Artist to Watch.. Mara Hruby

My guy Haydn aka Phantom Lover (if you didnt get his free EP, its here), recently put me on to the lovely Mara Hruby, from Oakland. Her voice is like the velvet you long to touch. Definitely an artist to follow... Check out her BANDCAMP to listen to more..
From her bandcamp: Introducing the new and fast rising twenty-two year old artist, Mara Hruby, from Oakland, CA. She burst onto the scene in the beginning of 2010 playing shows all around the Bay Area and is now releasing her debut EP “From Her Eyes”. This is her first release of music to the world and it will say a lot about her character and vision as an artist. Mara Hruby worked on this album for a total of nine months and even went as far as recording and arranging/engineering her own vocals. As a true artist, she jumps right into her dreams and doesn’t emerge until a full, final, conceptualized, and complete project has risen. “From Her Eyes” is an EP of cover songs originally recorded by male artists, and each song has represented a moment in her life. She is covering artists such and Mos Def, Andre 3000, Jamiroquai, even D’Angelo and a few others. She is a mesmerizing artist that puts on a show with poise and grace, and she’ll bring you into her heart like no other.




DOWNLOAD HERE

Mama love... Talyer McFerrin X Ryat

Two of my favorite artists taking a break during a shooting of the new video... loving this jam..

Taylor McFerrin & Ryat Jam Session from Simon Benjamin on Vimeo.

M.anifest BACK in the Motherland!

Big ups to my guy M.anifest who was recently back in Ghana for a month playing shows, shooting for a film and getting tons of media love (including MTV and Ras Kwame from BBC)! Check out the newest video :

Also if you never grabbed this track with myself X M.anifest from my first EP, grab it free here

Hey Ladies!! BFRESH

Watching BFRESH work is like watching a fire ignite. This woman is one of the most passionate and driven ladies I have come across, and she is known to work around the clock until she gets the job done! Her work speaks for itself, and her photos tell a story that needs to be heard. Recently transplanting from the Twin Cities to Brooklyn, she is HUNGRY and steady on the grind. Perfect match for HEY LADIES!

Rebecca “B FRESH” McDonald of B FRESH Photography and Media

WHERE DO YOU CALL HOME? Currently, I call Brooklyn my home.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? I am from a quick-witted-headstrong-mother and a frugal-biker-environmentalist father. The city is the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul).
WHAT DO YOU DO? I am a multimedia artist/journalist working in arts/entertainment/politics in the mediums of photography/video/written word. The work I produce focuses on community power development and telling stories of creation, empowerment and revolution. The common thread throughout all I do is storytelling, which is my ultimate passion in life.
TRUE BEAUTY IS…honest grittiness | colorful textures
BEATS…fuel my energy. I am always listening to music, and I create to the beat.
TRUE SEXY IS…confident | humorous.
MUSIC IS MY…soundtrack to life. I always use lyrics to reflect on life, to escape, or to use it as a tool to connect. That is the same way I use my camera! For example, in a crowd, you can use a camera to isolate yourself, or to connect with people. I typically choose the connection, even though I am an introvert. I love spending time home alone creating, relaxation and rejuvenation. after a long day being super-social. Music helps me find that balance.
ART DOES...not need to follow rules. You must know the rules of your craft, so you can break them. The premise of my work is to always think outside of the box, in terms of creativity, content and technical skills. I aim to represent a missing element in mainstream media- those voices of youth, women and people of color in a unique and bold way.
MY NIGHTS ARE…LONG. I create and am the most inspired in the evening.
THESE 3 TURN ME ON… Passion | Dancing | Happiness
SELF-KNOWLEDGE…is constantly evolving.
ENOUGH OF…the mediocrity! I want excitement in the art/entertainment/political worlds. We have fallen into a trap, and need some excitement in our lives! Who’s with me?!
MY CREATIVITY IS…on fire! I can't stop creating and thinking of things to create. i wish I had more hands!
TRUE POWER IS…self-honesty, and the ability to harness life’s passions while motivating others and staying true to one’s core values.
LIFE CAN BE THE...pits, and drag you down sometimes. We must get back up, and keep moving, stronger and smarter than before. There have been many times when I have considered ending my full-time commitment to the arts. When I am close to giving up, something always happens, to reassure me that I am on the right path.
TO LOVE IS TO…live, as living is to love. It’s not the same as the rush from eating chocolate though- sorry.
I'VE GOT FLOW BECAUSE…I can be versatile. I can lead and create in any environment. I can navigate covering a museum opening with millionaires, to a rally on the capitol, to a Snoop Dog show, all in one day.
WORDS YOU LIVE BY: “The revolution is ourselves, our lives.” -Audre Lorde
NEW PROJECTS FOR 2011? I am currently working on developing a distribution strategy for my database of over 500,000 images, similar to that of Getty Images, but for the community. Grassroots and progressive websites and blogs are being sued right and left for using copy-written materials. I want to provide a service where the community can obtain creative and quality assets (photos, video, audio etc) without having to worry about legal issues. I am studying for the LSATs, so you may see me at NYU in the Entertainment Law program in the next few years, to pursue my passion for protecting the rights of artists.
I also am working on a book, and developing other merchandise.
WHERE CAN WE REACH YOU? You can reach me at 917.727.2013 or bfreshsphotography@gmail.com
STAY CONNECTED:
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr

Mama loves Muvlikamor

I'm always in awe of a person who can pick up any instrument and make magic. When I first met Dj Kiva, I knew he was just that. Magic. In the last 3 years, Ive watched everything he musically touches, flower, and I'm excited to watch his newest project with Sunru take flight. Its sound is from another planet.. Learn more about the recent release, Muvlikamor...

Muvlikamor
Destroy All Concepts is proud to present the altered musical reality known as Muvlikamor. Eponymously titled, “Muvlikamor” is a collaborative release from Brooklyn based producer DJ Kiva featuring the cosmic vocal-stylings of Oakland native Sunru. Falling under the influence of electronic music, hip hop, punk, and future-funk, “Muvlikamor” picks up where artists like Gonjasufi and Dam Funk leave off and takes listeners on an epically funky journey to the outer limits of the galaxy. Space is The Place and Muvlikamor is representing!

About DJ Kiva
DJ Kiva is a NYC-based musician, producer, and DJ operating from a Bermuda Triangle-like section of Brooklyn whose soulful original productions and remixes have graced the platters of a slew of international labels including Tommy Boy, Kindred Spirits, Bagpak, and his own Adios Babylon imprint.
Equally at home onstage as behind a mixing console, Kiva has also been touring internationally as live guitarist for hip hop groups "Shape of Broad Minds" and "Willie Isz" featuring Jneiro Jarel and Khujo Goodie of Goodie Mob on the European festival circuit and has performed at Sonar (Spain), Hove (Norway), Roskilde (Denmark), and Montreaux Jazz (Switzerland).

About Sunru
Sunru is truly a Brotha from Another Planet. Growing up around go-go, punk rock, and hip hop in Washington D.C. and traveling the world has created a diverse artist who fuses dancehall, blues, rock, soul, and rap into his original vocal play which seamlessly bridges singing and rhyming. Currently based in Oakland, Sunru has recently blown up in the electronic music scene and has been a featured vocalist on Bassnectar's breakthrough album "Mesmerizing the Ultra" (OM Records) as well as Other Weapons “Basis to Break This” (Destroy All Concepts).

BUY ALBUM HERE: MUVLIKAMOR

Theophilus is FLYING HIGH!

Feeling this new video. Also feeling this GQ pic! Check him out in December's Issue!

So.. I'm in love!

Soooo feeling the work of RETNA and EL MAC!

Of Our Youth - RETNA • EL MAC from RVCA on Vimeo.

Waiting....

Eagle Nebula + Daru+ Love Bomb Films=


FREE EP HERE~!

CMJ PICKS: CHICO MANN

Come kick off CMJ right with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Afrobeat and classic freestyle brought to you by DJs Sabo, T-Kat and Uproot Andy, and a performance by the one and only Chico Mann. This event is sponsored by Wax Poetics Magazine and Record Label, and celebrates the release of Chico Mann's new album 'Analog Drift' which comes out next week!

This event is private, if you wish to attend please send an email with your name and credentials to - cmjrsvp@co-signcollective.com.

Your RSVP will be confirmed!

Making letters DANCE

Big ups to Brooklyn artist, Ebon Heath, doing HUGE things in Berlin at MADE! Check out this inspiring interview.. If you are in Berlin, dont miss it THIS WEEKEND!

VISIONS OF VISIONARIES WITH EBON HEATH | MADE from MADE Blog on Vimeo.

Also peep the Collaboration of Ebon with Mona Ibrahim which launched in Dubai. See them HERE..

Eagle Nebula drops Bombs...

My lady, the one and only Eagle Nebula, will be dropping an EP early next month. The single, produced by Daru, is already on steady rotation, so I'm amped to hear the rest. This song has been stuck in my head all week, get it free HERE:

LoveWall from LoveBomb Films on Vimeo.

She SAID

MAUVE is the new Black

Brooklyn stand up! Phantom Lover aka Hadyn, has released some yummy music last week.. and its FREE! I love this EP (and it's not just because I have a track on it!), and recommend you grab it quick while its hot! “Mauve” EP features vocals by Jesse Boykins III, Fatima, Nicholas Ryan Gant and Sarah White (wink, wink). Look forward to hearing more about this project with remixes, etc in early 2011!



Get the EP HERE!!!

Ahh, and speaking of Fatima, check out her new video for Warm Eyes (prod by DAM FUNK):

Early to RISE

New music from Taylor McFerrin! So excited about this release! Dont sleep! Taylor McFerrin - Track Preview from EARLY RISER by Taylor McFerrin

Solid Gold

Artist 2 Watch: Ana Tijoux

Check out this Chilean Emcee, currently wrapping up her US tour! Peep her myspace HERE!
Ana Tijoux

Artist 2 Watch: Toki Wright

Toki Wright - New Music - More Music Videos

Mamas love...JIMI JAMES

Jimi James' new EPK..we love her!

JIMIJAMES EPK 2010 from JIMIJAMES on Vimeo.

More QUADRON :: debut NY show

I was introduced to QUADRON by my friend OP (Suite903, Cornerstone) a couple of months ago at their first NY press appearance at the FADER office. It was pretty clear at first hearing that they are destined for success. Hailing from Denmark, the duo has been recently signed by L.A. based independent label plugresearch (also the home of Bilal & Shafiq Husayn) and been making big waves in the U.S. They've been on tour and are making their NY debut with a full band Brooklyn tomorrow, Thursday June 24th at Southpaw. The homie, Melo-X is going to do the intro set--I really hope that I can make it. Also, our Philly fam, King Britt and Rucyl of Saturn Never Sleepswill be hosting them on June 29th in Philadelphia.

Buster Keaton from Plug Research on Vimeo.

From their bio: Quadron is a child that's been made by Coco and Robin. Both were part of the soul collective "Boom Clap Bachelors" who in early 2008 secured much respect and success with their debut "Kort Før Dine Læber". Here they began their collaboration, and Robin fell for Coco's beautiful voice and ability to improvise with playful ease.

Even though Coco is only 21 she is already a veteran performer, and was literally born to do it. She was a key figure as the front woman in the live band for Boom clap bachelors' band, and now she is thrilling audiences with Robin and hers own material. Robin Hannibal has a long CV, counting collaborations with Nobody Beats The Beats, Aloe Blacc, Omas Keith from SA-RA, Wally Badarou from talking heads / level 42, Erick Sermon, Plant Life, Yamwho, Buraka Som Sistema and has international super stars, like Pharrell Williams (Nerd) and James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), declaring themselves fans of some of his other projects like "Owusu & Hannibal" and "Parallel Dance Ensemble".

Mama loves... Quadron

Thanks to the lovely Rucyl and Saturn Never Sleeps for turning me on to Quadron. I cant get enough! ... AND this Denmark treat, is on their way to the East Coast!

Jun 17 2010
The Fix
Portland, OR
Jun 23 2010
Liv in Washinton DC
Washinton, MD
Jun 24 2010
Southpaw
Brooklyn, NY
Jun 25 2010
Spring 4th Center
Atlanta, Georgia
Jun 26 2010
Le Fee Verte
Miami, Florida
Jun 29 2010
Johnny Brenda's
Philadelphia, PA
(With Saturn Never Sleeps!)

quadron "herfra hvor vi står" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.