Posts Tagged ‘dead prez’

Interview: Vintage Tux

Friday, May 25, 2012 by | No Comments | Category: Culture, Music, Music Video, Rap, Short Film, Video

Vintage Tux:Fully Vested (clockwise from top: DJ Maniac Magee, M.E.R.C., DJ A to the L, 7even Cypher, ISH

Jay Electronica’s accent and style of rapping doesn’t sound like he’s from the south yet he grew up in the heart of New Orleans. The thing about Vintage Tux is their accents are southern but their music sounds like something from Stones Throw Records. With the exception of DJ Maniac Magee and Ireland born DJ A to the L, group members M.E.R.C., 7even Cypher, and ISH grew up amongst pine trees and moonshine runner carved backroads. Vintage Tux is a hodgepodge of smooth lyrics with the punch political commentary in the vein of Medgar Evers . The backdrops behind the tracks sound like holdovers from Pete and CL’s Main Ingredient album. Get into the Tux.

Greedmont Park: How did ya’ll come up with the name Vintage Tux?

Vintage Tux: We thought of a lot of names for the group, but Vintage Tux stood out. It had a ring to it, ya know. It simply means that the sound is from the Golden Era of Hip Hop, but it’s clean and fresh. Tailored just right. It’s something that you wear to the senior prom and your date is the baddest cheerleader in school, or maybe you are at Rock the Bells.
When people see you in that vintage tux, they look. They might not say anything, but they see you.

So give us a general idea of  what exactly Vintage Tux is?

VT: The group was formed in Tallahassee, but our members come from all over. Dj A to the L is from Northern Ireland. 7even Cypher is originally from Philly but moved to Florida at an early age. Dj Maniac Magee is from the DC area, and M.E.R.C. and I are the only ones originally from Tallahassee. Tallahassee is a great place to pull inspiration from because it is a college town. There are thousands of students here from all over the world, who all bring with them a certain style. We are also in the state capital of Florida where Jim Crow still lives.

You guys are from Tallahassee Florida which is a musical hub of sorts. Where does the inspiration from the city and the exchange of musical culture shape ya’lls sound and content?

VT: Much of the inspiration for the lyrics comes from situations in the tri-state area, Florida, Georgia and Alabama. We are in a state where cops kill kids with no consequence and people tote guns freely thanks to the Stand Your Ground Law. Inspiration is everywhere for us. I think the biggest motivation however, is how bigger cities view us. Coming from a small town like Tallahassee, we don’t get the respect that say someone from NY would get. That’s real! But we love it! The underdog always plays harder.

There are a ton of internet rappers/musicians out today so your sort of lumped all together. What makes Vintage Tux stand out?

VT: We stand out because we don’t try to. We don’t try to sound like anyone else and we don’t try to be different. We are who we are. We never think about the Internet or the blogs or standing out. It’s the music. The music tells us where to go. When you try to hard to be different, it isn’t genuine. When it isn’t genuine people will eventually find out.

I notice you do a weekly video series called “Informally Formal” which is essentially a series of mini documentaries, videos, and interviews on the group. How did that come about?

VT: Informally Formal was something we created to show the world our process and to give insight on who we are. Everything is visual now. We try to somewhat keep up with technology even if it seems impossible. It allows us to get personal with the viewers and fans. If they feel like they know us then they can understand the music.

What point are you ultimately trying to get across with your message and where do you see the group in a year?

VT: The message is simple, be who you are and be free. Don’t be manipulated by society’s standards and stand up for something. We truly feel that we are at the forefront of a musical revolution. We are foot soldiers fighting this battle with music and art. We can’t lose. In a year we hope to be touring Europe. Their appreciation for hip hop is great over there.

Be sure to check out vintagetux.bandcamp.com, vintagetux.tumblr.com and follow @Vintage_Tux. Also look for our first full length album, Crock Pot Muzik, that drops this year. Props to Greedmont Park.


MikeFlo – Glow [Video] dir. by Tai Upgrade

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by | No Comments | Category: Entertainment, Music, Music Video, Rap

New Dope from Chicago’s very own Mikeflo. This joint is entitled GLOW, directed by the homie Tai “UPGRADE” Rotan. Enjoy!

Captured by: LDP Studios & Triple M Media
Mikeflomusic.com


Viva Mayday – Demonic Woman (Live @ SOB’s)

Tuesday, February 15, 2011 by | No Comments | Category: Alternative/Rock, Music, RnB/Jazz/Soul

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jQWiPcu5k8&hd=1

Here’s some footage (courtesy of Mavy Ent.) of Viva Mayday killing it at the legendary SOB’s with a brand new track titled “Demonic Woman”. Their set was part of one massive, ridiculous Ghetto Metal night, which was presented by Bazaar Royale and The Source. Other acts included Black Vampires, Bazaar Royale, Game Rebellion (swag), dead prez, and M.O.P., who’s set was cut short by a fight that broke out in the crowd. Classic. The moshing that ensued that night and that I personally took part in was divine.


Mike Flo of RBG – The Gospel [Video]

Sunday, May 23, 2010 by | No Comments | Category: Uncategorized

Here’s another video I shot for Mike Flo [of the RBG Family, emcee and DJ for Dead Prez] at a Church in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. From his Less Is More LP with Leo Goetz. So far it’s one my fav’s, check it out!


Mike Flo – Microphone

Sunday, January 31, 2010 by | No Comments | Category: Uncategorized

Mike Flo of the RBG Family delivers some heat over the Slaughterhouse classic, Microphone, as he states:

This is certainly NOT a slaughterhouse diss, just good ol’ fun rap shit. I happen to like slaughterhouse and this song so in honor of how they KILLED IT, and in respect to hip hop and the streets in general… it HAD to be done lol. I just had to give the internet haters that disclaimer, you know how they always try to pen niggas against each other like pit bulls n shit…lol.

Keep your eyes open for his upcoming projects “Lucid”, The Dreamstate, produced by Jeff Jones and “Less Is More” produced by Leo Goetz.

MICROPHONE (SLAUGHTERHOUSE TAKEOVA RBG SPECIAL) FEAT. MIKEFLO OF THE RBG FAMILY

Rating: 8/10


Mike Flo – Hometown Hero

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 by | No Comments | Category: Downloads

DSC_2731

Here’s a new joint from Mike Flo of the RBG Family. He’s been tearing down the Hip-Hop scene for awhile now, especially after dropping a Gangsta Grillz with DJ Drama and touring the world with Dead Prez. This joint is in tribute to his hometown, Chicago.

DOWNLOAD: Mike Flo – Hometown Hero

Rating: 7/10


Stic. Man: My S.W.A.G. is Up

Friday, April 10, 2009 by | No Comments | Category: Music

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxbr4RticMk


New Music: Dead Prez

Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by | 2 Comments; | Category: Music

deadprez_pulseofthepeople_cover-finaljpg

Dead Prez- Stimulus Plan

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