Mayer Hawthorne is a singer, writer, producer from Ann Arbor, Michigan, right outside of the "D". He grew up listening to his fathers music collection which where he gets his love for soul music. Some of his influences are Motown singer Smokey Robinson, Barry White, Curtis Mayfield, and Eddie Holland to name a few.
Guilty Simpson is an MC from the hailed Hip-Hop scene of Detroit. Guilty was introduced to many through J Dilla who first included him on "Strapped" from Jaylib's "Champion Sound" LP. Since then, Guilty has risen higher and higher in Hip-Hop's collective conscience alongside peers like Black Milk, Phat Kat, Ta'Raach and Frank-N-Dank. Originally to release an all-Dilla produced LP entitled "The Verdict", it was shelved for reasons that were not entirely clear.
Known as Los Angeles' "ambassador of boogie funk," Dâm-Funk represents the citizens of the Funkmosphere. Headquartered in the Culver City section of L.A., DâM (pronounced 'dame' as in Damon) spent the last few years cultivating a musical renaissance rooted in the early-80's styles known as boogie, modern soul and electro-funk. As a DJ/selector, DâM-FunK attracts the most discerning boogie funk afficionados within driving distance of his storied Monday-night Funkmosphere parties. But it's not just collectors at the bar toasting to the melodic sounds.
William Onyeabor studied cinematography in Russia for many years, returning to Nigeria in the mid-70s to start his own Wilfilms music label and to set up a music and film production studio. He recorded a number of hit songs in Nigeria during the 70s, the biggest of which was "Atomic Bomb" in 1978. William has now been crowned a High Chief in Enugu, where he lives today as a successful businessman working on government contracts and running his own flour mill.
It was around the age of 11 when making beats won out over video games to become Oh No
Hailing from Endicott, NY, Gary Wilson is an archetypal figure in the "outsider music" movement with other artists like The Shaggs and Jandek as its most notable members. Gary Wilson first came onto the scene in 1977 with "You Think You Really Know Me," which he recorded alone in his parents' basement. Using synthesizers and spinning disturbing tales of obsession with different women, Wilson's record had no effect on the mainstream but its cold detachment and electro-funk aesthetic was a hit with the college radio stations.
Georgia Anne Muldrow is a singer, producer, songwriter born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her father an instrument inventor for Eddie Harris and her mother, Rickie Byars, a singer with the Pharoah Sanders Ensemble. Still in her teens she relocated to New York where she lived briefly and recorded seven songs for her 2005 self-released EP, “Worthnothings”. Many in the independent scene first got wind of her after she collaborated with the Platinum Pied Pipers on their much celebrated debut "Triple P".
There are at least two artists with this name. 1) M.E.D. aka Medaphoar is a hip hop MC who has recorded with Madlib, Wildchild, and Oh No. M.E.D's debut album was released on Stones Throw Records in 2005. Entitled Push Comes To Shove, the album features production from Madlib, J Dilla, Oh No (Madlib's younger brother), and Just Blaze. A CD entitled "Bang Ya Head" was released during Stones Throw's 2005 Tour and features M.E.D (known as Medaphoar) guest spots from 1998 to 2005.
M.E.D. made a dis track toward Canibus called "Lightwork."
Arabian Prince is the stage name of Mik Lezan (born October 12, 1964 in Inglewood, California), a rapper and hip hop producer, best known for being an original member of the legendary rap group, N.W.A. Born and raised in Inglewood, California, Arabian Prince released a solo album Situation Hot in 1985. In the following year, Arabian Prince joined up with the first gangsta rap group N.W.A. three years after graduating Inglewood High School in Inglewood, CA. He wanted to be an artist in N.W.A.
There are at least three artists under this name. A Prog Rock Trio, an Indie Rock band from New Zealand, and a Classic Soul Group. #1) The Aristocrats are a prog rock group that has been compared to Cream, because of how equally the members contribute to their sound. The members are guitarist Guthrie Govan, bassist Bryan Beller, and drummer Marco Minnemann. The band was almost formed by accident, when the members discovered how well they worked together while jamming.