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"I'm listening their song, and I like it, they've got a nice sound and I will look forward to hearing more of their songs. Good marks for you guys from me". TC Grandpa Rock
- TC Grandpa Rock
Double Vision - No Explanation!
2008, DV Productions
St. Louis’ Double Vision are two of a kind, literally. Twin brothers Jarred (Mr. Mackamore) and Johnathan (Mackamillion) have been rapping since they were seven years old. The Venice, CA born duo have moved around a lot over the years and have consequently picked up quite the range of musical influences. Their debut album, No Explanation! is now available.
No Explanation! makes use of fairly standard rap conventions -- high levels of profanity and misogyny, all while Double Vision claims or implies their mackhood. No Explanation! is interesting lyrically. Aside from the overuse of meaningless words to convey thoughts, as noted above, the twins are fairly adept poets. Both are also quite accomplished on the mic. I did find this album hard to listen to though as I had a hard time with the musical choices that made the bed for their poetry.
I Don't Stop and Back Packer were both quite impressive, as were Devine Attraction, In It To Win It and A Mack's Poem. The musical aspect was unoriginal at best, and downright abrasive at worst (So Cool). I would love to hear these two poet/rappers with a producer who might provide them with a wider horizon of sounds to play against. I think the results would be fantastic. Nevertheless, lyrically there may not be many better.
No Explanation! is a strong accomplishment with some obvious flaws, but on the whole a worthwhile experience. Double Vision are highly talented pair who should be throwing down rhymes of interest for years to come.
Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)
- Wildy Haskel
Now I have listened to their CD three times (I don't like to pass
judgment after the first listen because it usually takes a few times to
sink in). First let me say I like to buy CDs that I've never heard of,
underground artists, local, etc. I will be honest I had never heard of
them before and just randomly saw the album on CD Baby and bought it
because Jia Davis was on it (I have all BnP!) and listened to a couple
of the low-quality previews on the website and it sounded alright. The
majority of the CDs I buy like that end up being mediocre at best and
some are straight up terrible... but I was pleasantly surprised -- their CD was really tight!
I think all of the tracks on the album are solid lyrically and the beats
are all on point. I didn't think the lyrics and music sounded out of
place on any of the songs. I read that review that was posted on their
myspace blog by the guy that wasn't really feeling the beats; I looked
at his site and he deals with a vast array of music styles, so who knows
what he was expecting... Me, personally, as someone who 98% of the time
listens to hip-hop from 1978 to 2009 and grew up in the early 80's with
hip-hop, I thought the beats were real nice. The beat on "Just Mackin"
was dope and a great way to start off the album. I especially liked the
beat on "BackPackers" that flips the Run-DMC samples. I also liked the
song "Love Don't Come" too on the smooth jam side of things. But really
again I thought all the songs were good (no skippers so far after 3
listens), and the bass hits proper in the car. The only thing that was
missing to me was some DJ cutting and scratching, but that's missing on
almost every album these days!
I was listening to your CD in the car on my way home from work trying to
think of what their style reminds me of. Other than Bits N Pieces I think
the vibe I was getting from it reminds me of the classic west coast
underground hip hop. I'm talking about people like souls of mischief,
freestyle fellowship, dilated peoples, extra prolific etc.
Thanks again and I wish the brothers success... and good job on
the album! - Paul Hartman CD Baby customer
- Paul Hartman
"Normally I don't do this or give the 250,000,000 rap acts a chance on this site but, Double Vision are amazing! Very gritty, original, and as real as they come. They have the same philosophy that musicians and label guys like us do, the TRUE HUSTLER STYLE that isn't glamorous but more dirty and real than most people can imagine with no glory." Tree - LDR
myspace.com/lethargicdriverecords - Tree - LDR
Discography
"Backpacker" "So Cool"(WQUB 90.3 FM) and "Love Don't Come" "Seeing Double" (bonus track with alternative rock artist Broken Side)
recording with German DJ/producer affiliate of DJ Leauge Europe DJ Precious P("That Heat")
NEW MUSIC TUESDAY
PLAYBACK:stl Music series
Up-Next online feature on Hoodgrownonline.com
Featured in Midwest Leak Magazine: First Round Draft Picks
Feautured on Thefindmag.com
Debut album: NO EXPLANATION!
Mixtape release: Art For Ears the mixup
single: "Persistance" ft. Johanna Phraze & Turtle(of The Learning Curve)
"Summer Love" ft. Remz
myspace.com/doublevisionmackrap
DoubleVisionbackpackmackrap.com
nosleeprecs.com
Photos
Bio
The world has two new musical genius's to the hip-hop throne, Johnathan(Mackamillion)and Jarred(Mr.Mackmore) aka, Double Vision (DV). Double Vision are twin brothers that have been compared to duos such as Kriss Kross, Camp Lo, Little Brother,Outkast and the recent chicago based duo The Cool Kids, for their impecable style of dress code. "We like to set trends for what should and shouldn't be. We're not gangsters, we're more like a funky twist of backpackers and macks". Mackamillion says. With being born in a city with such artistic energy and cultural diversity(venice,CA), and then living in between cities throuought the mid-west and the south, it's no wonder these baby faced men have such old souls and insight.(which reflects in their music.)
Rhyming since the tender age of 7, they first emerged as Reflection, later on changing their name to what is now known as Double Vision(DV). From there they hooked with long time partner Bill Blast aka Motion Plus as their main producer, who eventually hooked up with Jia Davis formerly of the infamous STL duo Bits N Pieces, who is also featured on their first studio album:NO EXPLANATION! When asked about their genre of music they so proudly claim as their own, Mr.Mackmore explains, "we speak for the men and women who seem to naturally attract the opposite sex without what some people call game or the use of pick up lines. As for the backpacker part, we're talking about those independent artist, Hip Hop purist and entrepreneurs who's got their own hustle, no matter what genre of music or business their involved in".
Mackamillion holds no cut cards for any song, topic, or issue. Especially on the somewhat controversial song "Mental Chains". Creatively, rap is at a stand still, and Double Vision brings an end to the stagnation with songs like, "So Cool" and "Backpacker", that showcase the group's intriguing personalities and personifies their 'ahead-of-our-time style. There is no question as to why their music is so magnetizing.
Double Vision addresses the issues of the common folks, not the "iced out jewels" or drug dealer stories that our ears are currently saturated with. Double Vision represents the real issues we all go through. It's obvious these guys just want to bring the fun back into music. Sit back, relax and be prepared. Double Vision is solely interested and dedicated to making innovative and creative music."at the end of the day, we make music for those who actually have a brain", says Mackamillion. DV is currently working on their new EP which will be released on No Sleep Records. NSR welcomes Double Vision to the No Sleep family, as they are the first Hip-Hop act to sign with No Sleep Records.
FOR BOOKING DOUBLE VISION CONTACT:
Johnathan Lindsay
cell# (217) 653-8012
email: dvtwins@gmail.com
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