Highlights of CTR2, Part 5: The In$idaz, Shizz, A-Class

Check The Recipe 2 is my latest mixtape which features 18 musical talents from the 781 area and beyond. I'll be giving some background info on some of the people involved in CTR2 in this entry. Sit back and take in some insight on the Recipe.

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!

All We Needed Was One Night

In two years, we've given you 4 albums/mixtapes: Check The Recipe, One Night Stand, Hood Certified and Clearly Outspoken.

After promoting them on the streets, Facebook, Twitter and through videos, the next move HAD to be to give you a live show!

I worked with almost everyone who has worked with us on those 4 projects to cook up A Night Out with Sunspot and I must say that the night was incredible! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

To fans, old and new: We will keep bringing you the music and entertainment that you love. Thanks for ridin wit us. Also, I wanna give very special shout-outs to DB, EP and the Twin Peaks and Pie crew for coming thru!
G. Jonz (in red) & Runna (in blue) Turning It Up for the crowd!

To the management staff at Tatiana's Restaurant & Lounge: I think I can speak for the entire Sunspot team when I say that we cannot thank you enough! Thank you for opening your doors to us and making us feel at home.

Right Hook reppin that cool spot in the heat - you know what it is!

To everyone who brought cameras/video equipment: THANK YOU! We probably should've taken a few ourselves, lol. (Shout out to Kevin D. for the pics in this blog entry!) Also, MASSIVE SHOUT-OUT TO BOSSLADYTEE FILMS. The video from the show is at the bottom of this entry. Subscribe to her YouTube page!

To ITM: Thanks for having that incomparable energy that you always bring! The dancing was great and we loved having you there! This won't the last time we link up!

Two hot Mamacitas from ITM join Right Hook on stage to give the show some added sizzle.

To everyone who brought home souvenirs, mixtapes, albums, etc: Enjoy yourself, especially with J-Dub's first mixtape, "Clearly Outspoken". He's only asking for 20 minutes of your time to listen. It'll be time well spent!
Pockets On Froze featuring Runna

Right Hook & Runna performing "Player" from One Night Stand.

All we needed was one night to show people that Sunspot can light up the stage and give you a great night of entertainment. A Night Out with Sunspot was the FIRST time that we've all performed together at our own show. On behalf of the entire Sunspot family, thank you for making it a success!

Now that that's behind us, things will go back to normal and we'll be working on new albums and new projects.





And another show...?

From left to right: J-Dub, G. Jonz, C.Luk, Runna, Right Hook, and DJ LT - toasting it up to A Night Out with Sunspot!

A Night Out with Sunspot

On July 16, the summer will get even hotter as Sunspot will host a live show at Tatiana's Restaurant & Lounge at 70 Market St in Lynn MA!

Songs from Check The Recipe and One Night Stand will be performed as well as brand-new music from C. Luk, J-Dub, Runna, and Right Hook!

The ITM Dance Team will be our special guests and we'll have other surprises as well! It's a 21+ event and you won't wanna miss it!!

Directions to Tatiana's From North I-95 South, Merge onto I-95 North/128 north via Exit 37A (towards Peabody) Take the US-1 North/RT-129 East Exit- (Exit 44B- toward Danvers) Take the RT-129 East ramp toward Lynn/Swampscott Enter next roundabout and take 1st exit onto MA-129 East Turn RIGHT onto Boston St. Turn LEFT onto Franklin St. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto City Hall Sq. Turn RIGHT onto Market St. From South I-95 North, Merge onto I-93 North/US-1 North via Exit 12 toward Boston Take Exit 20 toward I-90 / LOGAN AIRPORT / WORCESTER / South STATION Merge onto I-90 Eeat/MASS PIKE/MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE via the exit on the LEFT toward Logan Airport/South Station Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MA-1A North/WILLIAM F MCCLELLAN HWY/EAST BOSTON EXPY. Continue to follow MA-1A North Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MA-1A North/BEACH ST. Continue to follow MA-1A North Pass through 1 roundabout Turn LEFT onto MA-1A / Market St. Continue to follow Market St. From West I-90 East/MASS PIKE/MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE via the ramp on the LEFT toward Boston Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MA-1A North/WILLIAM F MCCLELLAN HWY/EAST BOSTON EXPY. Continue to follow MA-1A North Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto MA-1A North/BEACH ST. Continue to follow MA-1A North Pass through 1 roundabout Turn LEFT onto MA-1A / Market St. Continue to follow Market St.

Hit up our Facebook Event page to RSVP. Not on Facebook? Then you can RSVP in the comment section.

One Night Stand: One Year Later

June 1, 2011 marks exactly one year since Sunspot dropped "One Night Stand." I thought it'd be interesting to get some insight from the lead artists from that project, Runna and Right Hook. I thought it'd be even more interesting to ask them the same questions about it separately. The video below shows what they said when I asked them these questions:

1. What's your favorite "Runna" track?
2. What's your favorite "Right Hook" track?
3. Has working with the other affected your singing/writing style? How?
4. What's next?


Listen and download One Night Stand for free.

Sunspot Discography, Part 5: One Night Stand

This is Part 5 of the Sunspot Discography series. I'll be posting a short summary about every album and mixtape that's been released under Sunspot Productions. To read every entry, check the sidebar labeled "Discography."


June 1, 2010

Production on "One Night Stand" started just weeks after the release of "Check The Recipe." Sunspot headed into uncharted territory as this effort would be its first completely R&B/pop album. Runna performed most of the R&B tracks while Right Hook performed most of the pop contributions.

Due to the personal & professional relationships we've built over the years, "One Night Stand" was created with help from many people. P.O.E.S. blessed the team by producing most of this album. An up-and-coming beatmaker who goes by HNL teamed up with G. Jonz to produce "Comfortable," which was performed by Runna. As far as featured vocalists go, Right Hook teamed up with Taina and Remy Redd for the slick dance jam "Come Home." Runna enlisted his lyrical cousin (J-Dub) to create the ambiant "If I Don't Have You." C.Luk, P.O.E.S., A-Class and T-Pain (yes, that T-Pain) are also heard on these respective tracks: "To Go On," "Your Body," "Mamacita," and "Everybody Else."

A few facts about "One Night Stand" that you may not have known:
A snippet of Right Hook's "Mamacita" was first heard on Check the Recipe as a prelude for the song "Just A Little Bit Closer." The beat for Runna's "Comfortable" was actually made in the summer of 2006 and was first used as a backing track for a local slide show. Finally, "Live It Up" is the only track on this album that features both Runna AND Right Hook.

Go to the Azn Wayz Bandcamp site to listen to and download One Night Stand now!