2008 Woodie Awards
Unsigned artists in efforts to push past MySpace fame
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
To many incognito artists, television and radio are the on-air mansions reserved for the contract-penned musicians. However, a high roller spot on MTV's TRL or a line of fanatic girls doesn't necessarily need to be achieved with quality goods. These days, a sticky gimmick and a crack-laced hook form the foundation of a career gone in 60 seconds, but a career nonetheless.
Over the years, MySpace has become a haven for unsigned, genre-breaking newcomers pushing to have just one poster outside 1515 Broadway. Although some are born stale, many acts brew fresh-faced, value-heavy music begging to be listened to. These charmed two proved their worth.
Outasight
myspace.com/iamoutasight
"People say hip hop is dead, but I feel as if I'm bringing it to a new place." This statement sounds like heavy PR backwash, but coming from rapper/singer Outasight, there may just be some truth to it. Outasight's music appears to be untainted and unhinged by the music industry's public affairs with whoring synthesizers and dollar lyrics. Settling well into the re-birthed genre of alternative hip hop, Outasight's vocals sound like campy Gym Class Heroes leader Travis McCoy, coasting along the echoing throat of Adam Levine. In his MySpace favorite "Good Evening," an old school authenticity drips from hazy production reminiscent of the late J. Dilla, while whimsy, laundered verses reflecting life dreams gently tug at rhyme and song.
Although he's riding solo for now, Outasight offers free online delivery of his five-track EP, Employee of the Year. In addition to opening for artists such as Me'Shell Ndegeocello and Dead Prez, the native New Yorker will be performing at the fifth annual Brooklyn Peace Fair (April 25) as well as The Village Underground (May 8).
Vamoose
myspace.com/vamooseishere
For those tired of waiting years for Outkast's Andre and Big Boi to go half on a record, consider Vamoose your new favorite substitute. The ebony and ivory duo, a.k.a. Old Boy (Archie Ekong) and Everiman (Wade Allain-Marcus) struck a match at the college underground headquarters, New York University.
Matching snarky spins with jazz-lined classics, Vamoose frames their music around pipe-friendly production, low in rehashed virile lyricism. On the swagger puffin' anthem "Step Out," equilibrium peeks with Everiman's jocular rhymes cleanly sprinting down aged sax measures to meet Old Boy's sly, comfy flow stoned on bluesy notes.
Over the years, MySpace has become a haven for unsigned, genre-breaking newcomers pushing to have just one poster outside 1515 Broadway. Although some are born stale, many acts brew fresh-faced, value-heavy music begging to be listened to. These charmed two proved their worth.
Outasight
myspace.com/iamoutasight
"People say hip hop is dead, but I feel as if I'm bringing it to a new place." This statement sounds like heavy PR backwash, but coming from rapper/singer Outasight, there may just be some truth to it. Outasight's music appears to be untainted and unhinged by the music industry's public affairs with whoring synthesizers and dollar lyrics. Settling well into the re-birthed genre of alternative hip hop, Outasight's vocals sound like campy Gym Class Heroes leader Travis McCoy, coasting along the echoing throat of Adam Levine. In his MySpace favorite "Good Evening," an old school authenticity drips from hazy production reminiscent of the late J. Dilla, while whimsy, laundered verses reflecting life dreams gently tug at rhyme and song.
Although he's riding solo for now, Outasight offers free online delivery of his five-track EP, Employee of the Year. In addition to opening for artists such as Me'Shell Ndegeocello and Dead Prez, the native New Yorker will be performing at the fifth annual Brooklyn Peace Fair (April 25) as well as The Village Underground (May 8).
Vamoose
myspace.com/vamooseishere
For those tired of waiting years for Outkast's Andre and Big Boi to go half on a record, consider Vamoose your new favorite substitute. The ebony and ivory duo, a.k.a. Old Boy (Archie Ekong) and Everiman (Wade Allain-Marcus) struck a match at the college underground headquarters, New York University.
Matching snarky spins with jazz-lined classics, Vamoose frames their music around pipe-friendly production, low in rehashed virile lyricism. On the swagger puffin' anthem "Step Out," equilibrium peeks with Everiman's jocular rhymes cleanly sprinting down aged sax measures to meet Old Boy's sly, comfy flow stoned on bluesy notes.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Spade.Music
posted 6/13/08 @ 8:02 PM EST
I go by the stage name Spade.Music. I really feel what they are saying. I work all the time. So its hard for me to travel on tour and spend all kinds of cash that I dont have to create a stable fan base. (Continued…)
Frank
posted 9/01/08 @ 2:23 AM EST
yeah dats true.. check out my music www.187mafia.com
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