Chyna appeared on CTR 2 on Still Raw, holding her own as the only female emcee on the song. Chyna brings a style that's allows her to bring more of a hardcore style to her delivery, while still being able to use wordplay in a clever way. I've had the privilege of working with Chyna while she was still developing and discovering what her sound was, as she worked on mixtapes and other hip-hop projects.
Many of you know Caleb from the music group Fame or Juliet. The group has taken the underground hip-hop world and turned it upside down with the meaningful messages and eclectic rhythms in their music. Caleb made two appearances on CTR 2. He was featured on Still Raw as a part of the Elite Eight, along with Chyna. Caleb also released a track, a duet with Thright Hook, entitled Pot of Gold, which also saw a collaboration with Seth Chaos and I on the production side of things.
Both Chyna and Caleb have been featured on BET's 106 & Park; Chyna, as a participant of the Freestyle Friday rap battles, and Caleb, with Fame or Juliet, on the Wild Out Wednesday talent competition. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside both acts, and hope to do so again in the future.
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Highlights of CTR2, Part 6: Caleb & Chyna
Highlights of CTR2, Part 5: The In$idaz, Shizz, A-Class
The In$idaz are a rap duo from Lynn MA. They're making their name known in the hip-hop community with beats to make you dance and a back-and-forth rap style that makes any groove they ride THAT much more infectious. The In$idaz influence was felt in both installments of the CTR series. You can hear them together on the high-energy song "How We Party" on CTR2.
Shizz made his impact felt on CTR 2 with Still Raw, which features seven other emcees (collectively known on the track as the Elite Eight). This talented lyricist brings a smooth delivery to his approach, yet he still accentuates the energy of the beat. I thought that this quality made him unique and, therefore, a perfect candidate to blend with the Elite Eight.
A-Class is a classic example of the old adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Hailing from Salem, MA, Class first linked up with Sunspot Productions on the One Night Stand project, featuring on Right Hook's "Mamacita." The positive feedback from that song led to a second team up between the two performers, which is how "IDK" was created. Here's hoping for future collaborations between Right Hook and A-Class!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
REEEEE-MIIIIX!
In the original song Where Did She Go?, the song is driven by heavy drums with a guitar to help fill out the "body" of the song. The remix version contains strong synth chords and also has changes in the lyric layout and delivery (due to different notes in the beat). The song layout between the two songs are clearly different as well.
|
Original |
Remix |
Yum Yummz will make you dance no matter which version you listen to. The initial version gives a strong dancehall/island vibe that's comparable to R. Kelly's "Fiesta." Seth Chaos, who has worked alongside Sunspot for years, took the idea of the song and flipped it. Chaos created a more hip-hop based remix by adding a simplified guitar riff and a bass-heavy drum pattern. The lyrics for this remix are rearranged as well. Seth Chaos has also remixed the title track to the Morning After album. It is available only through an ALBUM download of Check The Recipe 2, which is free.
|
Original |
Remix |
As of this writing, Raw and it's evolved counterpart have the most plays on our Bandcamp site combined. That may be due to the type of remix that it embodies. The original song had 4 emcees on the track while the remix doubles that number of lyricists. Eight different emcees means eight different fan bases the song possibly reached. The second version also keeps the same tempo and feel of the original, which is late 80s/early 90s hip-hop. The hook is gone in the latter track to make room for the Elite Eight - which is a moniker not only for the number of the emcees in the song, but the amount of bars each one delivers.
Original, Raw |
Remix, Still Raw |
Every remix on this list is unique from the others, but Nobody Has To Know is a remix, but could also be considered a remake. The original song, Caught Red Handed, presents as a jazz/hip-hop/R&B hybrid, written and performed by Thright Hook. The idea for restyled version was to give the melody a more pronounced bass presence. Part of the hook of the original is reworked into the new hook and performed by G. Jonz. Finally, the song becomes more of a hip-hop version of "Trapped In The Closet" as POES lays down lyrics to a similar story to Caught Red Handed. [Didn't think I'd have two different paragraphs referencing R. Kelly... craziness.]
Original, Caught Red Handed |
Remix, Nobody Has To Know |
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Highlights of CTR2, Part 1: Walnut & Mara Bettencourt
From left to right: Walnut, G. Jonz and Blak C admiring the beauty of Mara Bettencourt.
Walnut is a veteran in hip-hop culture. For over 20 years, Da Lyrical Geni has solidified in his name in the Boston area as one of the most diverse and conscious lyricists to ever hold a mic. CTR2 isn't the first time that Walnut and Sunspot have crossed paths. Walnut made an appearance in C.Luk's Extradimensional album as well as the critcally-acclaimed short film, "Captain Asian America." G. Jonz and C.Luk also lent a hand in producing two songs ("Next On the Mic" and "You Need to Stop") from Walnut's 2011 release - "Love Is In Your Face." C.Luk performs on "Next On the Mic" along with Big Brotha Sadi and Zullo Crew.
During the calendar year, Walnut hosts a series of Community Building parties where artists of all genres come together and promote positivity, have jam sessions, and generally have a good time. This is how G. Jonz met the vocalist/musican/songwriter Mara Bettencourt.
The Chef brought up the idea of making a second mixtape and explained that he wanted to expand his skills as a producer and delve into pop. Bettencourt agreed to help with this and stated that she wanted a sound that would be reminiscent of a "celestial" dance pop sound. About a week later, the beat was brought to Mara and the aural artist of Azores went to work on creating the lyrics. Soon, Love At First Sight was created and was instrumental (ha.) in leading the pop sound on CTR2. Mara's newest CD is scheduled for release sometime in January 2013.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Walk For Hunger
This year will be my 8th walk in 10 years, but it will be the first time I've done all 20 miles in 6 years.
Oh boy.
Some may call this a fail. I call it a win.
To prepare for this, I've been training my feet and legs since the beginning of March to walk long distances. Sometimes, I'll jog and/or walk for a few miles on a treadmill. If the Walk was as smooth and straight as a treadmill, I'd be good to go in no time. However, the Walk is full of twists, turns, different terrains and changing inclines - I had to get used to that, so I've also been walking long distances outside (as well as adding an incline to my treadmill workouts).
Temptation - it is everywhere!
The training was going great until today. I decided to do 6 miles outside because I had stuff to do and I figured: 2 birds, 1 stone.
Anyway, towards the end of my walk, my right heel started to feel sore. I took off my shoe and discovered that the inner, plastic part of my shoe came out and was rubbing against my heel every time I took a step. It must've happened the entire walk because by the time I was done, my sock had a big hole where my heel was!
This tore through my sock and almost through my heel.
And yeah, I know. My sneakers are JACKED up. I don't care. The fashion police can suck it. Anyway, I wanted this year's Walk for Hunger to be the very last time I wear them, but they're hanging on by a thread! Well, not literally, but close to literally.
The pen is there to show you how JACKED sneakers can get when you exercise in them too much.
Despite all this, I'm excited for the Walk for Hunger! I'll be going with friends and I'll probably meet new ones. It's a great cause and if you'd like to donate, or walk yourself, you should!
Before I go, more new music is on the way!! Thanks to everyone who's been showin love to me and everyone who worked on the remix track: Still Raw.
This will not end well.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Still Raw
WARNING: Some lyrics may be TOO raw for some to handle.
The Elite Eight (in order of appearance): Walnut, J-Dub, Caleb, Blak C, Shizzy, C.Luk, Chyna, Right Hook
Get ready...
Sunday, January 9, 2011
We Cookin It Raw - The Video Remix
"We Cookin It Raw"
Written by C.Luk, Right Hook, Blak C, J-Dub, Quiet Storm.
Performed by C.Luk, Right Hook, Blak C, J-Dub, G. Jonz, Ro$e Marie, JL, AO, & CJ.
This video was a LONG time in the making. C.Luk spits his verse all the way from the streets of Philly. G.Jonz then bridges that to the new dance remix of We Cookin It, featuring 3 dancers from the ITM Dance Team!
By the way, welcome to my new blog! This is just the beginning.