Skillz – The Million Dollar Backpack Album Sampler

http://www.zshare.net/audio/1494431112437326/

http://www.myspace.com/skillz

Opio – “Stop The Press”/ MySpace Album Preview

Alert! Drop by MySpace this week and you can listen to an exclusive full album stream of Opio’s Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume 1!

The Song & Video:

Spooky, funky, and psychedelic – producer Architect crafts the perfect beat for Opio’s lyrics on “Stop the Press.” True to his classic, time-tested style, the verse is a laid-back testament to the true emcees that have been standouts of the underground for years. “Pencil neck geeks and pip squeaks is mince meat / hacky sack and frisbee now you wanna MC? / You ain’t halfway creative, a sideshow oddity / the math I relay keep ya mind blown constantly,” he rhymes. For the video, masks and shadowy effects add to the beat’s disorienting dark vibes and intimidating tone, while still continuing the wisdom of experience that after all these years can still craft the highest quality rhymes.

Check the video.

The Background:

As a teen, Opio hooked up with local rappers Tajai and A-Plus, whom he met through Casual, another emcee who was Opio’s classmate and neighbor. The three instantly clicked and began recording together, soon adding fourth emcee Phesto Dee, to form the group Souls of Mischief. Together with Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Domino, and Pep Love, the legendary crew Hieroglyphics was born. Opio has always done double duty for Hiero as both an emcee and producer. Opio’s recent production credits include the track “Naked Fonk” from Del’s recent 11th Hour. Opio’s first solo effort, 2005’s Triangulation Station, moved over 20,000 units. Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume 1 is the first chapter of a forthcoming trilogy from Opio. All three albums are produced by Oakland-based The Architect and will be released on Hiero Imperium records.

Opio will be touring this summer and fall in support of the album with Hieroglyphics. Dates available here.

N.E.R.D to Perform at HARD NYE!!!

LOS ANGELES — Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger. HARD returns with the Summer Music Festival, going down July 19, 2008 at the Shrine Expo Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

The inaugural event, HARD NYE, made headlines as the New Year rang in with headliners Justice, Peaches and 2 Live Crew. This summer’s all-night spectacular will include 2 stages and boast a genre-bending line-up, featuring N.E.R.D, MSTRKRFT, Spank Rock, Kid Sister, A-Trak, Steve Aoki, The Bloody Beetroots, Kill The Noise and many more. Terry Kennedy and friends will be in attendance at the HARD Mini Street Park. If you thought NYE was impressive, prepare to be destroyed this summer.