The Boombox Music Blog

New Releases: Anthony David Steps From Behind the Curtain, Drops 'Acey Duecy'

Georgia Kral — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:30:00 EST

Former backup singer Anthony David has been making music independently for years but now he's catching a big break --Universal is releasing a sampler of songs from his last two albums for his major label debut dubbed 'Acey Duecy,' in stores today. "[It's] my greatest hits," David said, laughing. "Some songs are thought-provoking, some are introspective and some are romantic," he says of his new album, which he describes as a "cycle." The singer first started playing music about 10 years ago and admits that it hasn't been all roses, but at some point he knew it would become his life's work. "At some point I was doin' it and I thought, 'I really like this,'" he said. While shifting between Savannah and Atlanta, G.A., David was introduced to India.Arie, who was not a musician at the time, and the pair began working together. David went on to write Arie's 'A Part of My Life,' a track off her seven-time Grammy nominated album 'Acoustic Soul.' The songstress returned the favor and makes a guest appearance on 'Acey Duecy.' ...

Tyga Shouts Out AOL on 'No Introduction'

Georgia Kral — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST

"She don't know my name, she just know me by my AIM," Tyga rhymes. When asked if he uses AIM all the time, the teen laughed and said yes, he was on his Sidekick right then. A seemingly normal 18-year-old, Tyga, who's toured with Lil Wayne and Fall Out Boy, has an ode to instant messaging dubbed 'AIM' on his debut album, 'No Introduction' which hit stores on June 10. It's been a whirlwind the last couple of years for Tyga, who is from the Los Angeles area. He started recording in his bedroom and after saving up money, he circulated the homemade tape. He eventually met Fall Out Boy guitarist Pete Wentz, who was eager to sign the teen. "He said, 'This kid is dope, he's hot,'" Tyga said excitedly. The West Coast youngin's debut features guest appearances by Wayne and FOB's frontman Patrick Stump. ...

Delicious Vinyl Celebrates 20 Years With 'Rmxxology'

Georgia Kral — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST

Delicious Vinyl founder Mike Ross had an idea: Why not take old school classics and have today's DJ's remix them? "The time is right for new artists and producers to take a shot at these classic tracks," Ross told the BoomBox. Such producers as Eminem, Diplo, Hot Chip, and Peaches have remixed classics by the Pharcyde, Masta Ace and Young MC for the album, which is currently available online and will be released physically on August 11. Some singles have already been pressed and are available now. Ross said he wasn't interested in re-molding any of the songs to fit into the mold of today's hits. "I wanted to make alternative versions," he said. "I did not want to make dance tracks." Ross hinted at the current trend in hip-hop in incorporate "electro-minimal" and disco beats into the songs. He described one remix --Fatlip's take on "Passing me By" by Pharcyde, a group he used to be in, as an example of how the songs are being re-imagined artistically and not for purely commercial ends. "It's almost like a religious hymn, they stripped it down to bare vocals," Ross said. "It's like a church choir anthem." The remix album also marks the 20th anniversary of Delicious Vinyl. To celebrate the history of the label there will also be a bunch of tour dates with the DJ's, most likely in the fall, Ross said. They already have enough mixes for a second volume. "We'll probably do one of these a year," Ross confirmed. ...

Somalian Rapper K'Naan Consoles Himself With Music

Georgia Kral — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:30:00 EST

"I'm a circumstantial musician," newcomer K'Naan tells the Boombox about how he started making music. "Mainly I am trying to console myself from past ordeals...difficult experiences." The emcee came to the United States from Somalia when he was 14 years old and the war-torn country, to this day, remains his biggest inspiration. Indeed, his music, which is a blend of hip-hop, reggae, African rhythms and folk, tells the story of people who have endured pain, exile and violence. The emcee paints a vibrant picture of his experiences and the distress of war on the track 'If Rap Gets Jealous' off his upcoming album, 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher Deluxe Edition,' which will be released for the first time in the U.S. on June 24. "I'm poor, a refugee been in prison and survived a war/I come from, the most dangerous city in this universe/You're likely to get shot at birth, so how could rap quench my thirst?," the rapper proclaims as he questions his desire to be an emcee in the midst of his harsh reality. ...
But K'Naan believes that making music to tell stories is a good way to spread the word about what happens to people in places around the world unfamiliar to them. "If you're going to make music I think it should contribute in some way," he said. "It doesn't have to change the world, it could just be a good melody."

His music is more than just a good melody. K'Naan makes music that tells about the lives of people who have suffered as he and his family have. "My experiences aren't just mine," he said. "It's just that I can articulate them in English."

K'naan will join Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco and a slew of others at the Bonnaroo Music Festival, which will take place June 12-15 in Manchester, Tennessee.

Hieroglyphics Hit the Road

Georgia Kral — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:30:00 EST

This summer, the Hieroglyphics Collective of Oakland hit the road for the "Freshly Dipped" 45-date national tour. Besides catching a show, you can also take home a bit of the collective. Hiero Jeans, launched last summer, will be sported by the bands and for sale at every show. You gotta control your own destiny," Opio, a member of long-standing Hiero Imperium act, Souls of Mischief, told the BoomBox. "Why do we go around wearing signs for others?" The tour marks the first time Hiero has complete artistic control. "We're providing all the talent," said Tajai, another Souls member. Souls of Mischief will be joined on the road by Casual, Musab, Pep Love, Knobody and others. Special guests Blue Scholars from Seattle will also perform. ...The tour also celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Hieroglyphics underground collective. "It's a celebration of the fans," said Opio. "A lot of our success was through touring."

But why is Hiero, an independent and anti-corporate label and collective, interested in branding themselves? "Everyone wears jeans," said Tajai. "We thought it would be cool for us to rock our own stuff." Tajai added that jeans are originally from the Bay Area. "Levi Strauss was from the Bay! ... It's a lifestyle brand," he said.

Catch the "Freshly Dipped" tour near you this summer. Maybe you can also snag a pair of $100 Hiero Jeans.

Wyclef Jean to Lend a Hand, and His Name, to Save Haiti

Georgia Kral — Tue, 20 May 2008 17:30:00 EST

Today at the Gansevoort Hotel in New York, Wyclef Jean announced his new campaign: Together for Haiti. The initiative is a partnership between Clef's own foundation Yele Haiti, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFO) and the Pan American Development Foundation. The goal? To bring to the people of Haiti the means to grow their own food and to effectively end the food crisis there. "The revolution has to start with the minds of the people," Jean, who was born in Haiti, said during the press conference. "You can't have a future without starting from the ground." Jean was accompanied by the economist Dr. Jeffrey Sachs of the WFO, model and activist Petra Nemcova and other representatives from various involved organizations. After the presentation, another big name showed up, singer-songwriter Paul Simon. Jean described Simon as one of his "heroes" while Dr. Sachs hailed the former Fugee for consistently lending a hand. "Haiti is in desperate need and Wyclef is, as always, rising to the occasion," Dr. Sachs said. ...

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere said Jean, adding that the farmers want to work. Bringing seeds and fertilizers to Haiti will help them feed themselves and someday, turn Haiti into an exporting country as well. "It's the teach me how to fish theory," Jean said. "Teach me how so I can teach the next man."

Jean and his Together for Haiti campaign are looking to raise $48 million in six months and the multi-talented artist is personally invested in the future of his home country. "I was born in a hut," he said. "And I went to school on a donkey."