“...youth of color such as those making up The Usual Suspects, are often the first ones suspected of committing crimes. The Usual Suspects, as well as many of the artists they collaborate and perform with, see such inter-racial and inter-ethnic collaboration as one of the ways to fight against such scapegoating. It’s also a way to build greater social alliances to overcome the divisions that separate, rather than unify, those that often need to unite the most. Staying true both to where they’re from and where they’re at, all of these artists have a definite sense of where they’re going.” -- Justin Schell.
Hip Hop, in the decades since it’s beginnings, has come to be recognized globally as the voice of urban youth. It is with this voice, that modern youth throughout the globe have chosen to express themselves and their unique identities, and the realities which define them, in their own distinct way, utilizing all the elements of Hip Hop. This has undeniably enriched hip-hop as a culture and contributed greatly to it's evolution towards the brilliant point it has reached today; consisting of a variety of styles and flavors. A true embodiment of the vibrant diversity that can be found contemporarily in Hip Hop, is a fresh young new group based out of South Minneapolis, Minnesota known as The Usual SuspectS.
Officially formed in the spring of 2007, The Usual SuspectS consist of MC FREE ONE, born in Mogadishu, Somalia, DJ JUST NINE, born in Osaka, Japan as well as GREAZY GREEZ and AK LIBRETTO, born in North and South Minneapolis respectively. Coming together across cultural divides, The Usual SuspectS unite to create a unique, natural, and harmonious sound that reflects their Mexican, Somali, Japanese, Native-American and African-American backgrounds. With their raw brand of true-to-life music blended with social substance and a raw high-energy live show reminiscent of the Silver and Golden Era Hip Hop of the late 80s and early 90s they grew up on, The Usual SuspectS have no problem setting themselves apart from the pack.
In their debut release, The Awakening Mix Tape, The Suspects deliver a soulful sampling of songs built on smooth soundscapes and gritty drum breaks, reflecting on the life of youth of color in South Minneapolis. Touching on a wide range of pertinent topics, such as violence in the inner-city, police brutality and immigrant rights, they give voice to their respective communities and represent the message with a fun wholesome flavor. The Awakening is a 16 song journey through the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys and celebrations of everyday life in the community that everyone can relate to, mixed all the way through, with cold cuts and blends. Uncanny of a groups so young, The Usual SuspectS are building momentum and aim to use their music as a means of communicating in the universal discourse that Hip-Hop has become and spread their message of Peace, Love and Power, throughout the world.
The next step in our Sonic Transformations series is only a few weeks away. Mario's Keller Bar is an excellent venue, with some fantastic German beers. For this show, we will be playing quite a bit of funky, bluesy and soulful music. We will also have live video. It will be an adventure! We'd love it if you'd come down, listen and party with us :)
Here's the info:
Thursday, December 10th Mario's Keller Bar 2300 University Ave NE Minneapolis, MN 55418 9pm / $5 / 18+
Mark this on your calendar. This Friday September 11th @ the Blue Nile. 2-4-1's from 8-10pm. Drink specials all night and special performance by Budah Tye. Come and support the movement. Live Reggaeton and Hip-Hop. Free t-shirt & hats giveaways from Stack Duckets
OPEN YOUR EYES BEFORE YOU DIE, AND BEFORE ALL YOUR LIBERTIES ARE STRIPPED AWAY
TO THE POINT WHERE ALL YOU SEE IS SOLIDERS ON THE STREETS, TELLING YOU WHAT TO DO.
SAY NO THE NEW WORLD ORDER, THE SWINE FLU VACCINE, AND GIVING UP YOUR RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH
END THE FEDERAL RESERVE, LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN AT WHO REALLY CONTROLS YOUR LIFE
OBAMA IS THE FRONT MAN, A PUPPET, THERE TO TRICK YOU INTO BELIEVING HELL MAKE THINGS BETTER WHEN HE CANT DO SHIT!
DONT LET THE GOVERNMENT OR MEDIA FOOL YOU ANYMORE, ALL THEY DO IS LIE
GET INFORMED & TAKE YOUR COUNTRY BACK AND STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS AS A HUMAN!!
PEACE & LOVE
I just wanted to stop by to say hello and give you a little update on what Blood Root Mother is up to! We will be recording an EP of new music in August, and we recently finished recording a live DVD. The DVD is currently unreleased and I actually just saw it for the first time a few days ago. It features the last two performances with Tony Ellis still alive, and some footage from the tribute show we played on the night of his funeral.
There are some cool covers, as well as some NEW music that will be on our upcoming EP. We're very excited about the new music and we'd like to share a sneak peak with you. Here's a video of a new tune called Run Bobby Run:
Hey I just wanted to show my appreciation for you accepting my add request. Hopefully you will get a chance to listen to the music. If you do let me know what you think. hit me up sometime and let me know what's up with you.
Blood Root Mother will be playing at Trocaderos in Minneapolis on Friday, June 26th. I cannot stress enough how awesome this show will be!! We're playing with three of the sweetest local rock bands: Claret, Niobium and Casanatra. If you haven't heard these guys, check them out immediately! Please come to this show!!
I recommend stopping by during happy hour for two for one drinks along with free buffet, which is delicious. We'll be hanging out at Trocs all night, so come by and chill/party with us :)
Again, here's the event info:
Friday, June 26th Trocaderos 107 3rd Ave N Minneapolis, MN 18+ // $6 // 8pm
Please come out and support some great local music!! Music starts at 9:30pm, we should go on around midnight. Invite your friends, pile into a car (or a party bus), and together we will make this one of the highlights of the summer :)
HIGH VIBE ENT. & NGP PRESENT KINKY FRIDAY LINGERIE NIGHT. THIS EVENT WILL BE ON JUNE 26. DOORS OPEN FROM 10PM TO 2AM. $10 BUCKS ALL NIGHT AND THIS IS A 18+ EVENT. THERE'S GONNA BE A VERY SEXY LINGERIE CONTEST GOING ON. 10 SEXY LADIES AND ONLY ONE WINNER FOR $300 BUCKS. THE CROWD WILL BE THE JUDGE OF THIS CONTEST. WITH SPECIAL GUEST MODEL FROM HIGH VIBE ENT. MS. JASMINE AND HIGH VIBE ENT. VERY OWN DJ THE ROCKSTAR DJ JAMNI. 3 SEXY HOT NGP GOGO DANCERS. DRINK SPECIALS 2-FOR-1 BOTTLES, $3 DOMESTICS, AND $5 YOU CALL IT! ALL TIL 10:30PM AND LADIES GET IN FREE TIL 10:30PM. WE GOT DRINKS AND PASS GIVE AWAY. BOOK YOUR TABLES ASAP CAUSE THERE AINT TO MANY TABLES. VIP: 612-483-3200 INFO: 612-455-2525