NYS Music 202​2

Tag: brooklyn

  • New Notorious B.I.G. Interactive Statue in Brooklyn Pays Tribute to the Hip Hop Great

    The Notorious B.I.G.’s larger than life aura is being commemorated with an alluring statue of the hip hop legend. A nine-foot tall interactive build of the fabled rapper aptly tittled, “Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings,” has been erected in Clumber Corner Park in DUMBO. The statue features Biggie in his trademark Coogi sweater and crown as he gazes down at the city.

    Notorious B.I.G.’s presence lives on through this new interactive sculpture

    The rock hall of fame inductee was born in BedStuy and is synonymous with the borough of Brooklyn. In turn, some of his lyrics have since taken life on their own and now serve as the borough’s mantra. The bronze, stainless steel sculpture includes speakers that play some of The Notorious B.I.G’s greatest hits. 

    The Notorious B.I.G. Sculpture up Close

    The sustainable and interactive statue is carefully curated with Bronze, Resin, Stainless Steel, Winterstone, and Wood with a a built in audio system powered by a solar energy. statue plays music on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Funded by the Downtown Brooklyn and DUMBO Public Art Fund, the statue was designed by NYC artist Sherwin Banfield — who cites Biggie as one of his early inspirations — for hip hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023. Henceforth, the statue will remain in place until October of 2023.

    One of his most famous positive lyrics is ‘Stay far from timid, only make moves when your heart’s in it, and live the phrase ‘the sky’s the limit’… he’s offering you his microphone, which is his throne, which is what helped him become the king of New York.I wanted to show that yes, you can be tough, but you can also show love, or spread love as he would say.

    – Designer, Sherwin Banfield
    NYC based artist, Sherwin Banfield, stands next to his 9-foot incarnation of the Notorious B.I.G.

    Moreover, a celebration of the Notorious B.I.G. life in the form of “Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings” is a fitting way to commemorate one of hip hop’s greatest stars. A diverse individual, the sculpture challenges the traditions of western public sculptures. The larger than life figure represents Biggie’s African American artistry, lineage, and evolution as the “King of New York.” The crowned bust is traditionally sculpted, sitting atop an angular steel frame and supported by panels that highlight Wallace’s achievements. This reflective sculpture invites the viewer to experience the larger-than-life artistry of B.I.G.’s contributions to Brooklyn and Hip-Hop culture.

    Photo gallery by Chris De Cotis

  • The New Dancy Single from 79.5 is Irresistible

    Brooklyn based record label Razor-N-Tape has added 79.5, a disco-dj-dance band also out of Brooklyn, to their label. To celebrate, 79.5 came out with a thrilling single “Club Level” to rival their last instant-classic “Terrorize My Heart” from 2018.

    79.5 is a six-piece band, and what sets them apart in the world of dance music is their woodwind section. With Izaak Mills on saxophone and flute, they can’t lose. His saxophone is reedy and penetrating, relieved by the strutting rhythm section — Andrew Raposo on Bass and Caito Sanchez on drums. Riding this superb beat is the hypnotic voice of Lola Adanna; she channels 80s disco with her breathy tone and echoing sound, it’s intoxicating. Kate Mattison, a singer-songwriter and composer created 79.5 back in 2010, with an imaginary radio station in mind for their band name.

    79.5 club level

    The last big hit from 79.5, “Terrorize My Heart” found its way onto Q-tip’s DJ sets and Questlove’s playlists, their co-sign cementing the song’s place in the disco canon. If that’s any indication, “Club Level” will be taking over dance floors everywhere soon. 

    When you’re on the floor, lights flashing, inhibitions missing, “Club Level” is the perfect song to throw your head back to. Adanna’s sensual voice paired with sharp saxophone is thrilling, it’s a worthy addition to any New Year’s Eve party playlist, and I’m sure you’ll want to bring it into the new year as well. 

  • Lizzy Young Releases LP “CooCoo Banana” and New Video

    From Paris to New York City, Lizzy Young emerged to the scene in 2020 with her debut CooCoo Banana, a visual album of 10 tracks confronting mortality. In celebration of the upcoming release of her song Not that Bad, Lizzy has just unveiled a new video for the track “Everything is Beautiful.” 

    Lizzy Young Releases New Video and LP Out 12/5

    Lizzy explains, “Everything is Beautiful reflects the intangible in life, the little things we overlook and the big things we take for granted.”

    Lizzy’s second album is centered around the experiences of women; “This album is my love letter to everyone who identifies as a woman. I find it complicated to be a woman, even in 2022, and I need to talk about what I know best.”

    Not That Bad is not only an empowering tribute to women, it is also an album that at times captures the heady pulse of a night out; “something that people would want to play in a sweaty club,” she says. “A little different from what I’ve been hearing the last couple of years. Something that fits the times: dark, groovy, slightly funny, and a little apocalyptic.” 

    Work on this album began back in 2020, but then Young ended up at a friend’s farm for 6 months. “I barely took anything with me and wasn’t able to record until getting back to Brooklyn,” she says. “I wanted this album to be a Brooklyn baby and after finishing the demos I   looked for someone local to work with to make it spicier.”

    The opener “Cigarettes are good for Pain,” Young marries wonky pop with a charging techno beat, while the following “Shit Never Stops” takes a turn with snapping trap beats and merges them with subtle melodies. Young’s inimitable vocals are slow, considered, breathy.

    To Listen to “Everything Is Beautiful,” click the link here.

  • Columbian-American Artist Valley Latini Releases Sensual Electro Pop Album “Attention Lover”

    NY-based Columbian-American pop artist Valley Latini has announced the release of Attention Lover, a sexy dose of introspection for lovers of electro pop. Musically inspired by the industrial sounds of Bushwick, Brooklyn, the album is sensual and direct. This 11-track project drops on December 1 and shares stories of past relationships and love affairs as well as a deeper look at self-love and female empowerment. 

    Valley Latini Columbian-American Artist Releases New Album

    As a singer, songwriter and music producer, Valley’s creative style reflects on a lot of social issues, self-realization, and personal philosophies on romance, delusion, and joy. “Attention Lover” branches further into Latini’s personal life and the relatable chaos that ensues when attempting to fall in love. 

    A huge part that goes into her sound and lyrics are fun and chaotic love life.  Along with this, she is highly influenced by her religious background. In a transgressive way, she chooses to combine said elements with contrasting themes like sensuality and divinity as a unified entity. 

    A lot of her live performances are centered around the expression of individual freedom and finding power in her female essence. Having recently performed on her national tour with comedian and author Jacq Frances, Valley has performed in venues and bars all across NYC. Valley’s music has been featured in a few local blogs like Bushwick Daily, The Hudson Valley News, Indie Wire, La Mezcla, and so much more.

    The combination of her Colombian upbringing with the sounds of NYC offer a diverse musical background. In her lyrics she embodies true strength through fearless vulnerability, proving herself to be a modern day renaissance woman. 

    As stated in a previous article from NYS Music, Valley talks about herself as the triumphant protagonist, dangles a literal carrot in front of the priest and wreaks havoc on his deserving soul in her song “Tu Y Yo.” Ultimately, as it turns out, the “haux house” leads to a beach utopia where the women can enjoy the finer things in paradise anyway.

    Valley expands on the concept, “the video is a metaphor for a modern day ‘witch hunt’ caused by men in power that fear female sexuality and censor the female body and sex workers.”

    Listen to “Attention Lover” by Valley Latini below.

  • Bobby Shmurda and NBA Youngboy Ignite Latest Social Media Beef

    Hip hop’s never ending machismo contest has reared its ugly head again. This time it involves two rappers whose words (or actions) could lead to serious legal complications. This latest brouhaha began with a Rowdy Rebel appearance on Math Hoffa’s  My Expert Opinion podcast.

    At around the four-minute mark of the clip, Rowdy begins to explain the reasoning behind some of the senseless violence in the streets. As he made his point, the “Computers” rapper used King Von’s late 2020 death at the hands of NBA Youngboy associate, Lul Tim as an example.

    His mind, off the rip, went to kill. How you went to kill? How much hate you have already to kill this man?” Rowdy continued. “Was it the drugs? You had the upper hand but just clear the seen and said, ‘Yo chill.’ You had the upper hand and could have just been like, ‘Yo, back your n***as up and get your dawg outta here.’ But you already chose the murder route.

    – Rowdy Rebel on Math Hoffa’s podcast

    In similar vain, Rowdy Rebel’s GS9 cohort, Bobby Shmurda, took to Instagram to share his thoughts on people who take credit for what their friends have done, since King Von’s death has been a major point of verbal warfare. Bobby’s rant began a long social media back-and-forth between the rappers.

    NBA Youngboy VS Bobby Shmurda

    In turn, NBA Youngboy took offense to Bobby Shmurda’s words and posted his own response on Instagram.

    Replying, “Ok mr ‘von shmurda’ you better stop the vilence boy!”

    “I thought you was a fan [laughing emoji] & don’t lie. Go make a hit. I just want to be friends.”

    Bobby Shmurda and NBA Youngboy
    Via NBA Youngboy’s Instagram story

    The “Make No Sense” rapper then provided another retort that read, “Well talking violent,” Youngboy wrote. “Help me keep the peace or just stay far away slave.”

    Bobby Shmurda and NBA Youngboy

    Youngboy continued his verbal attacks, posting another video message on Instagram addressing his New York counterparts.

    Including a sarcastic shot at the “Hot N***a” rapper, claiming that their social media interaction would only help Bobby’s views go up.

    Bobby Shmurda countered with with an Instagram live session and tried to get NBA Youngboy to join to they could have a “face-to-face” conversation. WIth his efforts for naught, he then started going off on a tangent, saying he doesn’t do “this Internet sh*t,” but that NBA Youngboy got what he wanted. He then countered Youngboy’s assertion that he needs a rub from the Louisiana rapper, going on to claim that he makes $100,000 a week and is “2-and-0 on the year” while being on parole.

    Bobby Shmurda continued with several more Instagram videos in which he accused Youngboy of being an “industry slave” and that all the streaming numbers (Which NBA Youngboy is known for) are fake. Before declaring that he will “boom” all the people speaking on his name.

    “Resolution”

    NBA Youngboy laughed off Bobby’s threatening remarks, YoungBoy then responded to Bobby‘s “boom” statements by laughing it off. He went on to say he has security and isn’t worried about anything. “I’m gonna stay out yo’ way, and hope you don’t get too close,” he said.

    Their exchange continued with another retort from Shmurda, walking back his initial threatening statement. He said his parole officer had been calling him and that he doesn’t want any problems with anyone due to him being on parole. The “Hot N***a” rapper added that he felt like this entire back-and-forth with YoungBoy might be a plot to put him back in jail.

    NBA Youngboy then shared a screenshot of a personal DM between him and Shmurda in which he claims he blocked the Brooklyn native.

    After that, Bobby posted a photo on his Instagram feed of the DMs that YB had shared, calling him the “feds” in the caption.

    “Nah you da feds how dis get outtt I don’t wanna hear nothing else I’m sorry to all the gangster entertaining this I apologize please I don’t want no beef with nobody,” he wrote.

    The duo then went ahead and shared several more thinly vailed Instagram messages aimed at each other before moving on. With hip hop culture becoming increasingly more violent, rappers are getting into disputes over the slightest of shots. While the two artists settled their differences by laughing off each other’s remarks, they are both paroled felons, and are putting their own freedom at risk by sending each other violent threats.

    Criminal History

    NBA YoungBoy is currently under 24-hour house arrest in Utah, while awaiting trial in Baton Rouge on weapons charges. Meanwhile, Bobby Shmurda was released from prison last year after serving 6 years on charges of drug and gun possession, reckless endangerment and conspiracy to commit murder.

    It would be in both rappers best interest to no longer involve themselves in rap beef.

  • NYC Winter Jazzfest Returning in January

    The NYC Winter Jazzfest is returning for its 19th year in mid-January, with a weeklong series of events at over a dozen venues with over 70 performers total.

    Beginning on January 12, opening night will feature the first-ever onstage presentation of jazz drummer Terri Lyne Carrington’s New Standards Live project. New Standards Live is composed of her book “New Standards: 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers” and “New Standards, Vol. 1,” an album bringing to life music from this book. Musicians in January’s performance include Michele Rosewoman, Melanie Charles, Michael Mayo, Linda May Han Oh, Kris Davis, Tia Fuller, Caroline Davis, Helen Sung and Mary Halvorson.

    Opening night will also showcase French accordionist Vincent Peirani and French saxophonist Émile Parisien leading their respective ensembles, with trumpeter Avishai Cohen joining with his quartet in this concert at LPR. Lastly, UK radio broadcaster, DJ, and record label owner Gilles Peterson will DJ a set at Nublu.

    Next are the festival’s marathons in Manhattan on the 13th at (Le) Poisson Rouge, City Winery, City Winery Loft, Zinc Bar, the Bitter End, Nublu, and the Jazz Gallery, and in Brooklyn on the 14th at Brooklyn Opera House, Brooklyn Bowl, Superior Ingredients, Baby’s All Right, National Sawdust, Loove Labs, Club Curious.

    The weekend will include a Marshall Allen-led Sun Arkestra set, and at Brooklyn Bowl, a tribute concert to late jazz music promoter Meghan Stabile, who passed away in June at 39. This show will feature Late Show bandleader Louis Cato, revered hip-hop producer Pete Rock with his band, the Soul Brothers, and Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band, as well as a number of different special guests. Both nights will run from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

    To close the weekend, on Sunday the 15th, the festival will also present a tribute to late trumpeter Jaimie “Breezy” Branch, who passed away in August at 39. The program, starting 8 p.m. at Nublu, will feature Jeff Parker, Chad Taylor, Fay Victor, and more.

    On Tuesday the 17th at 7 p.m., pianist and composer Samora Pinderhughes will present his politically charged multimedia project “Grief & Process,” a collaborative exhibition and performance series taking place at The Kitchen’s temporary location at The Westbeth’s West Side Loft.

    At 8pm that same night, multi-instrumentalist Nate Mercereau will direct “Take Two,” in which audience and performers alike will listen to Pharoah Sanders’ 1974 album Elevation in its entirety, after which the musicians will take to the stage for a live reinterpretation of what they just heard.

    As in past years, the festival will also present a series of “Jazz Talks” for the afternoons of January 15-17, covering the topics of jazz and gender, wellness, social justice and more.

    On the 18th, NYC Winter Jazzfest will close with a concert at Nublu. Information regarding tickets and more can be found on the festival’s website.

  • Busta Rhymes Announces EP, The Fuse is Lit, Set for November 18 Release

    Hip hop legend Busta Rhymes will be adding another chapter to his illustrious discography. The “Touch It” rapper took to Instagram to announce his latest EP, The Fuse is Lit, to be released on Friday, November 18.

    Originally set to hit airwaves this Friday, the EP has been pushed back in light of the death of Takeoff. The popular rapper and 1/3 of the Migos was fatally shot at a bowling alley in Houston, Texas on November, 1. The Slain rapper’s funeral and celebration of life takes place this Friday, November 11, on The Fuse is Lit‘s original release date.

    As such, Busta Rhymes took to Instagram to share his condolences to Takeoff’s family and announce a new release date.

    “I just want to start this off by saying, let us all collectively send love and light to our brothers. Takeoff, sending love and light to his beautiful family. Sending love and light to our brothers Quavo and Offset. the quality control family, P and Coach K. Family and friends affected directly and indirectly by this tragedy. In light of supporting this beautiful sending off of our beautiful bother, I have decided to push back the release date of my EP, The Fuse is Lit to November 18. Let us all send our love and beautiful energy to our bothers, the Migos and quality control and their beautiful families. Salute.”

    The Fuse is Lit

    Despite the delay, the five-track EP will feature a number of “whose who” in hip hop lore. The Fuse is Lit has guest appearances/ production from Big Daddy Kane, Marley Marl, Swizz Beatz. Additionally, The EP’s promotional single and music video “slap” sees Busta align with Big Daddy Kane and Conway The Machine. The song and music video alike are an ode to hip hop and New York City’s golden age. The production is reminiscent of the culture’s golden era, while the three emcees present themselves as powerful Don’s. Moreover, The Fuse is Lit can be another reminder that hip hop’s golden age is ever present.

  • ‘Cassette Roulette’ NYC Residency Announced by John Cameron Mitchell and Amber Martin

    Prominent actor and screenwriter, John Cameron Mitchell, and 1972 Cabaret film lead actress, Amber Martin, will collaborate together in the premiere of their Cassette Roulette show performances at MassMOCA and BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn. A series of songs, stories and characters will be featured in their performance, which will be backed by Justin Craig and the Hedwig house band Tits of Clay, additionally featuring an introductory set from J. Hoard. 

    Cassette Roulette John Cameron Mitchell and Amber Martin

    Songs covered will be from notable works directed by John Cameron Mitchell, such as the films Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Big River and The Secret Garden and his musical Anthem: Homunculus. Amber Martin is performing works derived from roles played and paying tribute to some characters part of her casted roles during her acting career. 

    Their vibrant stage acts are planned to be continued in 90-minute shows, designated for a smaller range of audiences, at Joe’s Pub on Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 19, Feb. 26. Each will start at 6:30p.m., with tickets being on sale at The Public Theater, located at 425 Lafayette Street near Astor Place in Manhattan.

    Tickets for the Cassette Roulette Residency at Joe’s Pub can be bought on the Public Theater website.

  • Ladies Love Cool Jazz: LL Cool J Reimagined

    Following his collaborative album with the legendary Eric B. & Rakim, Jonathan Hay and company have decided to tackle another iconic artist from the golden era of New York hip-hop and reimagine it as jazz. This time around, the billboard charting Hay and co. will look to channel hip hop’s first superstar, LL Cool J, into a 14-track jazz album of quintessential LL songs. Slated for a January 13-14 release (LL’s birthday), LL Cool Jazz, will look to repeat the success of Follow the Leader (Reimagined As Jazz), which spent 11-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Jazz charts.

    LL Cool J
    LL Cool Jazz will reimagine hip hop’s first superstar

    Ladies Love Cool Jazz

    Jazz music and hip hop have long been distant cousins, with both genres rooted in similar strife. Despite the generational gap, rap music’s edginess was built on the back of Jazz’s more controlled chaos. In light, hip hop’s rhythms could not exist without the Jazz Symphonies to inspire it.

    Similarly, Jazz runs deep in LL Cool J’s blood. His grandfather was a saxophonist and helped jumpstart a young LL. “They embraced me, they built me up. They made me believe in myself,” LL said of his grandparents, with his trademark bravado leading him all the way to a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.

    Like all of our music, when Rakim and I first sat down to write and record Follow the Leader, we took inspiration from our Jazz icons in creating its signature sound,

    – Eric B revealed in promotion for their collaboration with Hay.

    Moreover, LL is no stranger to hip hop and jazz working synonymously. The Rick Rubin produced single “Going Back to Cali” — released over 34 years ago on Def Jam Records — showed the versatility of a young LL. The song opens with a memorable jazz and horn intro, along with a saxophone solo, something completely different for hip-hop at the time. 

     Recording sessions for LL Cool Jazz will take place in Brooklyn, with some of the final step mixing at Quad Studios in Manhattan. Additionally, the album will be distributed through Fat Beats Records.

    LL Cool J is a true pioneer who changed the sound of modern music as we know it. I can’t wait for the world to hear LL Cool Jazz. Now that the pandemic is in our rearview, our team is back on the road with its aggressive mission of bringing back jazz music to pop cultural relevance. What I’ve learned so far on this journey is that ladies love cool jazz, so it’s appropriate that we are reimagiing hip-hop’s first sex symbol.

    – Jonathan Hay

  • Fake Dad Release Alt-pop Single “New Machines”

    Brooklyn alt-pop duo Fake Dad have just announced their newest aesthetic release “New Machines” out on November 10th. The single is dreamy yet electrifying, overall capturing the nostalgic experience of younger generations who have grown up in a world characterized by tragedy and fear. 

    Fake Dad Release Alt-pop Single "New Machines"

    This particular single reflects on global stressors like climate crisis, “New Machines” channels a care-free sound reflective of the consistent lack of seriousness society seems to meet very real issues with. “New Machines” is also a powerful follow-up to their most recent single, “Painkiller,” that caught the attention of esteemed indie music tastemakers like Ones to Watch and A1234, who premiered the single.  

    “We hope that the upbeat sound on New Machines is motivating and empowering to anyone feeling dejected, anxious, and emotionally burdened. Most of all, we hope this makes every listener feel a little less alone in this scary mess of a world.”

    – Fake Dad

    Fake dad fans still obsess over their anthemic June single“How Do I Cry?,” which landed itself on eight major Spotify editorial playlists like All New Indie and Indie Arrivals. Fake dad release some of the most aesthetic songs and share their conceptual ideas with their listeners. Thus, their newest single “New Machines,” which is dreamy yet electrifying with a nostalgic taste, will surely do that.

    Fake Dad Release Alt-pop Single "New Machines"

    Fake dad, also known as Andrea de Varona and Josh Ford, have made music together in their studio apartment since 2018. The duo had designated their roles within the band and have worked with a variety of up and coming artists. Both artists come from different musical backgrounds, but they do share one common goal. And that goal is to create something that understands the listener. Both Andrea and Josh wanted to create music that comforted people, especially if the listener had a rough day in life, stated in a previous article from NYS Music.

    To listen to Fake dad’s newest release “New Machines,” click the link to Soundcloud here.

    And to read more about Fake dad from NYS Music, click the link here.