Lyrics Born is a half-Japanese American, half-Italian American rapper. He is one half of the group Latyrx with Lateef the Truthspeaker.

Through his childhood, he lived in Tokyo, Japan, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Berkeley, California, although he moved to Tampa, Florida for four years to attend Henry B. Plant High School. He began his hip hop career while at college at University of California, Davis, where he was a DJ at the college station KDVS. He is a founding member of the seminal independent record label Quannum Projects. Born came up with fellow Bay Area and UC Davis companions Lateef, Gift of Gab, and Chief Xcel of Blackalicious, DJ Shadow, and Jeff Chang (formerly known as DJ Zen).

In 1993, Lyrics Born released his first single “Send Them”, under the moniker “Asia Born”, on the independent record label Solesides, which he co-founded.

Tom Shimura changed his stage name from Asia Born to Lyrics Born in 1995 citing the desire to have his career based on his merits as opposed to his race.

Lyrics Born released his first solo LP, Later That Day, in October 2003, which spawned the hit single, “Callin’ Out.” The album featured guests such as DJ Shadow, Gift of Gab, and his wife Joyo Velarde. In April 2005, he released his second album, Same !@#$ Different Day which was released on his own Quannum Projects label. The album features remixes of five songs from Later That Day along with a number of new tracks which feature guests such as Bay Area legend E-40, KRS-One, Stereo MCs, Casual of Hieroglyphics, Evidence of Dilated Peoples, and Joyo Velarde. Also in 2005, Born released The Lyrics Born Variety Show: Season One CD, which was essentially an old-school mix tape with remixes and blends of his studio albums and appearances on other songs in addition to new songs.
In 2006 he released The Lyrics Born Variety Show: Season Two CD mixed by DJ Enki.

He has toured relentlessly for years in North America, South America, Australia, Europe and Japan and averages 150 shows per year.

Early in 2005, Lyrics Born replaced his usual DJ, D-Sharp with a live band. The original band consisted of versed Bay Area musicians Kevin Choice (keys, vox), B’nai Rebelfront (guitar, vox), Darius Minaee (drums) and Uriah Duffy (bass, vox).

The live album Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born LIVE was released on October 31, 2006. It was recorded in Australia and features half of the album from Sydney and the other half from Melbourne. The album is a live set featuring his backing band, as well as three new studio tracks including the hit song “Knock Knock”. The album received a 3.5 out of 5 star review in Rolling Stone magazine and featured artists such as Mistah F.A.B., Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Pigeon John and Tim “Herb” Alexander of Primus.

LB recently released his third mixtape, “The Lyrics Born Variety Show Season Three”, which features many notable hip-hop icons such as Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, The Gift of Gab, Lateef The Truthspeaker, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien and Pigeon John. The album was released as a limited edition download available only on his website for only $1.99. This mixtape also features exclusive tracks from his then upcoming new album, “Everywhere At Once”, as well as previously unreleased studio tracks.
Lyrics Born released his 3rd studio album, “Everywhere at Once” on April 22nd, 2008 on Epitaph/Anti- Records. The album is the first studio release to feature members of his live band and also features Chali 2na, Joyo Velarde and hip-hop producers Jake One and Trackademicks.

The album has spawned a new video for the hit single, “I Like It, I Love It” which features the MC in various character costumes including Merlin the Wizard, Army Soldiers, Mr. T and more. The video was directed by Neon.

“Ridin High” is a collaboration of two producers from the Sole Vibe camp; Keelay and Zaire have constructed an album any true hip-hop head, soul connoisseur or music lover would appreciate. Zai Boogie quotes “Ridin High” simply as, “something to ride to… driving around with our homies listening to good music and appreciating our surroundings… basically a day in the life of the Sole Vibe.” The ability to concoct a well-crafted and calculated masterpiece using two different styles of music is unheard of in today’s sound of hip-hop conformity, and the integrity to respect both is equally remarkable. Zaire elaborates, “With other production albums, there is rarely a concept, “Ridin High” is more than a compilation. All the joints maintain a cohesive vibe that will keep heads consistently entertained.” The artists that ride high with Kee and Zai are stylin’-rap veterans, known for their beastly music abilities- no doubt they vibe with the idea of working with two of the most knowledgeable, versatile and up and coming producers in the game.

Guns and butter. Raw, un-cut soul is to be rolled up and inhaled when cruising to “Ridin High.” Imagine a ‘75 Fleetwood slapping beat, dipping with family and a good buzz on a hot Cali day… what you have is certified riding high instrumusication. From the Gem City to the hottest torta oven west of Salt Lake, the generals of the Sole Vibe production camp have officially done-did it. Zaire says lastly that “Ridin High” is “the ‘official’ introduction of our talents, showing the world that the Sole Vibe family can get down with the big dogs … an opportunity to collab with artists we’ve been listening to since day one, and to give everyone in the crew a chance to collaborate with each other and established artists.”

“Ridin High” features Phonte of Little Brother, Tash of the Alkoholiks, Supastition, Rasco and Planet Asia of Cali Agents, Blu, Nino Moschella, Darien Brockington, Saafir, Emilio Rojas and D-Minor of Wax Reform, Silent Knight, Surreal, Tiffany Paige, Slo-Mo, AV, Mario Dones, Mush Mouf, Evangillest and E.Jenks of The Sole Vibe Family and many more talented artists. The EP is currently available via iTunes and other online retailers courtesy of OM Records.

More info on Keelay & Zaire:
www.solevibemusicgroup.com
www.myspace.com/keelaycom
www.myspace.com/keelayandzairepresentridinhigh
www.myspace.com/thesolevibe

http://www.om-records.com/artists/keelay_&_zaire
http://www.om-records.com/podcasts

What’s the point of keeping it real when alternate realities are so much more fun? For new hip-hop super-group, The Mighty Underdogs, our world is one of hyper-reality where vacationing monsters have gunfights. Nothing’s harder than that, man.

The newly formed trio of hip-hop heavy weights from the West Coast—Blackalicious’s Gift of Gab, fellow Quannum compatriot Lateef the Truth Speaker and Bay Area producer Headnodic—release their debut collaboration, Dropping Science Fiction, on the other coast’s Definitive Jux.

Backed by a dizzying set of collaborators that include DJ Shadow, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, The Alkoholiks’ Tash, Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na, Julian and Damian “JR Gong” Marley, The Mighty Underdogs tour through worlds and soundscapes that blur all settings. Album opener “Monster” is comic book evilness that powers up on a secret solution of mind-numbing lyricism at breakneck speed. The MF Doom-assisted “Gun Fight” is a wild west romp where Gift of Gab goes out in a blaze of revenge-fueled glory over the most rappified twang since Bubba Sparxxx’s Deliverance. Even the interlude, aptly dubbed “Doglude,” is an exercise in a cappella beat building that shows Headnodic—despite being the least known member of the trio—belongs in this hallowed company.

The Might Underdog pedigree is one bred for serious heads. Throughout Blackalicious’s 10-year run as indie rap elite, Gift of Gab has found himself atop numerous Top 10 lists. Whether it’s solo action or paired with Lyrics Born as Latryx, Lateef the Truth Speaker is a linguist gymnast of the truly impassioned variety. Lateef’s got big game experience, too, as his collaboration with Fat Boy Slim, “Wonderful Night” scored a Grammy nomination. Headnodic, an accomplished bass player and part of the forever heralded and endlessly funky Crown City Rockers, is ready for a busy 2008, as his musical partnership with Moe Pope looks to gain more than a few nods from the real hip-hop heads, in addition to his Mighty Underdog work. On Dropping Science, his productions run the gamut from anime-in-space laser fights to Timbaland-channeling sample sources and trunk-rattling bass.

So how did three loosely related but certainly solo minded artists come together for a piece of superhero super stories? While going through tracks from Headnodic for his solo album, Lateef found enough desperately desirable tracks to make an entire album. Since Lateef and Gab had been talking about their own collaborative project for longer than Souljah Boy’s been alive it just made good boom-bap sense.

With the three artists exhausted by hip-hop’s penchant for taking itself too damn seriously, they broke rules like rules were going out of style and allowed songs to be everything from violent to, gasp, silly. Completing the convergence of powers is Definitive Jux head honcho El-P. Having toured the indie rap circuit with Gab and Lateef for more than a decade, it’s a surprise that the three haven’t combined forces before. Call it par for the course, because with the Mighty Underdogs, one can only expect the unexpected.

What can we say about Common that most don’t already know? The Chicago-bred MC continues to push the envelope, whether it’s on stage, in the studio, or on film. Common debuted in 1992 with the album “Can I Borrow A Dollar?” and maintained a significant underground following into the late 90s, after which he gained notable mainstream success through his work with the Soulquarians. His first major label album, “Like Water for Chocolate,” received widespread critical acclaim and moderate commercial success. Its popularity was matched by 2005’s “Be,” which was nominated in the 2006 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album. Common came back this year with “Finding Forever” which has been nominated for 3 Grammy Awards, and is preparing top drop a new album “Invincible Summer” this summer. Add this to his big roles in Denzel’s “American Gangster” and “Street Kings” as well as a starring role in the upcoming big budget “Teminator” sequel. Built from Skratch was honored to sit down with Common and talk about his career and the future!

Every few years, the hip-hop movement reinvents itself through the rising of the next generation of MCs. The old school planted the roots of the genre and over the past three decades, the game has seen the range of artists from EPMD to Eminem and survived the fierce confrontation of the East and the West as well as the emergence of the South.Now the time has come for the next reinvention to the face of the new hip-hop era. At the forefront of this movement is Roscoe Umali, one of the sharpest Emcees to have ever blessed the mic. In their basic form, Emcees are classified into three categories; the battle Emcee, the storytelling Emcee and the party Emcee. With his masterful rhyme schemes, slick delivery, and instinctive ability to get the crowd live with his one of a kind voice, Roscoe brings together all elements of the term “Emcee” in a way that has not been seen since the Golden Era of Hip Hop.

In the short span of a year he has redefined the meaning of hustle by collaborating with hip-hop legends such as E-40, Raekwon the Chef, Smif N Wessun, Talib Kweli, and Westcoast Kam. His industry buzz has also led to collaborations with multi-platinum producers DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill), DJ Khalil (Self Scientific, Jay-Z, G-Unit, The Game), Jellyroll (Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre), DK All Day (Ludacris), as well as some of the hottest up and coming beatsmiths Amil G, 1500 or Nutthin’,and Tech Beats. Mr. Umali is bubbling big time right now with collabs with Illmind, Bobby Valentino, Pitbull, Colby Odonis, and J Black. Follow as we enter the world of a true master: Roscoe Umali is next!

www.roscoeumali.com
www.myspace.com/roscoe

Vitamin D is the heart and soul of the Seattle sound of hiphop. The triple threat producer/emcee/deejay has been providing timeless musical backdrops since the 90s and is a pioneer in the truest form for the town. His influence in the sound has been prevalent since his old Tribal Music crew days. He’s not only had his hand in shaping the musical scope of Seattle, but his work in community centers like Langston Hughes have kept him in touch and giving back with the same community that he grew up in.

His catalog is extensive, working with indie giants like Rhymesayers and Hieroglyphics Imperium as well as the major label players like Def Jam and G-Unit that have enabled his signature sound to be world renown and respected by people everywhere from all walks of life. Vitamin also owns the Seattle recording studio “The Pharmacy” which churns out the cream of the crop when it comes to Seattle music – hiphop and beyond. For those in the know, Vitamin D is well known as the best studio engineer on the West Coast.

Recently Vitamin’s created a very successful producers competition in his home town of Seattle as well as other West Coast cities. The Big Tune’s beat battle has been a proven success story, not only attracting a large number of producers, but several people have come in droves attending this bi-monthly series continually packing the house in. The beat battles have evolved into the nationally known “Red Bull Big Tune” Beat Competitions, and the successful tour is now arguably the biggest national event showcasing hiphop production.

Catch the newest Vitamin D project featuring himself and Cali Massman Abstract Rude, as the two collaborate on a fresh full length project to be released on Rhymesayers Ent. later this year. Expect to hear lots more from your tall homie in the upcoming months, and stay tuned to Built from Skratch for exclusive Vitamin D footage and news.

www.redbullbigtune.com
www.myspace.com/tallhomie206

Before becoming a trio, the Triple Threat DJs, comprising of legendary DJs Shortkut, Apollo and Vinroc, all but conquered their genre. They were introduced to the art form as youngsters through mobile DJing and evolved into world-renowned turntablists. Triple Threat represents the future of turntablism, precisely because they’ve been so instrumental to its storied past. Though they have championship-level skills at scratching and beat-juggling they also know how to rock a party, produce music and create original compositions with two turntables. They are not just djs, turntablists, producers, musicians or club djs, they encompass all aspects.

Official website: TheTripleThreatDjs.com

While his first professional influences included legends Pete Rock, Premier, and Marley Marl, it was something closer to home that inspired Jake One to finesse his talent in the early ’90s. “Just being from a generation that was raised on Hip Hop I was always wanting to try to be a part of it,” he explains. When a neighbor of mine, Hussein from Sensimilla, started recording with Vitamin D, it really got me thinking I could make beats. I couldn’t believe somebody from Seattle was making shit on par with Tribe, Diamond, and shit I was lovin.” He laid down his first beat in 1992 on a Casio Voice Sampler, and over the years his production has blossomed into a soundgarden of impressive orchestration.

Jake One’s serene home studio is lined with shelves full of vinyl from his amazing collection. Although he had been collecting for many years, he got serious about crate digging in 1995 when Seattle icon Mr. Supreme put him on to the technique of it. “I think I have somewhere over 5000 now,” says Jake, “I stopped counting a while ago. It’s definitely an addiction – I’m trying to have EVERY record, period.”

After teaming up with several quality underground artists, Jake One’s reputation has spread to the mainstream. The buzz is hot and heavy – and all the while Jake stays true to his hometown roots. “I think we do things a little different out here because we aren’t pressured to be totally influenced by either coast. I came up loving both coasts and I put those influences in my music. I’m as Seattle as one can get.”

Steadily making his mark beyond the wetlands of Seattle, Jake One’s calling in Hip Hop is as eternal as the breathtaking Northwest horizon. The sun of his sound is rising – don’t sleep. {…}

Dyme Def – Seattle, WADyme Def is a dope hiphop trio hailing from the wetlands of Seattle, WA. More often than not rap groups of three or more MCs usually contain a weak link or two. With Dyme Def that is plainly not the case. Each member supports the other which provides the group with a rare synergy that hasnt been recognized since the golden days of Hip Hop, plus we’ve been rockin shows since you were still playing Rec League.

The trio hails from Seattle, Washington. Made up of three incomparable elements:one element being Fearce Villain; a seasoned vet, who comes of like he owns the microphone. The confidence that he radiates is bright and it is evident that he is meant for the stage. Although the group works as a team, sharing bars and decisions equally, Fearce Villain is sometimes looked at by others as the businessman of the group. Next is S.E.V., who is no doubt the clean up man. Not because he raps last, or picks up any slack from the other two emcees, but because he is equipped to hit it out of the park every time, a true homerun king. The way he weaves words and manipulates beats is truly amazing, and his voice plays as instrument of its’ own. Rounding out the trio is the dude named Brainstorm; One of the two producers for Space Music, and also a golden glove MC. The other two thirds of Dyme agree that they both draw lyrical inspiration from him

Brainstorm has been recognized most recently for winning Red Bulls Beat Battle in Seattle Washington. He is also well known in all arenas of lyrical warfare such as; MC battles, street battles, and on the internet. The group is looking forward to making history and reaching all of their goals. Accomplishments so far include being selected two years in row perform in an exclusive battle of the bands at Seattles Experience Music Project; they also stay very busy performing on the local circuit, and beginning to obtain much national recognition.

Finally we have the legendary Seattle beatsmith Bean One bringing the true school flavor to the line-up. Bean has been at the crest of the hip-hop underground scene for years and there is not a major producer or rapper in the industry who does not know of him. Being the elder statesmen of the crew he mentors the trio and helps them to bridge the gap that the game has forgotten about, allowing for the underground` and the mainstream to collide in the ‘Underground Spaceship’ that serves as Bean’s hometown studio and the Space Music headquarters. Many say that Bean One is the life force behind Dyme Def, serving as both the primary producer and DJ.

The dynamics that exist between Fearce Villain, S.E.V. and Brainstorm as comrades dates back to grade school. They played together and stayed together. Now after seven years of creating music and performing live, these young men are ready for almost anything the music business will bring them. Dyme Def has had a few extremely successful street anthems in the Seattle area. “Breathe Easy,”" Get Down” and,” The Game Needs Me” all produced by Brainstorm. Also, “Clap Clap” produced by BeanOne are all on their way to becoming Northwest Classics. Ultimately Dyme Def has got what it takes: the creativity, the drive, and that urban flare that makes Hip Hop a way of life for them.

Learn more about Dyme Def:
http://www.myspace.com/dymedef

Prozack Turner – Los Angeles, CA

Prozack Turner is front man of California hip hop legends, Foreign Legion! Writing life stories, both cynical and positive, with uplifting lyrics laced with sarcasm and wit never sounded so good!. Known internationally for an amazing live show and A list production! A true hip hop songwriter!

More info on Prozack Turner:
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=121432
http://www.myspace.com/prozackturner