So as I've been catching up on messages (because from the lack of posts over the past couple of days you might have deduced that I've got some catching up to do) I got dropped some info via MySpace (thanks Fatgums) about the new 10 song EP FATGUMS X BAMBU ...A Peaceful Riot... which became available on iTunes a couple of days ago (you can also pick it up at http://www.beatrock.com/).
I've listened to the EP twice now (which is kind of a misnomer btw because it's got more music than most full length CDs) and it's definitely growing on me -- which means that you should be picking it up 'cause it's pretty damn hot.
A mix of deep beats, social justice, and personal introspection/observation that sometimes makes you wonder if there's such a thing as too much honesty (and in the end there isn't) it's music with a consciousness, carrying a message we should all be hearing, but in a way you can still get down too especially with tracks like "Good Clothes" and the anthemic "Peddlin' Music" (one of my favorites) that have a lighter feel.
First Impression Hot Tracks
- Peddlin' Music
- Strapped
- Gunslinger II
- Won't Walk Away
Fatgums www.myspace.com/fatgums
Fatgums, born and raised in the San Francisco / Bay area, grew up with a love for Hip Hop. His first memories of creating Hip Hop music are in 1992; it started with his older brother's turntable and the 12" single of Pharcyde's "Passin' Me By". Only 12, Fatgums manipulated the acapellas with the turntable, played the instrumentals out of his boombox, and recorded his own remixes onto his mom's classroom tape recorder.Bambu http://www.bambu.la/
His bold musicality continued as he spent endless hours, with his partner in crime DJ Gammaray, mixing and scratching on the tables. He explored the possibilities of each record; taking in influences from everything from Hip Hop producers like DJ Premiere, to turntablist legends like Skratch Piklz, to soul music from the 60's/70's. Fatgums' also learned from Gammaray's favorites: Terminator X and Ali Shaheed Muhammed. Together they put out Fatgums' first mixtape in 2000 called OHHSSH!!!.
In 2008, Fatgums had to make the decision to either pursue music and any resulting opportunity, or to put music completely on hold until he graduated from medical school. He tried to do both, but discovered that it really took away from both music and learning. Fatgums finally decided to take a leave of absence. The majority of production for "...A Peaceful Riot..." came from that period away from school.
Bambu grew up in Los Angeles in the early 80's; it was a childhood steeped in gang culture and 'street mentality'. The oldest male of his family to make it past a violent death, Bambu eventually learned to stop wasting his potential against his community and began to change himself. Turning his destructive energy and applying it to music was a natural progression for Bambu. Between '92 and '96, he joined friendly rap collectives. But it wasn't until he joined the Bamboo Brigade, and later the Poorhouse Projekts that he started making a name for himself in the Los Angeles underground Hip Hop scene. In 2002, Bambu released his debut solo album, self titled. The LP received incredible critical acclaim and write-ups in Jointz and URB. The fanbase grew, linked up with emcee Kiwi to form the popular duo Native Guns (the group disbanded in 2007).
Bambu has been lauded by fans and contemporaries for his lyrical storytelling. His vividly detailed narratives are characterized by an honesty that are equal parts brutal, thought-provoking and liberating. His talent has brought him to share the stage with acts like Common, X-Clan, Dilated Peoples, Medusa, Visionairies and more.