M-1 Ska

Streetlight Manifesto is one of my favorite bands. They are a Ska band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. The band was formed in 2002. The band is mainly a Ska band, but they have influence from punk rock. The Ska scene has been around for a while now. It is actually said to have started in Jamaica in the the late 1950’s. It was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae music. In the early 1960’s, Ska was very dominant in Jamaica still, and Britain. Later, Ska became very popular with Skinheads. Music historians typically divide Ska into three waves. The original Jamaican scene is described as the first wave.  The second wave would be the English Two tone Ska revival in the late 1970’s. The third wave and final wave of the music scene came about in the 1980’s, and rose to popularity in the United States in the 1990’s. I am not going to go too in depth about the first two waves of Ska, because honestly I don’t know too much about them. In the early 90’s bands influenced by the two tone Ska revival started forming in the US. The movement included bands such as The Uptones in Berkeley, California and The Toasters and Mighty Mighty Bosstones on the East Coast. 

The west coast had many more influential bands than the east coast. Most of them were started around the area of Southern California. Some of the most popular bands were Sublime, Reel Big Fish, Rancid, Operation Ivy, and Goldfinger. By the late 90’s mainstream ska had been developed. The originators of Ska music hated this mainstream Ska though. Since a lot of these bands had influences from early punk rock, they were not trying to be on this mainstream kick. Ska punk is a music and fashion combined. Taking obvious influences from punk rock and not trying to fit in. Although they weren’t trying to be famous, a lot of these bands were phenomenally successful. The genre used a lot of brass instruments including trumpet, and trombone. The Ska band is a very unique genre of music that I personally love. Check it out! 

L-2 Battleaxe Warriors

The Battleaxe Warriors is a movement that supports underground hip-hop and rap music. The movement was started in Vancouver Canada; by a leading member of the rap group Swollen Members. The Group Swollen Members consists of the popular MC’s MadChild, Prevail, Robin Hooper, and Daniel Denton. The group is known worldwide for their respect of the hip-hop game. The group is very heavily influenced by the early years of hip-hop, with some new influences. The group uses a lot of basic snare and bass beats in a good amount of their songs, but they also use a lot of new school technology in their beats. They have toured with an incredibly wide variety of DJ’s. The group is more involved with their lyrical delivery and content, rather than simply doing what the public wants. Being signed to their own label, owned by MadChild called “Battleaxe Records”, they have the freedom to do what they want. Head owner MadChild went through a 

period of time of incredible drug abuse. During this time, he ended up losing the record company, and spent about 300,000 dollars of the company’s money. After a four year long drug abusing binge, MadChild realized that he needed to get help with his addiction. He got the help of his friends and family, and just stopped. During this entire time, he was writing music. It was an outlet for him. A way to deal with the pain. At this time in his life, he has now been sober for about three years. MadChild realized that music was his escape, specifically rap and hip-hop music. He talked to his group, Swollen Members” and decided to do a solo act, which they were fully supportive of. He wanted to create something that could include everybody in the world who felt the same way as him, so in honor of his old company, he created the Battleaxe Warriors. A group of likeminded people who all have a passion for underground rap music. It is a worldwide movement, and above all, a family. MadChild wanted to create friendships and lifelong relationships with this. The main thing they want to make clear is that they are NOT a gang. Here is a quote from their website. “Battleaxe Warriors is NOT A GANG. We do not support any illegal or criminal activities. Any one that uses the Name, Logos or Likeness to Victimized, Bully or Intimidate anyone will have membership cancelled immediately.” The people that are proud enough to represent the Warriors include MC’S, DJ’s, Producers, Tattoo Artists, MMA Fighters, Graphic Designers, Graff Artists, Extreme Sports athletes, and Fans and Supporters of Underground Hip-Hop and the Whole Culture of Hip-Hop. They are a moving force in the Hip-Hop game, and always will be.

L-1 Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, who performs under the name Kendrick Lamar, was born in Compton California on June 17th, 1987. Anybody who knows anything about rap music knows that the all time greats of N.W.A are from Compton. Compton is not a nice place to grow up. The streets are filled with gang members and drugs, along with violence and death. As a kid, Lamar would wright short storied simply because he enjoyed doing so. Eventually he put some words together with some music, and his passion for rap music was born. As a child, Lamar's father was a member of the notorious street gang the Gangster Disciples. Obviously, any child is influenced by their parents. He spent a a lot of time growing up on the streets doing "questionable" things. Unlike most other kids and teens that grew up on the streets, he was more influenced by the experience rather than harmed by it. All throughout high school Lamar was a good student that got good grades. He also thoroughly stories, which turned him onto poems, which eventually led him to start writing lyrics. Lamar's family was directly affected by street violence in a event that I do not know too much about. Along this entire time, Lamar remained a silent observer, never getting involved, just watching. Lamar started using the name K-Dot and rapping his lyrics. He released a mix tape titled "Youngest Head N**** In Charge" which drew a lot of attention to Lamar in Southern California and beyond. The mix tape was enough to get Lamar noticed and a record deal with "Top Dawg". He went on to release two other acclaimed mix tapes that were titled "Training Day", and " C4". Along the way, he was becoming partners and friends with other up and coming California rappers who went by Jay Rock, Ab-Soul and Schoolboy Q. In 2010, Lamar dropped the name K-Dot and started performing under his actual name. His forth mix tape came out about the same time, titled "Overly Dedicated". The same year, he released his first full length album "Section 8.0". The album was exclusively released on iTunes, and the ratings were off the charts. The album really let people see how talented Kendrick was. As Kendricks buzz continued to build, Dr.Dre got in touch with him and signed him to his label. This is what took Lamar's career to the next level. In October of 2012, Lamar released "Good Kidd, Madd City". The album provided an inside look at the modern streets of Compton like no other artists besides maybe N.W.A had ever done. Once that album was released, people have started saying that Kendrick could be the savior of Hip-Hop. Kendrick will go down in history as of one of the greatest lyricists in history. Everyone is looking forward to what he will next produce.

K-2 Mac Miller

Mac Miller, is the stage name of the most dominant Caucasian rapper in the game. Next to Eminem of course. Birth name of Malcolm James McCormick, he was born on January 19th, 1992. He was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He attended Winchester Thurston School and then Taylor Allderdice High School in which he began getting serious about a career in music. As a teenager, Miller had wild days with his friends, getting arrested for house parties and crossing the border to Canada. But once he found out hip-hop, it was all he thought about. Teaching himself how to play various instruments since 6, Miller formed The Ill Spoken with fellow Pittsburgh MC Beedie. They experienced success especially after the mixtape "How High" featuring DJ Diggz and Rated R. The duo opened shows for other artists including Soulja Boy. Mac was a

solo artist for the mixtapes "My mackin ain't easy", and "The High Life". In 2010, he got a solid deal with Rostrum Records. The president of which had known his talent for quite some time. His skill developed during this period of time and shown on the mix tape "K.I.D.S." which was released by the label in August 2010. With more mix tapes under his belt, Miller gained experience as well as connection to great musicians such as Just Blaze and 9th Wonder. He prepared himself for a major release, dropping his first single "Knock Knock" in November 2010. His EP "On and On and Beyond" reached the shelves in March 2011 as precursor of his debut album. "Blue Side Park" was then ready to be released on November 8, 2011. In an interview with Mac he said "My overall goal is to be able to speak and connect with the world. It's a pretty big goal to set for myself, but with what I'm seeing right now and the path that I'm going on, I think that I can do it because I have experience with all different backgrounds and genres of music. I'm trying to have it where your straight trap dudes are listening to [my] music, as well as your straight hip-hop heads and people who listen to the Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, and the Sex Pistols,". Mac is an all around great musician. He has endless amounts of talent, and in his short career, you can already see the potential. It is good too see someone with so much passion, that is in it for the two main reasons to be in the music business, which are for the love of it, and to have fun.

K-1 Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi, also known as, Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi. Cudi was born on January 30th, 1984 in Shaker Heights Ohio. Cudi went to High School in Ohio. Growing up with both parents around was something that Cudi did have. Although both of them were around, they had a hard time providing for themselves. His mother was a choir teacher which is thought to be where he gained the interest in music. When Cudi was only eleven years old, his father passed away from cancer. The loss had a very deep impact on Cudi. Towards the end of his high school career, he started to rap. He was influenced by alternative groups such as "The Pharcyde" and "A Tribe Called Quest". After graduation, he moved to Brooklyn New York to pursue his musical career. In July of 2008 his first mixtape was released. The mixtape was titled " A Kid Named Cudi". It was released with a New York street wear company called "10 Deep". In 2009, 10 Deep announced they would be releasing a limited amount of hard copy's of the mixtape. Shortly after the hard copy was up, the server crashed due to heavy traffic on the site of people trying to buy the album. Cudi was

featured on Kanye Wests '08 album"808's and Heartbrake". During the years '08, and '09 he was featured on many up and coming musical articles. All of them said he was going to be big one day. On Feburary 17th, Cudis first single dropped. " Day 'n' Night" was very well rated by the public and music critics all over. Also in 2009 Cudis first full length album was released. The album was titled "Man On the Moon: The End of Day".  The album changed the rap game. It was a different sounding album. It was phenomenal. Everybody loved it. The album had hit songs on it ;ike " Day' n ' Night", "Soundtrack 2 My Life", and " Pursuit of Happiness". Cudi went through three important releases in his first three years of being a known musician. The third was "Man On the Moon II: The Legend of Mr.Rager". Three years later, Cudi had not made any music in a while. Suddenly, their was talk of a new album. It was confirmed by Cudis personal twitter account, which told his fans to "Prepare for Indicud". He spent a decent amount of time getting people hyped on this album. When it was finally released, the fans loved it. Critics loved it, I personally thought it was just "alright". Maybe I don't really understand the musical genius that is Kid Cudi. Don't get me wrong, the album was good. I was just expecting more. Needless to say, Kid Cudi is a phenom of musical ability. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next, but for now I'll continue to listen to the classics. Cudi has made a permanent mark in the world of Hip-Hop and Rap, and he forever has a place.

J-2 Snak The Ripper

Snak the Ripper is one of those rappers that the world needs more of, but will sadly never get. "Truthful to a fault, his music scrapes the rock bottom of human nature to offer a rare glimpse into the ugly underbelly of our celebrity-obsessed society." A quote from a friend of his. In just three years, he has gone from a relatively unknown West Coast MC to a cult phenom. The most raw, uncensored, and angry rapper I have ever heard, Snak delivers his message through very well written raps. His debut album titled "The Ripper" dropped on April 8th, of 2008. It didn't make any top hundred charts, it wasn't bought by millions of people, and that's why I love it. Snak's life has been a roller coaster of bad luck. He grew up in a small town near British Columbia, CA. With not much to do growing up, he always would see the graffiti that surrounded him, and all he wanted to do was become a part of it. By the age of fifteen, he was hooked on it. A freak accident that almost left him completely blind, and took off part of his index finger, he became a social outcast. Angry, at the society that cast him aside, and determined to get his out there in any way possible, he continued his passion for graffiti, slowly vandalizing his way across Canada. By the age of twenty two, he was a homeless, drug addicted, drunk vandal. In all honesty, its a miracle he did not die.    His friends were criminals, fiends and drug dealers and his depression spiraled. “I found myself back in my home city, with no

real friends, and no belief in myself at all. I weighed 140 pounds. Rock bottom is an understatement. I looked like a skeleton with skin. (A quote from Snak)." Realizing that he needed to change now, or he would soon die he sought out music to change his life. He not only saved his own life, but he rocketed in popularity in the underground Canadian hip-hop world. In about three years time, Snak went to an anonymous, drug addict to a internet phenomenon. Spending six months as Myspace's best Canadian rapper, he was starting to become a known rapper. Snak the Ripper is signed to "Camobear" records. A record label that helps local artists in the slums of Canada become a success. Even though Snak has by this time made a name for himself and is recognized as a phenomenal MC, graffiti is a massive part of his life. His graffiti crew, StompDown Killaz (SDK) is recognized the wold over for their incredible street art. With the graffiti comes problems with the law, which every member of the crew including Snak realizes. They are willing to take the risk to do what they love. To date, Snak has released three solo albums, two mixtapes, and one compilation album. With his sleezy, grimey sound, he has developed a cult following. He raps about real things, not money, or cars. Things that people can relate too. That is why people love him so much. I have not gotten the opportunity too see him live, but some day, I will. I'm looking forward to that day. If you want too hear the realest rapper out, Check out Snak The Ripper

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J-1 The Devil Wears Prada

"Much of the heavy music around us suffers from a total lack of emotion. It's sort of losing an audible sense of sincerity". That is a direct quote from the singer of the metal sensation "The Devil Wears Prada", also known as TWDP. TWDP is a Christian metal band from Dayton, Ohio. Usually, I am not a fan of bands that preach their faith through their music. Their sound is just too good to not listen too. When you say the bands name, most people instantly think of the movie. Contrary to popular belief, the band had the name two years before the movie was released. The band does fully believe the meaning behind their name though. In an interview, singer Mike Hrancia stated "It's the same concept as our lyrics "emeralds hold no hope" and many many others. What we believe it to mean is that possessions don't matter at all and someday everyone will realize that this is true. When standing before God, He won't care about your sweet Prada scarf or Gucci shoes or whatever. It's a Christian reasoning for the name, we didn't name it to attempt at being fashionable or whatever.". Every member of the band has openly accepted the beliefs of the Christian faith and lives the lie to show it. Obviously that will have quite an impact on the music that the group makes. This is surprising to a lot of people. In a music scene that is impacted so much by darkness and bad things, or at least that's what people think, you wouldn't think a Christian band would be so incredibly popular. Every member of the group is a phenomenal musician on his instrument of choice. All of the members have been quoted as saying that they do not care if you believe what they are preaching, they just want to spread their beliefs. That is why I think I love the band so much. They are not forcing anything on me when I listen to their music. The bands first studio album was released in 2006 and was titled "Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord". It was released through Rise Records. They released three other albums in between their newest full length album. Everything that they have put out has had an amazing amount of success, including their newest album titled "8:18". 

 

I-2 Eric Church

Eric Church, also known as Kenneth Eric Church, is a country singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He does not simply limit himself to country music. He clashes and molds with southern rock. Growing up in North Carolina, he began singing at the age of thirteen. Around the same time, he taught himself how to play guitar. He dabbled in music all throughout his high school career, but did not get serious with it until graduation. During college, he formed a little band with friends. Nothing ever really took off though. During college, he got his degree for marketing. After graduating, he moved to Nashville Tennessee to chase after a career in country music. It took him a year, but he did end up getting a record deal to Sony/ATV tree. Church's first single was titled "How About You". It was released in early 2006, and my mid 2006, it had reached billboards top twenty country hits. The next thing that Church released was his fist full length album. The album was titled "Sinners Like Me". The album was released in July of 2006. It was a massive success for Church. It soared up the charts and was well received by almost everyone who heard it. After Church released "Sinners Like Me", he released "Carolina" in 2009. This album was also a massive hit. An lastly, church released the album "Chief" in 2011. I would get more into depth with each album, but it is hard. I am not personally a huge country fan. Church is definitely the best of any popular country musician out, but all of the songs are still quite repetitive. Of course their was soul and you could feel the passion in the music, but it is essentially all the same. So, if you do plan on listening to some sort of country music, I would recommend to start with Eric Church.