Tribe of Levi: Stoney Inn Lets the Tribe in, Full Effect!

Show Review
Tribe of Levi
By Victor Ortiz
Staff Writer

Three dreadlocked hip-hop heads; who go by the names of Ens A.K.A. Mic Jordan, Poor and Slave are part of the musical collective, “Tribe of Levi,” a collaboration of pure hip-hop, life music, hardcore freestyles and real raw power and stage presence, all offered at the Stoney Inn in Sacramento, CA.

Their positive message really hits the crowd like a fallen anvil of sound.

In another world, Bob Marley as a rapper would have sounded similar to Tribe of Levi, pulling conscious lyrics and distinctive beats, all of which were alive and well the night of their live performance.

“The only way for me to be is the Godly way/The only way for me to be is the right way/ This life we choose it,” Tribe of Levi verbally strikes the audience with to-the-heart, deep lyrics.

Using music as a utility to speak, Tribe of Levi gets into fans and would-be fans heads to open their eyes and visualize what life is really all about.

If the stage wasn’t elevated a couple of feet, fans may not be able to see them because the crowd gets hyperactive and as intense as a mosh pit.

“The world is just styles and statements,” says Mic Jordan who stands out as the leader of this group.

Do not ask Mic Jordan who the leader of the group is because his answer will be that they are a three-headed monster and so would the other two members, in unison.

“War would not be used with ammunition but with paintballs,” says Tribe of Levi.

Simply said, Tribe of Levi is the anarchy of reality and every listener will blossom by hearing their sound. Bringing back the real essence of an MC and tools for enlightenment is their function. This is a great group that is conscious, positive and all about enlightening our people and youth today.

Tribe of Levi plays live shows all over Northern CA; check out more information at http://www.myspace.com/tribeoflevi.

Ed Wordz: Runs in the Family

By: Victor Ortiz
Staff Writer

Sacramento’s underground hip-hop scene wouldn’t be so unique if it wasn’t rich with talented artists such as Sacramento native, up and coming hip-hop artist and independent label; Eyes Wyde Entertainment, founder Damond Edwards; who goes by the name of Ed Wordz when he performs and know to his friends and family as D-Money.

“If you’re going to do something, do it,” says Edwards.

With his upcoming album “Here It Iz!” set to drop early ‘07, the Sacramento hip-hop scene will be rushing to book shows, purchase albums and meet and greet Edwards.

Walking into local venue, The Library on Folsom Blvd., the crowd piled thick in anticipation of what was to come: Ed Wordz performing live.

His swagger and demeanor resembled someone who had grown up knowing what music truly was.

“It runs through my veins,” he says.

Honing his skills as a youngster was easy for Edwards; coming from a musical family and the sounds of gospel, R&B, soul as well as a variety of different music.

Being in the underground hip-hop scene, Edwards has worked his way up with hard work and determination but will never forget where he came from. He has worked with artists such as The Roots, Tha Alkoholics, KRS ONE and many more hot hip-hop heads.

Record executives should be lining up to get a chance to work with this guy. With beats and swagger similar to Jay-Z and E-40, you’ll get a feel of what kind of style Edwards exudes. Coming off as very diverse, this artist not only raps on a “Fresh” level, as his song portrays but he also has a spoken word background, so on an a cappella tip, he knows how to pull lyrics and beats together in harmony.


As a historian of music, Edwards lives by musical life-codes; knowing that he will live and die by what he believes is ethical within that realm.

“I’m young, black and crafty/I got game and street savvy/I can beel a ‘Jane’/Haters stay mad at me/I’m earning change, pushin’ Cadi in the rain/I feel like a bully, dog, I’m pushing everything/I’ve got street fame, hoop game and school units/Got grind money, work pay and a summertime birthday/I got d*mn dear a diamond for my first name/The only thing I don’t got today is a Ten Day!” Lyrics from single, “I’m Fresh” from his to-be-released album, “Here It Iz.”

The lyrics in this song show how proud he is to be doing what he is doing on a expert tip. His music is produced in such a professional and yet humbling fashion that there would be no doubt that this Edwards will make it to the top.

“Producing top music, sitting on 20-acres,” says Edwards about his goals 10-years from now.
A former basketball standout, he now coaches younger children to play the sport that he truly loves.

“It’s my way of giving back what was given to me as a kid,” says Edwards.

With a level head on his shoulders and an education in marketing and communications, it won’t be long before we start seeing his face all around.

“He’s up and coming, he’s going to be something,” says an anonymous fan at the show.

Learn more about Edwards by visiting his MySpace page at: http://www.myspace.com/edwordz.

Andrew BIrd Lands in the Valley at Harlows, Downtown Sacramento

By Greg Kucera
Contributing Writer
May 2, 2007


Chicago-based Andrew Bird and company flocked into the dim lit, art deco inspired Harlow’s on Wednesday night, on the cool spring gusts of wind that had simultaneously descended into the valley. Up from San Francisco, before migrating north to Portland, OR, Bird’s stop in Sacramento was in promotion of his new album entitled, Armchair Apocrypha.

The floor was surprisingly crowded, with the masses huddled like elementary school children sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce for opener Jean Smith. Smith’s music, as well as his voice are run of the mill folk-inspired, serving as testament to the genre’s much deserved bad name. I have seen open-mics with more energy than Smith’s set. As he announced his final song, a loud sigh of relief could be heard from patrons that had been staring into their beers for the majority of his set.

The lull between performers allowed the grumbling crowd to stretch their legs and refill their cups, as their anticipation for Bird’s set grew. After all, they had not postponed their early Wednesday bedtimes to be sung lullabies by a sub-par folk-rocker. The center of the floor quickly became a huddled mass of sweating bodies as the curtains were drawn to reveal a man sitting behind the five piece drum set, tinkering with the organ to his left, while laying down a steady beat on the bass drum.

The stage was adorned with Zebra striped phonographs as a dreamlike sonic landscape began to reverberate off Harlow’s tall ceilings. The swell of sounds reached a crescendo as Bird unassumingly ascended the back steps of the stage. His lanky Ichabod Crane body stood tall as his left hand unbuttoned the top button of his blazer, before plucking the bow of his violin from his right. Suddenly, the sea of sound stopped,and without addressing or even acknowledging the audience, Bird raised his bow to his violin and began to play.

A hush came over the crowd as Bird’s eerie Hungarian-esque notes drifted over their heads. Like a man possessed, his fingers rallied over the fret board, with closed eyes and a hurricane-like sway, he ravished the violin trance-like and determined. Seemingly, just as he had started, like some mysterious musical zombie, Bird stops, opens his eyes and proclaims, “I’ve never been to Sacramento before, I don’t know why. (Silence) This next song is called, ‘Fiery Crash.’”

The marvel that is Bird, is to witness him play live. He fluidly moves between multiple instruments in the coarse of one song: from guitar, to violin, to vibraphone and then to his ghost-like whistle, all the while his tenor voice holds the song together like ultra-literate glue. His genius is his ability to sample himself live, layering a violin track underneath bony tremolo guitar lines and haunting vocals, while the accompanying drummer and bassist follow his every note with machine like precision. What Arcade Fire accomplishes with nine band members, Bird nearly orchestrates by himself, with part of the charm lying in the live song building of acute instrumentation.

Bird’s most impressive performance of the evening was a solo rendition of his song “Why?” With violin rested firmly beneath his chin, he passionately began playing a somber sonata of soul weeping tones, before vocally launching into a dialogue of a lover’s quarrel. Dropping his violin to his side, and wailing over his self sampled music, Bird’s hands raise in apparent frustration to an absent apparition at the back of the room. “Don’t try and tell me an action is not a crime, can’t you see what kind of seeds you’re sewing? Damn you for being so easy going!”

Andrew Bird holds the stage uninhibited, yet modest. He appears unaware of the wanton audience before him, as he is seemingly lost in the music he effortlessly executes. To label him as folk or even pop for that manner, is extremely limiting, as he intertwines Baroque violin parts over hip-hop beats and Cowboy Junky style lyricism. Perhaps it is the anomaly of lack of genre that helps garner his strong fan base, coupled with his violent/cathartic/serene stage presence. Either way if there is one thing to be said about Andrew Bird, it is that he is genuine.

Woodstocks in Davis: DJs and Emcees

DJ Spinning, Freestyle Rapping and Great Pizza Every Saturday at Woodstocks in Davis, CA

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief

Destiny Entertainment for West Coast DJs along with DJ Daylight, J Smooth and DJ Novel spin hip-hop and old school hits at Woodstocks located in downtown Davis, CA on May 30, ’06 hosted by Mandel Davis, also known as Exedus, an emcee, freestyle rapper and local promoter.

After the DJs received the attention they deserved for their spins from the small crowd at Woodstocks, Exedus and Keven Eleven, another emcee and freestyle rapper pulled out a little battle for the crowd by asking them to shoot out subject matter to rap about, such as baseball, for example.

Exedus’ natural ways of beating the mic up with spoken word and Keven Eleven’s wordplay similar to emcee Q-Tip’s [of A Tribe Called Quest] style kept the crowd eager to hear more.

Check out Destiny Entertainment at http://www.westcoastdjs.com and Exedus’ project, http://www/unifiedtrinityoperation.com for more information on DJ and hip-hop shows in Davis and surrounding areas.

Cool Cat Art Gallery Presents: Live Audible Sounds & Another Rap Group & Featuring T-Shirt Designer Label: Mind Speakers

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief
Oct 21, 2007

Cool Cat Art Gallery hosts several indie and urban artists and musicians in their small gallery located on 24th St in Midtown Sacramento between I and J St. Sept. 29 became the album release party for Another Rap Group [A.R.G.], featuring members of Live Manikins and Live Audible Souls [L.A.S.] joined by Mind Speakers, a specialized t-shirt design label.

The venue was completely full as patrons were squashed together on the floor and even pouring out the back door behind the performing artists. The crowd was diverse as Cool Cat Art Gallery tends to book many different genres of music and art. Indie kids, hip-hop heads and art gallery regulars were all enjoying the talented artists together.

Several artists created the designs for Mind Speakers such as Ease1, Ospis, Andri T, Leona DeLos Reyes and Chris Fiest were set up on a long table for hip-hop heads to purchase. ARG took the stage with a live, indie hip-hop sound. You can hear true spoken word and major DJ influences in this reminiscent hip-hop group. Mr. Vibe was spinning records by mixing beats over samples and spinning them back again for a juicy, revolutionary hip-hop sound.

Live Audible Sounds brings soulful hip-hop – lots of sampling with fresh guitar samples, again a live DJ to spin everything together. Self of Live Manikins joined the stage with LAS for a song.

Nick Gatten who produces and engineers music through his production and record label, Thought Process Records for LAS and Live Manikins is a very talented individual who can implement several of the instruments he plays into his musical creations.

“I have been a nerd all my life, I have been playing for 17-years, I have played concert scores,” says Gatten.

The show was almost halted due to a leak coming from the upstairs unit. Apparently, the leak was dripping onto a surge protector that was running the musician and DJ’s equipment. Luckily a bucket came in handy to eliminate any unnecessary skips in beats or halts of sound. Check out more shows at Cool Cat Gallery at http://www.coolcatgallery.com.

What is Your Life Sentence?

By Emma Burke
Staff Writer
August 25, ‘07

It is Tuesday evening and I have the urge to be entertained by creative poetry, music and of course anything that will make me smile. I walk into Butch N Nellie’s, a refreshing café located in the heart of Midtown on 19th and I.

In this spacious space, 35 pairs of eyes immediately greet me. All seem eager to see the next performing artist hit the stage. As I take a few more steps, I glance up and looking down at me is a delightful menu grappling my cravings for coffee and tea and even desires I didn’t know I had such as Panini’s and gelato. I continue to the back as my stomach aches for some of that great food.

At this point, the only extra space is in the back. I am absorbed by the intimate but comfortable ambiance. Butch N Nellies is filled with stylish colorful lighting, people sitting on chairs, couches, treasure chests, some standing with their arms crossed and some leaning and holding a coffee. Everyone is respectful. The first spoken word performer goes up, everyone is attentive.

In the next hour, the room is filled with smiles, laughter and even some tears. The poets are deep, humorous, thought-provoking and earnest. The musical performances I saw were incredible.

“Yeah, there are a lot of regulars. Regular customers; customers that perform,” replies Kevin, also known as Mortis who has driven from Elk Grove, CA the last few times to check out Life Sentence for the experience of the local artists and food, “[I] really like the food, especially the grilled sandwiches and smoothies.”

Life Sentence is co-produced by Aaris A. Schroeder Founder/Editor-In-Chief of UBO Magazine an Ultra Mega Production who mans marketing and promotions and –Go, who produces Artistic Insomnia Live [A.I. Live], A 3rd Eye Collective Production and also contributes by booking artists and hosting Life Sentence.

Go to http://www.artisticinsomnia.com and click on the Stickham link on the enter page to view Life Sentence Live on the internet every Tuesday night, beginning at 7:30 pm.

Shows always start with live acoustic music or DJ. Open-mic sign-ups begin at 7 pm and the show begins 7:30 pm. Open-mics go up first, then the feature for the week finalizing the evening with SLAM Battles. Both the feature and SLAM winner will receive $30 as a prize for their hard work and labor in the local poetry scene.

"Come out to support the local art scene in Nor-CA, particularly Sacramento. Grab a gelato or a latte and sit back for some out-of-this-world spoken word, live acoustic joints, and audience-judged SLAM contestants," says Aaris A. Schroeder

Show Review: Capital Garage Gets Down with Local Hip-Hop July 21, 2007

By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief
August 23, 2007

A garage effort as Roper, Verbal Venom, Dirt Merchants and Shades of Gray all rocked the stage together on July 21, 2007 at Capitol Garage in downtown Sacramento, CA.

These emcees, musicians and producers, all had the same conscious, positive vibe which kept a small on-going crowd throughout the evening.

Verbal Venom started the evening, mixing a Goodie Mobb and C-Lo style of hip-hop beats with a familiar Sacramento-bred lyricism. With lyrics smooth enough to spread on butter and beats hot enough to pop in your microwave, it’s no wonder songs like, “Ice Cream” are semi-local underground hits.

Roper performed next, solo. Dramatizing his piece by waving his hands high in the air to motivate the crowd to move to his self-made beats., Roper was not only able to bring an outside crowd inside but get them back on the dance floor moving their bodies to some real hip-hop.

Dirt Merchants bring the elements of hip-hop to light as producer Bennett and DJ Duke 1 draw fat beats and emcee Madix seamless lyrics on the walls of Capitol Garage. Both conscious and political, this fantastic hip-hop act and super DJ made the Garage go to work.

Shades of Gray pumped the crowd with a live ensemble of Mark [drums], Jeff Hutting [guitar] and Dan Preciado [bass] and BaldMatt and Luckey ripping the floor up by the tile and serving dishes of ganja through their words. The crowd received a contact high and was seemingly down for the Shades of Gray as a mosh pit was just around the corner. Head-banging and body-moving at its finest.