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New Video: The ZYG 808 – The Concerto (@thezyg808)

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Check out “The Concerto”, the latest video from The ZYG 808. Zyg, a percussionist and lyricist was born in Bronx, NY and raised in New Bedford and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. His mother lives in the Bronx, so he visits there quite often.

The ZYG 808 is a reference to the Supreme Alphabet (Zig-Zag-Zig, Why God) and the classic drum machine, the TR-808.

He raps and plays a cocktail kit drum set at the same time. One night after a show, and audience member gave ZYG dap and said, “Yo, I’m calling you 808 from now on, ‘cause you got that beat going!”, so 808 was added to his name.

The ZYG 808 started drumming before he was born. His father would tap on his mother’s belly and he would tap back. His father started tapping out patterns and he would repeat them. He got his first drum set when he was four. His father is noted jazz artist and playwright, Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor and he grew up in a home where there was an instrument of some type in almost every room of the house. He gravitated to the djembes and hand percussion.

At age 10 The ZYG 808 got a full-sized drum set for his birthday along with lessons from GroovaLottos drummer, Eddie Ray Johnson. By age 11 he was featuring with the band at concerts and shows. By age 13 he joined the band as a percussionist.

The ZYG 808 began his musical career as a percussionist and drummer. He did his first studio session at age 7, adding African drums to the House Music album, “Deep Soul Chants & Hollers”. By age 12 he was a headlining performer at the Boston Jazz Fest.

His drumming influences include, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Clyde Stubblefield, Quest Love, Eddie Ray Johnson, Tito Puente, Joe Cuba, Lionel Hampton, and John Blackwell, Jr.

Also at age 13 was when he started MCing with his cousin, JJ Nice and showed a natural knack for lyric writing. By age 14 he and his cousins -performing as ‘Soul Poet’s Syndicate’ recorded and released, “Flippin’” an anti-opioid anthem and music video in support of regional anti-opioid campaigns. JJ Nice and his family moved to California and The ZYG 808 decided to keep going as a solo artist.

At age 14, when other kids were getting summer jobs as dish washers and cutting lawns, The ZYG 808 went on tour with The GroovaLottos as well as busked on Weekends, salting away his earning towards a bigger plan that he had in mind.

One Sunday morning he called a breakfast meeting with his father to discuss his plans to enter the Hip-Hop game as an MC, percussionist and producer and wanted guidance from his father in working with the industry. He also wanted to create a subsidiary of his father’s company, Liberation Multimedia, LLC called ‘Soul Poets Records’ that would focus on hip-hop and contemporary r&b, where as Liberation Multimedia is better known as a jazz, classic soul, and dance music label.

As part of his development, his father gave him a homework assignment for the next time he went to New York to visit his mother, “Pay a visit to 1520 Sedgwick Ave and say a prayer.” In his research, The ZYG 808 discovered that his father sent him to the birthplace of Hip-Hop when DJ Kool Herc threw a now legendary party on August 11, 1973.

In September of 2017, The ZYG 808 began making his first solo appearances as an MC and percussionist at community events, youth conferences, music festivals, open mics, local radio stations, and programs around New England and New York City. In April of 2018 he won his high school talent show with a performance of “Explanation”, driving the audience wild with his ability to rap and play drums at the same time.

Gravitating towards MCs who are storytellers, The ZYG 808 is a fan of contemporary artists such a J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Jarren Benton, and Hopsin. He is also a serious fan of Rakim, Slick Rick, Special Ed, Public Ebemy, Dead Prez, Big Daddy Kane, Notorious B.I.G., Ice Cube, Nas, and A Tribe Called Quest.

He is quick to tell you that he is, “An Emcee, not a rapper,” noting that he doesn’t mumble rhymes into a USB mic on a laptop. He actually prefers live shows and the interaction he can have with a live audience. “I can host a show, not just perform. Also, everything I record has been performed live a bunch of times before we take it into the studio.”

The ZYG 808 is of Caribbean and Native American heritage. He is an enrolled member of the federally recognized Mashpee Wampanoag tribe in Mashpee, MA where he is an active member of the Youth Council. He is also a member of The Universal Zulu Nation.

He is currently a featured performer on The Phunk Hits 2018 summer concert tour along with The GroovaLottos and other featured artists.

The ZYG 808 ARTIST STATEMENT:

Reality Check: While my origins are from “The Hood” I’m not and don’t try to front like I am. I live in a rural/suburban area and my Pops is an artist and academic. I visit the Bronx a lot and feel very much at home there, but I have trees in my back yard. My father had me around The Last Poets, Askia Toure, and Amiri Baraka as a very small child. A lot of classic hip-hop and spoken word artists are like aunts and uncles to me. All of this shapes my concept of rapping and making music and informs the hip-hop that I create.

Part of developing as a musician and Emcee is to understand the tradition you’re coming out of. The MC/Emcee came about long before hip-hop. There were the street poets and griots who were rapping before English was forced upon us. Wampanoags had story keepers and song keepers. All of this is the foundation of my place as an Emcee.

Hip-Hop music is based in the drum. Aside from the boom bap, Hip-hop was taking bits and pieces of music from the West Indians, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Blues and Soul from the US. The Bronx was a melting pot of all of these cultures. I was born in the Bronx and raised by a musician and griot.

Some of the mainstream hip-hop music is a clear example of hip-hop losing it’s direction and purpose. I’m trying to be one of the artists who actually has something to say and wants to honor the tradition that my music is built upon.

Catch his EP “At The Party” featuring 3 joints, each with ‘Club 808’ and ‘Boom Bap’ versions.

For More info, Visit: http://www.thezyg808.com

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – @thezyg808

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/at-the-party-ep/1430238539

Stream:
Apple Music: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-zyg-808/1399922668
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Ypsz39qiQ0zL4Q3VV1keD?si=vba1bGUDST2JZ-jzCatZjw

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Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Chill Vibes and Sultry Melodies: Exploring iazY’s Latest Release “Pink Leaf”

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Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.

iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.

What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.

As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.

Visit iazyMusic.com

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