for their favorite artists and videos at vma.mtv.com or from their Verizon Wireless mobile phone by texting the name of the artist to 23882. Categories currently open for viewers voting are “Best Hip Hop Video and “Best Pop Video.”

AND THE NOMINEES ARE…

BEST FEMALE VIDEO:

Britney Spears – “Piece of Me”
Britney Spears
“Piece of Me”
Blackout
Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Wayne Isham

Jordin Sparks – “No Air”
Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown
“No Air”
Jordin Sparks
19/Jive/Zomba Label Group
Director: Chris Robinson

Katy Perry – “I Kissed A Girl”
Katy Perry
“I Kissed A Girl”
One Of The Boys
Capitol
Director: Kinga Burza

Mariah Carey – “Touch My Body”
Mariah Carey
“Touch My Body”
E=MC^2
Island Def Jam Music Group
Director: Brett Ratner

Rihanna – “Take a Bow”
Rihanna
“Take A Bow”
A Good Girl Gone Bad
SRP/Def Jam
Director: Anthony Mandler

BEST MALE VIDEO:

Lil Wayne – “Lollipop”
Lil Wayne featuring Static
“Lollipop”
Tha Carter III
Cash Money Records/Universal Motown
Director: Gil Green/D. Carter

Chris Brown – “With You”
Chris Brown
“With You”
Exclusive
Jive Records/Zomba
Director: Erik White/Chris Brown

Usher – “Love In This Club”
Usher featuring Young Jeezy
“Love In This Club”
Here I Stand
LaFace Records/Zomba Label Group
Director: The Brothers Strause

T.I. – “No Matter What”
T.I.
“No Matter What”
Paper Trail
Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records
Director: Self/James Lopez

Flo Rida – “Low”
Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
“Low”
Step Up 2 The Streets Original Soundtrack/ Mail On Sunday
Poe Boy Ent./Atlantic Records
Director: Bernard Gourley

Russell Brand has emerged as a genuine star of the silver screen. Making his feature film debut in ‘Penelope’ with Christina Ricci and James McAvoy, and then onto the contemporary Ealing caper ‘St Trinian’s’, and this year won rave reviews for his scene-stealing performances in Judd Apatow’s ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’. Apatow has cast him to play opposite Jonah Hill in his next feature ‘Getting Him to the Greek,’ filming in early 2009.

Official sponsors of “2008 VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS” are GM, Pepsi, TAG Body Spray, Taco Bell, Rhapsody and Verizon Wireless.

This year one lucky viewer will get the chance of a lifetime trip by joining “Do Good. Go to the VMAs.” Think.MTV.com, MTV’s online community for youth activism, is hooking up one young activist and shipping them off to Los Angeles to attend the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards alongside the biggest stars in the industry. From July 24th through August 22nd, all Think.MTV.com members who join the “Do Good. Go to the VMAs” group, at http://think.mtv.com/Groups/DoGoodGoToTheVMAs/, can enter to win two tickets to the VMAs on September 7, 2008 along with travel and hotel accommodations when MTV takes over Los Angeles for this year’s show.

Jesse Ignjatovic/Den of Thieves is the Executive Producer, for the “2008 MTV Video Music Awards.” Dave Sirulnick is Executive Producer. Chris Choun/Ish Entertainment is Co-Executive Producer. Jane Mun is Producer. Amy Doyle, Joanna Bomberg and Robin Katz are Music Talent Executives. Robin Reinhardt-Locke is Celebrity Talent Executive. Garrett English is Executive in Charge of Production.

Telescope is the Official Business Advisor of the “2008 MTV Video Music Awards” Nominee Voting period.

Categories
Press Releases Wu-Tang Clan

WU-TANG LEGEND GZA/GENIUS ANNOUNCES LONG-AWAITED NEW ALBUM PROTOOLS — IN STORES AUGUST 19TH, 2008

WU-TANG LEGEND GZA/GENIUS ANNOUNCES LONG-AWAITED NEW ALBUM “PROTOOLS”–IN STORES AUGUST 19TH, 2008

One of the most renowned and continually relevant hip-hop emcees of all time, GZA returns with his long awaited fifth solo album, “ProTools.” An original member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, GZA has established himself as a perennial force in hip-hop over his 13+ year solo career. Recently, GZA’s contributions have driven the phenomenal success of the 2008 Wu-Tang Clan reunion album “8 Diagrams” as well as two of independent hip-hop’s recent flagship releases: Think Differently Music: “Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture” and the DJ Muggs/GZA collaboration “Grandmasters.”

With an entrenched and rabidly loyal fan base, “ProTools” marks the long awaited return of one of hip-hop’s most revered and respected emcees.

And just wait until you hear what he has to say!!! The album’s first leak track, “Paper Plate,” finds GZA going in hard at a Vitamin Water mogul on this ihiphop.com exclusive.

With “Paper Plate,” GZA is in top form, a true veteran showcasing the incomparable style that has defined witty battle rap for the greater part of a decade.

Spitting 104 bars of straight heat, GZA cuts the legs out from under the G-Unit impresario, reminding us all how sweet beef on wax really sounds. Using metaphor and lyrical imagery (and without employing a single curse word), GZA gives it to us “burnt & crispy.”

True heads stand up…The Genius has finally returned.

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Press Releases

Mikey P of DaCav5 on From G’s To Gents | New MTV Reality Series Premieres July 15, 2008

Mikey P of DaCav5 on From G’s To Gents | New MTV Reality Series Premieres July 15, 2008

Philadelphia, PA — As promotion for DaCav5’s new single “The Runway” is growing day by day, group member Mikey P is gearing up for the July 15 debut of the Jamie Foxx-produced MTV show From G’s to Gents. Hosted by Fonzworth Bentley, the high-energy reality show brings together 14 street-savvy G’s, challenging them to polish up and become gentlemen for a $100,000 grand prize.

With over three million plays on their Myspace page and a strong rapport with their fans, DaCav5 is gaining ground on a national level. They are currently preparing their album Guilty Pleasure for a September 2008 release. Mikey P is one of five fresh faces in DaCav5, while group founder B-Roc along with Benofficial, Soul and Mike-EEE round out this cutting edge Hip Hop crew.

“G’s to Gents is going to raise eyebrows, open eyes, and in the end, hopefully open doors for DaCav5,” says Mikey P of the experience. “This is just another avenue that I took in order to help DaCav5 cross over the line into national stardom!”

“The Runway” is available on iTunes, Napster, Amazon and Rhapsody. Performance dates over the Summer will include shows in Las Vegas, Miami, Atlantic City and other key U.S. cities. And, of course, DaCav5 fans can see Mikey P representing every Tuesday evening at 10:00pm beginning July 15 on MTV.

Mikey is looking forward to DaCav5 fan reaction to his appearance on the show. “You’re gonna see Mikey P in action! I cannot wait to see what my fans have to say – they are my motivation to keep doing what I do.”

Mikey P’s Bio on MTV’s From G’s To Gents: http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/g_to_gents/cast_member/cast_member.jhtml?personalityId=10092#bio

About DaCav5

What makes up a championship team? A strong army? A successful group? Bringing people together to create a winning combination is all about having a common vision and passion. In music, it’s also about having creative synergy and a long-term plan of action.

The five members of DaCav5 come from different backgrounds and perspectives, yet they are able to mesh their talents into a unified sound that is already resonating in the clubs and on radio. Their current magnetic dance song “The Runway” is making waves with tastemakers across the country, and they are well on their way to hit status as they prepare for the release of their album Guilty Pleasure this Fall.

DaCav5 is working hand in hand with Status Management to maximize the potential of “The Runway.” The single is available on iTunes, Napster, Amazon and Rhapsody. The group has garnered over three million plays via MySpace, and the song is already in rotation at Philadelphia’s Q102 and on 15 mixshows nationally. Performance dates over the Summer will include shows in Las Vegas, Miami, Atlantic City and other key U.S. cities.

Additionally, group member Mikey P is appearing in the MTV reality series From G’s To Gents. The show is produced by Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx, and hosted by fashion afficianado Fonzworth Bentley.

All suburban South Jersey natives, DaCav5 is B-Roc, Benofficial, Soul, Mike-EEE and Mikey P, who all came together through an interesting series of events. Originally known as Da Cavalry, the crew was founded by B-Roc as a “hallway Hip Hop group.” He discovered many talented artists at Medford, New Jersey’s Lenape High School, but in the end it was 080 and Benofficial who became permanent members. Eventually, Soul, then known as Lost Soul, was added, and the guys recorded music together and individually throughout the South New Jersey/Philadelphia area.

In 2005 they came fully together after graduating college, and they added Mikey P to the mix. Now DaCav5, they recorded their first project The Most Popular Group You Never Heard Of, and performed their song “Tetris” throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.

Even with love from local Top 40 radio, the title of 2006’s “Philadelphia Idol” and a growing fanbase, DaCav5 was forced to split up as 080 moved on to honor his contractual obligation with the rock-rap group Thunderkatz. Mike-EEE came aboard, and the momentum was refreshed as they joined with Status Management to pursue their mission of success in 2007.

Each member contributes a distinct lyrical and personal dynamic to the group, which has resulted in a breakthrough to fans of all genres. In pursuing their desire to produce quality music, DaCav5’s name and likeness has elevated from a local buzz to a national movement. As they build their brand, the collective drive and determination that binds the group together shines through.

The vision of today’s “super group” has gone haywire with groups being forced together through label A&R departments and reality TV shows. DaCav5’s working relationship is completely organic, yet the look and vibe of the group rivals any popular band on the market.

“We are creating the belt curve instead of following it,” explains B-Roc. “We’ve got five different guys, five different races, five different styles – which means the fans will have their own member that they can relate to. The good thing about it is that it works! We’ve got the whole pop layout visually…but we rap.”

The music itself defies an easy description. Energetic Hip Hop infused with Rock, Dance and Pop with an instinctively catchy flow… that’s just one way to look at it. The merging of their creative vantage points has given DaCav5 room for expansion as they explore each new sonic avenue.

In 2007, they released their indie project Change Of Plans, which featured a collaboration with City High’s Robby Pardlo and spawned the songs “Suburbs” and “I Need A Freak,” both of which garnered a huge buzz for DaCav5. They hope to build on that success with their upcoming album Guilty Pleasure, and their first single “The Runway” is just a sample of how diverse the album will be.

“When fans listen to our music, I want them to feel good and vibe to it,” says Mikey P. “I want them to connect with what we are saying in the record. If we make a party song, then I want them to party; if we make a real song that connects with our individual backgrounds, then I want them to be able to grasp something from the song that they are able to relate to. Music is all about the way it makes you feel – so I hope it makes our fans feel good.”

The incredible connection between DaCav5 and their fans is a major force in their success thus far. While the fellas flock to shows and show support, the ladies are loyally showing big love to the group. “People say that 99% of our fans wear high heels!” smiles Benofficial. “The joke’s on the game though, because we love the ladies, and James Todd Smith made a prestigious career out of it. Honestly, I want the most diverse fan base you can imagine. We embrace all of our fans.” Three years ago they created their own online reality show, DaCav TV, and have brought in new fans from around the world with their antics.

DaCav5 has opened for the likes of Nelly Furtado, The Pussycat Dolls, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, The Fray, Maroon 5, Sean Kingston, JoJo, Cassie, Chingy and many other major label artists in various genres over the past two years. Their persistence and likeability keeps promoters intrigued, although it is ultimately their ability to grab the audience, and sometimes outshine the headliner, that keeps them coming back.

Kyle Piasecki, CEO of Status Management, has been working with the group intently, and is a major player in their day to day success. Affectionately known as “Pi,” Piasecki is dedicated to do whatever it takes to keep the momentum going.

“The group and I have a mutual respect for each other,” Kyle says. “They have been running the Philadelphia Tri-state region and beyond for a few years now, and have become a very powerful movement. When I first ran across the group, I immediately said to myself, ‘These guys are Superstars’ – and ever since it has been my goal to see to it that the world knows their music and gets the pleasure of experiencing the DaCav5 movement.”

The group attributes their chemistry to the combination of friendship, a sense of humor and positive attitudes at every turn. They carry a boy-next-door charm and exude innate sexiness, yet they focus on maintaining a realistic outlook when it comes to how they are received.

“We’re just a group of guys from the ‘burbs that like to kick it and have a good time,” explains B-Roc. “Of course, a lot of rappers won’t agree with our style of music, but at the end of the day it’ll be easier to look ourselves in the mirror because we are staying true to ourselves, without trying to be something we’re not. We’re not trying to save Hip Hop or anything. We just want to give people something new.”

Soul agrees wholeheartedly: “We want the fans to feel like they can relate to the music we make. It doesn’t matter where you come from. As long as you have the love and passion, you can make anything happen.”

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Press Releases

Yaneira De Jour – THE OUTSIDER – Online October 7, 2008

Yaneira De Jour – THE OUTSIDER-Online October 7, 2008
Paper Dollz Entertainment
http://www.myspace.com/yaneiradejour

Official Lead Single:
Yaneira De Jour- “One Life” – (audio)

Yaneira De Jour made a rare move for women in urban music: To establish her imprint, Paper Dollz Entertainment, and set her first digital (EP) release, THE OUTSIDER, for this fall. Utilizing what she learned from internships with Universal/Motown and Interscope Records, and outsourced production, this warrior is moving full speed ahead. “We been dependent too long, waiting for someone else to give us the green light. It’s time to do it ourselves”.

Up for the challenge, this creative misfit sharpened her technique while studying at the Rutgers University Performing Arts department. Along with artistic fine tuning, she took the time to learn the business. “Before Rutgers, my vision was hazy. I was always talented, but… I had to find my own way”.

A young mother, once on welfare, Yaneira De Jour created THE OUTSIDER as a comment for those alienated by social norms. “In Newark (NJ), women like me have so many hurdles. Our respect is hard earned”. For those who refuse to back down in the court of public opinion, Yaneira De Jour shows real life through her eyes with conscious thought and reason.

Taking her poetic rhyme style in combination with her smooth vocals, this wonder-child went outside the box to share her personal soundtrack. With epic songs like “One Life”, she is setting a new standard in music with strength , power, and liberation.

“I exist to inspire. If I can’t do that, What’s the point?”

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T.I.P. Videos

T.I. – No Matter What video from the album Paper Trail in stores September 2nd, 2008

T.I. – No Matter What video from the album Paper Trail in stores September 2nd, 2008

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Press Releases

R.I.P. Tero CAMU TAO Smith June 26, 1977 – May 25, 2008

R.I.P. Tero CAMU TAO Smith June 26, 1977 – May 25, 2008

On Sunday, May 25th, at around 2pm, our dear friend, family member and musical collaborator Tero “CAMU TAO” Smith passed away in his home town of Columbus, Ohio. Tero had been quietly fighting for his life for the last year and a half after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

To those who knew Tero, he was an almost uncategorizable force of nature. Wild, hilarious, proud, loving, tough, outspoken, spontaneous and brilliant. He wore his heart on his sleeve and he dripped creativity, leaving inspiration and awe in the hearts and minds of anyone who was fortunate enough to see him work.

Camu was a brilliant rapper, singer and sought after producer. He got his start in the group MHZ which released records on Fondle Em Records. He was also a founding member of the artistic collectives known as “Weathermen” and “Cardboard City”. He was in a group called Nighthawks with Chris “Cage” Palko, whose album was released on Eastern Conference Records. He was also in S.A. SMASH with Keith “Metro” Lawson, who released their debut album “Smashy Trashy” on Definitive Jux records. More recently he was a part of Central Services with myself, Jaime “El-P” Meline, whose debut album “Forever Frozen in Television Time” never got released. At the time of his death he was working on what those who had the chance to hear it considered his break through solo record, called “King of Hearts”, that was scheduled to be released on Definitive Jux this year.
.
We, his friends and family, have truly had our collective hearts broken by his passing. Not only because of the loss of our friend, but because of the loss of his contribution to those who never knew what we knew about his talent and his potential. He was the secret that no one wanted to keep and we always knew that one day his vision and his heart could change music forever the way he changed all of our lives.

His departure from us all one month away from his 31st birthday is nothing less than a tragedy. Nothing less than a crime. He was a gift to us all and he is irreplaceable.
Rest in peace, Mu. We will love you forever. May god bless you and your family.

Sincerely,
Jaime “El-p” Meline
on behalf of Definitive Jux, Weathermen and many, many wonderful and broken hearted friends. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

_____________________________________________________________
“I wish I could come up with some profound statement of everything I feel about this amazing man who impacted my life in countless ways but I can not. It has already been so difficult to not have him at home with me. I am not sure how I will carry on my life without Tero but I know that he would kick my ass if I didn’t.
I feel peace knowing that he is no longer in pain and can continue on in his journey of greatness in the next life.
You are my partner, my best friend, and I am so in love with you. Not one day will pass that I do not think about the life I shared with you. I will carry you forever in my heart and in my spirit.” Love, Gayle

_____________________________________________________________
“Summing up my feelings regarding Camu, who he was as a friend, what he did as a musician, and how devastating his death is to me will never be possible. I have never lost a best friend before. These types of emotions have no names. Mu had an infectious magnetism about him that was so far removed from the comfort of any convenient adjective or classification, it makes stomaching this with any hint of grace that much more unrealistic. So much of who I am today is directly related to Camu’s ability to unearth things in me that would have otherwise remained dormant forever. He had an unprecedented influence on me as a human being, and beyond that as an artist. I can only hope that when this current fog eventually lifts, I am strong enough to do justice to the things he has given me.” -Ian “Aesop Rock” Bavitz

_____________________________________________________________
“Camu Tao was like my big brother; hard on me, caring, inspiring, and confident. I looked up to him. On the first day we met he took his jacket off his back and put it on me because he saw that I was cold. That is the type of person he was.” -Yashar “Yak” Zadeh
_____________________________________________________________
“He was robbed of his life. I was robbed of my friend and brother. We created music together and he believed he could change hip hop and so did I. There are many wonderful things I could say about Tero in his passing.

I am fortunate I got to tell him most of them while he was alive. I am angry. I am bitter. My life will NEVER be the same again. He said “you should pump this shit like they do in the future” and HE WAS RIGHT!!!!!

I wish he could have seen all this love while he was still here. Cherish every second you have with someone you love sick or healthy. Time is NOT on your side.”

CC/WM FOREVER

Chris “Cage” Palko

Categories
Reviews

Lyrics Born performing live at The Plaza in Vancouver – April 26th, 2008

Lyrics Born performing live at The Plaza in Vancouver - April 26th, 2008

Lyrics Born: founding member of the underground label/movement Quannum Collective, ½ of the legendary Latyrx, native of Tokyo, representing the Bay Area, California for more than fifteen years and hands-down the most distinct, deliberate and demonstrated emcee on this coast ; LB is truly a living legend .

LB is the emcee’s emcee. A tactician musician/lyricist with a buttery cool-caramel clever delivery; oftentimes thought-provoking and always substance-laden, LB also possesses crisp, fluid rapid-fire calibre abilities in his repertoire.

Fresh off the release of Tuesday’s Everywhere at Once, LB stepped onto a Van City stage (@ Plaza Club, Downtown Van) with a very clear and evident mandate: promote, reveal and evolve. LB took the stage unsheathed from his customary backing-blanket of a DJ on dual-decks to introduce a bassist, keyboardist and funk –skilled drummer (all behind him, taking the stage before and after he) as well as his über-talented and Japanese Doll-esque ravishing partner Joyo Velardé (directly beside him) to add proper complement with her trademark high-hooks, azure harmonies and periodic freestyles. For the entirety of the pre-encore show, “LB”, that being, the ensemble that now plays under the Legend’s moniker, performed mainly material from their new album. The encore brought most of the Vancouverites what they came to see, that being, old-school LB cuts fused with the in-person flair that would be expected from he and the complement of a live band to accompany as much.

In retrospect, I feel that the purist LB fan would argue that the good maestro had put his immeasurable talents as a gifted, technical wordsmith/emcee in the backseat in the name of nurturing a musical joint-venture with his life partner. To be frank, your humble narrator would find it a trying argument to disagree with.

On the other side of the coin, however, on a small-scale, this could represent the direction in-which the real-deal long term champions of to the mic and purveyors of grassroots hip hop aim to take the genre on a both a personal and collective level, that is, to grow the branches of the community tree in a direction in which we are both familiar/unfamiliar with.

At one time or another, we’ve all asked ourselves how our favourite artists would transition themselves into the future and in what grace they would do so. Most fade-away, buried under the ripcurl of the mainstream, others find a way to change the name of the game; to push the envelope and give us all reason to want more.

Lyrics Born chose funk. AND, at the Plaza in Van City, LB and his newfound frontmates, BROUGHT THE FUNK.

Much respect and many thanks, we deeply look forward to your next opus.

Adam LeBlanc, on behalf of Van City.

Lyrics Born MVRemix Interview 1

Lyrics Born MVRemix Interview 2

Original Source