No Team In I: Orikal Uno

Saturday, October 15, 2011

ORIKAL UNO - +1

+1 is as simple as it looks... on the surface.

This three song EP, recorded in 2010 at seperate times captures the energy and skill embedded in Orikal Uno.

Enlisting the talents of Rhymesayers veteran Sab The Artist (Musab) the two go hard over the soulful and funky production provided by Ganzobean. Rhymesayers/Black Clover emcee Mac Lethal joins the fold to provide some heat to the track "Ammo." Last but certainly not least is the magnetizing track "Rev It Up" featuring up and comer Prof which you may have seen on tour with Atmosphere and Grieves."

Born 2 Hustle produced by Ganzobean

Ammo produced by Team Shells

Rev It Up produced by Team Shells

ORIKAL UNO - LONESOME ROAD

ORIKAL UNO & MAC LETHAL - AMMO

ORIKAL UNO - PARTY LIKE IT'S 2012

(Cover Art for Uno)

Saint Paul, MN -- Orikal Uno was up until 3AM last night, awoke by 7AM this morning, and by the time you had your morning coffee today he was probably in the booth recording a new free single for the internet, penning his next verse for a hot collaboration with one of the many crews he works with and/or represents. By the time you hit rush hour traffic Orikal may have been working on a new graffiti, or web design project or was just making a new beat for the likes of underground veterans like Sab the Artist and Abstract Rude for whom he recently made the hit "The Awful Truth."

Having just celebrated his 21st birthday, Orikal Uno has already established himself as a fixture on the celebrated Twin Cities music scene, He is probably well liked by your own favorite hip-hop artist, even if you've never heard of him. By 2011 that will probably change as Antonio Rosario a.k.a. Orikal Uno releases his debut LP simply titled "Uno."

The artist previously known simply as Orikal, has been a workaholic since first entering the game at the ripe age of 13. The native of the West Side of Saint Paul, self released numerous albums and mixtapes and shared stages with some local heroes from the Rhymesayers and Doomtree crews as well as many other Twin Cities hip-hop legends. Three years ago he tapped longtime collaborator Anonimust to produce a full length debut LP for him that would set the stage for this next chapter in his career.

Anonimust, who was previously known as "Jayechs" has been a long time fixture of the Twin Cities music scene and songwriter for artists locally and nationally. He gained his first exposure as a member of the groundbreaking hip-hop group S.U.S.P.E.C.T.S. and went on to continue a successful career producing songs for artists and music for TV and movies. As a father of two young children, the former Jayechs changed his stage name to Anonimust in 2007 to reflect the change in his musical style when he founded the group Hour to Hope, to personally work on positive music and no longer wrote songs that included profanity or the "n-word." As a producer, he still allows a "no-holds barred" experience for the artists he works with, and for Orikal Uno he provided a soundtrack unlike anything ever attempted for a hip-hop artist.

Together the collaboration of Orikal Uno and Anonimust two artists at the top of their game, and in a crossroads of life made for an LP worthy of cover-to-cover listening, even in this world of song-by-song downloads in iTunes. Capturing three years of risk-taking and progressive songwriting, the album presents a fully-fledged introduction to one of the most innovative artists to emerge from the Twin Cities. This album ranges from the synth-pop influenced lead single, “Party like it's 2012” which, to the blues-infused heartbreaker “You're Sure Not Ready” all the way to the salsa-driven “Bacardi Island” featuring Maria Isa. Orikal Uno re-defines the creative limits of underground hip-hop.

Orikal Uno will be performing shows to promote "Uno" along with Anonimust and Hour to Hope, and others this fall. "Uno" is slated for digital-release via http://www.orikaluno.com and iTunes, on November 2nd, 2010 with a full-scale release through Best-Buy, Fifth Element and other local music stores on November, 9th 2010.
In addition to his solo debut you’ll can hear Orikal Uno on a number of other collaborations and leaks via his page on http://www.orikaluno.bandcamp.com

ORIKAL UNO & GANZOBEAN - ME & MY DJ

Ganzobean & Orikal Present - Me & My DJ by jonesdavid01 Share

Friday, July 23, 2010

2 NEW ORIKAL UNO SONGS

2 new Orikal Uno tracks posted up on his bandcamp...both produced by C. Goody! Get your download on!

GRAFF ROOTS RETURN!

The triumphant return from the folks you never knew left. Orikal Uno, JL Magee, Legend Has It & Status Reign present a song off their mixtape called "That Ya'll." Expect more to be posted soon.

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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

NO TEAM IN I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ORIKAL UNO

I've had the distinct pleasure of seeing his young man work on music and the level of focus and drive instilled in him is pretty unmatched. He raps like someone is going to take his starting spot and freestlyes like he's about to say fuck it and kill it Scribble Jam. I've been posting a lot by Orikal Uno and by all means if you haven't been paying attention then now's the fucking time. For the 5th installment of Musicians on Music I present to you Orikal Uno!

NT-Who are you? Where do you call home?

OU-Orikal Uno. People who know me call me Antonio. St. Paul (WEST SIDE!), Minnesota is where i'm from, but I feel at home wherever I'm at in this world. I'm a Puerto Rican American Diabetic artist.
NT-How long have you been making music?
OU-Been singin' along with songs since I can remember. Starting recording and performing in early 2003.
NT-What's one of your fondest memories of music as a kid?

OU-Many childhood memories of mine have some sort of song that was either playing or closely associates with some of the moments. I remember hanging out with my Mom when I was real little, listening to songs from "The Double Dutch Bus" to "People are Strange." Haha, I also just remembered that my Mom used to record me on a little tape recorder singing nursery rhymes when I was like 2 or 3. She busted it out when I got my first real girlfriend and I was real embarrassed at the time, hahaha. I think I sampled that on my 3rd album, "The Harsh Reality"

NT-What kind of music was being played in your house growing up?

OU-Rock, rap, funk, disco... Prince, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle and the Nuthin But A G Thang single were always played in the cassette player. I also remember Rick James being played in the car a lot.

NT-What groups or bands are you really digging right now?

OU-Sab The Artist and Ganzobean have been making some insanely good music together. The new Drake was pretty good. Eminem's "Recovery" has been getting some plays since I bought it. For real though, one of Jay-Z's best verses was dropped on Drake's record. I looped that shit like 50 times over when I first heard it.

NT-What's your cd/record collection like?
OU-Diverse. Let me put my iPod on shuffle and show you the ten songs that pop up-
1) Fugees - Ready or Not
2) The Zombies - Time Of The Season
3) Notorious BIG - Another
4) LL Cool J - Loungin' (Who Do You Love)
5) South Park Mexican - Twice Last Night
6) The Beatles - Octopus's Garden
7) I Self Devine - Love Song
8) Jay-Z - Feelin' It
9) TI f/ UGK - Front Back
10) Eric B. & Rakim - Eric B. Is President
Well, I guess that's not too diverse. But my collection ranges from Bill Withers to Staind, from Metallica to Twista. Also a huge fan of Brazillian music and Bossa Nova. Anything from the heart.

NT-Who were some of your inspirations in your early years? Who, after listening to it really made you decide to make music?

OU-Michael Jackson was huge for me when I was real young. "Bad" was the first cassette tape I ever owned. 2pac was huge for me. I went through a rock/skater phase for a year or two when I was figuring out who I was. Powerman 5000, Offspring, Sublime, Godsmack and all that. I blame the KFAI Orphanage freestyle for making me want to actually try to make something happen. That was real inspiring. As I dug more into the local scene, I caught on to how Rhymesayers did their thing, and that was real inspiring to me as well. Now they pretty much run shit. And I got to watch a lot of that process in how they did it. Real inspiring.
NT-Who do you think is the one producer or Emcee changing the game like he or they see fit, the way they want it without giving a damn?
OU-That's hard to say, because a lot of people are really starting to bend their style up into something new. Everything is like a free-for-all in music right now, and it's real refreshing to see people try new things. Timbaland is a prime example of an "evolved" producer. Lots of already-dope people are evolving right now. Busta Rhymes has been droppin' some real nice stuff lately. You can tell Eminem is trying out some new things too. So to answer the question, a handful of musicians are trying new things. I side with controlled experimentation. People finding new ways to make songs about the same ol' topics.
NT-In your mind is there any one or two records that is absolutely perfect or damn near close?

OU-2pac - All Eyez On Me, Buena Vista Social Club's album, Red Hot Chili Peppers - BloodSugarSexMagic, Pearl Jam - Ten, Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West, Dr. Dre's Chronic and Chronic 2001, Jay-Z's - Reasonable Doubt, Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP, Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Mauraders, Outkast - ATLiens and probably a few more.

NT-Is there anything about those album(s) that you know they just "got it right"?
OU-True emotions were put into the creation, and you can hear it from the music to the lyrics, front to back.
NT-Do you have any "desert island" records to share?
OU-I think it would have to be that Buena Vista Social Club album I was talking about. It has all emotions, so it would cover all my moods for the rest of the days I was stranded. Plus, it's pure island music.
NT-Why did you decide to start Graff Roots Media? Why Not try to get signed?

OU-I started Graff Roots Media to do my own thing and try to make a living off of it. As far as being signed, I don't really see Graff Roots Media as a "record label" - more of a collective of friends who enjoy working together artistically and professionally. My vision for Graff Roots Media is to be the complete media solution - as in, recording/producing the album, designing the art, shooting the videos and photo shoots, and covering the marketing and back-end operation all at the same time. Graffiti Writers get fame by getting their name up in as many places as possible. That's what i'm trying to do, but professionally. As far as getting signed goes - if anybody lets me control and manage my music & identity 100%, while throwing money on the table for me to do it, or providing the resources for me to spread my music around the world, i'm in.

NT-What equipment are you working with in the studio?
OU-My trusty GT-57 condensor mic, an Mbox, KRK Rokit 5 monitors, an Oxygen8 Midi Controller, and a full keyboard. Software is ProTools, Reason 3.0 and Cool Edit Pro. I used to rock Magix Music Studio back when I first started. Been rockin' ProTools for a good 4-5 years now.
NT-Could you describe your music-making process?

OU-It's very natural, organic. Sometimes i'll sit down with the beat and try to match what the beat is communicating, whether it's a happy upbeat song or a dark, demented song. Sometimes, it'll just be a random moment in my day that will inspire a song. When I get that inspiration, I match it with music, write it, record it, then move on to the next song.

NT-How have people responded to the music you've have been making?
OU-I go through peaks and valleys with the exposure. I remember a good 2 years ago, I got a LOT of response from people when Myspace was poppin' off. Now-a-days, I'm building more of a core fanbase, keeping in touch with the people who have been following, and saying hello to the new fans who are just catching on to me. As far as songs go, different people like different songs I make - but the feedback from everybody has been generally good. I get the best response after rockin' a show though.
NT-Is there any surprises or a record in the works right now?
OU-Lots of records in the works. The Orikal&Ganzobean debut album is fully recorded, ready to be cleaned up and dropped. Uno, my 5th solo full length fully produced by Anonimust, has had a solid core of songs for a while. But, we keep making better songs, so we'll see when we're completely satisfied. I'm working on a full length album with producer C. Goody - we're planning on releasing it out in Northfield at the Key, as well as the Twin Cities. I'll also be releasing an EP or two with producer LMS. As well as mixtapes and guest features in between! As far as surprises, well, every single day this year has been surprising, so I guess those will come naturally.
NT-How did you get hooked up with Sab The Artist for the song "Born To Hustle"?
OU-I've been a huge fan of Sab since he was Beyond - I hadn't heard much from him since his old Rhymesayers stuff until Mack Music Vol 1 - I wore that mixtape OUT! So, I always wanted to do a song with him. My guy Ganzobean threw me a beat, where the chorus is saying "Born... To Hustle... All around the world" - Well, I wrote the first 2 verses, but got blocked on the third. After a conversation with Ganzobean, I brought up the idea of gettin' Sab on it. I sent him the song with the verses. He liked it. He rocked the empty verse, sent me vocals, the rest is history. Now Ganzobean resides in Las Vegas. Life's a trip.
NT-How about getting the beat for "The Awful Truth" into Sab's hands and having Abstract Rude on it? That must be exciting?
OU-It was real exciting! Unexpected, definitely. Sab had told me he liked that beat, but I didn't expect to hear Abstract Rude on it at all. To me, it validated that I can actually make some decent beats.
NT-And they named their tour after the song you produced as well? That's a trip!
OU-They sure did. And it's definitely a trip. Ganzobean just let me know that I'm on the list for the Nomad stop of the tour. I'll be there.
NT-Is there any artists or producers you're looking forward to working with or would love to work with?
OU-Always wanted to do some shit on some Dr. Dre joints. Always wanted to get some beats from Ant. Would love to do a song with Twista, or Devin the Dude. But this year, I got to do songs with 2 different people I really look up to (Prof, Sab), so that's been fun. I've always wanted to do a song with Illuminous 3. The musicians I respect are the ones I want to work with.
NT-Are you picky when it comes to working with an artist?
OU-It depends. As long as the artist is good peoples, I'm good with it. But if I ain't feelin' it, I won't be on it.
NT-Are you producing for anyone right now or is anyone producing for you in particular right now?
OU-My only recent production has been for Sab & Abstract Rude. As far as producers I'm working with: Anonimust, Ganzobean, Chris Goodwin, MK Ultra, LMS, DP Thot, Shells, Kaz Nasty, Rap Janitors (Spain), and Diligent Intelligence have all contributed to songs of mine this year.
NT-Let's talk about your fans?
OU-Best fans a guy could ask for. I get some real nice messages and comments from people. My fans are very supportive and they help me grow. I love you people.
NT-Have you been getting good press recently? Any blogs been a buzz with you lately?
OU-As far as physical press, nope, no press. I have a slight buzz around the interwebz. I've been laying low for a good year now, not really performing, so I don't blame anybody for not being interested right now. I'm building a strong arsenal of material so when I do strike again, people will hear it. and hopefully like it.
NT-What's the perfect crowd to you?
OU-Lots and lots of happy people completely feeling the music. A crowd with free drinks is always fun too.
NT-Do you have any shows coming up or tour dates?
OU-Nothing official yet. Almost ready to leave my studio and return to the stage soon though.
NT-What's your take on the internet, has it helped or hurt you in terms of reaching an audience or making your money?
OU-I got into it right as the old model was dying and Napster first came out. The internet has definitely helped a youngin' like me get some exposure and sales for sure.
NT-Where can people go to hear and buy your music?
OU-orikaluno.bandcamp.com I have lots of free downloads and a couple singles posted there. I'll also be using that site to release my future albums, EPs, and other musical chaos.
NT-last question...when you hit the venue, what drink is getting ordered first?
OU-On July 27th I'll take a Bacardi and Coke.
NT-Anything else to add for the readers or haters? Any shout outs?
OU-Reader, I appreciate your attention span. Shout out to my Mom, Grandma and Aunt, my Rosario family, Women, Bacardi, The West Side of St. Paul, Everyone who I work with, my friends, anybody Diabetic, and Swisher Sweets.

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Orikal Uno & Prof - Rev It Up

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Orikal Uno, Status Reign, JL Magee - BackRoots

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Orikal Uno - Missmewiddat

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Maria Isa, Orikal Uno & Anonimust - Sex Shoota

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Orikal Uno - Get 2 U

ORIKAL UNO - INTRIGUED (MINUTE OR 2)

New summer classic by Orikal Uno produced by MK Ultra.

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Monday, June 21, 2010

SHELLS STAYS FOCUSED

With roots wrapped in the rhythms of calypso and steelpan Shells musical ideology germinated upon the lands of her adolescent familys journey to the isle of Barbuda. Developing on the sands of an island coursing with African influence and Carribbean flavor, Shells came to know many island locals and flourished next to those who taught her the art of steelpan drumming. Privy to the drum-laden island tempo and beats, Shells was metamorphosed by the music. Yet back home in the states her early influences came by way of radio, rock n’ roll and the local neighbor who taught her, at the precocious age of eight, to play guitar. As well, an older sister with appreciation of music that came of a generation before hers aided in the propagation of an ear for bands and live instrumentation.

It was after this introduction to the core of US rock that Shells effloresced on her home terrain of music. She began certified instruction on guitar under Ken Volpe, who recognized her musical thirst and asked if she would like to aid him in the construction of a drum room in his studio basement. Shells obliged, and from the experience the topography of music once again morphed around her: she now nurtured an intense interest in soundproofing and recording, in percussion variation, in the studio atmosphere as an environment. Since Shells first pulled sound from the steelpans, she has nurtured a profound love of music. Stirred by house, breakbeats and jungle upon the inception of rave and club culture, it was here that rhythm and tempo again made upheaval upon her musical life. Hypnotized by the repetitive essence of breakbeat dancehall mixes, and the evolving world of dance surrounding them, Shells began dj’ing sets at the green age of 14 during a time when under-agers sprung up in the cracks of the scene at outlaws and no-age venues without recourse.

Further fed by the hip-hop, reggae and R&B which thrived on mainstream airwaves at this time, Shells became deeply intrigued by a foundational question of the music she both spun and was surrounded by in hip-hop culture: but how do the sounds get on the records? It was this very question that beat down the path Shells still walks today, the path of producer, with the steelpans and rhythms of her youth ever-inspiring the core of her profession, and with breakbeats as a stimulant behind her breakdown-heavy hip-hop, R&B and reggae productions. Influence never ceases with Shells, nor do her appetites for travel and culture, and the world music that has fed her experimentation since the days when she played steelpan at Barbudan dusk. Most recently Shells spent time working in Spain and backpacking the Mediterranean circuit to Greece, where she gathered world-perspective and the opportunity to allow flamenco, accordion ballad and the bouzouki of the Greek islands of her family lineage to inform her productions back home in the studio.

Today Shells finds sustenance in underground hip-hop collaborations, homegrown in her studio and cultivated on the streets. She believes in the integrity of individual sound, and ingests a healthy dose of the political, expanding the appetite of her influence and productions to include political spoken word and hip-hop steeped in the ideologies of sociological struggle. Shells' insatiable appetite for sound has allowed her to explore and record further varietables of music including hip hop, screambands, rock, pop, reggaeton, poet/post-production mixes and straight-up experimental.

She was Head Session Engineer/Production Supervisor at the NatCave Studios, Brooklyn, NY, from 2007 until 2009. Now residing in Chicago on her way to Los Angelas to set up shop for good, Shells is forever seeking the spices and flavors of an international, inter-continental sound.

Never shy to a challenge and always hungry to explode the underappreciated sound, Shells has worked with the likes of Twista Atlantic & Get $ Gang, Omarion, Empress ISIS of the Underground Reggae Awards, Bristal & Twan of Bootcamp Click, Papoose of Streetsweepers, SAB of Rhymesayers Ent/Hiero Imperium, Prof of Stophouse, Orikal Uno of Graff Roots Media and many other artists.

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Orikal Uno - Missmewiddat

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Orikal Uno & Prof - Rev It Up Share

Saturday, June 19, 2010

TEAM SHELLS + DP THOT = THE ILL-LITERATES

"ILL-Literacy" is a brainchild of east coast based lyricist DP THoT and Producer/Engineer/DJ, Shells. They've been working together for over two years under seperate monikers, and decided to join forces and unite as a single entity. Having been informed on more than one occasion that their music is SICK, they decided to play a little with words, and thus "The ILL-Literates" were born. Through DP's strong sense of lyrical integrity, and SHELL's versatility on the beats & mixes, this freshman album from the newly formed duo, the "The ILL-Literates," is ready to be heard.

The two have had previous releases together, both of which can be found on this site, before they adopted their unified title. For shows, you will be able to catch the line-up starting in the fall in Los Angeles also featuring EOP and his band, following a special show in Connecticut in July! For other tracks produced by Shells click here.

NEW ORIKAL UNO SONGS

Orikal Uno is on his Lil Wayne grind with recording over 30 songs already this year. He's been rocking with everyone it seems, check the list. Sab The Artist, Prof, Ganzobean, Chris Goodwin, Shells, Dilligent Intelligence, Status Reign, Anonimust, Try-D, Maria Isa, Dj Mindcontrol, JL Magee and Cherrelle. Never the less making the beat for "The Awful Truth" for Sab and Abstract Rude. Keep on the lookout for the Orikal Uno interview soon.

Super Bonus Song! No Team In I (Exclusive) Orikal Uno & Prof - Rev It Up

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Orikal Uno & Prof - Rev It Up Share

Thursday, June 10, 2010

NEW ORIKAL UNO SONG "KING SHIT"

Orikal Uno has not been fucking around lately dropping gems like a thief on the run with tracks like "That Guy" and "Goodbye." He's back and blessing us with the new track "King Shit" produced by the homie Glennmatthew Williamson AKA Dilligent Intelligence.

No Team In I (EXCLUSIVE) Maria Isa, Orikal Uno & Anonimust - Sex Shoota

This shit is hot! The homie Orikal Uno is less then fucking around on this one!

"I'm in ya city like a Taxi Cab / Hater actin' mad, I think the hater need a Maxi Pad"

P.S. Buy his first single off his record "Uno" entitled "Goodbye" produced by Anonimust which you can get for only $1.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT DJ MINDCONTROL AKA MK ULTRA

Limelight time, bulbs beaming on the homie J.P. BKA DJ Mindcontrol AKA MK Ultra. He's been on the grind since way back and whatever. former DJ for Leroy Smokes and Sound Odyssey. He's also worked with such heavy hitters as the homie Carnage, Desdamona, Orikal Uno and MC Thinks (Chicago.) As a performer he's opened for the likes of NTII Favorite Eyedea & Abilities, 2 Live Crew, Carnage, Truth Maze, Psalm One (Rhymesayers) and Out of Bounds. He's also had his hand in marketing and promotions going as far as running shows at the Blue Nile, being the host/DJ for the Blue Nile as well and also ran a spoken word night.

Basically the dude was all over the place and after a brief hiatus he's back like cooked crack getting it crackin like cracked corn...yep. His style is pretty different and he's has his hand in Drum-N-Bass, Reggae, Hip-Hop, indie Rock, etc. He's working with some pretty bonkers talent right now which I'm not at liberty to say until the shit is finalized but definitely be on the lookout. I've posted a couple tracks he's done with family Orikal Uno and you know those are dope. Repping Aztek Records. He also happens to be an incredible talent in the art whirld also, so buy some shit from him.

Brief Bio from the man himself

"Born in San jose, Costa rica, MK Ultra is a pseudonym for the 'producer" status of DJ Mindcontrol. Like all alter ego's, the fantastic voyage of one man is chronicled in the forth comin album "War for your mind"

With a heavy influence in Exo-politics and such conspiracy's as 911,waco and 2012. The forefront of MK ULTRA stem's from a fascination with informing the mass sleeping population to the global threat of "bank-gangsters" and Buildabergers alike.

From the streets of Minneapolis and heart of the native Costa Rican/cuban comes a release this summer you have been waiting for."

"ATLANTIS" feat. MARK ULTRA

"WAR" instr. feat. MARK ULTRA

"OBEY:MARK ULTRA" fea. MK ULTRA

"HEAR THIS" RASTA-DnB version

"DONT STEP" Jump Up-jungle ( MK ULTRA)

"Sunlight" fea. ORIKAL UNO

"WAR 4 YOUR MIND" (jello remix) ORIKAL UNO-MK ULTRA

Sound odyssey is "TIMMON MASON AND INSIGHT and DJ MINDCONTROL"

GARAGEBAND/EMAIL/FACEBOOK/MYSPACE/SOUNDCLOUD/FLICKR/REVERBNATION

STILL THE SAME UNO THAT YOU KNOW

Orikal.Uno.has.a.new.song.it's.pimp.

kirk, out.

Farealies, Song is called "Escape"

Tell a friend to tell a friend playboi. Share

Sunday, May 23, 2010

ALBUM SPOTLIGHT DEAD MAN'S BONES

Dead Man's Bones is a collaborative effort by two actors, Ryan Gosling and his homeboy Zach Shields. The album is haunting, folky, catchy and smart all at the same time. It was easily in my top 5 favorite records from last year...please buy it.