Tag Archives: hip hop

Vision the Kid & Tru Somewhere In A Dark City | Music News

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visionthekid

Artist: Vision the Kid
Similar to: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, J. Cole, Brother Ali
Label: Be Easy Music
Accolades:
* VTK was voted Best Local Rapper in a poll by Minneapolis publication Vita.mn
* Tru’s production was featured in Minneapolis publication City Pages’ Gimme Noise Beattape

Bio:
Vision the Kid & Tru are a rapper/producer duo based in Minneapolis. They are set to release their second full-length album, Somewhere in a Dark City. In 2013, Vision the Kid was voted Best Local Rapper in a poll by Minneapolis publication Vita.mn. In 2014, Tru’s debut instrumental album, Smokers Lounge, earned a glowing review from Minneapolis publication City Pages and inclusion in the fourth volume of their Gimme Noise Beattape.

The duo first saw success with Vision the Kid’s debut album, Lost Summer, which lasted over 10 weeks on the College Media Journal’s Hip-Hop charts, peaking at #12. The debut music video, “Lost Summer,” is featured on MTV.com, along with an MTV artist page. The duo’s most recent Ep, BrokenRadioLove, also appeared in CMJ’s Hip-Hop charts, holding a Top 40 spot for multiple weeks. Their single “Live from the Midwest” has been featured on both MTV’s The Real World and E! Network’s Kourtney & Kim Take Miami.

Somewhere in a Dark City displays the type of growth listeners and critics want to see from artists. It is densely personal, at times vulnerable, but overall an invitingly listenable record. Mixing true stories of drug addiction and heart break with tracks of pure, danceable braggadocio, Vision the Kid & Tru set out to make a Hip-Hop record that sounds as current as it does timeless, as personal as it is universal, and as much party as it is poetry.

Is This The Best Anti-Hate Song?

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We came across this beautiful song by accident on YouTube and couldn’t get over how beautiful it was. It is an anti-hate, pro-equality song with smart lyrics that we should all live by. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

FUCK HUMBLE is a collaboration between DOPE and KING CHIP

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FUCK HUMBLE is a collaboration between DOPE and KING CHIP and is now available online. Limited to 100 tee shirts, 75 hoodies, and 100 hats. Everything was produced in the USA.

“Being too humble can be a setback at times. The ones who are taken advantage of the most are the most humble. Our world around us always reminds us to stay humble even though we all know nice guys finish last. The message behind this art is to let others know that you know your worth. Focus on being the best there ever was & spend less time revolving your world around the practice of humble. #FUCKHUMBLE”
– KING CHIP

STEP UP MIAMI HEAT: DANCE WORKOUT

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An all-new, super-charged series of four fun dance workouts featuring moves from the hit film, Step Up Miami Heat. Learn the energising moves, step by step, before putting the entire routine together for an all-out performance to the actual songs from the movie. Once you’ve got it, turn up the volume and shake your hips to Latin Groove and Latin Hip-Hop Fusion, and get funky as you work it out to Hip-Hop and Hip-Hop Jam. From the living room to the dance floor, these are moves that you can do anywhere – and no partner required!

HIP-HOP JAM
Sweat it out to a fusion of various dance styles from the movie for a heart-pumping cardio hip-hop workout

LATIN HIP-HOP FUSION
Featuring an energising mix of Hip-Hop, Afro-Cuban and Samba, you’ll work your entire body with arm and body combos and core-firming moves

LATIN GROOVE
Spice up the dance floor with Salsa and Mambo-inspired moves that work your core, hips and thighs

HIP-HOP
Get your heart pumping with this fun fusion of Hip-Hop and street dance that sculpts your core, arms, legs and booty


·         Released: 26th December 2012
·         RRP: £15.99
·         Run Time: 87 Minutes Approx.


Ill Funk Ensemble “The Duality” | Music Profiles

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Band: The Ill Funk Ensemble
Location: Albany, NY
Styles: Hip-hop/R&B/Soul
Similar to: The Roots, Talib Kweli, Soulive, Common
CD: The Duality

Accolades: Ill Funk has performed live with Grammy-winner Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz, opened for Naughty by Nature, Shontelle and Young MC and placed forth in a national competition to perform at Royal Family Affair with Soulive in 2011. They have also had a placement on the show “Road Trip Nation” and honorable mention in the John Lennon song-writing competition.

Members/Instruments:
Jermaine Wells – Lead Vocals/Freestyle
BJ FitzGerald – Guitar/Lead Vocals
Dennie Brooks – Drums
Joe Stoner – Keyboards/Backing Vocals
Duane Etienne – Bass/Backing Vocals

Walking on sticky floors, stepping on to a stage that’s too small for their swagger, let alone their equipment, setting up under dim lights and dropping a sound check on an unsuspecting audience. Eyes look up, jaws drop and the phones come out, inevitably texting their friends to come check out this band, this Ill Funk.

That scene has played out weekly for the Albany-based band, The Ill Funk Ensemble, since 2006 to great results. Described by reviewers as “a kind of 21st century mash-up of Kool & the Gang and the Isley Brothers” and “all hot sand and asphalt”, Ill Funk takes hip-hop and R&B in a different, yet oddly familiar direction. Perhaps it’s the blend of old and new school vibes, the warm smile of Jermaine Wells, the lead singer, or the obvious fun the band has whether they’re recording or performing live; whatever it is, the band has made the most of its position by performing all over the Northeast, selling nearly 1,000 hard copies of their debut album, Catching Wreck, having more than 1,300 combined likes on their Facebook pages and over 15,000 views on their YouTube channel. They’ve even been blessed to perform live with Grammy-winner Mr. Cheeks of the Lost Boyz, Naughty by Nature and Young MC and placed forth in a national competition to perform at Royal Family Affair with Soulive in 2011. They have also had a placement on the show “Road Trip Nation” and honorable mention in the John Lennon song-writing competition.

Slick, smart, engaging and legit, The Ill Funk Ensemble is humble in its origins, ambitious in its goals and will be releasing their second album in Summer of 2012.

Tracklisting:
1. She’s Fearless
2. Afraid of Heights
3. Amazing
4. Bringin’ the Heat (using a cleared sample of Quincy Jones’ theme from Sanford and Son)
5. Hot, Crazy Good Love
6. Interlude One
7. Different Day (feat. Michael Gaydusek)
8. Find a Way (feat. Steven Atkinson)
9. She’s Fearless (Reprise)
10. Interlude Two
11. My Gosh
12. The Duality

Websites: www.illfunk.com, www.facebook.com/illfunk, http://illfunk.bandcamp.com/, www.reverbnation.com/theillfunkensemble, www.youtube.com/illfunk09, twitter.com/#!/illfunk

 

MOVE IT reveals the NEW DANCE TRENDS for 2012

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MOVE IT reveals the NEW DANCE TRENDS for 2012 Join the dance movement!

The UK’s biggest dance event MOVE IT reveals their brand new dance trends set to sweep the nation in the New Year!

Log on to www.moveitdance.co.uk to check out the brand new dance crazes for 2012 and learn how to perfect these amazing new styles through a series of MOVE IT Dance Trends Masterclass video tutorials from the likes of So You Think You Can Dance 2012 Winner Matt Flint, Futunity and Bollywood Dance London. Each demonstrating why each of these new trends are the next big thing for 2012 – keep you finger on the pulse on what is new, hot and cool next year!

Check out each MOVE IT Dance Trends Masterclass on dance trends

GENTLEMAN’S TAP
Signposting the return of the quintessential gentleman’s style of dance. Hollywood movies starring Fred Astaire inspired men all over the world to dress sharp and move smooth, but in recent years tap dance became more synonomous with workmens boots, dirty jeans and bin lids (think STOMP!). In 2012 Tap is back and it has had a suave new makeover. So You Think You Can Dance winner MATT FLINT re-invents the style for contemporary gents through charismatic moves, fine tailoring and a dapper sense of style not only in dress but in dance techniques and movements.

GOTHIC HIP HOP
Inspired and influenced by epic gothic movies like the Underworld series (the latest instalment Underworld: Awakening is out in January 2012), gothic hip hop takes cutting edge Hip Hop and streetdance moves and gives them a dark and dramatic twist, creating a unique and ground breaking style for 2012. Beware what lurks in the darkness…

BELLY-BOLLY DANCE
You think you know what Bellydance is all about? Think again. 2012 sees the style evolving and embracing the glamour, giltz and the soundtrack of Bollywood movies. The moves are fast paced and feature Bollywood’s trademark expressive hands and undulating hips. Whilst the Indian twist gives the style a fresh edge, all the classic Bellydance benefits are up for grabs; a flatter tummy, toned arms and a chance to express your sensual side.

Featuring amazing one-off performances, inspiring dance classes, life changing auditions, fascinating interviews from dancing and performing idols, MOVE IT is perfect for beginners, professionals and students, or just simply for an inspiring day out – it is the only show for all things dance!

To purchase tickets, book classes or for more information, visit www.moveitdance.co.uk

Gentleman’s Tap –

Gentlemen’s Tap Dance Trend 2012 from MOVE IT 2012 on Vimeo.

Gothic Hip Hop –

Gothic Hip Hop from MOVE IT 2012 on Vimeo.

Belly-Bolly Dance –

Address: Olympia, Hammersmith Road, London W14 8UX
Dates: 9th to 11th March, 2012
Opening Hours: Fri 9th : 10am-7pm / Sat 10th : 10am-7pm / Sun 11th : 10am-5pm
Tickets: ONE DAY PASS – Adults – £13.50; Child (5-15 yrs) – £10.50, Under 5s – FREE
Book tickets: www.moveitdance.co.uk