New Free EP Features Mistah F.A.B., IamSu!, Roach Gigz, Shady Blaze, DaVinci, Zumbi, More
The EP:
Today, SMKA, in conjunction with Thizzler On The Roof and C4 Belts, is releasing their new free EP, Darkest Before Dawn. The nine-track EP, which pairs SMKA production with some of the Bay Area's brightest rap stars - names like Mistah F.A.B., IamSu!, Roach Gigz, DaVinci, Shady Blaze, Zumbi (of Zion I), and more - is available to fans for free download.
The partnership of Atlanta's SMKA production crew with artists from the Bay Area came from a desire to work with new artists that was born from a conversation with the folks over at Thizzler On The Roof. "We love working on compilations based around certain regions," says Mike Walbert of SMKA. "We really just set out to create some dope music, and we're fans of music coming out of The Bay."
For Thizzler, the opportunity to partner with an established, highly-talented production crew was an equally exciting opportunity, as they served as A&R's for the project, pairing together some of The Bay's brightest talent, who don't always find themselves under a national spotlight. In fact, it's that lack-of-spotlight that led to the EP's title. "The name itself came from the idea that the Bay doesn't get a lot of attention - it's in the darkness," says Matt Werner, of Thizzler. "But there's so much talent in the music scene here that it's inevitable that the dawn will come soon."
That talent shines throughout Darkest Before Dawn, with not only a talented cast of artists, but also a series of collaborative pairings - Young Gully & Shady Blaze; DaVinci & DB Tha General; Roach Gigz & IamSu! – that fans haven't heard before. "There are so many artists who have similar styles, and some who are even from the same area of The Bay but had never met before," says Werner, noting a hope that these initial collaborations will grow into something more. "We could tell they'd have a synergy, and we hope it'll turn into future collaborations for them down the road."
Excited by the buzz the album has already created, Thizzler and SMKA are excited for what lies ahead, including a release show celebration next week at A3C that will feature performances from IamSu!, Roach Gigz, Young Gully, NhT Boyz, and more - all of which leads to the ultimate shared goal for SMKA and Thizzler: to make great music and shed light on talented artists. "Releasing Darkest Before Dawn is only the beginning," says Werner. "The most important thing is making the most of the opportunities that come out of it and making sure the artists involved continue to get shine outside of the Bay Area in any way possible."
Please contact Michelle or Dan if interested in talking with SMKA or Thizzler.
The
Background:
Darkest Before Dawn, executive produced by Thizzler On The Roof, is a Bay Area compilation set that features some of the most talented up and coming hip-hop artists in the Bay Area including 9 completely new tracks from 15+ different artists produced exclusively by Atlanta-based production collective SMKA.
The project was recorded over 4 months in San Francisco at 37 Hundred Studios and was filmed by Left Lane Films to capture the creative process and conception of each record.
Artists on the project include: Mistah F.A.B., Roach Gigz, DaVinci, DB The General, Erk Tha Jerk, iamsu!, Moe Green, Willie Joe, A-1, Young Gully, Shady Blaze, Symba, Zumbi, Richie Cunning, Amaar & Cousin Fik.
