Opio - "Don Julio"
06.26.2008
"Down by the schoolyard with the Don Julio"
The Song:
Exercising his deviant mental muscle over intoxicating chords, Opio draws another fresh single and video from his bottomless brown paper bag with "Don Julio." A hilarious twist of Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard," "Don Julio" finds Mr. Opio at the same location, swigging from the bottle. The combination of wit and hypnotic production may create drowsiness in the listener as well- prepare to cut your head nodding to 1⁄2 time.
In the video, Opio floats in and out of the two realms where he holds the throne: hip-hop ("mostly clockin' shows or I'm in the damn studio") and party ("down by the school yard with the Don Julio"). In a true slice of life, Don Julio sees Opio hit the stage and the blunts with equal passion. With 4 videos complete on an album yet to be released, Opio shows no signs of weakness as the buzz builds over Vulture's Wisdom Vol. 1.
The Background:
As a teen, Opio hooked up with local rappers Tajai and A-Plus, whom he met through Casual, another emcee who was Opio's classmate and neighbor. The three instantly clicked and began recording together, soon adding fourth emcee Phesto Dee, to form the group Souls of Mischief. Together with Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Domino, and Pep Love, the legendary crew Hieroglyphics was born. Opio has always done double duty for Hiero as both an emcee and producer. Opio's recent production credits include the track "Naked Fonk" from Del's recent 11th Hour. Opio's first solo effort, 2005's Triangulation Station, moved over 20,000 units. Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1 is the first chapter of a forthcoming trilogy from Opio. All three albums are produced by Oakland-based The Architect and will be released on Hiero Imperium records.
Opio will be touring this summer and fall in support of the album with Hieroglyphics. Dates available here.
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Web editors please contact Nora (nora (at) audibletreats.com), print editors please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Opio.
Streams:
"Don Julio"
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Opio/DonJulio.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fng1VtMPU4k
"Some Superfly Sh!t"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Opio-Some_Superfly_Shit.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3cgjhzdjIg
"Stop The Press"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Opio-Stop_The_Press.mp3
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gWj_GMQOoqc
Kanye, John Mayer & Just Blaze gives props to Souls of Mischief
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyW37_-WAug
Bio, pictures, and streams available here:
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Opio
Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/opiolindsey
Hiero MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/hieroglyphics
David Flores:
http://www.davidfloresart.com/
Label site:
http://www.hieroglyphics.com