Feb 24, 2022
(Digital Under) Grounds - Candy Rappers series
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(Digital Under) Grounds - Candy Rappers series
Digital Underground & Tupac performing on stage, 1990. Photo by Raymond Boyd
Nothing But Trouble
“DooWutchYaLike (Instrumental Dub)” by Digital Underground
personnel: Shock G. (producer, arranger, keys, handclaps, & co-drum programming, & vocals), Chopmaster J. (co-drum programming & vocals), Dj Fuze (scratches), Schmoovy Schmoov & Earl Cook (concepts), and Bret Davis, Money B., Baby Dope, Neil Johnson, Mac Mone, Bulldog, & Tanisha Spencer (vocals/talking).
Digital Underground Co-Founder Chopmaster J Drops Tribute Album to His Former 5th Grade Classmate, VP Kamala Harris and Partners with Intercept Music for Worldwide Distribution Deal
San Francisco, CA - While the country is engaged in an intense presidential campaign, musical mastermind and Digital Underground cofounder Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright, aka “Big Brutha Soul," is determined to infuse the landscape with love and joy for a brighter future. Having just survived a triple threat health scare, Chopmaster J is claiming what he calls his ‘bonus round’ of life. The hip-hop legend has partnered with Intercept Music for worldwide distribution of his vast music catalog and is releasing a tribute album, The Kamala Album, in celebration of his fifth-grade classmate, VP Kamala Harris, on the heels of what he hopes is her historical win as the first woman president of the United States. The Kamala Album is a powerfully potent selection of ten songs from Chopmaster J’s musical library, with the first release, "Alright,” serving as an uplifting sign of the times.
"The Kamala Album marks an unbelievable turning point for me personally, as well as for the nation at large. VP Kamala Harris and I attended Franklin Elementary School and were classmates in the fifth grade. I grew up and made an impact on the culture with music, while she impacted politics and is now running for the highest office in the land. Couple that with the fact that, after having survived an almost deadly fall, triple bypass surgery, and a near-death experience, I am now reuniting with a longtime industry friend, Ralph Tashjian, and partnering with his company, Intercept Music. The added detail that VP Harris, Tashjian, and I all share Bay Area roots is sweetly serendipitous to me. I am honestly embracing a new lease on life, as I feel our nation is, with the opportunity to vote the first Black woman president into office!” notes Chopmaster J. “Accompanying The Kamala Album is a roll-out of "A Girl Named Kamala" merchandise celebrating my phenomenal classmate.”
“Chopmaster J and I go back to pre-Digital Underground days. I have watched him evolve into an incredible artist. His music archives include collaborations with artists like George Clinton, Dave Hollister, 2Pac's first recordings, as well as new music projects from his son S.O.T.U. and his band, D.U.Nx.G (Digital Underground Next Generation). I’m very excited about the The Kamala Album project and believe it is a major contribution to the culture!” offers Ralph Tashjian, chairman of Intercept Music.
“Intercept Music takes pride in offering independent artists an unheralded digital platform with software and services that are unmatched in the industry. The music industry is a rapidly changing landscape and often, beyond the creative endeavor of making the music, artists are overwhelmed by the many additional duties it takes to get their art to their fans. At Intercept Music, we consider ourselves their supportive home base. We welcome Chopmaster J and look forward to unleashing all the magic that he brings to our table,” notes Tod Turner, CEO of Intercept Music.
The Kamala Album is a vibrant, Bay Area nuanced embodiment of promise, unity, hope, healing, and yes, effervescent joy. Song titles include “What's It Gonna Be?" “Over & Over,” “Berkeley Sunday,” “Moon Dotted Colored Rainbows,” “Alright.” "EWTBL,” "Spirit,” "Reprise,” “Pick & Choose,“ "And The People Say.” Each track segues with snippets from VP Harris’ speeches. Also, the previously unreleased version of the gospel-tinged "Spirit," originally featured on the Boyz In The Hood soundtrack, boasts the Bay Area’s own Tramaine Hawkins and The Interfaith Gospel Choir alongside guest artist Dave Hollister.
Check out the A Girl Named Kamala merchandise.
Tune in to Chopmaster J’s weekly podcast, “The Chop Shop,” on Pantheon Podcasts.
Chopmaster J (aka Big Brutha Soul) presents: "The Kamala Album"
Chopmaster J is a rap artist and co-founder of Digital Underground, a group with a truly unique background, tied to the early days of hip-hop and continually evolving the heritage and evolution of the genre. Today, the Digital Underground moniker consists not only of one of the founding members of the project, but also of his son, which is another amazing symbol of taking hip-hop to a new generation of fans.
However, Chopmaster J is still busy making compelling solo work, such as his most recent album new album, "The Kamala Album", is deeply tied to today’s unique political and social landscape in the US and elsewhere in the world.
This record is a powerful statement, and a reminder that artists can make a difference by making music with conviction and moral power. In addition, the sound of "The Kamala Album" is plainly and simply catchy, just great hip-hop with a true old-school flair that still retains modern dynamics. In conclusion, “The Kamala Album” isn’t just a great rap album, but a message for the world. An invitation to spreading more love, joy and inclusion through arts, music, and being yourself!
Find out more and listen:
https://www.instagram.com/chopmasterj/
https://www.instagram.com/sotunderground/
Digital Underground Co-Founder Chopmaster J Drops Tribute Album to His Former 5th Grade Classmate, VP Kamala Harris and Partners with Intercept Music for Worldwide Distribution Deal
While the country is engaged in an intense presidential campaign, musical mastermind, Digital Underground cofounder, Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright aka “Big Brutha Soul,” is determined to infuse the landscape with love and joy for a brighter future. The hip-hop legend has partnered with Intercept Music for worldwide distribution of his vast music catalog and is releasing a tribute album, “The Kamala…
Digital Underground Co-Founder Chopmaster J Survives Health Scare, Heart Surgery, and Near-Death Experience Announces New Album and Podcast with Son S.O.T.U.
Los Angeles, CA – As hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, Jimi “Chopmaster J” Dright, co-founder of the iconic group Digital Underground (DU), faced significant health challenges, causing him to miss much of the celebration. Now, as DU marks its 35th anniversary and the August 25th birthday of his late bandmate Gregory Edward Jacobs, known as Shock G or Humpty Hump, Chopmaster J is…
