The increasingly popular "muchacheria" music, otherwise known as "Reggaeton," is often noted for it's provocative dancing that accompanies the genre's overtly sexual lyrics. I haven't found something to act as such a catalyst for controversy since the Argentine's danced the forbidden tango. Generally, when discussing Reggaeton, I often hear descriptions that are followed by "raw" and "street," but never have I heard Reggaeton to be suitable for a family affair...until now. There is a new power duo on the market, and though you might think they sound like something you may have heard before, I guarantee that you won't find another pair like these two. No, i'm not talking about Winsin y Yandel or Rakim y Ken Y. If you didn't know already, allow me to introduce Big J y Yari. Both born in Fajardo Puerto Rico, the two have collaborated and made the decision to create Reggaeton style music that is meaningful, inspirational, fun, and appropriate for a broader audience range. Why do they stray from the typical stereotypes of this genre? Well, it's probably because Jose ("Big J") has partnered up with his 16 year old daughter Geraldine, or as we know her, Yari. Having been inspired by Hip-Hop legends such as Wu Tang and LL Cool J, it wasn't until Jose was in his teens when a friend of his encouraged him to start writing his own music. Now, for about a year, he and his daughter have been writing songs together. He knew that both himself and Yari had a strong passion for music, and decided that together they could reach out to a new group of listeners. When speaking about their music, Yari said that "Like most artists, we find a way to put a little of our emotions, experiences, and life lessons into what we sing, write or do... My mother influences the way I sing and perform in every aspect of what I do." Along side her mother's influence, Yari also mentioned that Ivy Queen, a very powerful voice amongst women, has hugely influenced her work and her determination to continue to nurture her passion. Amongst my conversation with Big J and Yari, I told them how shocked I was that a father and daughter would decide to take on a genre that is so sexually explicit, and I asked them to please tell me how they would maneuver around the promiscuous nature of this type of music. "Unlike most artists that base music on sexuality and other things, i'm still not old enough to make those decisions or sing those types of songs," Yari told me, and added, "Big J and I like to make stories that are understandable and that please teens and adults alike." Big J followed this by saying, "Kids do go to school, kids do go to the mall, and even if they never leave home, you still got the 'net and TV letting your kids know everything from the good, to the really bad. They know a lot more than we think...in love, and sexuality. We write things that me and my wife think are acceptable for a teenager. Hate it or love it, that's the way it is!" And that is the way it is, isn't it? Being an advocate of reform and revolution, I thought the father-daughter combination was extraordinary and I was equally impressed by their music. My favorite song is the headliner on their page "Muslo en Kdera." I really think this song particularly flaunts both Big J and Yari's best attributes. I was especially impressed by Yari, because she is so young and fresh, but manages to equally match her fathers flow with impeccable rhythm and articulation, and seemingly effortless! The song is catchy, and most definately suited for those out there who like to move. Prepare yourselves, because the best has yet to come... Check them at...
http://www.myspace.com/bigjyyari
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ConsueloMarie / Blog
Rick Royals
Between getting your eagle on, and going to the candy shop, some might start to consider hip-hop radio as being 'dumber than dumb.' After they finally catch you ridin' dirty, you might want to take a lesson in S-A-V-A-G-E H-U-S-T-L-I-N-G. Curious? Then maybe you should ask Mr. Rick Royals Md. because he's about to up your dosage of street music. Rick grew up in Sacramento California "...where gang violence happens everyday." Here he lived with his Mom who, holding down two jobs, struggled to support her family. Being a teenager amongst the expectations and ideals of American society, along with the absence of his father, Rick Royals decided to start running his own, not so candy, shop in his neighborhood. He found himself living somewhat of a gangster's paradise, and told me "... GUNS, DRUGS, SEX AND MONEY WAS ALL I WAS INFATUATED WITH GROWING UP..." By the time he was seventeen, he had everything he ever wanted ... or so he thought. Sometime around then, somewhere on a farm, someone put the flame to the young Royals' game. "It was supposed to be a professional recording session... but somebody disrespected... and all hell broke loose..." His opposing rapper in this battle of tongue was "Keak da' Sneak " and Keak "...seen a lil nigga had heart and wasn't going to shut up for sh*t... Thanx Keak..." Now at the age of twenty-two, Rick is the C.E.O of Royal Fam Entertainment which is, as he describes, "Entertainment for the Hood." Now, whether he is getting knocks on his metro, or having mammi's like bobble heads, he prides in his honesty, and realness, that he brings to his music. "I've been doin' this for so long that music inspires my life instead of my life inspiring my music..." he confessed, "I search for subjects that either haven't been hit or that are just in my heart... the transition from the streets to beats, that's what my life is." Ranging from club-hop, to love-hop, to street-hop, Rick Royals music explores the versatility of what is, hip-hop. "...I FEEL THE MUSIC AND GOD WILL DO THE REST... " And after? "... YOU ALREADY KNOW ..... CELEBRATION...." Check Rick and his music at... http://www.myspace.com/royalfamntertainment
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Sol Camp
Back in the 80's we all marveled at these crazy robots that monopolized on the infinite energy of the earth, thus leading them to become "Voltron." Combining forces, they fused their energy from one being to the next, and they created a "mega-bot" which under any circumstance would, without a doubt, defeat their nemesis. Now'a days we may not encounter such supercharged robotic beings, but some of you may have felt a new surge of energy, and as for the rest of us, we should well prepare ourselves for the next level... Five emcees have erupted out of the Southwest united states and they have come together to create the ultimate power of Latino hip-hop otherwise known as "Sol Camp." Officially "Sol Camp," as of Halloween 2005, have been brewing what some might want to call a 'Calizonacagotexayorkamexirican' (...expialidocious) blend, that suits any free flowing urban to suburban appetite for some of that sweet, hip-hop, love. According to Mav, Skunk One, B $taks, Sal, and Chino-D, they agreed that they "liked the idea of uniting Arizona's best Latino emcees for the intention of bringing national attention to the South west region... We are all Latinos from all four corners of the united states so we all come with our own regional style. I say Latinos because some of us are Puerto Rican and some are Mexican. We have all been living in Phoenix for many years so we all now call Phoenix our home." They're pulling from Mexican and Puerto Rican cultures, cities like New York and Chicago, then traveling as deep as south central LA to "pioneer" a new style of music from the streets of Arizona. Genius? Well, one could assume that the idea alone sounds immaculate. Surely after hearing their music you would definitely agree that their group, along with their bilingual lyrics and rhythms, all together feature a diverse and eclectic individualism that will " ... stay creative and up on many styles and genres of music." First I had stumbled across "Gracias," a song that they had dedicated to their families. Most of you will recognize the beat from Jay-Z's "Song Cry," and might wonder how these 'up and coming' could possibly dare even attempt to lyrically reconstruct what could have already been declared golden from King Carter himself... How did they do it? Well, when discussing what fueled the inspiration for their music, they said "We came together because we all believed that we were all amongst the most talented emcees... we all pour our pain out into our music. We use life, death, and everything in between with no fear of covering any topic..." I had lingered around their page, reading their Bio, and letting the tracks run when I then heard "In the Cut." Now this, as compared to "Gracias," ventures along into the other end of the spectrum where rhythm and poetry meets... well... club banger! It was this song, riding beside "Que me Hace que me Quieres," when I had officially indulged in their hip-hop meltingpot, providing sounds relatable from anywhere along, and in between, the coasts. "We want to be known as great musicians... we're Latinos.... Our music is from the heart." ...Check "Sol Camp" at their page... http://www.myspace.com/solcamp
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The Jake Incao Band
You're sitting in your room, exhausted from the grueling summer heat. The humm of your computer buzzes as sweat trickles down to the tip of your nose. You close your eyes. Your breath is steady, and it comes to a point where you're no longer confined by your four walls. A sound from the stereo has broken through your steady, silent, mind and suddenly you're standing in the rain, feeling each drop of water simultaneously fill your pores. Your blood flows like a rush that wouldn't fall short of Niagara and you find yourself somewhere where the earth, meets the sun. The melody that floats from your speakers and whispers into your eardrum introduces itself as the Jake Incao Band. A mesh of drums, bass, guitar, and vocals, combined with lyricism that is both profound yet still honest, paints a first class ticket to bliss. The voice you hear on the records is Jake's. Jake, acoustic guitarist and song writer, explains that "...music has always been a part of my life, much like it's been a part of everyone's lives. At the age of around 15 I realized that I had a knack for writing songs and knew I'd only get better with time. I've been writing songs ever since." Now, what years ago may have been perceived as child's play, has flourished into a voice that speaks almost directly to your soul. "...Rock, pop, funk," says Jake "...it's all that plus a bit of jam, and a bit more infectious." Jake is from the suburbs of Long Island where he grew up living with his Mom, dad, brother, and sister. He eluded gratitude when speaking about his family. "Whatever they listened to I wound up listening to... My father listens to Elvis Presley, My Mom Bruce Sprinsteen, and my brother and sister listen to The Doors, Dave Matthews Band, etc." The Jake Incao band brings a new age sound, stylistically similar to these great pastimes, that musically embodies strolling barefoot through the sand and feeling a breeze flutter through your hair. It's no longer just noise, or words, but something you can taste. Sound relation as a textural experience where your existence is neutral, but deeply affected. Each record revealing that gleaming light at the end of the tunnel. "I'd like to take this as far as it can go. When I was younger I wanted to be a "Rock Star" now my dream is to become a successful musician singer/songwriter that is respected for what I do... I'd love to get to the point in my career where my band can play a sold out show at Madison Square Garden and have the entire place singing the words of a song I wrote in the privacy of my bedroom years earlier." You can listen to the Jake Incao Band and find information on where you can hear them live at http://www.myspace.com/jakeincaoband
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Big J y Yari
The increasingly popular "muchacheria" music, otherwise known as "Reggaeton," is often noted for it's provocative dancing that accompanies the genre's overtly sexual lyrics. I haven't found something to act as such a catalyst for controversy since the Argentine's danced the forbidden tango. Generally, when discussing Reggaeton, I often hear descriptions that are followed by "raw" and "street," but never have I heard Reggaeton to be suitable for a family affair...until now. There is a new power duo on the market, and though you might think they sound like something you may have heard before, I guarantee that you won't find another pair like these two. No, i'm not talking about Winsin y Yandel or Rakim y Ken Y. If you didn't know already, allow me to introduce Big J y Yari. Both born in Fajardo Puerto Rico, the two have collaborated and made the decision to create Reggaeton style music that is meaningful, inspirational, fun, and appropriate for a broader audience range. Why do they stray from the typical stereotypes of this genre? Well, it's probably because Jose ("Big J") has partnered up with his 16 year old daughter Geraldine, or as we know her, Yari. Having been inspired by Hip-Hop legends such as Wu Tang and LL Cool J, it wasn't until Jose was in his teens when a friend of his encouraged him to start writing his own music. Now, for about a year, he and his daughter have been writing songs together. He knew that both himself and Yari had a strong passion for music, and decided that together they could reach out to a new group of listeners. When speaking about their music, Yari said that "Like most artists, we find a way to put a little of our emotions, experiences, and life lessons into what we sing, write or do... My mother influences the way I sing and perform in every aspect of what I do." Along side her mother's influence, Yari also mentioned that Ivy Queen, a very powerful voice amongst women, has hugely influenced her work and her determination to continue to nurture her passion. Amongst my conversation with Big J and Yari, I told them how shocked I was that a father and daughter would decide to take on a genre that is so sexually explicit, and I asked them to please tell me how they would maneuver around the promiscuous nature of this type of music. "Unlike most artists that base music on sexuality and other things, i'm still not old enough to make those decisions or sing those types of songs," Yari told me, and added, "Big J and I like to make stories that are understandable and that please teens and adults alike." Big J followed this by saying, "Kids do go to school, kids do go to the mall, and even if they never leave home, you still got the 'net and TV letting your kids know everything from the good, to the really bad. They know a lot more than we think...in love, and sexuality. We write things that me and my wife think are acceptable for a teenager. Hate it or love it, that's the way it is!" And that is the way it is, isn't it? Being an advocate of reform and revolution, I thought the father-daughter combination was extraordinary and I was equally impressed by their music. My favorite song is the headliner on their page "Muslo en Kdera." I really think this song particularly flaunts both Big J and Yari's best attributes. I was especially impressed by Yari, because she is so young and fresh, but manages to equally match her fathers flow with impeccable rhythm and articulation, and seemingly effortless! The song is catchy, and most definately suited for those out there who like to move. Prepare yourselves, because the best has yet to come... Check them at... http://www.myspace.com/bigjyyari
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Kingston and Charlee "Super Guillao"
Kingston, a man of Jamaican descent, ventured to Puerto Rico during his college years where he teamed up with Charlee, who not only became a good friend, but even more so a partner in crime. Known around town as "the dancehall man," Charlee spits with a fiery Latin tongue and always hits his verse like a straight up rude boy, clearly indicative of his musical influences. Kingston, who you'll come to know as "El Rey del Tono," balances Charlee's flow with harmonies that could knock even Usher off his feet! Almost like a match made in heaven, it will be no surprise when these two take the music industry by storm. Their charismatic and comical personalities combined with that Puerto Rican street flava brings you sounds that I would describe as a Sean Paul meets Bobby Valentino, sprinkled with Luda' and topped off with a hint of R Kelly. Their latest track, "Super Guillao," has a sleek, captivating intro that's kinda dark, kinda sexy, but most definitely addictive. Right at the start when Kin' asks, "Oh you want reggaeton," my first impulse was "Yeah I want some fuckin' reggaeton!" Instead the two propose a better offering. You want reggaeton? Well, their gonna bring you some Kingston and Charlee! Right off the bat, within the first few seconds of the track, I am like no doubt what you got fellas? When the beat dropped and the first verse came in, I was already hype. I could imagine that, in a club, everybody would be throwing their hands up. As the song climaxes, surely, asses would be wiping the floor! They're givin' you something hard so that the guys can kick it, but manage to keep it steady suave so the ladies can wind, pop, and hey..... why not... booty drop! So if you're looking for some of that "Reggaeton Reggae-Reggae-Reggaeton," (OH!) I would check them out at "The KING's Spot!" http://www.myspace.com/elreydeltono
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