| Wednesday, October 30, 2002 |
 |
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Special thanks to all the people who came out last night for the album release party. I finally got to meet our webmaster!!! People came in from other states to check us out. We had fun on stage too. Good looking out to Mahogany Brown, Scienz of Life and Stacy Epps for rockin' with us. Shouts out to DRES The Beatnik, DJ Ox and 4 Kings Entertainment for hosting the event for us.
Oh yeah, last week "High Risk" got picked up by TRC Distribution and Revolver Distribution so that means you'll be able to pick up "High Risk" in more stores in your area. And as always you can place an order with us. We'll be happy to take your $$$. Fall in love with Hiphop once again!!!!!! Holla... |
| Posted by Unknown at 2:24 PM |
|
| Wednesday, October 23, 2002 |
|
This week's Atlanta Creative Loafing is finally out today and just in time for the Official High Risk Album Release Party at the Apache Cafe on October 29th. The Prophetix piece is the feature music article this week. Big up to my man Hutch (aka Matt Hutchinson) for a very detailed interview/album review. It reads like a novel. You can pick up Creative Loafing around many spots in ATL. But of course for those who can't pick up a copy we have reprinted it here for your enjoyment. Let us know what you think. And if you are in ATL on the 29th, we'll see you at the Apache. Enjoy...
RISING ACTION
Local hip-hop trio Prophetix ascends with its debut, High Risk
BY MATT HUTCHINSON
matt.hutchinson@creativeloafing.com
It costs $7 to ride the glass elevator up the side of the Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta, and there's no way we're paying. I raise one eyebrow and lean in closer to the desk clerk.
"I guess I should explain. This is going to mean some serious exposure for the hotel," I say. "You see, we're here to do an exclusive interview with Prophetix."
The subdued sounds of the hotel lobby seem amplified by her stone-faced silence. A set of elevator doors opens and closes with no exchange of passengers. Across the hall, a cell phone rings once, then goes quiet. Somewhere, an unseen pair of corduroy pants rubs together at a clipped pace. We end up paying the seven bucks, and as a gesture of good will, MC Mello Melanin slides the clerk a complimentary Prophetix sticker. She would be wise to hold onto it.
While the name of their group may still be in the process of dropping, High Risk, the premiere full-length from Mello, Eddie Meeks and DJ Jon Doe is already bringing the dangerous kinetic energy of a silver dollar flipped off the Westin rooftop. With the release of the album, Prophetix has introduced an urgent, dynamic voice to Atlanta's solidifying independent hip-hop scene.
The group communicates with a level of cinematic intensity. Doe's beats feel like the score to a shadowy musical motion picture. Looped orchestral strings and horn sections lay down a texture of dark, wet pavement tread upon by Mello and Meeks' vocal chase sequences. On "Bigguns," for instance, Doe's loop feels like something from a Bond film -- an aural establishing shot of a criminal mastermind's hollow-volcano hide-out. Craggy trumpets and sweeping French horns underscore the classic trash-talking, tag-team stylistics of Meeks and Mello. The MCs (who actually tower at a combined 13 feet) boast, "the bigger they are, the harder I hit, and if you're thinking big, then big is what you get."
Perched upon the top of the city in true "high risk" fashion, the rotating digs of the Sun Dial lounge recreates this sense of elevated visual drama. As neighboring skyscrapers swing by in the background, Prophetix fills the foreground of something like a long, circular dolly shot. Sporadically placed overhead fixtures create uneven, theatrical highlighting across their faces as they move. And as Meeks talks about Prophetix, his deep baritone feels like the booming voiceover for a coming attraction.
"The album came together real nicely," Meeks says. "We were anxious. When we couldn't go over to Jon's and record, I used to pout. I'd be like, 'Damn, I can't do this song, and I'm hot right now. When I get over there, we're gonna lace it up.' It's things like that which let you know you should be doing hip-hop."
While Prophetix is just beginning to touch down, it has been over a decade in the making. Meeks and Mello spent a good portion of the '90s in Atlanta as part of the five-man Insane Circle crew. After building a strong local reputation, and ultimately performing at the famed Apollo Theatre in New York, the group melted down. Mello quit music, and Meeks was forced to leave Atlanta.
"I was done with the whole business," says Mello. "Rhyming, everything -- done."
As if on cue, our table now faces due south. The neon polish of Midtown has been replaced with dimmer lights and lower structures.
"We went through some stuff, and I did personally, where -- I'm not gonna say I was homeless, homeless, but I had to pack up my stuff and move back to Memphis to my mom's crib," says Meeks. "I consider that homeless. Families really were torn apart at this time, because we weren't doing music."
Around the time Meeks headed back to Tennessee, he made an appearance on a college hip-hop radio show hosted by budding producer John Doe. Moving back to Atlanta and pulling Mello back into the circle, the threesome quickly gelled as Prophetix, holing up in Doe's home studio to produce High Risk.
We clock another skyline rotation as the group talks about the creation of the album.
"A lot of people think too hard about this shit," says Doe. "They don't just let it be and ride the force of nature. We're not going into the studio saying, 'All right, we're gonna make a song about this, and Meeks is gonna do this, and Mello's gonna do this.' I just play them the beat, they write to it, and it just comes out. What they are trying to accomplish lyrically is what I'm trying to accomplish with the sound."
Like the building we currently occupy and the neighboring architecture that peeks in through the windows, the three voices in Prophetix are individually distinct in style. Meeks' bass flow serves as a counterpoint to Mello's more sing-song, melodic flair. John Doe's rare groove beats have their own compositional voice, never settling for a role as kick-snare wallpaper. But when the three come together, a larger picture emerges. It's a layered, elongated mosaic, tracing the form and character of a city skyline.
matt.hutchinson@creativeloafing.com
To goto Creative Loafing's website click the link below
http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/vibes_feature.html
|
| Posted by Unknown at 9:56 PM |
|
| Friday, October 18, 2002 |
|
| Big up to Prophetix DJ/Producer Jon Doe at the Shrine spinning tonight on the wheels at the Tastemakers DJs Soundboxing event. The battle features DJ Skyy and DJ Talib Shabazz. It's krazy to see my peeps duke it out like that BUT it gotta go down tonight. Just thought I'd do a little shameless self-promo for my Peeps!!!! Extra special thanks to all the college DJs for bangin' "High Risk' over the airwaves across the f#ck@n country!!! Good lookin' out. What's up wit da shows though??? Holla back... |
| Posted by Unknown at 10:58 PM |
|
| Thursday, October 17, 2002 |
|
| Yeah!!! Whatever he said, then I'm that!!!!! |
| Posted by Unknown at 1:59 AM |
|
| Wednesday, October 16, 2002 |
|
5 OUT OF 5 FOR REAL!!! HTTP://WWW.BOOM-BAP.COM. See below for review!!!
ONCE AGAIN, GET DOWN OR LAY DOWN!!!
OBESE SHOUTS GO OUT TO MY MAIN MUTHAPHUCKIN' MAN DJ FISHER FOR HAVING THE GUTS AND BUSINESS SAVVY TO VENTURE OUT ON THIS "HIGH RISK" ADVENTURE WITH US!!!
PROPHETIX, ASYLUM ENTERTAINMENT, & DAY BY DAY ENTERTAINMENT ARE THE ULTIMATE!!!
WE'LL SEE Y'ALL AT THE "HIGH RISK" ALBUM RELEASE PARTY TAKING PLACE ON:
OCTOBER 29, 2002
APACHE CAFE
64 THIRD ST.
ATLANTA, GA
404-876-5436
DOORS OPEN AT 10PM!!!
ALL LADIES IN FREE B4 10:30 PM!!!
BE THERE OR BE NOWHERE!!!
From Boom-Bap.com...
Watch out, Atlanta's finest has spoken. Prepare for development as Prophetix now present their "High Risk" LP.
It's going down in Atlanta, Georgia. There's a new breeze sweeping through the hip-hop scene right now, and the Prophetix have made their contribution to it. After the independent release of their swell "Larger Than Life" EP, they've also blessed dedicated heads with another EP project, "Da Unfold", which kept the buzz going and attention followed on local radio, college radio as well as through nationwide broadcast. Right now the crew, which consists of producer / DJ Jon Doe and emcees Eddie Meeks and Mello Melanin, are presenting their new full length album "High Risk" through the quality trademark of Day By Day Entertainment.
If you tuned into Prophetix' first single off this album, "True Urban Grit (T.U.G.)", you've had your first bite of what this crew pretty much is all about. Yes people, this is some of that old boom bap and Jon Doe's upright basic beat of this track along with Meeks & Mello holding down original flows is what it comes down to. Through this massive 22-track LP, we're experiencing controlled battle orientated rhymes, rough necksnappers as well as some thoughtful concepts. It's a massive piece to go through, but "Bigguns" is a nice introduction to Meeks & Mello's ways of flowing and there's another side of them presented in the dope "Gravitatin". And "Quitters" is one of this album's highest peaks with Meeks, especially, shining real bright with lyrics worth thinking about - and listening to - more than once.
From the top to the bottom, "High Risk" stands for quality. Normally, it's hard - if not impossible - to keep the interest for an LP with 22 tracks. Then make a note, this isn't your average LP. Prophetix is definitely something else, as they not only succeed in keeping the intensity up but also coming through with SOLID quality. Jon Doe is responsible for the basic grounds, his sophisticated beats lifts the entire project, and it's complete with the emceeing from Meeks & Mello. These cats have an advantage as their vocals differ, allowing eachother's style to flood originally. "Prophetionals" is bringing some of that, banging mic-passing tactics and their team-up with talented lyricist Stahhr Da F.E.M.C.E.E. (Subverse) on "Impressive Presentationals" feels flawless. "It's A Shame" is another peak. There's plenty more to discover when you pick this up. Because, yes yes yes, this project is flawless. Prophetix are keeping some of that classic southern vibe, still allowing themselves to develop and create their very own style. Impressive, real impressive, and I think it will be impossible to exclude Prophetix when we're penning down our best-of-2002 lists... Fresh airwaves has swept through Atlanta and touched the world. Hold Prophetix responsible.
/ - - Abnorm
|
| Posted by Anonymous at 9:21 PM |
|
| Tuesday, October 15, 2002 |
|
Whaddup Folk??? It's been few days since I hit the Blogger up. We've been out promoting The Official Album Release Party for "High Risk." It's going on at The Apache Cafe located at 64 Third St. in where else but ATL! Expect to see the family: Scienz of Life, Hemisphere, Stahhr, and others that night come out celebrate this HOT album with us. Definitely come check us out. The cover is only $7 and Ladies get in FREE B4 10:30pm. Doors open at 10:00pm. On the tables spinnin' is DJ OX and it's gonna be hosted by DRES The Beatnik. So if ya ain't comin' to party, leave ya dead @$$ home!!!
And yes, Prophetix is still the Ultimate!!! Check out the review at www.allhiphop.com. They call the album, "Hotness from start to finish." Did I mention the album got 4 stars. Haha!!! Killin' em, right. Don't front...you know we got you open.
Big up to all the radio djs playin' our joint across the nation. Thanks for bumpin' High Risk all the way from Vermont to Washington State. Keep bangin' that joint. Much love. And for everybody else, we got some more suprise for you too... Hit us off on the messageboard and/or the email just to let us know that this pretty little website really works. Big shouts out to our webmaster Matt at Rex Resources. Man, how in the world did you ever find this Blogger thing????
Big up to my man Hutch at Creative Loafing too. Did we tell y'all that Prophetix did the pimped out interview with Creative Loafing at the top one of the tallest hotels in the world, the Peachtree Plaza??? ...70 somethin' stories in the air sippin' on Merlot with a rotating view of ATL. Now that's High Risk Playa!!! Holla... |
| Posted by Unknown at 2:24 AM |
|
| Wednesday, October 02, 2002 |
|
This is BIG MEEKS checkin' in.
Y'all cats need to get down or lay down!!! That's for everybody who thought we were playing. |
| Posted by Anonymous at 7:00 PM |
|
|
|
Peace Peeps, I'm back in ATL from my New York/New Jersey Experience. The last Scienz of Life show in New Jersey on Monday was cool and very intimate. Big ups to DJ Fusion, DJ Knowledge, and everybody holdin' it down at Rutgers University that support Hiphop and independent music. Prophetix will be up there soon enough!!! Also, a big up to the CyberCafe owner Dennis for letting us set up shop to sell and giveaway our products.
On my way back to ATL, Big Meeks hit me up on the celly about the recent High Risk review in Elemental Magazine. He read it to me and it made my road trip much easier. Mr. Jeigh, had told me about it while I was in NYC but you be the judge:
Elemental Magazine
Prophetix "High Risk"
Rating: 4/5
Prophetix gets props right from the jump on this LP since Mello shouts out Decatur. It all happens in the Dec, kid.
Getting back to the music, Prophetix hits you early with the nice production, coming via James Scienide's smooth loop. This cut serves as an introduction to the crew for anybody that wasn't hip yet. Mello and Eddie Meeks get busy on the mic while producer/DJ Jon Doe tears up some cuts throughout. Move on to "Bigguns" and you are about to discover exactly how large Jon Doe can get. He hits you in the jaw with one of the illest horn arrangements I've heard in years. Layered with a little guitar and those super crisp drums you know Jon's bringing, this cut straight bangs. I guarantee it will get you. "True Urban Grit" first hit you on the group's first single off the album, and it still hits nicely. "Gravitatin" really smoothes things out with additional vocals by the sultry Mahogany Brown. Meeks and Mello soften it up a little for this cut, and paired with Doe's organ-laced track, the result is chemistry. In true Pete Rock fashion, Doe tosses interludes between tracks that are as ill as the full length cuts, proving that he really does have beats for days. "Crispus Attucks" pulls you in right away with a smooth track that layers somber strings with piano and a high bassline that won't let you go. Scienz of Life, Stacey Epps and U-George join the fray on "Shatter" over an interesting Untamed track with a female vocal hook that works well. More guests step to the mic on "Impressive Presentationals," which features Stahhr da F.E.M.C.E.E. over a less thick but equally impressive Jon Doe track. Eddie Meeks exhibits much size as he spits over Doe's beat on "High Risk!" Doe's sorrow-filled track is a perfect opposite to Meeks' punched-in flow, and this cut is top notch. The tempo steps up as MF Doom steps to the boards on "Sumpthin's Gotta Give," a high energy cut that both MCs really get into. Meeks kills it on his verse, letting his all-encompassing voice take full hold of the track. Jon Doe interlude #2 is the french-fry-lamp heat. Doe be diggin', that's all I can say. Towards the end of the album, Prophetix opens up the door for a lot of guest production. While this is always a good idea on an LP, you have to reach so high to get close to these Jon Doe beats, it was a gamble to find tracks that can hang. Untamed and James Scienide both exhibit talent on their next two songs. Applejac takes over on "Pie In Yo Face," offering some tweeked guitar bits and low bassline underneath signature clean Apple drums. Cheapshot brings it nicely on his guest spot, coughing up a peppy track full of hot snares and bassline. I love hearing Mello flow quick, and both he and Eddie Meeks get busy on this cut. The project is wrapped up by J-Nastee's nice guitar-laced production, with Prophetix hilarious ode to clubs and politicking: "...Prophetix is on the guest liiiisssst," they sing on the hook. The joint is mad funny.
Prophetix' debut album has been highly anticipated by the underground, but you can bet few peoples were ready for the heat they were planning to bring. Jon Doe's production is stellar, to say the least. He takes full advantage of his deep crates dropping gem after gem after gem. Mello Melanin and Eddie Meeks have honed their skills to a knife edge, both as MCs and as a team on the mic. At 22 cuts, with only one or two you'll ever want to skip, this album is one of the most meat-packed collections of real hip-hop we have heard this year. Truly a top rung piece of material. - Phat Matt
Holla if ya hear me!!!!
|
| Posted by Unknown at 2:41 PM |
|
|
