This is a conceptual album, revolving around ‘Besque’ a
post-apocalyptic Droid. Set in a future where the Earth has become a
casualty of nuclear ambition, swept by monstrous, rumbling dust storms.
He lives his solitary life amid his amassed artifacts of bygone human
society. His head is a TV set, picking up an echoing satellite signal
of repeats…shows and news footage rendering civilization’s flaws; War,
Recession, Prejudice and the occasional ‘Three’s Company’ Episode.
Features | Nova Emad, Maylee Todd, AKIR
Producers | Anonymous Twist, Chunksahoy, Monkay, Sandhill, zé do psilosamples, Spenjamoney, Pink A Pads
Illustration + Cover Art | Dirty Dre
Photography | Kelly Alberto
Our two favorite androids come together like an episode of Red Dwarf. Janelle Monáe and Arabesque time travel on 'Many Moons.' Overthrowing the government of Metropolis and it's plutocracy on some feel good shit. Janelle's Bad Boy release, Metropolis: The Chase Suite, is available in stores now.
In the early 90's there was an influx of 37 year old American men moving to Japan for one reason, to be big in Japan. Failed mixed martial artists and personal trainers from shit holes like Laredo, TX & Stockton, CA made their way to Tokyo to become rap stars. Dressing like samurai's and wearing yellow contacts, not only could they make words rhyme but they could kick really high. Looking like the punks from Double Dragon 1, they performed in front of forgiving Japanese crowds and musclefucked their way to relevance.
Today, the Japanese boom-bap soundscape has changed drastically. Arguably one of the planets purest stages for perfectionist hip hop. While we were herded into the direction of what the multinationals wanted our ring tones to sound like, Japan has remained the score of a Spike Lee joint. Dj Honda's mid 90's East New York cuts, Nujabes' horn stabs, Shing02's barrage of the breakbeat, Dj Mitsu's melancholic rhythm's, Cro-Magnon's new wave, Dj Baku's experimental funk.
Tokyoites have crammed the streets of Shibuya bumping bootleg "Frenzy of Renown" LP's, enough to catch the attention of local A&R's. ARABESQUE has finally inked a deal with Yokohama-Cities Yanase Productions. The scheduled fall release will have remixed Besque joints, with some of Japan's nastiest producers. Expect collabs with some of the east's dopest. Closely connected to recognized River-City Music Group, anticipate a cluster of 12"s and a full length as early as September. Abunai! Shits about to get senseless.
Shouts: Lots of love to my brother Phil + Yanase Fam. Cats at Jazzy Sport, Hand Cuts, Goon Trax, Mary Joy, In Ya Face, Entak & @united. Respect to everyone keeping Japan the creative mecca that it is..
Probably one of the most tragic and brilliant cats of our time. Gil cut his incredible career short to get shitfaced. Despite his tragic personal decline, Uncle Heron is my dude. Paroled last Spring, hoping to buck up with the man in the next couple months. Look out for his book The Last Holiday, as well performances in and around NY. - Besque
Sounds interesting! I like the way you think!
Aw shit, its on. Mabrook!
Big
This is crazy dog. I cant wait.
Thats whats up!! Can't wait
Hell ya