Girl Talk
By Ferrari Sheppard
It's hard to remember what life
was like before the Internet and cell phones, but it's not impossible.
If you were born before 1989 you probably remember handwritten phone
numbers, answering machines and the cumbersome chore of placing a
folded piece of paper in an envelope with a postage stamp; sealing it
and dropping it into mail box. The fact that Gregg Gillis, a.k.a. Girl
Talk, can step on stage with his laptop and put a stadium-sized crowd
into a frenzy, is not only amazing but would not have been possible 20
years ago. Gillis, through a series of mash-ups, remixes and high
energy live shows, has become a bona fide celebrity. The tension and
fragility of his emergence, brought on by the fact that the samples
Gillis uses are not cleared by the artists who made them, only adds to
the allure and rebellious spirit which is rock-n-roll. Continue Reading.
Shock G [of Digital Underground]
By Ferrari Sheppard
The career of Digital
Underground leader and west coast Hip-Hop pioneer, Shock G, is a
testament to longevity through versatility. Shock has produced and
played instruments on countless legendary Hip-Hop songs, including
tracks for former D.U. band-mate and friend, Tupac Shakur. Producing
such hits as "Humpty Dance," "Doowutchyalike," "Same Song," 2pac's " I Get Around," and " So Many Tears," it's apparent Shock G is deserving of the title bestowed upon him- Hip-Hop Legend. Continue Reading.
Ben Esser
By Ferrari Sheppard
If his 1950’s rock-a-billy
flattop ‘do, blue jeans, white T-shirt, and scuffed up Chuck Taylors
aren’t enough to steal your heart, perhaps witnessing Britain’s
newest pop sensation Ben Esser sweat it out onstage will get you mesmerized.
Playing multiple instruments, including the drums and keyboard, he makes
his way around the stage, belting out his heart. Currently on tour in
the UK with his band, Esser—in support of his debut album Braveheart—he’s
looking to create a new standard for what’s considered to be rock-n-roll
chic. Continue Reading.
thecocknbullkid
By Ferrari Sheppard
Blending
references to sex, death and depravity with unforgettable melodies and
hooks, up-and-coming British pop singer thecocknbullkid (aka Anita
Blay), goes for the jugular. Blay has been receiving an exceptional
amount of attention in the UK—she’s already headlined
Glastonbury’s BBC Introduction Stage and toured with Santigold and CSS. It’s exciting to see where thecocknbullkid ends up next. Continue Reading.
Mapei
By Ferrari Sheppard
` It's
difficult to introduce Sweden-based MC, Mapei, without first coming
clean about my bias (every journalist has one). Nirvana front-man Kurt
Cobain used to say in interviews--when asked about his thoughts about
the future of rock music--"women are the future of rock and roll." I
will not make such a bold proclamation concerning Mapei, but I will say
that she displays a certain brilliance that only comes every 20 years
or so. Taking notes from Hip-Hop greats such as Wu-Tang Clan and
Roxanne Shante, Mapei came on to the scene in 2007, via the Internet,
with her song "Video Vixens."
Signed to Downtown Records--home to artists such as Mos Def, Kid
Sister, Spank Rock and Amanda Blank--Mapei continues to record her
debut EP, set for release in early April of 2009. Continue Reading.
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