Raven emerged from humble roots in the Sierra Nevada foothills to write and rap on the cutting-edge of artistry. Using intricate, mind-expanding rhyme schemes he paints a vivid aural picture drawing upon a degree in Modern Literature from UC Santa Cruz with constant double-meanings conveyed in everyday logic intertwined with poetry. He draws both consciously and subconsciously from the myriad movers and shakers in the Santa Cruz and Bay Area hip-hop scenes with whom he converses and converges.
One decade ago as a 19-year-old senior at UCSC, Raven was at the culmination of an almost subtle transformation from lifelong poetic striving to what was unmistakably hip hop rhyme-writing. This threshold was illuminated pointedly by Gilroy California’s Nos, founding member of Paragraphics and the underground stalwart Ostrichhead Crew. Nos acquainted Raven with underground legends like Blackalicous’ first EP and Kool Keith’s Dr. Octagon. This certainly broadened Raven’s perception of the art beyond Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and Bone Thugs. Raven’s rhymes even at this stage were relentlessly multi-syllabic and complete with internal-rhyme embellishments and impressive cadence. His best friend at the time was the Fostex four-track, confessor of sins and dark fantasies. The last ten years has been a strange journey, but the road has found Raven always chiseling new edges into his game and upping his originality of flow patterns to unbelievable heights.
In 2000, fresh out of Graduate School with his Master’s in Economics from UC Santa Barbara and working at a Mountain View internet startup, Raven looked around the world of hip hop and felt the art as a guide was so lost. Any signs of life were eclipsed by a malignant tumor that encompassed any and all perception of hip hop or rap: gangsta. It was still entertaining to listen to artists like Brotha Lynch Hung, but it was getting monotonous. That’s when a graphic designer at the company showed Raven the Internet Hip Hop King of the era, Aesop Rock. He literally didn’t listen to anything else for over a month. From there, he soon discovered Sage Francis, Atmosphere, Josh Martinez, Qwel, and a more vivid sense of the art form’s potential.
There is no doubt Hip hop can be entertaining, journalistic, historical, political, revolutionary, and emotional. Raven strives to make songs that do those, and be a beacon for intelligent hip hop lovers everywhere.
Booking? Contact Audiocrats at (650) 868-6413 to have Raven rock a set at your party or venue. Multi-artist show bills with top-skilled acts from hip-hop and beyond can also be arranged through Audiocrats.
Dod Doh - Producer
Raven's newer tracks are largely on Doh Doh's beats, lush and provocative soundscapes that often chill you with a well-placed minor chord. Doh Doh brings a deep crate-digging philosophy emphasizing soul and jazz that was popular in the days of hip hop's dawning era. Combining a depth of old-school knowledge with a modern feel, Doh Doh's style breaks beats down to raw elements and recombines them into hip hop masterpieces that will grab you the moment you hear them while still revealing deeper subtleties after numerous listens.
For those who may be interested in procuring exclusive, non-exclusive, or partially exclusive rights to a beat by Doh Doh, an instrumental collection can be sent to you. Contact at Audiocrats (650) 868-6413.
24 bangin tracks all the way threw...produced by asop (living legends) , elusive , adept , xcallibur, green tooth , don pro and soooo much more... this album is truly a needle in a haystack...limited time only... dont miss out...
GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD NOW!!!!!!! "JUDGEMENT PROOF" (REVISED)24 BANGIN TRACKS (ALL THE WAY THREW).... WITH PRODUCTION PROVIDED BY/ AESOP (LIVING LEGENDS), ELUSIVE,ADEPT, XCALLIBUR,GREEN TOOTH AND SOOOOO MUCH MORE..... THIS ALBUM IS A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK....GUARENTEED... LIMITED TIME ONLY... DOWNLOAD IT FREE NOW!!!!
hey. Whatsup. Long time no see. I guess you might remember me. I kind of let you down on some business in the past, but hopefully no hard feelings. I'm in a more productive and organized position now, so hit me up and I'll reconcile everything. In the meantime, check out a couple new trax I made for my project. LAter.
Whaddup!!!
Your boy BenFlowz is at it again... This time performing live in San Jose with tha JACKA, and fellow Hip-Hop Congress homey DLabrie at Voodoo Lounge on Sunday. If you're in the area this weekend come kick it with us!! I have the cheap tickets for $5.
Peace 'n Respect.
yo Raven... I'm feelin good for tha caffeine underground, that should be a whole damn concert series.... and it's all about that positivity so the karma is there. Here's a flyer for my event this weekend in OH, it's all about the community on this one!!
If skills sold, Talib Kweli would have been one of the most commercially successful rappers of his time. As it was, however, the earnest MC became one of the most critically successful rappers of his time, which dawned in the late '90s when he rapped alongside Mos Def and DJ Hi-Tek as part of the group Black Star. This trio of up-and-comers and their widely acclaimed self-titled 1998 album debut helped make Rawkus Records one of the premier hip-hop outposts of the late '90s. In the process, they ushered in a short-lived "hip-hop" revival that took the music back to its roots, and thus away from the increasingly extreme and widespread gangsta motifs of the time.
Now Talib is gearing up to hit the road to promote his new album "Ear Drum" and Ineffable Records is proud to promote him as he brings his unique blend of conscious hip hop and crowd moving performance skills to Santa Cruz.
Tickets available online @ http://www.catalystclub.com or simply click the graphic below to buy tickets directly off the Catalyst website. It's 100% secure so get tickets for your friends too.
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