MP3 Prophecy Sounds - Surreal

Hip Hop music. Surreal is a compilation with a wide variety of styled lyricists. Everything from Old School, Battling to Political Hip Hop.

23 MP3 Songs
HIP HOP/RAP: East Coast, HIP HOP/RAP: Rap



Details:
PROPHECY SOUNDS
"SURREAL"
With his debut "Surreal," producer Prophecy, the head of Prophecy Sounds, offers listeners a glimpse into the Central California hip-hop scene, with his beats providing the soundscape as a number of emcees demonstrate the central San Joaquin Valley's versatility.
The 23-track compilation features a who's who of the Valley's hip-hop scene, including members of the Basement, Neighborhood Watch, Tribalife, Nophuralmindz and solo emcee Populus. C-Phu, a Bay Area rapper,brings some additional flavor to the compilation. DJ Pree and DJ Kury also provide their turntable expertise.
Two years in the making, "Surreal" is the coming out party for beatsmith Prophecy. Known for his work with artists in the area, "Surreal" is the first body of work completely produced by Prophecy (real name: Jeff Cook), who has been producing for only two-and-a-half years.
Music has been his passion for Prophecy since he was a young child. he'd play piano along with his mother at age 3. The prospect of producing hip-hop appealed to him for years, but not until he graduated from San Francisco State and moved to Fresno, was he able to buy equipment and start experimenting with hip-hop beats. As a producer, he counts DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Hi-Tek as his influences. Musically, his taste is diverse, ranging from Prince to 2pac.
Recording for "Surreal" began in February and wrapped in July. The crop of emcees selected to spit on lives up to the albums name. The diversity is surreal. The compilation features emcees from a number of ethnic backgrounds: Latin, African American, Filipino, Iranian and Caucasian. The emcees are even diverse religiously, including Christian rappers (Neighborhood Watch) and Muslim rappers (Jihad the Crimson Guard).
Members of hip-hop crew The Basement, a Fresno favorite, are prominent on the album, appearing on nine tracks. The Basement performs up and down California and has opened for acts such as KRS-One, Black Star
and Common. Haft and Iron Sheik both have solo tracks, they also record together as Jihad the Crimson Guard. Fellow Basement emcee Trunks the Hypnotic makes an appearance on "Notebook Art."
The Neighborhood Watch crew also makes a strong impression on the album, with the bouncy group cut "Icy Hot." Group members Chuck Dimes and Nomadic also make solo appearances. Neighborhood Watch is also a favorite in the Valley's hip-hop scene. Nomadic has released three well-received albums while Chuck Dimes and Boney Beezly have dropped popular EPs recently.
Fresno veterans Tribalife make their presence felt on four tracks. Two group tracks and solos from group members Al duMaurier and Geenuistick. Tribalife has recorded with Fresno legend Planet Asia and performed on the MTV program, "The Cut."
Wordplay expert Populus drops by on "The Countdown." Prophecy credits Populus for introducing him to many of the emcees on the compilation. Populus has released the albums "Able Since Prenatal" and "Too Tired To Die" with "Things are Looking Up" on the way.
All in all, "Surreal" isn't just a title. It's the best adjective to describe the album. It's rare to find a CD with such a diverse group of emcees that represent a single area so well. You have Prophecy Sounds to thank for that.