The
Album:
After much hard work, DaVinci is excited to finally release his debut album, The Day The Turf Stood Still. Steadily building momentum for this album with a series pre-album leaks and singles, culminating in the release of DaVinci's "What You Finna Do" video to much acclaim, the Fillmore District emcee's album is available, starting today, both for free download and purchase via SWTBRDS Creative Collective.
DaVinci's music resonates with the authenticity of life experiences. "The Day The Turf Stood Still is the soundtrack for gentrification and urban renewal," says DaVinci. "I want to capture the mental state of generations of minorities struggling to preserve and revitalize the last breath of culture we have." Key to DaVinci's message is the spectrum of messages he touches on throughout the album. More than just dark and heavy tough-talk, DaVinci also sheds light and involves listeners in the essence of hoping for a better tomorrow. One part Cornell West, one part Geto Boys' Scarface, DaVinci embraces the potential contradictions of his messages in a way that delivers his words to listeners in a powerful way.
Despite being the rapper's official debut album, both DaVinci and his label, the Bay Area SWTBRDS Creative Collective wanted to remain both innovative and realistic in how they introduce DaVinci to the masses. With the option of offering the album for sale only and potentially limiting DaVinci's reach, the label and artist have instead opted to release the album both through traditional means as well as for free download. SWTBRDS' Al Jieh explains, saying, "DaVinci is a new artist, so we want to be humble and realistic with how we present him, as well as introduce ourselves, and do so in the best possible way. From there it's up to the fans to decide how they want to support the project, whether that be downloading the album and sharing the link with friends or purchasing the album - hopefully both."
To Download DaVinci's The Day The Turf Stood Still, please visit: http://www.swtbrds.com/davinci
Alt Link:
http://swtbrds.bandcamp.com/album/the-day-the-turf-stood-still
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 now available, released March 9, 2010 via SWTBRDS Creative Collective. |
