Spotlight (Blog)

The 828 Spotlight features artists on the rise.  Write their names down.  You'll be hearing from them soon!
 

The Angelic Xperience

posted Oct 16, 2009 11:16 AM by John Calvin Byrd III   [ updated Oct 16, 2009 12:31 PM ]


THE ANGELIC XPERIENCE may very well be hip hops last great hope. In times when watered down hip-hop music is being thrown upon the masses, someone must reach deep within to attempt to preserve the art form, which they have become a part of, and one with.

 

ANJALO aka the.angelic.xperience, a Los Angeles native born July 16, has been perfecting his musical talents since the early age of 6 when he began to study classical piano. While other kids wanted to play Nintendo, Anjalo wanted to play with his Yamaha PSR keyboard, learning chord structures and creating sounds. By the age of 9, Anjalo discovered hip-hop, which at the time was raw, fresh, and totally new to the commercial world. Groups and artists like N.W.A, B.D.P., Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim were selling records at a furious rate, and were beginning to influence young Anjalo.

 

After falling in love with this new phenomenon, Anjalo began to intertwine his piano skills with hip hop music, replaying by ear his favorite hits. By the age of 13, Anjalo decided it was time to pick up the mic and start writing and performing rap lyrics, along with the melodic music he had began composing. He began writing songs and performing anywhere he could - open mics, talent shows, cyphers at high school - Anjalo was there, with his backpack on, spitting aggressive rhymes. Throughout his adolescent years, he continued to hone his talents as a producer/composer, using whatever music equipment he could afford to get his hands on. By the time Anjalo was a freshman at San Diego State University; he had reached a high level of confidence on stage, and continued to perform on campus at SDSU. College became his focus however, and a career in hip-hop was put on the back burner.
 
In college, Anjalo established himself as a talented poet, entering his poetry in school publications.  Towards the end of his college career, after studying everything from Communications, Religious Studies, Psychology to Sociology, Anjalo was ready to prepare hip-hop music that would reach, educate, and uplift all peoples, with a social agenda, at the same time, with exquisite beats and sophisticated lyrics. 

 

Throughout his underground career, Anjalo has produced, written, engineered, and mixed numerous recordings in hopes of sharing his gifts with the world. He began working in recording studios at age 14, (by saving money earned from taking out trash and organizing shopping carts at grocery store lots..) and remains a perfectionist when it comes to achieving that big, rich, full sound. Anjalo's recent projects include composing film score/serving as music supervisor for full length independent film projects "Pretty Lady" & "Las Vegas 2000", as well as performing a heart thumping score to multi selling rapper DMX's biographical documentary "Dark Man X".

 

Anjalo is now solely focused on providing the musical landscapes and backdrops for other rappers, as well as R&B, pop, and electronica vocalists. He has of late added the electric guitar and bass to his heavily synth-based sound , providing him a greater landscape of sound, and diverse garnishments for various musical styles such as new wave, pop, rock, 80's and funk. He is the son of renown drummer, Robin Russell of 70's Funk/Soul band NewBirth, the rhythm has been with him from conception. (sample Robin's Drum Beats here - Robin Russel 1  or Robin Russell 2.

 

Anjalo's underground solo EP released in 2002 on the streets of Los Angeles, "Forbidden scriptures", and has been held in high esteem among hip hop purists & musicians alike, featuring the underground classic "Special Angel", which the artist nararates the story of his life through the eyes of his guardian angel. His 2006 sophomore effort - "The Essence", which contains the songs "Somewhere 2 Go", "H.E.R", "2 Words", and "That’s That Feeling", have some of the most heartfelt, gut wrenching, honest and hilarious lyrics written in modern day hip hop.

 

Today, he strives to create and produce compositions and songs that will make you want to dance, as well as ponder questions about life's meaning and purpose, our creator, and the state of the world in which we live. An emotional and heartfelt artist who possesses the producer’s ear, and the knack for funky sounds - the ANGELIC XPERIENCE is ready to take popular music into the atmosphere - and beyond.
 
Check out some of Anjalo's video:
 
My Personal Favorite...

The Break Up

 

Promo for MusicMogul.com

MusicMogul.com

 
 
Playing around in bedroom studio.

Rock Out

 
 
Rockin Out at Pig 'N Whistle with DaJuan Cowan.

Rock Out (Live)

 

Spittin Image Crew

posted Oct 8, 2009 5:42 PM by John Calvin Byrd III   [ updated Oct 8, 2009 6:25 PM ]

Young Hip-Hop Prodigies!
~Candis Ransom

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Spittin Image Crew (SIC) was formed by Joseph Mosley and Dominique Lee.  They are humbly known as Jay Moz and Nikko.

The lyricists and songwriters learned the transforming power of music early in life as they both led songs in church.  The discovery of the mic led them to a personal revelation about songwriting and performing.  "When we tapped into our creativity, we started to understand the power of music and words”, says the dynamic duo.  Jay Moz and Nikko focuses on songwriting because they want to set themselves apart from the normal hip hop groups.  They are determined to bring more to the table.  Jay Moz contends, “He strives to reinvent himself while breaking new musical ground.  Some artists make the type of songs album after album and they are unoriginal and do not push the envelope.  That's not us.  We will test new boundaries and approach our music in many unconventional ways”.


While Jay Moz is performing he is in a different world.  “Nothing else matters but delivering a jaw dropping performance to the people” says Jay Moz.  Nikko contends, “Performing sets me free and gives me an unexplainable joy”.  Spittin Image has performed at many Los Angeles hot spots including the House of Blues- Sunset and the Knitting Factory.  Recently, SIC snagged the highly sought after spot as the opening act at Music Mogul’s international talent competition performing in front of super producer, Rodney Jerkins, Danny Wimmer (Atlantic Records SVP of A&R) and rock producer Roy Thomas Baker.  Fans are following Spittin Image and they are a growing force in Los Angeles.  They continue to prove their staying power as their fiery trails blaze stealing the spotlight from unskilled competitors.  





Both members share the same fire and passion for hip hop.  A few of their inspirations are Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Celo and Andre 3000.  As we know, these artists often dare to be different and steps outside the box.  Determined to follow in the footsteps of their mentors, they rhyme about reality and not a fantasy world full of bling-bling.  Spittin Image seeks to deliver a positive message, a grand performance, and music for the soul.  The sheer ingenious talent behind the indomitable duo conveys to listeners that there is more to life than guns, drugs and sex.  While presenting an influential alternative to the macho aggression of gangster rap, SIC in ten years will be a household brand.  They will be the new trendsetters of hip-hop!  All the while building a successful corporation that will house a record label with multiple artists, a clothing line and multiple after school music centers for inner-city youth.

Their creative fire remains bright as they record their demo.  The music of SIC expresses an unshakable and undeniable consciousness much-needed to revive the true art of hip-hop.  “I understand we have to pay our dues, hone our craft, and wait for our time to shine” declares Nikko.  When that blessed time comes they will bring a strong stage performance, musical knowledge, sick beats – and let’s not forget some profound rhymes.  By the support of family, friends, and talented producers Spittin Image Crew will bring forth great success as they continue to paint positive pictures with their music.  Hailed as a vibrant energy, SIC is acclaimed as the future of hip hop music.

Good Morning

Get Money


Life on Mars Featuring TI

posted Oct 5, 2009 6:08 PM by John Calvin Byrd III   [ updated Oct 8, 2009 10:50 PM ]


Life on Mars” chronicles the chaotic daily life of an impressionable young hip hop prodigy caught in between two opposing worlds and on the edge of creating, dominating and changing the sound of a generation. 


Life on Mars Trailer



Lamar “Mars” Edwards is the superflossy, superfly, supercool musical master of 4 instruments, and at only 21 years old, is already an accomplished phenom within the music industry. 


From his stunner shades at night to a Maybach Benz during the day, he oozes the seductively surreal life of Hollywood superstars. Signed to Warryn Campbell’s My Block Records, Lamar has created hits for Kanye West, Jay Z, Nicole S, Chris Brown, Mary Mary, Snoop Dog, and the list goes on. His current production partner is platinum selling rap superstar T.I.. He’s the keyboard player in the band 1500 or Nothin and has performed live with artists like P. Diddy, Ruben Studdard, and Bobby Valentino. Oh yeah, and last but not least, he’s also a Preacher’s Kid who was kicked out of his strict home at 17 for choosing to pursue his musical dreams. Church is his foundation, but hip hop is his future. 


Forced to grow up fast but incredibly influenced by the people around him, for better and for worse, Lamar constantly fights an internal battle not to lose himself in an industry known for destroying the souls of even its biggest winners. 


A tri coastal jet setter, he lives the hectic life of 10 successful men everyday. There’s never enough time to sleep much less play. His checks are large, but with the exception of the necessary $65,000 bling, his living is extremely meager. The never ending task to make his money last is harder than hustling up the next big gig, to keep him eating top ramen noodles on the floor mattress in his unfurnished and lonely studio apartment. 


Swimming in an industry full of back biting crabs, fake friends, and real enemies, Lamar surrounds himself with a select few. Larrance Dopson is his partner in crime and an up and coming production guru in his own right. Coupled with Lamar’s four feisty female confidants, the Ivey Sisters, Lamar’s life is long intoxicated Saturday night studio sessions, followed by early morning Sunday service with a hard hangover and his judgmental church family. 


And even though in both worlds, money hungry women come to him a dime a dozen, the one he really wants all the money in the world could never buy. Beautiful Joi Starr has vocally coached and written for the best in the business including Brandy, has toured the world performing with Kanye West, and is Lamar’s equal in every way. 


Together they make beautiful music but once the songs fade, the setbacks begin. She’s his artist, the baby sister of his boss, his spiritual conscience, his best friend, and a blossoming songstress with enough interest but little time to follow up on the pair’s growing attraction. Lamar is determined to do whatever it will take to make her his. From declined credit cards to disastrous dates, will the two ever get their rhythm right long enough to make the magic last beyond the music they make together? 


While trying his best to make a major impact on Joi, and poised to make the next major mark in the world of hip‐hop, Lamar is finding out that what you put out, is not always what you get back. Focused on completing his first compilation CD and DVD the process is full of drama, frustration, tension, highs and lows, but Lamar is completely committed to making sure this project is his biggest hit yet. 


Because for a kid who seems to have already done it all, where he has already been, is absolutely nothing compared to where he is going. Lamar’s ultimate goal is to have his fellow music producers like Pharrel, Timberland, Dre and even Kanye bow down ‘cause there’s a new kid in town. 


That is if he can make it there without crashing first. Get ready to see a star in the making and witness the journey of a lifetime. Get ready, to personally experience…Life, on Mars


Become a fan at:


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