Monthly Archives: February 2008

Gnarls Barkley: “Run” [ft. Justin Timberlake]

Bisc1 – “Parallels”

“It’s the laughter, the ease, and all the depressed, with the life of another you can see where you left“

The Song:

In “Parallels,” the second single from the forthcoming album When Electric Night Falls, Bisc1 explores the inherent simultaneity of everyday life, looking at how things interconnect in ways that may not be immediately apparent. With lines such as: “It’s the laughter, the ease, and all the depressed, with the life of another you can see where you left,” Bisc1 conveys the idea that while everyday people seem to live drastically different lives, further examination shows us that there are many more similarities between people than we would initially think. A simple, flowing piano part begins the track and underlies Bisc1’s soothing and yet off-kilter rhymes, all alongside an organic sounding drum beat; when the chorus hits, the piano part takes a back seat to a distinctive synthesizer line that somewhat resembles the tone of the synths on the Clockwork Orange soundtrack. After an enlightening up-and-down journey, Bisc’s suggestion “Come see what I see” wraps up the track as it drifts to a close.

The Background:

A native of Massachusetts by way of Connecticut, Bisc1 moved to NYC 10 years ago and quickly made a name for himself DJ’ing at clubs, distributing mixtapes, and in graffiti circles.  Soon, Bisc1 picked up the mic and won several battle raps including the Whose Line Is It monthly at the Knitting Factory in NYC 4 consecutive months in a row. His debut release, The Basics EP (2006), gained the favorable attention of music critics and his subsequent release, The Stay Up Project mixtape (2007) was downloaded over 5000 times.  Bisc’s penchant for capturing our chaotic reality with his narratives, images, and collaborations has earned him a reputation as one of the most honest and creative artists of today. Going beyond music, Bisc1 is also an accomplished graphic artist.  He’s done cover art, designed promotional materials and spearheaded art direction for artists such as Aesop Rock, The Perceptionists, C-Rayz-Walz, Murs, El-P, and others.  His art has been featured in several magazines and art house coffee table books and in galleries, such as Danny Simmon’s Rush Arts Gallery. When Electric Night Falls, for which Bisc did all the art direction, will be available March 11th on Embedded Music.

Bun B Teams Up With Microsoft Zune for Tour

HIP HOP LEGEND BUN B READIES FOR HIGHLY ANTICIPATED
SOPHOMORE SOLO ALBUM “II TRILL” DUE ON APRIL 29TH

CURRENTLY ON NATIONAL PROMOTIONAL TOUR,
AWARD WINNING RAPPER TEAMS UP WITH MICROSOFT ZUNE

(February XX, 2008) Hip Hop Legend Bun B and one half of the award winning duo UGK readies for the debut of his highly anticipated sophomore solo album, II Trill, which will be released on April 29th courtesy of Rap-A-Lot/Asylum.

Upon the heels of success with UGK’s 2007 seventh album release of the 26-song, two-CD set, UGK (Underground Kingz) which claimed the #1 spot in the country and presented the duo with two Grammy nominations for the soulful smash hit “Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)” featuring Outkast, Bun will finally introduce the follow-up to his critically acclaimed and Gold Certified debut solo effort, Trill which was released in 2005 and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart.

II Trill will include guest features by artists that include Lupe Fiasco, Lil Wayne, 8 Ball and MJG, David Banner, Rick Ross, Z-Ro, Mya, Mike Jones and Slim Thug. The Houston rapper also collaborated with hitmakers Mister Lee, Scott Storch, Jazzy Phae, Bigg Tyme, Black Out Movement, Clinton Sparks, Enigma and Chops to name a few.

Currently on a national promotional tour to promote II Trill and its first single, a JR Rotem produced track titled “That’s Gangsta” featuring Sean Kingston, Bun B is partnering with Microsoft Zune on a series of promotional events and programs focused on making a more direct connection with his fans through a strong presence on the road, at retail, and on Zune digital platforms. While on the road, he will be making appearances at several Boys & Girls Clubs . Bun is also a part of Zune Social, an online music community where he is able to share his experience on the road and interact with music lovers.

Fans can connect with Bun directly by visiting www.zune.net/bunb and http://social.zune.net/member/BunBIITrill.

Bun B tour dates are as follows (subject to change):

DATE CITY VENUE
Feb. 29th Fayetteville, NC The Palace
Mar. 1st Richmond, VA High Lights
Mar. 2nd Washington DC Platinum Night Club
Mar.3rd – 4th New York, NY Press/Promo
Mar. 5th Cleveland , OH Boys & Girls Club and Metropolis
Mar. 6th Indianapolis, IN Lilly Unit Boys & Girls Club
Mar. 7th Detroit, MI Zoo Bar
Mar. 8th Cincinnati, OH Club Annies
Mar. 9th – 10th Chicago, IL Venue TBA
Mar. 12th – 13th Austin, TX South by Southwest
Mar. 14th San Antonio, TX East Side Boys & Girls Club
Mar. 15th Houston, TX Club Levels
Mar. 20th Oklahoma City, OK Venue TBA
Mar. 21st Kansas City, MO Venue TBA
Mar. 22nd St. Louis, MO Mathews Dickey Boy & Girls Club
Mar. 26th-28th Los Angeles, CA Press/Promo and House of Blues
Mar. 29th San Francisco, CA Venue TBA
Mar. 30th Oakland, CA Venue TBA

ABOUT BUN B

As one half of the duo, UGK, Bun B along with his long time friend, Pimp C put the south on the map in 1988 with their first album release The Southern Way. Since then, after two decades, the Port Arthur, TX natives and award winning pair have maintained a presence in the music world with seven major label released albums, mixtapes, indie releases and cameos on numerous prominent artists’ tracks. In 2000, they made a high-profile appearance on Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin.” In 2005, Bun released his first solo album Trill. The gold-certified CD debuted at #6 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and peaked at #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Chart. Bun is currently gearing up for his sophomore solo album, II Trill which will be released April 29, 2008. For more information on Bun B, visit www.zune.net/bunb or www.myspace.com/bunbofugk.