Lex Records is an independent record label based in Camden, London.

Style[link]

Lex Records has a low volume of releases, rarely releasing more than three albums annually.^[1] The label is not focused on one particular genre although most releases are alternative hip hop, alternative rock or electronica.

Lex albums are often collaborations between members of the label roster and musicians from elsewhere. These collaborative groups include Danger Mouse with MF Doom as Danger Doom, Boom Bip with Gruff Rhys as Neon Neon, Jneiro Jarel with Khujo Goodie as Willie Isz, and Jneiro Jarel with MF Doom as JJ DOOM. Forthcoming releases include the debut albums from JJ DOOM^[2] and Nevermen.^[3]

Lex packaging is striking and often elaborate. Much of the Lex sleeve artwork is created by Ehquestionmark.^[4] Other sleeve artwork has been created by ESPO, Kid Acne, James Jarvis and Yu Sato.^[5]

History[link]

Lex Records was founded by Tom Brown in 2001.^[6] It was originally an imprint of Warp Records and run from its North London offices. The label was initially intended only to release 12-inch singles. However, as Lex approached artists to contribute material for EPs, most artists offered a full album of material. By the end of 2003, Lex had released several albums including debuts by Boom Bip, Non-Prophets and Danger Mouse. The early success of these albums allowed Lex to expand.^[7]

In 2004, Lex managed The Grey Album campaign, co-ordinating the promo on what would become the music story of the year and propel Danger Mouse into the spotlight of mainstream media, establishing him as a critically successful artist. ^[8] Tom Brown got a copy of The Grey Album to Damon Albarn.^[9] Damon's enthusiasm for The Grey Album led directly to Danger Mouse being brought on board to produce Gorillaz's second album Demon Days.^[10] Demon Days was released in May 2005 and went on to sell millions of copies worldwide^[11][12] and established Danger Mouse as a commercially successful producer by the summer of 2005.^[13]

In September 2005, Tom Brown bought Warp's share of the label and set up in new offices.^[14] Lex kept its existing roster including Boom Bip, Danger Mouse and Doseone. The first release after the separation was Danger Doom's first album The Mouse and the Mask. It was Lex's biggest selling release to date.^[15] The multi platinum Gnarls Barkley's first album St. Elsewhere followed in 2006, released on Warner Music Group with Lex branding.

The growth of the label allowed Lex to sign new artists to the roster. In 2005, Lex signed Doomstarks for the world excluding North America. In 2006, Lex signed multi album deals with MF Doom and Jneiro Jarel.

In March 2008, Gnarls Barkley's second album The Odd Couple was released on Warner Music Group with Lex branding. In the same month, Neon Neon's first album Stainless Style was released going on to be nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2008. In 2009, MF Doom released Born Like This, the first solo album as DOOM for Lex. Willie Isz's first album Georgiavania was released in the same year.

Lex Records also began developing broader multimedia projects. In July 2010, Lex released a two hour long audiobook and score of Alan Moore & Mitch Jenkins' Unearthing as a deluxe boxset. Unearthing was narrated in its entirety by Alan Moore and scored live by Crook&Flail at the Old Vic Tunnels.^[16] In the same month, Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse & David Lynch's Dark Night of the Soul was released on EMI with Lex branding.

In 2011, Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi's album Rome featuring Jack White and Norah Jones was released on EMI with Lex branding. On 5 November 2011, Lex marked its tenth anniversary with a special show at The Roundhouse in Camden featuring performances by Ghostface Killah, DOOM and Jneiro Jarel.^[17] Lex also released Complex Volume 1, a compilation album to mark the occasion.^[18][19]

Roster[link]

Current Artist Roster[link]

• Alan Moore & Mitch Jenkins
• Andrew Broder
• Boom Bip
• Danger Mouse
• Doseone
• Jneiro Jarel (aka Dr. Who Dat?)
• Kid Acne
• MF Doom

Current Collaborative Groups[link]

Groups with prospective releases on Lex. Groups include members of the current artist roster.

• Crook&Flail (Andrew Broder, Doseone)
• Dangerdoom (Danger Mouse, MF Doom)
• Danger Mouse & Jemini
• Doomstarks (MF Doom, Ghostface Killah)
• JJ DOOM (Jneiro Jarel, MF Doom)
• Neon Neon (Boom Bip, Gruff Rhys)
• Nevermen (Doseone, Tunde Adebimpe, Mike Patton)
• Shape of Broad Minds (Jneiro Jarel, Jawwad)
• Willie Isz (Jneiro Jarel, Khujo Goodie)

Former[link]

Artists and groups signed for an individual release or groups that have disbanded.

• dan le sac vs Scroobius Pip
• DJ Signify
• Heartbreak
• Hymie's Basement
• Non-Prophets
• Subtle
• Tes

See also[link]

• List of record labels
• List of electronic music record labels
• List of independent UK record labels

References[link]

1. ^ "Top 50 Labels: Lex Records". betterpropaganda.com. http://betterpropaganda.com/content.aspx?id=743. Retrieved 01/01/2009. 
2. ^ Battan, Carrie (February 16, 2012). "JJ DOOM: "Banished"". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/13181-banished/. 
3. ^ Breihanon, Tom (August 7, 2009). "Doseone Talks Collabs With Tunde and Mike Patton, Alan Moore, More". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/news/36137-doseone-talks-collabs-with-tunde-and-mike-patton-alan-moore-more/. 
4. ^ "EHQUESTIONMARK? – BONAFIDE EXCLUSIVE". Bonafide Magazine. http://www.bonafidezine.com/ehquestionmark-bonafide-exclusive/. 
5. ^ Lucas, Gavin (April 19, 2012). "Lex Complex Vol. 1 vinyl". Creative Review. http://creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2012/april/lex-complex-vol-1-vinyl. 
6. ^ Clarke, Paul (April 30, 2004). "lex records label profile". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A2580806. 
7. ^ Young, Rob, Labels Unlimited: Warp, (Black Dog Publishing, 2005) (ISBN 1-904772-32-3), pp. 134–135
8. ^ "Lex Records London, UK". Redbull Music Academy Radio. November 2, 2011. http://redbullmusicacademyradio.com/shows/4659/. 
9. ^ Teh, Terence (May 18, 2012). "Lex Records: Through the Years in Video". Dazed Digital. http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/13484/1/lex-records-through-the-years-in-video. 
10. ^ "Danger Mouse". Good Bad Queen. http://www.goodbadqueen.com/dangermouse.html. 
11. ^ Murray, Noel (March 9, 2010). "Gorillaz: Plastic Beach". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/articles/gorillaz-plastic-beach,38985/. 
12. ^ "Gorillaz RIAA certifications". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5mqjKKr6W. Retrieved 7 December 2008. 
13. ^ "Steve Lamacq "Dangermouse and the strange tale of Gnarls Barkley"". BBC Radio One. April 3, 2006. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/stevelamacq/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20060403. 
14. ^ "Lex Records". Remix Magazine. 01/12/2007. http://preview.remixmag.com/artists/electronic/remix_lex_records/. ^{[dead link]}
15. ^ "Declarations of independents". Music Week. September 15, 2007. http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1031533. 
16. ^ Muggs, Joe (July 30, 2010). "Alan Moore's Unearthing, Old Vic Tunnels". The Arts Desk. http://www.theartsdesk.com/new-music/alan-moores-unearthing-old-vic-tunnels. 
17. ^ Battanon, Carrie (November 7, 2011). "Video: DOOM and Ghostface Killah Perform Together in London". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/news/44547-video-doom-and-ghostface-killah-perform-together-in-london/. 
18. ^ Murray, Robin (October 27, 2011). "DOOM Collaborates With Thom Yorke". Clash Magazine. http://www.clashmusic.com/news/doom-collaborates-with-thom-yorke. 
19. ^ Pelly, Jenn (November 2, 2011). "Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and DOOM: "Retarded Fren"". Pitchfork Media. http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/12715-retarded-fren/. 

External links[link]

• Official website
• Ehquestionmark

Kid Acne is an artist, illustrator and hip-hop musician. He was born in Lilongwe, Malawi in 1978. He grew up in Lutterworth, Leicestershire and is currently based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.

Early work[link]

In 1995 along with his brother, (Chips for the Poor) and a group of local friends, Kid Acne formed the Invisible Spies collective as an umbrella heading for their creative output. This consisted of DIY fanzines, super 8 films and poorly organized pub gigs. In 1996 their 1st band, 'Brian & the Teenagers' released two singles on their own C U Next Tuesday record label, to early critical acclaim, most notably from John Peel. Kid Acne designed the record sleeves and posters, though did not actually play in the band. From the ashes of Brian & the Teenagers, the same group of friends formed Toah Dynamic, of which Acne was a founding member. They released an 8 track 7" EP titled 'Hip Hop Gymkhana' in 1997 before releasing their first full length LP, 'Movement' to inaugurate Invisible Spies Records in 2000.

Toah Dynamic & the Invisible Spies Collective[link]

The collective is made of Kid Acne, Chips for the Poor, Supreme Vagabond Craftsman, Be My Twin, Earl Shilton, Mo' Mummy and 64 Cousins.

Toah Dynamic have released two albums, 'Movement' (2000) and 'Cops Hate Our Love' (2002). Invisible Spies continues as a fully functioning record label, releasing works from various collective members including Oi! Civil servants, Methodist Centre.

Musical Output[link]

Kid Acne has released a number of records sporadically throughout the past decade. In 1997, alongside beat maker Benjamin, Acne released his first single, 'Slingshots' under the name 'Mongrels'. In 2000 Acne issued his first solo 7" single, 'Squirrel Hunters' as the prelude to his debut album, 'Rap Traffic' in 2001. Rap Traffic marked the culmination of two years of Sheffield to Brighton commuting, dragon battle mic destruction and nocturnal beat farming. The LP was swiftly followed by another solo 7" in the form of the self produced 'Regarde Kid Acne' alongside the second and sadly last Mongrels 7", 'Fresh Arrangements'.

Kid Acne's 2nd album, 'Council Pop' was released in late 2003 preceded by a 12" of the track 'Radio Music' accompanied by triumphant UK tours featuring Req One and human beatbox Chase.

Warp Records' Beat Constructor, Req One produced both 'Council Pop' and its predecessor 'Rap Traffic'. Kid Acne returned the favour on Req's album 'Car Paint Scheme' when he provided vocals for the track 'Style Mentorz'. 2003 also saw the release of the party single 'Zub Zub Rockerz' released on Jazz Fudge.

In 2004 Acne invited London rap maverick, Infinite Livez to join him on the track, 'Move It or Lose It' for his 'Reality Raps EP'. This proved to be a minor success with the promo video doing the rounds on MTV Raps and Channel U.

In 2007, Acne released his 3rd rap Lp, 'Romance Ain't Dead' on Lex / EMI. Beats programmed by Req One, produced by Ross Orton and mastered by Rob Gordon. The album has been praised with significant criticle acclaim and was released internationally in 2008.

The lead single, 'Eddy Fresh' was released in Autumn 2007, complete with Gescom Remix and promo video directed by fellow artist, Dscreet.

Acne's live show line up currently consists of (DJ) Benjamin, (Hype Man) Clev Cleverley and (human beatbox) Chase Rockwell. Together they have toured the UK and Europe supporting the likes of El-P, Black Lips, Flying Lotus, Beans (Anti Pop Consortium), Prince Po, Lethal Bizzle, Atmosphere, James Pants, Long Blondes, DJ FOOD, Herbalizer and Jehst.

Discography[link]

Rap Traffic (LP) / Invisible Spies 2001

Rap Traffic (CD, Album) / Invisible Spies 2001

Squirrel Hunters (7") / Invisible Spies 2001

Regarde Kid Acne (7") / Invisible Spies 2002

Acne Instrumentals (12", Promo) / Invisible Spies 2003

Council Pop (LP) / Invisible Spies 2003

Council Pop (CD) / Invisible Spies 2003

Radio Music (12", Single) / Invisible Spies 2003

Zub-Zub Rockers (7", Single) / Electro Caramel 2003

Reality Raps EP (12", EP) / Invisible Spies 2004

South Yorks (CDr, Single, Promo) / Invisible Spies 2005

Eddy Fresh (7", Promo, Ltd) / Lex Records 2007

Eddy Fresh (12", EP, Promo) / Lex Records 2007

Eddy Fresh (CD, Single, Promo) / Lex Records, EMI Records 2007

Eddy Fresh (7", Single) / Lex Records, EMI Records 2007

Eddy Fresh (12") / Lex Records, EMI Records 2007

Eddy Fresh (CDr, Promo) / Lex Records, EMI Records 2007

Romance Ain't Beats (12", EP) / Lex Records, EMI Records 2007

Romance Ain't Dead (CD, Album, Promo) / Lex Records 2007

Romance Ain't Dead (CD, Album) / Lex Records 2007

Romance Ain't Dead (LP) / Lex Records 2007

Sliding Doors (CD, EP, Promo) / Lex Records 2007

Sliding Doors (7") / Lex Records, EMI Records 2007

Worst Luck (12", Single) / Lex Records 2007

Worst Luck EP (CD, EP, Promo) / Lex Records 2007

Worst Luck EP (7") / Lex Records 2007

Tracks Appear On:

Invisible Spies (CD, Album, Comp) Woofstallions / (C). U. Next Tuesday Records 1998

Req - Car Paint Scheme (CD) *Skit 1 / Style Mentorz / Skint Records 2000

Lexoleum Two (12", EP) Rap Dracula / Lex Records 2001

Lexoleum Two (12", EP, W/Lbl) Rap Dracula / Lex Records 2001

Brechtian Tactics (Cass, Mixed) Rap Dracula / Vulgar 2002

Lexample (CD) Radio Music / Lex Records 2002

Abstract Funk Theory (CD, Comp) Ghosts With Teeth / Obsessive 2003

Abstract Funk Theory (2xLP, Comp) Ghosts With Teeth / Obsessive 2003

Lexoleum Trilogy (CD, Comp) Rap Dracula / Lex Records 2003

Lexoleum Trilogy (3xLP, Comp) Rap Dracula / Lex Records 2003

Suspect Files Vol 3 (CD, Comp) South Yorks / Suspect Packages 2004

Lexample Red (CD, Promo, Smplr) Eddy Fresh / Lex Records 2007

2011 Kill Your Darlings / Millennium Gallery, Sheffield, UK * Rhythm Is A Dancer / Stolen Space, London, UK *

2010 When The Smoke Clears / Concrete Hermit, London, UK * Dust In The Giant’s Eye / Electrik Sheep Gallery, Newcastle, UK* Summer Group Show / Stolen Space, London, UK Ois’ Easy / Helmet Gallery, Munich, Germany*

2009 Flying Eyeball ‘Pop Up’ Show / Gallery 27, London, UK Christmas Group Show / Friend & Co, Bristol, UK Seven Styles for Seven Brothers / APG Works, Sheffield, UK Smoke & Mirrors / Stella Dore Gallery, London, UK*

2008 Nancy Victor Christmas Show / Nancy Victor Gallery, London, UK Stella Dore Group Show / Stella Dore Gallery, London, UK Brothers In Arms / Mini Gallery, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

2007 Alternativity / Truman Brewery, London, UK Bestial / Iguapop Gallery, Barcelona, Spain Refill Seven / MTV Gallery, Sydney, Australia Flat Black / The Workstation, Sheffield, UK

2006 His Life Is Full of Miracles / Site Gallery, Sheffield, UK

2005 Picture This (War Child) / Bargehouse, London, UK GIRLS / Myymälä 2 Gallery, Helsinki, Finland

2004 The Big Draw / Millennium Galleries, Sheffield, UK Graphic / Fredericks & Freiser Gallery, New York, USA Application / Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, Australia

2003 Basefield / The Commons, Melbourne, Australia Sexpo / Hixept Gallery, Grenoble, France

2001 Graffiti: Concrete or Wallpaper? / Swiss Embassy, London, UK

1998 Graffiti Bastards 2 / Custard Factory, Birmingham, UK

1996 Graffiti Bastards / Custard Factory, Birmingham, UK

• Denotes solo show

Zebra Face[link]

Graffiti of Zebra Face, painted by Acne in Lutterworth.

2001 saw the completion of Zebra Face, the comic book jointly created by Kid Acne and Supreme Vagabond Craftsman. The book follows the adventures of a two dimensional zebra faced superhero and his diabetic sidekick as they battle in a 2D galaxy of diffuse baddies.

Graffiti and artwork[link]

Acne's unique artwork has been exhibited throughout the world, both inside and outside galleries. His signature style has customized everything from skateboards and bar interiors to ladies knitwear and most notably, T-shirt collections for Prada. His work has also infiltrated the music industry, Acne designing the covers for the early albums and EP's for the French rap group TTC, for example.^[1]

His artwork also non-intentionally featured in the Charlie Kaufman film Synecdoche, New York as seen in the theatrical trailer at 1:06.

Known Artwork Locations[link]

Lutterworth (first known artwork) Sheffield, London, Manchester, Berlin, Hamburg, Dresden, Barcelona, Milan, Paris, Lyon, New York, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Baku - Azerbaijan, Perth - Western Australia...

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Allmusic.com: Biography
• Discogs

dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip
Scroobius Pip (left) and dan le sac (right) at Coachella
Background information
Origin	Stanford-le-Hope, England
Genres	Electronic, Hip hop
Years active	2007-present
Labels	Sunday Best Recordings Strange Famous Recordings
Website	http://www.lesacvspip.co.uk LesacVsPip Myspace
Members
dan le sac Scroobius Pip

dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip are a hip-hop duo, combining electronic beats with sung, spoken, and rapped lyrics. The pair are Daniel Stephens (aka dan le sac; production, programming, keyboards, guitars and backing vocals), and David Peter Meads (1981-) (aka Scroobius Pip; vocals/rapper). The name "Scroobius Pip" is an intentional misspelling of the Edward Lear poem, The Scroobious Pip. dan le sac originally hails from Corringham and Scroobius Pip from neighbouring Stanford-le-Hope in Essex. Their first single was "Thou Shalt Always Kill". Signed with the Sunday Best record label, dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip released their debut album in 2008.^[1] Titled Angles, it reached 31 in the UK album chart. They released their second album entitled The Logic of Chance on 15 March 2010 on the Sunday Best label. Scroobius Pip released his debut solo album, Distraction Pieces on 19 September 2011.

History[link]

Both dan le sac and Scroobius Pip worked as solo artists before forming this duo, dan le sac as a laptop musician, DJ and promoter, Scroobius Pip as a spoken word artist.

David Meads began writing poetry in about 2005; he adopted the pseudonym "Scroobius Pip" from Edward Lear's poem, The Scroobious Pip. In a 2010 interview with Beatdom, Meads explained why he chose the name: "I loved the story. It's about a creature that doesn't know what it is ...By the end [of the poem] he realises that he is simply The Scroobious Pip. He doesn't fit into any one category and can just be his own creature."^[2]

In 2006 Scroobius Pip undertook his "Relying on the kindness of strangers tour" which took him round the UK in a Toyota Space Cruiser performing in various venues and also saw him doing street performances outside gigs for the likes of Buck 65 & DJ Shadow.

The duo formed in 2006 after dan le sac booked Scroobius Pip to play at a gig he was promoting at the Fez Club (now Sakura) in Reading, around this time dan le sac started remixing Scroobius Pip’s solo album No Commercial Breaks, a selection of the remixes form the core of their debut album Angles but the band didn’t garner any commercial success until they wrote the original song "Thou Shalt Always Kill" at the end of 2006. Although it is commonly thought that Rob Da Bank of BBC Radio 1 gave the band their first radio play, it was actually John Kennedy of XFM London, the band sent a demo CD to John Kennedy in December 2006 and he played it on his Xposure show within 2 hours of receiving it.^[3]

"Thou Shalt Always Kill" was re-released in 2009 with additional vocals by Pos Plug Won (Posdnous) of De La Soul.^[4][5] In 2007 the duo released 2 singles on Lex Records, "Thou Shalt Always Kill" and "The Beat that my Heart Skipped" but it wasn’t until early 2008 that they signed for Rob da Bank’s Sunday Best record label and released their debut album Angles; the album was later released on Sage Francis’s Strange Famous Records in the USA and Traffic in Japan.

On Christmas Eve 2007, whilst still unsigned, the duo released a free download of "Letter From God To Man" which includes a sample of Radiohead's "Planet Telex". To promote this, the duo created and posted a spoof video on YouTube showing the pair auditioning for The X Factor in front of Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. A montage of clips of judges' comments are added to their profanity-laden performance of what Scroobius Pip says is "'It Ain't No Fun' by Snoop Dogg, featuring Warren G, Nate Dogg and Kurupt." The clip, titled "Le Sac Vs Pip Letter from X-factor", was featured in "The 10 Best Clips of the Month" in the October 2008 edition of Q magazine.,^[6][7] the video also included a voice over from Zane Lowe.

They have also appeared on the BBC's Sound, NBC's Last Call with Carson Daly, with Scroobius Pip appearing by himself on the BBC's Newsnight Review and Setanta Sport Channel, he has also been interviewed and performed live on Stephen Merchant's show on BBC 6 Music.^[8]

They spent 2009 recording their second studio album, The Logic of Chance which was released in March 2010, preceded by the single "Get Better".

In September 2011 Scroobius Pip released his second solo album Distraction Pieces through the label Strange Famous Records (USA) and Scroobius Pips own Speech Development Records (UK). It debuted at #35 in the UK album charts.

Music and influences[link]

The duo’s music includes Hip-Hop, Electronica, and Pop. On the duo's Facebook page they cite many influences including Sage Francis, Gil Scott-Heron, Chilly Gonzales, KRS-One, Rakim, Atmosphere, Purple Ronnie, Joy Division, Kraftwerk, Clark, El-P, Gorecki, Devendra Banhart, Beta Band, and Mogwai.^[9]

Live gigs and tours[link]

Since March 2007, they have undertaken multiple UK, US and European tours. The band have also appeared at the Glastonbury Festival '07, '09, '10 and '11. Reading and Leeds Festival '07 and '08, Lounge on the Farm '09, Bestival '07, '08, '09 and '10 Camp Bestival '08, '09 and '10, Beat-Herder festival in '10, Lowlands '08 and '10, Pukkelpop, Fuji Rock Festival, Coachella, Monolith Festival, Dour Festival, Beatherder '10, Pohoda festival '10, Electric Picnic '10 & Beach Break Live '10, Greenbelt Festival '09, they played their first headline festival slot at 2000 Trees '11.

Remixes[link]

dan le sac also works as a remix producer, he has to date been commissioned to remix Biffy Clyro, Bat for Lashes (feat Scroobius Pip), Eddy Temple Morris's Losers (feat Riz Ahmed (AKA Riz Mc) and Envy), The Maccabees, King Blues (feat Scroobius Pip), Dub Pistols, This is Radio Freedom, Micachu, Tired Irie, Playdoe, Producers with Computers, Yila and has undertaken unsolicited remixes of Elastica, Radiohead, Florence And The Machine, Joy Division, Tricky and Bob Dylan.^[10]

Discography[link]

Singles[link]

Albums[link]

References[link]

Notes

Bibliography

External links[link]

• Official website

Boom Bip (born Bryan Charles Hollon) is an American hip hop producer and musician.

Style[link]

Boom Bip's music is mostly instrumental. However, he has collaborated with several vocalists over the course of his career. He is currently signed to Lex Records, which was a division of Warp Records in the United Kingdom until 2005. He has also had releases on the U.S. based label Mush Records. Boom Bip is also known for the remix work that he has done for many artists on several different record labels. Some of those artists include Amon Tobin, Hot Hot Heat, Mogwai, Four Tet, M83, Danny Elfman, Pet and Super Furry Animals.

Boom Bip also played every instrument on Blue Eyed in the Red Room himself. He used absolutely no samples in the process. Explaining the reasons behind this, he said, "I wanted the listener to get a sense of what is going on inside my head and my environment as much as possible. Samples are a detour from that connection. Samples express what you like, but it's someone else's idea and product. To really connect with the listener it was essential that I play everything. While making the record I had the live show in mind the entire time. The new songs are 98% live instrumentation and have energy, structure, chord changes and dynamics. Not loop-based or beat-based like tracks in the past."

History[link]

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Bryan Hollon has relocated to the city of Los Angeles, California. His career began as a DJ on WAIF in Cincinnati. He also DJed at a small club Ripley's hosting an evening of jazz, hip hop and electronic music. He soon hooked up with New York producer DJ Osiris and Robert Curcio to produce The Low End Sequence EP, named after his evening at Ripley's. Not long after that, Boom Bip met rapper Doseone in the local clubs and open mic nights. They released the collaborative album Circle on Mush Records in 2000.^[1] It grabbed the attention of John Peel (who heralded Boom Bip as a "modern day Captain Beefheart" after his first Peel Session) and Gilles Peterson in the UK. Soon they were a name in the British underground hip hop and electronic scene.

The attention eventually led to Tom Brown of Warp Records, asking Boom Bip to complete his first solo album for Lex Records. The album Seed to Sun was released in 2002. It features Buck 65 and Doseone on vocals.^[2] Boom Bip was invited back to record a second Peel Session, which was ultimately included on his next album, a remix compendium entitled Corymb (2004). The album also included a string of remixes by his contemporaries, including Boards of Canada, Mogwai and Four Tet.

Boom Bip then moved to Silver Lake, Los Angeles in order to work on his second solo album Blue Eyed in the Red Room (2005). The album features Gruff Rhys and Nina Nastasia on vocals.^[3] Concerning the album, Boom Bip said, "This album was started on a clean slate, in a new place, with new inspiration [...] You can hear that in the songs, the fear, excitement, loneliness and comfort that I've felt for the past year. With Seed To Sun I was in rut and a lot of dreaming and sadness were expressed in that album."

In 2007, Boom Bip formed the duo Neon Neon with Gruff Rhys. Their debut single "Trick for Treat" was released in 2007. Their first album Stainless Style was released on Lex Records in 2008.^[4]

In 2011, Boom Bip released the third solo album Zig Zaj on Lex Records. The album features collaborations with Josh Klinghoffer, Alex Kapranos, Cate Le Bon, Money Mark among others.^[5]

Live performance[link]

Boom Bip usually tours as full four piece live band, including drums, guitars, synths and many gadgets and machines. He has played many large festivals including Pukkelpop, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Glastonbury Festival, Transmusicales, Dedbeat Festival and Ether Festival. He has toured with Super Furry Animals, Mice Parade, Interpol and others in the United States. He has shared the stage with Sonic Youth, The Cure, Mogwai and others. Boom Bip and his touring bands have played venues such as Pompidou Centre, Sydney Opera House, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Fondation Vasarely and many others.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Seed to Sun (2002)
• Corymb (2004)
• Blue Eyed in the Red Room (2005)
• Zig Zaj (2011)

EPs[link]

• Doo Doo Breaks Volume 1 (2000)
• Doo Doo Tones Volume 1 (2002)
• Mannequin Hand Trapdoor I Reminder (2002)
• From Left To Right (2003)
• Doo Doo Breaks Volume 2 (2003)
• Morning & A Day (2004)
• Do's & Don'ts (2005)
• Sacchrilege (2007)

Collaborations[link]

• The Low End Sequence EP (1998) with DJ Osiris
• Circle (2000) with Doseone
• 28:06:42:12 (2004) with Daedelus
• Stainless Style (2008) as Neon Neon

Productions[link]

• "Want (featuring Slug)" on Ropeladder 12 (2000)
• "Kill Your Employer" "Sun Shower" "Kill Floor" "Dream Catcher's Mitt" by Busdriver on RoadKillOvercoat (2007)

Remixes[link]

• "We Can Fake It" by Smyglyssna on We Can Fix It Remixes (2003)
• "Verbal" by Amon Tobin on Verbal Remixes & Collaborations (2003)
• "Father Father" by Super Furry Animals on Phantom Phorce (2004)
• "The Luxury Of Loneliness" by Her Space Holiday on The Young Machines Remixed (2004)
• "Micronomic" by Lali Puna on I Thought I Was Over That: Rare, Remixed And B-Sides (2005)
• "Don't Save Us From The Flames" by M83 on Don't Save Us From The Flames (2005)
• "Plane That Draws A White Line" by Alias & Tarsier on Plane That Draws A White Line (2006)
• "No More Mosquitoes" by Four Tet on Remixes (2006)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Boom Bip on Mush Records
• Boom Bip on Lex Records
• Boom Bip on Myspace
• Boom Bip on Discogs

This article may contain wording that merely promotes the subject without imparting verifiable information. Please remove or replace such wording, unless you can cite independent sources that support the characterization. (February 2012)

Jneiro Jarel (born Omar Gilyard)^[1] is an American alternative hip hop artist.

For over a decade, Jneiro Jarel has provided listeners with an eclectic mix of sounds ranging from hip hop to electronic to Brazilian funk to bass music. Noted for his abstract style, he is also known for his beat-making alias Dr. Who Dat? and his groups Willie Isz, JJ DOOM and Shape of Broad Minds who've shared the stage with artists ranging from Jay-Z to Radiohead. He has collaborated with artists such as Damon Albarn, Count Bass D and TV on the Radio among others.^[2]

History[link]

This unreferenced section requires citations to ensure verifiability.

Early life[link]

Jneiro Jarel was Born in Brooklyn, New York, spending the first few years of his life in the Brownsville neighborhood. His family would later relocate from Brooklyn to Atlanta when he was five years old. Being that his mother was in the military, Jarel lived in a number of places such as Georgia, Maryland and Arizona, before finally touching down in Houston, Texas in 1983.

Houston years 1983–1998[link]

In 1989, Jneiro Jarel, his cousin Tarek Gibbs, and best friend Anton Bennett formed a group called Top Gauge Posse, later changing the name to Aliens From the Planet Brooklyn (APB). The trio went by the monikers MC Jarel G, Just Chill, and KCL. They quickly landed gigs with established artists like Hi Five, YZ and Special Ed.

In the early 1990s, APB disbanded and Jneiro Jarel (now going by Gwizzo) started a new collective called The Ozarkians (aka The OZ's, pronounced Oh-zees), which included many of his friends, as well as former APB members Tarek Gibbs (now Seveno 007) and Anton Bennett (now Quipto). Other members included brother and sister Michael Thomas (Kwezzo) and Candis Thomas (Kyzzo), Dashaunda Baldwin (Dizzo), Greg Alix (Cereo), and a few others.

In 1992, Jneiro Jarel formed the spin off group The Pslum Kedz (pronounced The Slum Kids) (aka Rhythmic Crew). This group consisted of Jarel (now going by both Gwizzo and Phish Bone), Anton Bennett (now going by Egg head), Michael Thomas (now Alley Cat), Greg Alix (Aahtue), and Nahuma Holiday (Nahuma). Initially more of an emcee, Jarel eventually became the primary producer for the group in '93. Although the group was doing shows and even performing with prominent acts such as The Pharcyde, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and The Geto Boys, various circumstances caused them to disband. The most significant being the incarceration of Anton Bennett, who's been in prison for over a decade. This was especially difficult for Jarel and caused him to take a "spiritual hiatus" to reevaluate his life.

New York years 1998–2004[link]

After The Pslum Kedz' breakup, Jneiro Jarel decided to move back to New York in 1998. Upon his return, he officially changed his name to Jneiro Jarel and quickly became a fixture in Okayplayer's "Black Lily" gigs at The Wetlands and Butterfly Cafe. In 2000 he started his own label Orienj Recordings (now Label Who), releasing his first EP as a solo artist, Section A.^[3] Public Enemy producer Hank Shocklee of The Bomb Squad later discovered JJ through MP3.com and instantly had him opening up for Julie Dexter, Lord Finesse and others. It was during this time that JJ honed his production skills and started to build a buzz behind the board. In 2003, he signed to indie record label Kindred Spirits. Later that year he was the sole representative from New York to participate and perform at Red Bull Music Academy in Cape Town, South Africa.

Philly years 2004–2009[link]

2004 saw Jneiro Jarel relocating once again; this time to Philladelphia. Through his success in the indie music scene he was able to work with some of the city's most influential hip hop artists Rich Medina and King Britt. He also began to develop himself more as a producer, collaborating with Jazzanova, Count Bass D, Dego, Lizz Fields, Tiombe Lockhart, Fertile Ground and Vinia Mojica. From 2004 on forward Jarel has released a number of albums such as Timeless Vol. 1 and Three Piece Puzzle. In 2006, he signed a new deal with Lex Records and shortly thereafter released Beat Journey and later Beyond 2morrow under the alias Dr. Who Dat? Eventually Jarel linked with old time friend Jawwaad to feature him in the fictitious group Shape of Broad Minds, later releasing the album Craft of the Lost Art on Lex Records. Following the album was Amazonica (2001–2004) with his fictitious group Capital Peoples, and Georgiavania with his Atlanta group Willie Isz in 2009.

Los Angeles years 2009-present[link]

Jneiro Jarel's music has been cited as having been a major influence on a relatively new genre that has so many complexities it's difficult to define. Having been dubbed as wonky, this progressive, futuristic sound fuses hip hop with electronica, and has gained traction and popularity in recent years on the Low End Theory/Brainfeeder scene. Though Jneiro's sound is often being described as experimental and psychedelic, he simply calls it "The Viberian Experience", where various musical styles and influences have beautifully coalesced to become something all its own. The sound is ever changing because Jneiro himself is constantly evolving. Add the extra element of a deliberate attempt to weave visual art into his work and one could easily call this "conceptual music". This artistic approach has garnered him respect and adoration among fans and peers alike (as noted on Pitchfork.com), and has served as a conduit for notable creative ventures with labels such as Lex Records and Kindred Spirits.

2010 found Jneiro with two releases; Android Love Mayhem EP and the Brazilian beat project Fauna.

Discography[link]

Jneiro Jarel[link]

• Timeless Vol. 1 (2004)
• Three Piece Puzzle (2004)
• "Big Bounce Theory" b/w "Quantum Leap" (2005)
• Fauna (2010)
• Android Love Mayhem EP (2010)
• "Amazonica" b/w "See Them Cry" (2010)

Dr. Who Dat?[link]

• Beat Journey (2006)
• Rhyme Cycle EP (2006)
• Beyond 2morrow (2009, reissue 2010)

Shape of Broad Minds[link]

• Blue Experience EP (2007)
• Craft of the Lost Art (2007)
• Raiders Of The Lost Mix (2007)
• "OPR8R" (2008)

[edit] Willie Isz

• Georgiavania (2009)

Capital Peoples[link]

• Amazonica (1999-2004) (2009)

DRC Music[link]

• Kinshasa One Two (2011)

[edit] JJ DOOM

• Key to the Kuffs (2012)^[4]

Productions[link]

• "Choklit Ninja" by Rich Medina on Connecting The Dots (2005)
• "Rhyme Cycle" by Stacy Epps on Ruff Draft (2007)
• "The Experiment" "Vocal Overload" by John Robinson on I Am Not For Sale (2008)

Remixes[link]

• "Yellow Daisies (Jneiro Jarel Remix)" by Fertile Ground on Remixes 01 (2005)
• "Holdin' On (Dr. Who Dat? Remix)" by Champion Souls on Holdin' On EP Two (2005)
• "Vibes From The Tribe (Jneiro Jarel Remix)" by Build An Ark on Remixes (2005)
• "Dust (Rocque Wun Mix)" by Recloose on Dust (Remixes) (2005)
• "My Affection" by Vassy on My Affection (2005)
• "My Juvenile (Jneiro Jarel's Minimal Animal Remix)" by Bjork (2009)
• "Atlas Air (Jneiro Jarel's Lavender Jungle Remix)" by Massive Attack on Atlas Air EP (2009)
• "Pretty Wings (Jneiro Jarel's Willie Isz Remix)" by Maxwell (2009)
• "Gazzilion Ear (Dr. Who Dat? Remix)" by DOOM (2009)
• "Gazzilion Ear (Jneiro Jarel Remix) feat. Dave Sitek" by DOOM (2009)
• "Harmony Korine (David A. Sitek and Jneiro Jarel Magnetized Nebula Mix)" by Steven Wilson (2009)
• "Shout Me Out Remix" by TV on the Radio on Crying (2009)
• "Groove Me (Jneiro Jarel Remix) feat. Theophilus London" by Maximum Balloon (2010)
• "Balada 45" (Like A Brazilian Girl Remix)" by Arthur Verocai (2010)

Mixes[link]

• "Mindgames (Sneaky Pete Edit)" by Rich Medina (2004)

DJ Mixes[link]

• Houston We Got A Solution (2005)
• Andrew Meza's BTS Radio (2007)
• Return of The Shoegaze (2008)

Guest appearances[link]

• "Lookin' At Me" by Kid Sublime on Basement Soul (2005)
• "Not Tomorrow But" "No Game" by Breakthrough on Breakthrough (2005)
• "Choklit Ninja" "Blues Baby" "Weight" by Rich Medina on Connecting The Dots (2005)
• "Chea Chea" by King Britt on Jazzmental (2005)
• "Eyes And Ears" by Ohmega Watts on Watts Happening (2007)

Compilation appearances[link]

• "Sun Walkers" "Eeee Love" "Do You Thang" on Soul Purpose Is To Move You: Kindred Spirits Collection (2004)
• "Sun Walkers" "Doinis!!" on Witness Future Vintage (Vol. 1) (2004)
• "Doinis!!" on Undercover Cuts 21 (2005)
• "Soul Starr" "Big Bounce Theory" "Get Yuh Own" on Rush Hour Mixed Series Vol.01 (2005)
• "Lookin' At Me" on Habitat Collection: Fireside (2005)
• "Lookin' At Me" on Jimmy Woo One (2006)
• "Big Bounce Theory Part 2" on Witness Future Vintage (Vol. 2) (2007)
• "Picante" on Basement Soul (2007)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Jneiro Jarel on Alpha Pup Records
• Jneiro Jarel on Lex Records
• Jneiro Jarel on Twitter
• Jneiro Jarel on Facebook
• Jneiro Jarel on Myspace
• Jneiro Jarel discography at Discogs