If you're from the DMV area, you've likely come across David Correy. I can't say that I've been to one of his shows, but I have seen videos of his live performance. It is no big task to soon realize how talented this guy is, especially when you hear the electrifying single "Dreamin'". His sound is reminiscent of that of Kevin Rudolf's; however, what distinguishes David is his telling story - a product of Brazil, he was adopted by a Maryland family and, in spite of constant battles throughout his life, such as a severe case of nasal polyps at one point, here he is, pursuing his dream and creating a lane for himself.
Currently, his first EP Urban Rock Odyssey, which released back in July, is making headlines, while his talent has brought him to sharing the stage with such people as NeYo, Bow Wow, Omarion, Ginuwine, Tyrese, Tank, Huey, Jibbs, Yung Berg, Avant and B5. For more on David, be sure to visit his website and to get his EP on that site or iTunes.
So it's been a minute since we've done an artist spotlight, and before I proceed, let me preface that this particular Artist Spotlight is not going to be as holistic as the others, not necessarily based on the talent of the artist, but only because I've been too incredibly busy to do the research and to write a longer synopsis. Just know that this dude is incredibly talented with the vocals and with the guitar. You may have actually seen him before, as he placed in the top 44 on American Idol at one time.
Currently, he's been displaying his talent through this video channel on YouTube, providing downloadable remixes to songs, as well as original content. Below is just the tip of the iceberg, as I've provided just a few videos and links from to download. However, be sure to check out his channel, subscribe, and view his incredible talent! For more info on JR Aquino, check out his blog.
I'm a big fan of intellectual hip hop, and ever since listening to KRS-One and the Native Tongues Posse (ATCQ, Jungle Brothers, De La Soul), my fascination has steadily increased. This is one of the reasons why I became such a devout follower of Nas's music, and when Lupe Fiasco came out, my hunger for such intellectual hip hop became more pronounced. Lupe's incredible wordplay and under-the-table metaphors ("wipe the rain from my dear like dasher") quickly drew me to his music even before his official albums came out. I really can't stress enough how his mixtape materials are far closer to classic material than his albums are.
Another Chicago native like Lupe, Naledge met his DJ/producer Double-O while attending the University of Pennsylvania. Yes, these are Ivy-Leaguers who have formed to create an unstoppable group, harkening us back to the golden ages where the MC/DJ duo was the prominent presence on the stage. Recall Rakim and Eric B. (for President!!); and KRS-One and Scott La Rock. Nevertheless, don't assume that because we have Ivy Leaguers on wax, they are not conducive to the streets. In fact, over several songs Naledge speaks of the apparent contradictions in his life, having grown up in Southside Chicago: "College bred rap star, Walking contradiction"; and "Black kids called me white just because I could read, White kids called me strange cuz of my African name".
Add to this intellect and MC/DJ dynamic with smooth stories ("Ms. Juanita"), quick witticisms ("A presence in the hood call me transmission"), thought-provoking ideas ("Sambos and jeze-bels/Porch monkeys tryin’ to sell/Propaganda to they own people/Still trapped in hell"), the difficulties of being a student ("Student loans kicking in, broken again"), and a perpetual, passionate flow - you have Kidz in the Hall, a down-to-earth group that is trying to turn the "underground universal." Now, in no way am I saying they're taking it back to the Golden Days of Hip Hop (early '90s), but they have the right formula and foundation to take us there. It especially doesn't hurt that they're true students of the game, a noticeable trait given their references to Pharcyde, Native Tongues, DJ Premier, and Souls of Mischief. In due time, this duo will have learned to develop their craft and help us to reminisce about those days. G-d knows, they are one of the few in this game who can do so. G-d speed.
For more information, check out their myspace page. Be sure to check out their first album that dropped, School Was My Hustle, a release from 2006, as well as the various mixtapes dropped by them: Detention, Naledge is Power, and Geniuses Need Love Too. In addition, be on the lookout for their new album dropping really soon, The In Crowd.
Peep the video for their single "Wheelz Fall Off ('06 Til) that dropped awhile ago. You true hip hop heads will notice the classic beat:
Naledge: “With the brains of a nerd, so insane with the words."
Are you looking for a new sound in R&B? If you haven't heard of Brandon Hines, he's been on the grind for many years, swept up by the modern frenzy to get big the underground (although not necessarily unpopular) way of getting attention - through such mediums like Myspace and YouTube. Why go through middlemen like big record labels when you can gain exposure through your own way? That's big business without the business suit. A native of Detroit, he's no stranger to the DMV area - having graduated from Howard University and even becoming crowned as Mr. Howard back in 2005-06. Check out his pageant performance here.
Just because you haven't heard of Brandon Hines doesn't mean he's a rookie to the industry. With the help of his production/writing team Heavyweight Ent., Brandon has hooked up with the likes of Trey Songz, Cassie, and Estelle (he's in her new video for "American Boy"). After dropping his first record, "Overdose," a single that amassed him an incredible following whose thirsts were finally quenched when Brandon dropped his first album - Love Music: Falling In, Falling Out - his music and grind has only gotten stronger, maintaining that level of great music he's continued to seek after over and over again. You can easily gather from his demeanor and growth that he's become a heavy student of this business, with countless hours being devoted to learning about the tricks and trade of this industry. I still remember when he dropped this video for "10", a nostalgic reminder of those dorm days when I messed with making beats and random songs. (Of course, he's the one with the better skills.) More than for his music, though, I respect this dude for being so humble; a couple of years ago, he gave his Myspace fans a chance to receive a phone call from him. I relayed this message to a lady friend of mine who I put on Brandon, and she pursued the opportunity by messaging Brandon via myspace. Sure enough, not only did she receive a phone call from him, but he also serenaded her over the phone with her favorite B. Hines song.
For more information about Brandon Hines, check out his myspace page. If you want a little taste of his music, check out that page or find a way to get his songs "Overdose," "Just Do It," "What Do I Have to Do," "Confused," "When a Girl Cries," and his latest drop "Cuttin' U Off."
In addition, check out his appearance on TRL several days ago:
As my fellow blogger stated in a prior post, we had the fortunate opportunity to catch Wale (government name Olubowale Folarin) perform a quick set in, of all places, Charlottesville, where most of the iLLVibes bloggers attend school. The only device I had to record any memories from this event was my camera phone. As expected, most of the photos I took were blurry and nowhere near the quality I had hoped or expected. One picture stood out, though, as if created by a crystal ball. It was a harbinger of things to come for this hungry rapper whose roots in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area (DMV) have spawned an overwhelming drive surpassing that of most artists. For me, and take this with a grain of salt, the shadow in the picture represents the future for Wale, his potential to become great in this wretched game, a frontrunner hip-hop heads have been dying to hear. As Wale poignantly states in Chicago Falcon, we "hate rap like Kramer hate blacks."
And who to lean on to save us from this depression? Wale is the DMV's version of Lupe; then again, I've always hated comparisons because of the danger of generalizations. As a fervent fan of both, there are obvious differences between the two, and this in large part is due to each other's background. The wordplay, lyrical content, swagger, style - these are comparable in both, although there are various deviations. But as Wale said, his is a style called "rap with a go-go attachment," and this is true even when the beat is not heavily go-go. The way he flows on a beat is heavily at odds with his Chi-town brethren, and it is a flow that places you in a good mood. With this incredible flow comes witty jabs (a la Lil Wayne), along with a lyrical depth that forces you to listen attentively, as you would with Lupe.
With three mixtapes (download his latest one for free from his myspace) behind him, Wale definitely has the experience to handle what is to come in his future. (I actually have the inside scoop on something major, but it is best that Wale publicly announces this development.) In addition, Wale intends to come out with another mixtape (hilariously entitled Mixtape About Nothing) and will drop a video for his song W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E. very soon (check out the previews below).
"I kill beats, this is euthanasia / I rock Bapes like the youth in Asia."
Behind every blog is a purpose, we hope. And so it is here, at Ill Vibes. There's no format, no organization, no agenda - simply a cornucopia of thoughts we hope to memorialize in this Internet medium. What common ground you may find is the interests shared among the administrators, four university students whose passions for music (especially the state of hip hop), art, travel, philosophy, comedy, dance, politics, pop culture, fashion, and - quite frankly - the good life have brought them together to share their essentials of cool. From reviewing the latest CD or introducing the world to the next incredible artist to documenting various travels or criticizing a latest concert, you'll find it all here and more! So enjoy, and definitely leave comments. Not only do we love to express ourselves, but one of our greatest traits lies in our listening to other people expressing themselves.
