Saturday, October 16, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Hip Hop Underdawg interviews Maryland producer A.Sesay
Ck: What inspired you to start producing ?
A.sesay: "I was a rapper first from 92-97 I was in a rap group with my boy Darren (R.Badwah & Murray pictures Sesay's right hand) he actually taught me how to make beats. He would come and pick me up take me to the crib and let me use his equipment he gave me a chance to grow as a producer".
Ck: Who are some of your influences ?
A.Sesay: "I love Dj Premiere and scratch Marley Marl Pete rock and Hi tek
and Havoc from Mobb Deep I could go on and on."
Ck: Where did you get the sample for sinking with the ship ?
A.Sesay: "LOL I can't reveal my sources ,but I get alot of cd's from the local library it's funny because the original song is very slow when it's says "sink ahead" during the verses but it really says something like salt on my head but I flipped you know. I knew it was gonna be a good track once I laid the bass line."
Ck: What is the state of hip hop in the DMV area from your perspective ?
A.Sesay "It's a crab in the barrel mentality nobody wants to work with you if you don't have a name or if your not affiliated with the right circle. I've been shut down by quite a few artist if they don't know you they won't give you a shot. I want to work with anyone who's talented regardless of who they are" .
Ck: Do you consider yourself a producer who just makes beats or are you fully involved with
your projects ?
A.sesay: "I'm not a beat maker I produce ... I'm very involved with every aspect I have a vision for a song or a project and I know who I want, and what I need to make it work. A lot of people can sing a lot of people can rap but can they sing or rap well and can they sing it they way I want to make it work."
Ck: I hear your originally from London do you plan to promote the A Special in the UK ?
A.Sesay "I would really like to do that at some point, I was born in the UK but my parents are from Sierra Leone and When I was two I moved to Maryland. I got some people out there checking out the EP so I'm hoping to catch a buzz out there."
Ck: what is the next project on deck for you ?
A.Sesay: "The next EP will be called the A Chronicles I'm not sure who I want on it yet,but I want it to be totally different from The A Special. I'm trying to cook up some organic/cathedral Gothic sounding ish for this one."
Shout to A.Sesay for the interview ! The A Special is available for free down Load on sept,7th @ http://www.asesay.bandcamp.com/
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A.Sesay's The "A Special" is keeping the DMV A-Float
It's been a long time I shouldn't a left u wit out a dope blog to read thru LOL...
What's good people it's your boy C.Knight
You smell that ? ..........
It's Chef A.Sesay in the kitchen cooking up his latest EP The "A Special" courtesy of SA-Loan productions. The Maryland Producer is working to gain his respect in the music game with a strong collaboration of D.C and Maryland artists like D.O.E cigapom Adversary and Napoleon Da Legend just to name a few. Sinking with the ship is my favorite dish on the menu. This track represents what happens when everybody on deck wants to be the captain. Artists refer to the crab in the barrel mentality which explains why a lot cities are sinking in a sea of hate. This record is proof that DMV hip hop is alive and well, and crabs filled with envy should keep their distance from this movement.
A.Sesay creates a clear vision for the listener on each and every track. The production on this album was properly navigated by Sesay's great ear for sampling music as displayed on "Don't leave me lonely"and "If the love was there". I applaud him on his versatility he proves you can still make good music without a voice samples on tracks like "Can't Hold Me Down" featuring Dave East Karnagie & Dagga accompanied by the sultry voice of Erika Anderson.
I really like the vibe on "All In Stride" Featuring Wordsmith and the final ingredient D.C crooner JnesmuziQ on the vocals. It's a very uplifting track relaying the message to live your dream, and no matter what happens in life try your best to keep it all in stride. It takes a lot of courage to be an individual and make the music that you love instead of killing yourself trying to please the industry. Shout out to A.Sesay and all the artists on the "A special". Mannrock, Mugsy Malone Mic Legacy Benji K-beta Infearion Bear witness and Born underdogz. Shout out to Dj Dublee for scratches on "If love Was There". Click on the link to see videos off the A Special EP. A Special available for free download on sept, 7th @ http://www.asesay.bandcamp.com/
Videos courtesy of R.Badwah &Murray Pictures
Sinking With The Ship http://vimeo.com/8416964
All In Stride
http://vimeo.com/12544338
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dame Dash America Nu Magazine Launch with music by the London Souls
It's ya Boy C.knight I've been away for a few days so let me get you caught up.
Friday night I went back to the Dash Gallery for the america nu Magazine launch. america nu is Damon Dash's new magazine that focuses on Music Art Lifestyle and Culture with clothing designer Erin Featherston gracing the cover. The magazine covers Dame's new movement Creative Control and his artist New Orleans spitter Curren$y. Dame also executive produced the Blak Roc album with rock/soul group the Black Keys which debuted at #1 on the the Itunes charts. The album was a collaboration with some of hip hop's best Mc's over original black keys music in 11 days.....yeah I said 11 days. Rza Raeqwon and U-god from wu-tang clan Jim Jones Mos Def Billy Danze from M.O.P and Q-tip just to name a few. Be on the look out for a Black Roc 2 coming soon.
For the second part of the night I ventured down to the basement where their was a recording studio and a performance space for band London Souls a rock fusion phenomenon. I'm not really into rock bands,but I found myself headbanging to this group. I was so impressed by their ability to fuse country and soul into the rock n roll sound. Shout out to the drummer who implemented hip hop kicks into his solo's while the other two guitarist blended it all together on the strings with hendix like riffs. The lead singer kept the crowd riveted with his vocals but all three band members were on point bouncing lyrics from on band mate to the other. To check out music from the London Souls go to myspace.com/londonsouls. To book go to snmanagement@gmail.com
Shout out to Dame Dash and the Creative Control family for the invite !
