2012 Artists
DOOM, real name Daniel Dumile, is an England-born American underground hip-hop artist best known for his “super villain” stage persona and unique lyrics. DOOM has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, Viktor Vaughn, King Geedorah, Metal Face, Metal Fingers, and The Super Villain. He has appeared in several collaborative projects such as Danger Doom (with Danger Mouse) and Madvillain (with Madlib).
Ghostface Killah is co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success. Ghostface Killah debuted his solo career with Ironman in 1996, which was well received by music critics. He has continued his success over the following years with critically acclaimed albums such as Supreme Clientele (2000) and FishScale (2006). His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film Mystery of Chessboxing.
N.O.R.E. rose to fame as part of the duo Capone-N-Noriega (a.k.a. C-N-N) with the release of their debut album, The War Report in 1997. It was a commercial and critical success. The album received praise for using the traditional grimy boom-bap sound of classic New York City hip hop, which at that time was falling out of favor to a more pop sound. Following the release of the album. His solo debut, N.O.R.E., went platinum. Guest performers on the album include Nas, Kool G Rap, Big Pun, and Busta Rhymes.
Scram Jones is a Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum DJ, MC and most notably, producer. He has solidified his place in the music industry working with such artists as Mariah Carey, 50-Cent and Lloyd Banks. Scram has toured the world DJing for Raekwon (o Wu-Tang Clan fame), Kool G. Rap, Noreaga, and Saigon. He has also taken his turntabling skills to countless clubs around the world. With production and MC credits on multi-platinum albums and artists ranging from R&B to Latin to Hip-Hop, Scram Jones has proved that his melodies and beats have universal appeal.
KURSA is one of the fastest rising stars among a new breed of producers from the UK. He is single-handedly responsible for Adapted Records’ (Australia) first Glitch Hop, Number 1 on Beatport with his track Machinate and continues to push his own unique take on the Neurohop sound. Remixing officially for KOAN Sound as one half of the new Vexisle project with fellow producer Asa, both KURSA and his Vexisle project continue to be a firm favorite in the sets of the scenes leaders. As well as having his original tracks remixed by artists such as Mr. Bill, Teknian, Habstrakt, Mustard Tiger, Blunt Instrument & MakO to name a few. KURSA continues to lead the way in next level underground bass music.
Styles P is a hip-hop traditionalist in an era where swag chants and on-camera spectacles weigh heavier than lyrical substance. The LOX rhymer celebrates the essence of hip-hop with his fourth proper solo album, Master of Ceremonies. Early in his life he connected with songs like Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message,” which personified his ruthless streets and sparked a need to rock the mic. Rap was equally alluring, especially after meeting fellow lyricists Sheek and Jadakiss in school. He teamed with the tandem spitters—already a duo—to form The Bomb Squad. Changing their moniker to The LOX, the group made a thud on the mainstream. Their 2000 album, We Are The Streets, solidified Styles, Sheek and Jada as rap’s most respected street poets. Styles P dropped his critically raved 2002 solo debut, A Gangster and a Gentleman. Other albums include Time Is Money and Super Gangster. With Master of Ceremonies, just released in October, Styles makes a return to a softer rap game in need a shake-up. It continues his tradition of hard, New York-centric tracks, emphasizing grade-A lyricism and street-conscious perspective.
Shamanic Technology has had an amazing 2012 so far, with releases on Adapted Records, BeGreen Records and Tycho Records, and forthcoming releases with Street Ritual, Substruk and Beta Test. This bass shaman has found himself with DJ sets and live showcases across the UK festival circuit and beyond. He’s made regular guest appearances on Glitch FM as well as performing at the legendary Burning Man festival for a monumental five sets. There’s no sign of ST slowing down his assault on the global bass music scene. His music continues to gain an international following with support from Sticky Buds, Blunt Instrument, Freefall Collective, Mouldy Soul and many more.
Lone Striker is a DJ and producer from Amsterdam and a resident and founder of Rebellion in Amsterdam. Rebellion is a fast growing name in the Amsterdam underground house scene. With parties, festival area hosting, a weekly radio show called Rebel Radio and their recording studio, they are a breeding ground for fresh talent and a haven for music lovers. Lone Striker has been around under various guises. As JP he is part of the infamous HQ and Dance Valley crew and helped building the Amsterdam House scene to what it is today.