Video: Souls of Mischief – HYPETRAK There Is Only Now Interview
HYPETRAK Sits Down with Souls of Mischief & Adrian Younge For Intinmate Interview Regarding Their Forthcoming Concept Album, There Is Only Now
08.06.2014
The Video:
Following the release of their 7″ single “All You Got Is Your Word,” and video for the Snoop Dogg-featured track “There Is Only Now,” hip-hop veterans Souls of Mischief (A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai), and composer/producer Adrian Younge, teamed up with HYPETRAK to release a behind-the-scenes video on the making of their forthcoming concept album, There Is Only Now due August 26th.
The video, which was filmed at Adrian’s record store, Artform Studios in LA, peels back the curtain on the unorthodox creation of the album and the recording process. Inspired by a near-fatal incident in 1994 involving group members A-Plus, Opio, Tajai, and Phesto early in their careers, the album’s unique and cinematic crime tale creatively and expertly weaves stories of love, loss, and revenge throughout the album, similarly in nature to a blaxploitation film. Reflecting on the album’s loose and abstract timeline Phesto states, “the album is talking about transcending the present, representing what’s happening in the here and now.” The video also features reveals how Souls linked up with Adrian to start the conversation of doing this album together and Adrian’s methodical approach of mirroring the plot changes of the story with the music, much like a film score.
There Is Only Now will be released August 26, 2014 and will be the group’s sixth studio album in a career that spans over 20 years. The album was produced entirely by Adrian Younge and will serve as the inaugural release for his newly launched label, Linear Labs. In addition to Snoop, the album includes features from Busta Rhymes, William Hart of The Delfonics, and Scarub of the Living Legends crew and narration by Ali Shaheed Muhammad who embodies the character of a radio DJ for the fictional radio station K-NOW, as he narrates parts of the story.
Souls of Mischief are also performing the album in its entirety alongside Ali Shaheed Muhammed, Adrian Younge’s band Venice Dawn, The Pharcyde, Blue & Exile, Phife Dawg, DJ Rhettmatic, House Shoes and more, September 4th at The Mayan Theater in Los Angeles. You can buy tickets here.
Watch the HYPETRAK interview here: http://hypetrak.com/2014/08/hypetrak-tv-souls-of-mischef-adrian-younge-til-infinity/
The album is available for pre-order in several formats: CD, digitally, double-LP, and cassette tape. All formats, including the 7″ vinyl that features the title track on the A-side and “All You Got Is You Word” on the B-side are available here: http://linearlabsmusic.com/store.php
iTunes pre-order link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/id890335149
Souls of Mischief Background:
Starting with their landmark debut ’93 ‘til Infinity, Oakland’s four-person rap group Souls of Mischief has blazed the trail for hip hop’s evolution. Members Tajai, A-Plus, Phesto, and Opio have left their mark sonically, lyrically, and stylistically on Kanye West, Just Blaze, Big Sean, Big K.R.I.T., P. Diddy, Vampire Weekend, John Mayer, and many more who have cited them as cultural icons and influencers. Souls is also credited as having pioneered the independent label movement when they started Hieroglyphic Imperium Records in 1997 following their departure with JIVE Records, creating the infrastructure blueprint for other successful independent hip hop labels. Co-founders of the Hiero label also include emcees Del Tha Funky Homosapien, Casual, Pep Love, and producer Domino. Souls’ also forged hip-hop’s relationship with the skate, surf, and snowboard communities after iconic skate brands included their music in their VHS videotapes in the mid-90’s. The group’s creative output and legacy as a whole continues to thrive, and they show no sign of stopping. In 2013, Souls celebrated the 20 year anniversary of ’93 til Infinity, prepped a documentary film, embarked on a 50-city “Still Infinity Tour,” and released a joint 20th anniversary limited edition tee shirt capsule collection with Ecko Unlimited. They are now prepping for the August 26th release of their sixth studio album, There Is Only Now, a cinematic collaborative effort with renowned producer Adrian Younge on Adrian’s newly launched Linear Labs record label.
Links:
official site | twitter | facebook | youtube
HYPETRAK Video Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44uBxjQmNek
“All You Got is Your Word”: https://soundcloud.com/linearlabs/07-all-you-got-is-your-word
“There Is Only Now” feat. Snoop Dogg & Ali Shaheed Muhammed: http://youtu.be/4jLqfrBrDTw
Bio, pictures & streams available here: http://www.audibletreats.com/souls-of-mischief
Linear Labs store featuring all seven formats of the album: http://linearlabsmusic.com/store.php