They are Tru Players, but they don't play the same way that you play. 40 Watt Hype is more than just another hip-hop group. Their trademark sound combines the sophistication of The Roots with the party atmosphere of the Black Eyed Peas with the Latin flavor of Santana, resulting in an incomparable groove full of sensuality and style.
The Fresno, CA-based band is composed of Brian Robinson (MC Vagabond), Aaron Wall (MC Awall), Enrique Gonzalas (guitar), Sean Alderette (drums), Bronson Garza (bass), Jared Dyar (percussion), Adam Infante (trombone), and David Hull (keyboard). They feature many guest horn players that help to round out the sound with a prominent layer of brass. While the hip-hop elements chill the music out, the Latin-style horns and percussion spice it up. Combining so many instruments, as well as personalities, 40 Watt Hype creates a sound that is rich with diversity.
40 Watt Hype put out their first album, Advanced Techniques in Modern Sound, in 2002, followed by 2003s Grand Unification Theory. After coming out with a live CD/DVD titled Live&Direct/Sight&Sound in 2005, the band recorded their new album Strong Feet on the Concrete (Koch 2006) with Grammy Award-winning producer Art Hodge (Santana, The Offspring, Coolio) and mastered the record at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Michael and Janet Jackson, Dr. Dre).
In addition to their impressive recording credentials, 40 Watt Hype has shared the stage with such legends such as The Roots, Fishbone, The Pharcyde and 311. They played at every San Francisco 49ers home game during the 2005-06 NFL season, as well as at the Sundance Film Festival with hip-hop heavy weight Ludacris. Their magazine presence has been heightened by features in a 2005 issue of Complex, a 2004 issue of Blender as one of 8 of the Hottest Unsigned Bands In America, and a 2004 issue of Esquire, under 10 Things Guys Should Know About Music. They were even the runner-up for Best Hip-Hop Song at the 2005 Independent Music Awards.
Describing their music with the phrase, White meets Black meets Chicano meets unity when rural-urban street talk combines with songwriting, the band accurately portrays the sincerity and sass of the blend of cultures, backgrounds, and tastes that 40 Watt Hype possesses.
Winners of "Tu Musica, Tu Ciudad" Carnaval 2008-San Francisco
Opening for The Roots at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara
Sundance Film Festival opening for Ludacris
CALIENTE! FRENCH DAY by 14 JUILLET:LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE INSIDE 40 WATT HYPE.Thx 4 ADD:YOUR INFLUENCES IS 100% POSITIVE.BIG FUN,FUNK U4 1210 Mk2:WWW. ALAINSTAN. COM
I've been pumping 40WattHype on my ipod during my cardio workout and DANG!.. it really keeps me movin'. That could be a new market for you guys :) See ya at the "Best"
Hi Sean! We're so glad to see you guys doing so great. We can't come see you tomorrow night cuz we're playing in Dinuba. have fun!!! We'll catch u next time!
awall, it has BEEN IMPOSSIBLE to reach eachother with all this damn phone tag we've been playing.
saw your bro all weekend at the city tourney.
anyways, just wanted to swing by and wish you the best on your first fathers day. i'll try to hit you up later on, but your pinché call-fowarding system that your touring manager for the worldwide tour mustve forgotten to pay the bill... lol
Hey guys! Congratulations on winning Tu Ciudad/Tu Musica. I tried to view the link but was unable to do so. Anyway, it's been a long time since I've seen you guys play and I miss you. I hope to make it to Fresno one night for a show. All the best, ~M~
hey, guys! congrats on the good news. did you get any free food? eh.. it's lunch time. i'm hungry. anyway, i'm proud of everyone. keep it up. one of these days, i'll be able to make a show. one of these days.
