The
Song:
It's no surprise that Fillmore District MC DaVinci was recently tapped by Atlanta-based production team SMKA to contribute a track for their latest compilation, The 808 Experiment: Vol. 3. Since the release of his debut album, The Day The Turf Stood Still, in 2010, the skilled lyricist has been in high demand and busy putting the final touches on his new EP, Feast Or Famine, and LP, The MOEna Lisa, dropping this year, not to mention appearing on a variety of collaborations, including a recent track for Southern Hospitality with G-Side MC ST 2 Lettaz.
But first, DaVinci lent his efforts to SMKA's annual 808 Experiment mixtape. The project, which started as a local mixtape to highlight Atlanta-based MCs, has evolved into a highly-anticipated showcase of some of the finest rising and established artists, and for Vol. 3, DaVinci is featured with a gang of other artists, including Jackie Chain, Bobby Creekwater, Rittz, Young Scolla, STS, X.O. (of Diamond District, and more. SMKA's 808 Blake held down production throughout the project.
"Slide Through" is DaVinci's Bay Area-themed contribution to The 808 Experiment: Vol. 3. "I got the instrumental sent to my phone while I was riding around and I was instantly inspired," explains DaVinci. "It just put me in a good mood and reminded me of my everyday grind, so that's what came through in the song." And while DaVinci isn't always heard over bass booming 808-laced production, fans can expect to hear much more in the future, and SMKA's production fit the vibe DaVinci was going for perfectly. "SMKA's beats sound like a cross between that Atlanta and Bay Area," says DaVinci. "Two completely different scenes, but there are a lot creative similarities."
Fans in Atlanta will also be able to catch DaVinci and a number of the other artists features on The 808 Experiment: Vol. 3 as SMKA celebrates the release of the new project on April 30th, 2011 at The Loft in Atlanta, GA.
Download DaVinci's track "Slide Through" Prod. by SMKA here:
http://media.audibletreats.com/DaVinci-Slide_Through_Prod_SMKA.mp3
For more information on DaVinci please contact Michelle or Dan at Audible Treats.
The
Background:
The Fillmore District has bred more rappers per capita than any other district in San Francisco, and although the older generations recall its rich musical history rooted in Jazz, the Fillmore today is rife with drugs, turf wars, and
mass gentrification. DaVinci, a young MC raised in the Fillmore, is a prime example of the duality of this area, who at the age of 13 was homeless, hungry, and hopeful for a way out. Explains DaVinci, "My music has everything to do with my environment: from
robbing, killing, pimpin' to selling and abusing drugs," he explains about his heavy content. "It's a direct reflection of what my friends and family have been through and are still going through." While his story is similar to many other young rappers’ upbringings, DaVinci was surrounded by an incredible pool of Fillmore talent and by studying with the greats, he was able to sharpen his skills and aim higher than most, cultivating his story-telling abilities beyond mere drug-and-gun-talk. Growing up in the same 10-block radius as Bay Area rap legends San Quinn and JT the Bigga Figga, DaVinci was content in merely watching the next generation follow in
their footsteps, until he received overwhelming praise from his peers from a mixtape appearance, which then prompted him to pursue rap professionally. In 2006, San Quinn welcomed him onto the "Pressure Makes Diamonds Tour" with rap veterans Xzibit and Tech N9ne. Since the tour, DaVinci has kept busy appearing on numerous mixtapes and compilations, as well as preparing his official debut album, The Day The Turf Stood Still. The Day The Turf Stood Still is available now via SWTBRDS Creative Collective.
SWTBRDS
Background:
SWTBRDS (pronounced Sweetbreads) is a Bay Area-based record label that exemplifies the raw, rare and boutique qualities of its namesake. Founded in 2009, it houses rapper, DaVinci, renaissance DJ, Prince Aries, DJ + rapper duo StreetMedia, as well as the dynamic production team, Drums & Ammo, featuring the collective musical work of producers Ammbush, REL, Al Jieh and 6Fingers. Their first release was the self-titled StreetMedia LP, followed by Adrian Champion Presents: Stars & Stripes - The White Stripes Reimagined in Winter & Spring of 2009. Their most recent release was The Day The Turf Stood Still by DaVinci, his debut album, which received critical acclaim from publications such as Pitchfork.com, Wax Poetics, SF Weekly, XLR8R, Ozone Magazine, URB.com, and more. With a diverse release schedule on the horizon, SWTBRDS kicks 2011 off with Prince Aries' Clean Ass Whip mixtape, an ode to West Coast Hip-Hop's cruising aesthetic, dropping in May 2011. Soon to follow are DaVinci’s Feast or Famine EP and The MOEna Lisa LP, Drums & Ammo, Vol. 1, the self-titled first installment of a new instrumental series, REL's sophomore solo instrumental album, The Orchestration 2, Ammbush's solo artist EP, and StreetMedia's sophomore album.
Stay up-to-date at http://www.swtbrds.com/, http://twitter.com/swtbrds, and http://www.facebook.com/SWTBRDS.
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