The Revolution Vol. 9

Jakk the Rhymer is a Brooklyn bred emcee with a style heavily influenced by artists that also hail from the legendary borough: Mos Def, Biggie Smalls, Jay Z and many more. Jakk linked up early with the Pro Era crew out of Brooklyn, NY and is considered one of the original members. As his career grew, Jakk tha Rhymer’s influence and network continued expanding further than the five boroughs; he currently resides in Philadelphia, PA and has started a new hip-hop concentration focusing on revitalizing a familiar sound while also pushing the boundaries of the genre’s capabilities. This new sound is orchestrated by Jakk’s crew: the Dark Chip Syndicate. As their name would suggest, Jakk boasts, “these guys are so far ahead sonically they had to come back and get the rest of us.” Jakk’s crew consists of rappers who also produce, do video work, and are diversely talented creatives. Be on the lookout: these guys have huge plans and show no signs of slowing down.

Singularity is a NYC-based group started by composer and multi-instrumentalist, Maximillian Zooi. The band’s unique sound comes from the collaboration of Hattie Simon on vocals, Andrew Freedman on keys, James Quinlan on bass, and Phil McNeal on drums. Singularity will take you to a sonic universe of “Future-Strauss Hop” as they integrate lush harmonies of late 19th century Romantic music, powerful melodies of great songwriting, and heavy rhythms of interlocking grooves. These all mix with the quick spark of interplay from the band to make music that you’ve never heard but that you can’t forget.

JohnNY U. is a Brooklyn born and bred emcee and 1/5th of the New York City collective O.I.S.D. The artist formerly known as E.Y.E.Q. changed his alias to represent a “unification of personalities.” JohnNY U., which is short for UniteUs, is the bonding of his styles and personalities. From the artist himself, JohnNY is “the balance between my ‘conscious’ and care free mind.” Deciding to pick up a pen around the end of 2005/beginning of 2006 was a decision made through the influence of his close friend and O.I.S.D. co-creator J.Monopoly. The passion and fun he experienced when J and him would have small freestyle sessions in high school (where JohnNY would provide beats via lunch table) ultimately put a battery in his back. Forming the group with J and the other members would only fuel his passion even more: “I wanted to grow lyrically, mentally & spiritually through the art.” Currently with 4 solo efforts and 2 collaborative mixtapes, (not counting O.I.S.D. projects) JohnNY has found growth and the comfort to create freely at will. Whether across boom-bap laced production or spacey landscapes, the imagery and feel for JohnNY’s music stays true.