Ground Up – Up Late
Ground Up are back again with yet another mixtape, Up Late. I say mixtape but it’s really a collection of original music that plays like an album and if it wasn’t hosted by DJ Don Canon probably would be regarded as such. Hot on the heels of ”Girls Who Like Cigarettes”, these guys are consistent if nothing else.
Up Late has the Ground Up sound, simplistic and often quirky production (Bij Lincs) laced with simplistic and often quirky rhymes. A great formula. With features from Freeway and Peedi Crack (obviously sticking to their Philly roots) they seem to be reaching out to a more mainstream audience. However, they have such a strong, unique style musically and lyrically they are able to retain their identity and I am grateful for that.
In a world where everyone else seems content to follow the masses Ground Up are definitely attempting to create something fresh and new.
Download Up Late and decide for yourself.
Unforgettable Performance
November 20, 2010 I found myself at a table in the audience at the Wilshire Park Plaza Hotel, nervously waiting for Heather to enter the stage.
She had been invited to perform at the Korean lifestyle magazine, KoreAm’s annual gala and award show. This is a big deal and with people like Amerie and Grace Park (Hawaii Five-O) in the audience I realised just how much our hard work had paid off.
There are other amazing performances also by the likes of Brian Joo and Poreotics and others. This clip shows Heather’s entire, classy performance. Enjoy.
Got Damn
The first time I heard Ground Up I knew there was something special about them. It’s not necessarily in their rhymes or the production, even though both are really tight. I think it’s a combination of both plus the energy that the Ground Up collective has.
There’s something about them that reminds me of the first time I heard De La Soul or Arrested Development. Not musically. Just the sense that you’re about to be a part of something a little different to what’s currently happening.
This song Got Damn embodies all the elements of a modern rap song but somehow manages to sound and feel fresh. Take a listen and judge for yourselves.
The Story So Far
This month following the release of Heather Park’s Stay has been busy and exciting. I just wanted to give a quick recap of some of the highlights.
- We’ve had some phenomenal press and I think the high points would be the Metro NY article and the Soul Tracks review.
- We secured a distribution deal with BBQ Music in Japan so “Stay” will be physically in stores there soon.
- We’re currently in talks with companies in the UK and Australia to do similar deals so I’ll keep you posted on that.
- Plans for an acoustic tour of the west coast are in the works.
- Currently working on the treatment for the video for the second single.
Things are definitely heating up and there’s a lot more to come.
Many Thanks
I should have posted this yesterday but I was still in a complete fog from the events of the past 48 hours. I really want to thank everyone who came out to Heather’s album release party.
We had a phenomenal turnout and a very eclectic mix. It was great to see that Heather has so many friends and supporters.
I want to send very special thanks to the band who at very short notice were able to put on a great show despite a last minute tragedy. Malikah you are in my thoughts and I have the warmest feeling for you in my heart for the way you handled this.
I also want to thank Ahlilah Longmire and her team from the Tesla Group. They did an outstanding job managing all aspects of the party and helping to ensure that it ran smoothly.
Most of all I want to give my warmest thanks to Heather for doing her job beautifully with class, style and professionalism. This project would obviously not exist without her but it wouldn’t be anything like it is without her input. She has been and continues to be my biggest single source of inspiration and I couldn’t love her more if I tried.
I’m hoping to get video footage and stills from the party and show soon so I can share it with you all.
The album is currently available on CD Baby and we’re still awaiting the green light from iTunes.
No RSVP No Entry
Hey gang, I just want to let you know that the guest list is already nearly to capacity. This is an RSVP only event so DO NOT delay.
We’re really excited about this release and want to share the celebration with all our friends and supporters. It’s going to be off the hook and I won’t be running up to the door every 5 minutes to “get you and your mans” in. You can rsvp at guest@stushmusic.com.
We really hope to see you there.
Leave Me To Dream
Someone recently asked me what is the highlight of my career so far. There are a few but one stands out is being asked to have “Leave Me To Dream” used in a major motion picture.
The movie is Michael Kang’s West 32nd, a tale of the Korean underworld in K-Town on 32nd street. We were at the movie’s premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. I got goosebumps when the scene started and I heard Heather’s voice resonate throughout the theater. A magical moment for me.
Leave Me To Dream has always been one of my favourite songs and Heather really helped me mould it into the piece it is today.
Diggin in the H-Peezy Crates – Dream In Pictures
In 2007 we took a week from recording to perform some shows in London, England.
We rehearsed in the hotel room with a guitarist, Jack, who was referred to me by a friend.
In the days between shows we did the tourist thing, obviously for Heather’s sake.
I set the images and even synced the rehearsal footage to music so this is the unofficial video for Heather’s Dream In Pictures, the title track from her first album.
Diggin in the H-Peezy Crates – Baby I
2006 was a busy year promoting Dream In Pictures and performing all over the country. It was also the year we took part in the Emergenza battle of the bands competition.
This is a video of the first Emergenza show and we also had an additional gig at Columbia University earlier that night. A very busy night for Ms. Park
Set to Baby I, originally from Heather’s “Not What You Expected” mixtape, this clip always brings back the fondest memories.
Diggin in the H Peezy crates – The Life remix
I’m in the middle of compiling a “making of” video for Heather Park’s upcoming release “Stay” and I came across this video we shot for her first single for “Dream In Pictures” in 2006.
The beat was remixed by Ron Browz (Pop Champange) with additional production by yours truly and the song features T-Rex, famed Harlem rapper.
This was the first official Heather Park video and it was directed and shot by Francisco Aliwalas on location at the old Stush studio on 21st & Broadway.
