Flying Lotus Announces New Spring Tour Dates, Including SXSW, Red Bull Music Academy, and More
Watch Flying Lotus Discuss His Live Set and “Layer3” Audiovisual Setup Here
“[Flying Lotus] played his own hypeman, his movements given a kind of screen-saver treatment via the pulsing, ethereal electronic visual effects behind him… The excitement was earned.” – Pitchfork
“Quiet is relative for this antsy L.A.-based producer, who convenes Thom Yorke, Erykah Badu and a rushing data stream for a stoned soul-jazz picnic.” – Rolling Stone, Best Dance Albums of 2012
“The bass-rattling sounds [Flying Lotus] was generating, meanwhile, were from another world…the combination of sights and sounds had most of the crowd pretty satisfied and it wasn’t even 8:30.” – The LA Weekly
Fresh off appearances at The Buku and Snowball Music Festivals, Flying Lotus (aka Steven Ellison) is ready to reveal his first tour of 2013. Continuing throughout the spring, Ellison has scheduled select dates across the U.S., including stops at SXSW and the Red Bull Music Academy in New York. His live set will once again incorporate his Layer3 audiovisual stage show, developed in collaboration with Strangeloop and Timeboy. Watch Flying Lotus discuss Layer3 and performing live here.
The tour comes on the heels of an especially busy 2012 for Flying Lotus, which saw Ellison release his latest critically lauded album, Until the Quiet Comes. Hailed as the lush counterpoint to 2010’s Cosmogramma, the album earned Flying Lotus spots on a wide variety of year-end lists including Pitchfork, NPR, Filter, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone. And earlier this year, the “Until the Quiet Comes” short film, Flying Lotus’ collaboration with director Kahlil Joseph, won The Short Film Special Jury Award at The Sundance Film Festival.
Flying Lotus Tour Dates:
3/12: Austin, TX @ AMOA Arthouse at Jones Center – SXSW – [12:00 am]
Prince Aries Announces Clean Ass Whip Mixtape For May Release + Video West Coast Cruising Mixtape Pairs Old School Classics With New Songs From DaVinci, Bambu, And More
Bay Area DJ Prince Aries is excited to announce the release of Clean Ass Whip. The mixtape, which features original tracks from DaVinci and Bambu along with a variety of west coast classics from Aries’ personal collection, will be released this May via SWTBRDS (Sweetbreads). Joining the mixtape will be a series of limited edition silk-screened art prints, designed personally by Aries, who is an accomplished graphic designer.
A veritable jack-of-all-trades, Prince Aries has become an established name in the Bay as one of the city’s most well known personalities, becoming a sought after DJ, promoter, graphic designer, and producer. However, it was his talents as a VJ that garnered the hip-hop renaissance man his first notice. Originally from the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, Aries moved to the Bay Area in the mid-90s and shortly there after went about founding the Bay Area’s first hip-hop television program, Distortion 2 Static, which allowed Aries up-close-and-personal interaction with many of the artists that inform the music on Clean Ass Whip. Since starting the show, which fans can now watch on air or online, Aries has interviewed and featured artists including DJ Spinna, DJ Premier, The Pharcyde, Too $hort, Biz Markie, and many more.
It was also Aries’ move from the east to west coast that largely influenced much of the music and the overall concept and theme of Clean Ass Whip. “A majority of the songs on the mix are songs that were significant to a certain time in my life, when I first moved to the Bay Area,” says Prince Aries. “The sound and feel of West Coast music made a big impact on me.” Those influences shine through with the inclusion of songs like “We Roll Deep” by Conscious Daughters and the “I’m A Player Remix” from Too $hort, both of which easily pair with the newer songs, like the mixtape title track with DaVinci or “And We Mobb In That…” with LA rapper Bambu. The tape also features Aries’ own mix of “Distinguished Gentlemen,” from fellow SWTBRDS artist StreetMedia.
While many of today’s DJs can be found Google searching for their tracks, Aries went to the source for Clean Ass Whip, digging into his extensive vinyl collection, many of which are original pressings straight from the artists. “I’ve been collecting vinyl for some time now,” explains Aries. “Some of these songs I got from the artists themselves, and the newer songs can be tied into the work I’ve done with Distortion 2 Static, which is how I met a lot of these artists in the first place.”
Prince Aries’ Clean Ass Whip mixtape will be available for free download this May.
In addition to releasing official music videos for “Clean Ass Whip” and “And We Mobb In That…,” Prince Aries will be releasing a number of short videos leading up to release, each offering insight into Aries’ history as well as the new project. This first video features Aries discussing Walkman Day, and how the tradition first put him onto Too $hort and N.W.A.
Watch Aries discuss Walkman Day and the mixtape here:
The Background:
Aries Nuñez, known to the entertainment world as Prince Aries, has quite a few cards up his sleeve. Though his passion lies in music and his love for DJing, Aries became a fundamental player in the Bay Area’s new renaissance – promoter, graphic designer, TV show personality, and producer – with his multimedia background placing him a cut above the rest. When his groundbreaking show, Distortion 2 Static, got picked up by a local Bay Area television station after only two seasons on Public Access, he knew that he had his finger on the pulse of a movement that started simply as a way to share his love for Hip Hop.
SWTBRDS Background:
SWTBRDS (pronounced Sweetbreads) is a Bay Area-based record label that exemplifies the raw, rare and boutique qualities of its namesake. Founded in 2009, it houses rapper, DaVinci, renaissance DJ, Prince Aries, DJ + rapper duo StreetMedia, as well as the dynamic production team, Drums & Ammo, featuring the collective musical work of producers Ammbush, REL, Al Jieh and 6Fingers. Their first release was the self-titled StreetMedia LP, followed by Adrian Champion Presents: Stars & Stripes – The White Stripes Reimagined in Winter & Spring of 2009. Their most recent release was The Day The Turf Stood Still by DaVinci, his debut album, which received critical acclaim from publications such as Pitchfork.com, Wax Poetics, SF Weekly, XLR8R, Ozone Magazine, URB.com, and more. With a diverse release schedule on the horizon, SWTBRDS kicks 2011 off with Prince Aries’ Clean Ass Whip mixtape, an ode to West Coast Hip-Hop’s cruising aesthetic, dropping in May 2011. Soon to follow are DaVinci’s Feast or Famine EP and The MOEna Lisa LP, Drums & Ammo, Vol. 1, the self-titled first installment of a new instrumental series, REL’s sophomore solo instrumental album, The Orchestration 2, Ammbush’s solo artist EP, and StreetMedia’s sophomore album.
Fat Beats LA Announces In-Store Performance Schedule For Final Week Fat Beats LA Celebrates Final Week With Appearances From Rhettmatic, Ras Kass, Dilated Peoples, Bishop Lamont, Kurupt, and More
Fat Beats is excited to present yet another send-off worthy of their hip-hop legacy. Following the recent close of their New York location and a successful string of in-store performances from such artists as Just Blaze, DJ A-Trak, Pete Rock, and DJ Premier, Fat Beats is planning a week long series of in-store performances and music industry panels for to close out the Los Angeles location. These in-stores will provide an opportunity for fans to celebrate the legacy of one of the strongest music brands in the company of their favorite artists, while learning about the history of Fat Beats and what the future holds for the music industry. Everyone is welcome to come and all events are free.
Today marks the official start of the week and a half long in-store series for the Los Angeles location. This location will host artist performances every day starting this weekend until it closes its doors for the final time on Saturday, September 18th, 2010. Additionally, the Los Angeles Fat Beats location will be selling limited edition commemorative t-shirts, as well as discounted music and merchandise. Says owner, Joseph Abajian aka DJ Jab, “California has supported us since day one and we’re looking forward to putting on great shows for our final week.”
The schedule for the Los Angeles location is as follows:
Tuesday, September 14th: Trek Life, Percee P & Mellow Man Ace & others Wednesday, September 15th: Tiron, Ayomari, Bambu, Tunji, & others Thursday, September 16th: Producer Showcase – Exile, Rhettmatic, HouseShoes, Shafiyq, & others Friday, September 17th: Kurupt, Bishop Lamont, Dilated Peoples, EM Eiht, Ras Kass, Planet Asia, Affion Crockett, Funkdoobiest, Strong Arm Steady, & others Saturday, September 18th: Special guest DJ’s and performers all day *FINAL DAY* Sunday, September 19th: DJ’s Showcase – DJ Revolution, Rhettmatic, J Rocc,& others
Despite these farewells, Fat Beats will continue doing what it does best – bringing hip-hop to the people. Fat Beats Distribution has been renamed FB Distribution and continues to work with both independent and major labels. Likewise, Fat Beats Records is pllaning rleases from a number of artists from their impressive roster, including ILL BILL, TruMaster/KRS-One, Black Milk, Trinity, Sha Stimuli, Q-Unique and more. The company’s online store, FatBeats.com, which carries everything available in their retail locations and more, will remain the number one destination for hip-hop fans for all their music needs. Though these two landmarks may be closing, Fat Beats’ persistence during tough times for the record industry proves it is still very much alive and well.
Fat Beats Announces Schedule of In-Store Performances For Final Weeks Both Remaining Stores Commemorate Legacy With Appearances From DJ Premier, Bobbito, Just Blaze, Pete Rock, and More
After announcing the closing of their New York and Los Angeles locations, Fat Beats is excited to present a send-off worthy of their hip-hop legacy. A week-long series of in-store performances and music industry panels at both stores will allow the music community to not only learn about the history of Fat Beats and what the future of the music industry holds, but to also celebrate the legacy of one of the strongest music brands in the company of their favorite artists. These week-long in-stores are sure to go down in hip-hop and New York history. Everyone is welcome to come and all events are free.
Today marks the official start of the week-long in-stores for the New York location. This location will host artist perfomances every day this week from 4-9pm until it closes its doors for the final time on Saturday, September 4th, 2010. Additionally, both locations will be selling limited edition commemorative t-shirts, as well as discounted music and merchandise
The schedule for the New York location is as follows:
Monday, August 30th: Artifacts, Da Beatminerz, Immortal Technique, and more Tuesday, August 31st: Ras Kass, Sav KIllz, DJ Ready Cee, panel discussion, and more Wednesday, September 1st: Bobbito, Mayhem, Riz, Juggaknots, Sputnik Brown, and more Thursday, September 2nd: Rob Swift, Torae, DJ Concept, DJ Amir, and more Friday, September 3rd: Masta Ace, J-Live, Pacewon, Tanya Morgan, and more *FINAL DAY* Saturday, September 4th: Just Blaze, A-Trak, Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and more
Los Angeles residents can expect a similar send-off later on in the month, as that location will remain open until September 18th. The final LA schedule will be announced soon.
Despite these farewells, Fat Beats will continue doing what it does best – bringing hip-hop to the people. Fat Beats Distribution has been renamed FB Distribution and continues to work with both independent and major labels. Likewise, Fat Beats Records is pllaning rleases from a number of artists from their impressive roster, including ILL BILL, TruMaster/KRS-One, Black Milk, Trinity, Sha Stimuli, Q-Unique and more. The company’s online store, FatBeats.com, which carries everything available in their retail locations and more, will remain the number one destination for hip-hop fans for all their music needs. Though these two landmarks may be closing, Fat Beats’ persistence during tough times for the record industry proves it is still very much alive and well.
Jedi Mind Tricks Present Army of the Pharaohs featuring Vinnie Paz, Outerspace, Doap Nixon, King Syze, Des Devious, Demoz, and more
Jedi Mind Tricks MC Vinne Paz has pulled together yet another Army of the Pharaohs album after a nearly three year hiatus. The collective now features Vinnie Paz & Jus Allah (Jedi Mind Tricks), Planetary & Crypt The Warchild (Outerspace), Apathy, Reef The Lost Cauze, Esoteric, Doap Nixon, King Magnetic, Des Devious, Block McCloud, Celph Titled, Demoz, King Syze, and more on an album titled Jedi Mind Tricks Presents… Army of the Pharaohs: The Unholy Terror.
Jedi Mind Tricks will hit the road later this month for a 21-date tour across North America.
Interdependent Media Announces 2010 Release Schedule Bay Area Label To Release New Work From Donwill, TRUTHLiVE, Canibus, Von Pea, A-Plus, And More
2009 already seems like a distant memory, and with the new year comes the promise of new music. Looking to fulfill all your musical needs in 2010 is Interdependent Media, who are set to raise the bar with upcoming releases from newcomer and celebrated artists alike, including TRUTHLiVE, Canibus, Donwill, Von Pea, A-Plus, and others.
Interdependent Media (iM) is coming off a highly successful year, as projects by both Tanya Morgan and hip-hop rookie of year Finale found their way into dozens of high profile Best of 2009 lists. Not content to rest on their laurels, iM is ready to keep making moves and, according to Dominic Del Bene, General Manager and A&R at iM, is looking forward to breaking new artists and “staying ahead of the curve as the music business continues to evolve” in 2010.
iM’s first musical move will come courtesy of Donwill, who will be channeling his inner John Cusack as he releases Don Cusack: In High Fidelity on March 23rd, an album inspired by its celebrated celluloid namesake. Following Donwill will be exciting newcomer, and founder of Interdependent Media, TRUTHLiVE, who brings his lyrical acrobatics to his debut album Patience, produced entirely by Jake One, out on April 20th. Early 2010 will also mark the triumphant return of veteran verse slayer, Canibus as iM readies the spring release of The C Of Tranquility. Bay Area native Moe Green continues the melodious movement with a summer release of his debut album, while Von Pea of Tanya Morgan fame looks to keep things fresh with his solo debut dropping in the fall.
2010 will also see releases from Hieroglyphics’ crew member A-Plus, who, in addition to unveiling his sophomore album this year, will also be collaborating with the perennially dope Del The Funky Homosapien on L.E.D.. The spirit of sonic teamwork continues, as iM plans to join forces with fellow Bay Area powerhouse-on-the-rise MYX Music Label to release a project by The Burnerz, an alliance made up of Zumbi of Zion I and producer The ARE, formerly of K-Otix. The year may yet be young, but with this extensive offering of releases, Interdependent Media promises to make 2010 a banner year in hip-hop.
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 A-Plus, Donwill, Von Pea, Moe Green, Canibus, TRUTHLiVE, and The Burnerz.
Oprah Winfrey & Tyler Perry Present A Lee Daniels Film
PRECIOUS Based On The Novel ‘Push’ By Sapphire
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Available November 3rd
Movie In Theaters November 6th
TRACKLISTING 1.I Can See In Color – Mary J. Blige 2.He Is The Joy – Donna Allen 3.Was That All It Was (3:48) – Jean Carn 4.Did You Ever See A Dream Walking – Sunny Gale 5.Come Into My House – Queen Latifah 6.Just A Closer Walk With Thee – Mahalia Jackson 7.Love Is The Message – MFSB (featuring The Three Degrees) 8.Now That I Know Who I Am – Nona Hendryx 9.System – Labelle 10.Somethin’s Comin’ My Way – Performed by Grace Hightower 11.It Took A Long Time – Labelle 12.Letters – Mario Grigorov
Executive Producer: Lee Daniels and Mary J. Blige Soundtrack Producer: Lynn Fainchtein
SYNOPSIS Lee Daniels’ PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.
Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece “Precious” Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother (Mo’Nique), a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write.
Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakeable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of “alternative,” but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for. In the literacy workshop taught by the patient yet firm Ms. Rain (Paula Patton), Precious begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.
PRECIOUS was in Official Selection at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival – Un Certain Regard, and winner of three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. The film was also the centerpiece of the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival Gala Presentation on September 12, 2009, where it received the festival’s 2009 Cadillac People’s Choice Award. PRECIOUS is the only film ever to receive the Audience awards at both Sundance and Toronto. PRECIOUS has been selected as the 2009 New York Film Festival Centerpiece, screening at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall on Saturday, October 3, 2009.
Lionsgate in association with Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry present A Lee Daniels Entertainment / Smokewood Entertainment Group Production of PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL ‘PUSH’ BY SAPPHIRE, directed by Lee Daniels from a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher based on the book Push, a novel by Sapphire. The film stars Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and introduces Gabourey Sidibe. PRECIOUS was produced by Lee Daniels, Sarah Siegel-Magness and Gary Magness. Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Lisa Cortés and Tom Heller are Executive Producers; Simone Sheffield serves as Co-Executive Producer; Mark G. Mathis is Co-Producer; and Asger Hussain serves as Associate Producer.
WHAT THE PRESS IS SAYING SO FAR:
“You feel you’ve witnessed nothing less than the birth of a soul.” – Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
“Exhilarating! You can’t take your eyes off of it.” – Scott Foundas, LA Weekly
“An inspirational marvel: a stand-out picture with some of the best screen performances I’ve seen in a long time.” – London Daily Mail
“‘Precious’ simply cannot be missed, for under its tough skin the film is an unabashedly inspirational anthem; it offers the rare ecstasy of human regeneration, and the discovery, on Harlem’s mean streets, of a precious gem.” – Mary Corliss, Time
“The highest form of feel-good movie.” – Time
“You should hear Mo’Nique’s name on Oscar night.” – Time
“An amazing movie! Not to be missed!” – Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood
“Powerful, heartbreaking and moving!” – Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood
“A bravura performance by Mo’Nique! She’s an absolute revelation! An Oscar nomination is guaranteed!” – Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood
“Gabourey Sidibe is beyond incredible!” – Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood
“All hail newcomer Gabourey Sidibe.” – Peter Howell, Toronto Star
“‘Precious’ is all but certain to win a place on the list of ‘best picture’ nominees.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“A powerful performance by Mo’Nique.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
“Unforgettable! Raw, electrically charged, heart-rending and completely shattering. It’s a once-in-a-blue-moon experience that tests the boundaries of film, with an electrifying, positively Oscar-worthy performance by Mo’Nique.” – Rex Reed, New York Observer
“Mo’Nique gives an award-worthy performance.” – Stephen Holden, The New York Times
“Gabourey Sidibe is remarkable.” – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“Gabourey Sidibe is worthy of an Oscar nomination.”- V.A. Musetto, New York Post
“Rich with surprises. An Oscar-caliber portrayal by Mo’Nique.”- Karen Durbin, Elle
“One of the most important films of this generation.”- AOL Black Voices
Soulico Launch Exotic on the Speaker Remix Contest for Yak Pak DJ Bag, Prime Loops Software, and more
Soulico – Exotic on the Speaker (JDub Records)
Release Date: 10/06/09
International DJ collective Soulico released their new album, Exotic on the Speaker, this week via JDub Records. The album features Ghostface, Del the Funky Homosapien, M.I.A.-understudy Rye Rye, Pigeon John, Lyrics Born, and more.
The group launched a remix contest this week for their new single “Exotic on the Speaker” featuring Rye Rye. A grand prize winner will get a copy of the album on CD and vinyl along with a Stanton YakPak DJ bag filled with JDub vinyl, their choice of Prime Loops software, a pair of Radius ear buds, and lastly their remix will be featured on Soulico’s MySpace page and JDubRecords.org. Three runner ups will receive a copy of Exotic on the Speaker, the Stanton YakPak DJ bag filled with JDub vinyl, and their remixes featured on Soulico’s and JDub’s websites as well.
EXOTIC ON THE SPEAKER ft Rye Rye Remix Contest!!! – Listen to Exotic on the Speaker in the Remix Widget – Download the stems – Remix the track using Mix Match’s built in software, or using your own software of choice. – Upload the remix to the widget and tell your friends and fans to vote for you
1 Grand Prize: – Soulico – Exotic on the Speaker CD + LP – Stanton YakPak DJ bag filled with JDub Vinyl – Remix featured on jdubrecords.org and Soulico’s Myspace – Your choice of Prime Loops Software – Pair of Radius Ear buds
3 Runner Up’s: – Soulico Exotic on the Speaker CD – Stanton Yak Pak DJ Bag filled with JDub vinyl – Remix featured on jdubrecords.org and Soulico’s Myspace
SKYZOO “The Salvation” In Stores September 29th Production from 9th Wonder, Just Blaze, Nottz, Ill Mind, Black Milk, Needlz, and more
Brooklyn-raised emcee Skyzoo is here to remind Hip Hop fans that the music can still be true to life and heartfelt. With numerous Mix CDs on his resume, most recently, The Power of Words with DJ Drama and Statik Selektah, Skyzoo is currently preparing his first national full-length LP, “The Salvation,” in stores September 29th, via Jamla Records/Duck Down.
The Salvation will be set apart from Skyzoo’s previous Mix CD releases in various ways, however Skyzoo explains that “it’s another constant sign of elevation and growth, and it’s the most personal work I’ve ever done.” Although in the past he has released records such as “The Bodega,” “Stop Foolin’ Yourself,” and “Extreme Measures,” which were all true to life, Skyzoo promises that they will not reach the personal extent that the tracks on The Salvation will bring to listeners. Songs such as “For What It’s Worth” and “Metal Hearts” help contribute to the feeling that Skyzoo expects his audience to have; that their $15 was well spent on the album, they could relate to it, and that the project will stand the test of time.
A tactic taken by Skyzoo to emphasize the personal aspect of The Salvation was to not load the album up with features from other rappers. He states, “The moment you pick up a pen or start rhyming as a kid, all you think about is getting an album out. This album isn’t exactly the way I planned it out at 9-years-old, but it tells my story. With that being said, no one can help tell my story better than me. The Salvation is about me.”
Alongside the extremely personal element of The Salvation comes the conceptual side of the project. Theme was the name of the game for Skyzoo’s debut album, and this is evidenced in how the production was handled. According to Skyzoo, “it wasn’t really a ‘who’s hot, who’s not’ type of thing. It was more so ‘just get what sounds right.’ I got a lot of big name producers, and I also got a lot of up and comers.” Included in the production credits for The Salvation are Washington D.C.-based production team Best Kept Secret (who work in-house for Wale), Seattle’s Eric G (who some may recognize as providing a few beats to Torae), and Cyrus tha Great, as well as 9th Wonder, Nottz (who produced the single “Popularity”), Just Blaze, Illmind, Needlz and Black Milk.
Fans have seen a sneak peek of Skyzoo’s first LP in the form of a video for a track entitled “Beautiful Decay,” produced by 9th Wonder. The video is directed by Artemus Jenkins, and sets out to reflect life in the various boroughs of New York.
When all is said and done, The Salvation should provide listeners a more intricate view into Skyzoo’s life, as well as what has gotten him to where he is today. While telling his story and painting a picture in the audience’s minds with his words, the diverse range of production and the auto-biographical nature of the album will set it apart from his previous Mix CD releases. By late September the world will get to know a different side of Brooklyn’s Skyzoo.
Track Listing:
1) The Opener (produced by Cyrus Tha Great) 2) Return Of The Real (produced by Just Blaze) 3) The Beautiful Decay (produced by 9th Wonder) 4) My Interpretation (produced by Best Kept Secret) 5) Popularity (produced by Nottz) 6) Like A Marathon (produced by 9th Wonder) 7) The Shooter’s Soundtrack (produced by Cyrus Tha Great) 8) Under Pressure (produced by 9th Wonder) 9) Penmanship (produced by Black Milk) 10) Dear Whoever (produced by Illmind) 11) For What It’s Worth ((produced by Eric G) 12) The Necessary Evils (produced by Needlz) 13) Easy To Fly featuring Carlitta Durand (produced by 9th Wonder) 14) Bottom Line (produced by Eric G) 15) Metal Hearts (produced by 9th Wonder) 16) Maintain (produced by Nottz)
HARD ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THE FORUM IN LOS ANGELES
August 8th, 2009 HARD SUMMER TO INCLUDE UNDERWORLD, CHROMEO, CROOKERS, CRYSTAL CASTLES, A-TRAK, TIGA, THE BLOODY BEETROOTS, SEBASTIAN, BUSY P, AMANDA BLANK, AND MORE
Good news for California’s work-weary and party-deprived: the dance music masterminds behind HARD New Year’s Eve and the sold out HARD Haunted Mansion will return to Los Angeles with their signature mega-party this summer.
British music stalwarts Underworld will transform the 15,000-capacity LA Forum into the world’s largest dance club. Enlisted to aid HARD’s party-starting cause: Canadian electro-funk duo and talk-box enthusiasts Chromeo, preeminent Italian superstars Crookers, lo-fi mutineers Crystal Castles, and electro-hop wunderkind A-trak. Currently slated to join them are the likes of Tiga, The Bloody Beetroots, Sebastian, Busy P, Amanda Blank, Steve Aoki, Rye Rye, Skeet Skeet, Sinden, Jack Beats, Destructo, Dan Oh and 12th Planet.
2009’s HARD Summer lineup speaks to the broad, multi-faceted appeal that has made HARD’s events so successful. Veterans Underworld opened electronic music’s floodgates with their daring mega-hit “Born Slippy .NUXX” (UK #2) and its pivotal role in the film Trainspotting. The duo earned the respect of critics and fans with their unforgettable, accomplished performances and ever-evolving style. The slick synth-pop of Chromeo jostles up against the arty bit-crushed productions of Crystal Castles and the high-tech eclecticism of Tiga. Fans will revel at the multi-media electro-punk of HARD all-stars Crookers and The Bloody Beetroots.
This year the HARD creative team builds on the immense success of last year’s HARD Summer Music Festival which attracted over 7,000 revelers to party with N*E*R*D and MSTRKRFT, and was hailed as “the party of the year” by URB.com. With every event they put on, HARD enhances its reputation as a powerhouse, and this summer’s party is sure to raise the bar again. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at Groovetickets and Ticketmaster.
