RAP SHEET/BIO:
Willie Isz are a new psychedelic hip-hop duo comprised of rapper Khujo alongside producer
and vocalist Jneiro Jarel. The pair’s debut album, Georgiavania, is now ready for a June
2009 via Lex Records, and the enclosed 7 track sampler gives listeners an early taste of
what’s in store…
The central concept and inspiration at the heart of the album is an imaginary 51st US
state named Georgiavania. The original, cherished yet often forgotten constitutional
values of hip-hop are celebrated with Willie Isz keeping it braggadocio, street smart and
straight-up banging throughout. However, in this new, near-utopian territory the tired hiphop
clichés of the past – swearing, sexism, homophobia, drug and gun talk – have been
banished allowing a newfound, refreshing honesty and openness to prevail. In
Georgiavania’s post-hip-hop paradise Willie Isz combine Southern hip-hop styles such as
Crunk and Snap music with rock and psychedelia-infused influences, and the duo
consciously avoiding sampling in favour of live instrumentation and a super-fresh sound.
The enclosed sampler surveys the landscape of Georgiavania, taking in it’s epic, dizzying
upbeat title track and the equally explosive, Irish jig inspired Grussle and the more laidback,
spaced-out moments of I Didn’t Mean To.. and recession-themed In The Red.
Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia Khujo is an architect of and Godfather to the Southern hiphop
sound. As a founder of Goodie Mobb alongside Cee-Lo, a sibling within the
Dungeon Family and a featured artist on the last four Outkast albums, his Dirty South
hip-hop credentials are unsurpassed. Willie Isz’s other half, Jneiro Jarel, is the producer,
rapper and singer behind the alternative aliases Dr Who Dat? and Shape Of Broad
Minds. Previously featured on the cover of Hip-Hop Connection magazine, his evergrowing,
diverse array of fans and followers include Mos Def and Flying Lotus, who
both cite him as an influence, and Massive Attack, who personally invited Jneiro to
perform at their Meltdown festival last year. Most recently Jneiro has teamed up with
fellow production mastermind Dave Sitek of TV On The Radio for sonic adventures
together, and Sitek’s bandmate Tunde Adebimpe provides backing vocals on several of
Georgiavania’s tracks.
Georgiavania’s sleeve, shown above, is an original design by acclaimed artist and Willie
Isz fan James Jarvis. Jarvis is well known for his cartoon-based creations, including toy
figures for Silas and others. Georgiavania will be released later this year through Lex
Records – the debut will be the second landmark hip-hop record from Lex in 2009,
following hot on the heels of the DOOM (as in MF Doom) magnum opus BORN LIKE
THIS.
Willie Isz “Georgiavania” is out in June 2009 on Lex Records
For more info contact Raj Debah I raj@lexrecords.com
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