stajprezence(emcee)
modest(producer)
trizzak/trizzkomplex(dj)
COMMONGROUNDMOVEMENT-
L in japanese,
crash victim,
phonetic mic dundee,
zano-endless mic,
meditate.
EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS-heavycontact
Influences
public enemy, BDP, arrested development, digable planets, jeru damaja, mr.lif, MFDOOM, madlibb, nasa, people under the stairs,
stereolab, gary wilson, portishead, visionaries, blueprint, rza, crop circles,
starpeople(ET'S), science fiction, telepathy, conspiracies, cult leaders, the apocalypse, the pole shift in 2012, ben and jerry's butter pecan ice cream, marijuana, and really disturbing movies.
ABOUT STAJPREZENCE-
-----> PRELUDE EP out now!!
The Independent Weekly
FEBRUARY 7, 2007
Social Memory Complex
BY CHRIS TOENES
Social Memory Complex Prequel EP (Second Law Records)
Social Memory Complex's battle is upHill. That is, their existence is a reflection of what it means to be making rap music in a predominantly indie rock town, a town like Chapel Hill. SMC gigged locally for several months before releasing a wax single, True Light, last year. This, their nine-track Prequel EP, not only makes it easier to get inside the Complex fully, but it also makes a starter's case for a fledgling hip-hop community with bigger aspirations. Indeed, Social Memory Complex talks about life in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, as full of hilarious detail as it may be. Check the trivia: Above Modest's productions, lyrics from MC StajPrezence offer images from across town, like women wearing all black in case of the apocalypse or the really big shows at the Cat's Cradle. Rappers in the "Paris of the Piedmont," listening to deep hip-hop cuts instead of doing the boho at Weaver Street Market? "I can't afford to laugh down on society like all these rich white kids/ Consequence is just too big/ I'm already stuck behind the counter at the coffee bar/ Servin' hippy fucks with guitars," they rhyme at one point. Compared to Chapel Hillians Kaze and Spectac, who dug directly into self-reflection and their roots, and living dead's nihilism, the SMC cats go way out into Philip K. Dick's proto-cyberpunk fear-scape. There's a telling segment from "Fantastic Machines": "Worst case scenario: All of a sudden, Armageddon's downloaded with the press of an escape button." The Complex agrees with old Bill Burroughs that "A paranoid is someone who knows the facts." It's hard to ignore the cover, too, which looks like Appetite for Destruction cover artist Robert Williams getting a science-fiction novel cover commission. The art symbolizes the paranoid, futuristic thought here, like Doctor Octagon's surreal narratives. Political-minded outcries for change—those call-outs so overdone in independent hip hop today—pop up occasionally, too. But, among these observational snapshots, other jewels shine: "Fantastic Machines" uses a grimy groove and some old-style sampling to great effect, and the growling "Sirens" rambles like a squad car with axle trouble. And Modest's concise production here should push him out of the well-kept secret category: Just behind the main beat of a cut, he's prone to float a scratchy undercurrent, adding a foreboding tone or a bit of drama to the proceedings. While Social Memory Complex remain "conscious" (as reggae folk would say), here, they're testing their skills and exploring their own identities as Americans and Chapel Hill rappers.
Happy Birthday Cracker! I tried to call you this morning so that I could serenade you with a lovely birthday tune but your phone is off. Too bad. Love you darlin.
HEY JUAN !!!! It has been ages...Please check out my blog show...I am doing a MUSIC SHOW on May 9...I have an R&B guy from NC, and a New Age guy from Philippines, and a JuJu guy from Africa, all showcasing their music...If you want me to put you on PLEASE send me an MP3 of a couple of your songs...CALL ME !!!! Love ya...M.E.
hey my friend saw your profile and thinks you look hot! she is new to myspace but wants to chat with you on msn messenger her name on there is emily85white@hotmail.com
I am still phoneless, moving expenses and such have sucked me dry and I am scraping the bottom of the barrel right now. It's all good though, I'll drop you a line soon and we can catch up. Much love baby.
I was on my lovely stroll to work this morning and I was listening to Eyedea's "even shadows have shadows" and it reminded me of our days in the truck jammin out to "The Many Faces of Oliver Hart". Those were some of the best times we had, straight up rockin out to the good shit. So has the song in your back pocket burned a hole through your pants yet? I am still waiting.
Ay yo baby! What's good with ya? I was just reminiscing on the old days and I thought of you.....and of the song in your back pocket. Did you ever finish or should I say begin it? I am still waiting. Love you.