Rising Sun All Stars
New York City, NY | Established. Jan 01, 2013 | SELF | AFTRA
Music
Press
In Wu-Tang Clan’s classic anthem “C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me),” Inspectah Deck described Staten Island as a war zone overrun with “stickup kids / corrupt cops / and crack rocks and stray shots / all on the block that stays hot.” About two decades later, in 2012, the block in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, where Gary Nieves Jr. decided to build a recording studio, was still pretty warm. Young men stood outside the studio slipping baggies into the hands of glassy-eyed customers; fights were constantly breaking out among the homeless people who hung out in the park across the street. Still, the block might have been even hotter if not for the presence of an unofficial neighborhood peacemaker who kept an eye on the strip. Soon after Nieves opened the studio, a singer showed up to a recording session saying some asshole had been drunkenly harassing her outside. Nieves and two friends confronted the man. As they exchanged words, a hulking bystander walked over and ordered that man never to bother the woman again. The musicians soon learned to expect this kind of thing from their new acquaintance. In an area where people didn’t have much faith in the formal justice system, this man was a respected figure of authority, a "gentle giant" and a "big teddy bear" who often settled disputes and offered to look after people’s parking spaces. “He was a nice guy,” said Nieves. “Always said hello.” His name was Eric Garner.
On July 17, 2014, Nieves, a 27-year-old who handles production duties for several bands and plays bass for a hip-hop group called the Rising Sun All Stars, was working in the studio when he heard shouting from the street below. He went downstairs and saw Garner pleading with the police to leave him alone. What happened next was captured on a video that has spread far beyond the streets of Staten Island. From Nieves’s vantage point, the incident looked like “a savage gang attack.” Like everyone who has watched the scene play out on their TVs and laptops, Nieves saw Officer Daniel Pantaleo grab Garner around the neck and heard Garner shout “I can’t breathe” 11 times before falling silent. “I wasn’t sure if he was dead or not,” said Nieves. “In my head, I didn’t think he was dead. It looked bad, but because of how nonchalant the responders were, I was kind of assuming, tomorrow he’ll be out here again.”
A month ago, the Rising Sun All Stars released a song inspired by what Nieves witnessed that day, joining the ranks of better-known artists from around the country who have been using hip-hop to express their anger and grief over the mistreatment of black people at the hands of police. G-Unit and J. Cole, Alicia Keys and Killer Mike — it’s a long and eclectic list. Nieves’s song “I Can’t Breathe” is dark and angry, with a rugged boom-bap beat inspired by the distinctive Wu-Tang sound. NenJah Nycist, the band’s emcee, raps from Garner’s point of view, alluding to his peaceful reputation. “I’m no stranger to these streets / everybody know me, I never start beef.” You can listen to the song for free on SoundCloud or Bandcamp, where it has been played several thousand times. The band says they’ll pass along all donations to Garner’s family, though so far they’ve only managed to raise $200. The song has yet to get much play off the Island.
Staten Island is a racially divided place, with the homes of white cops, firefighters, and nurses spread out across the suburban-style neighborhoods of the South Shore and the borough's growing black and Latino communities concentrated in the densely populated neighborhoods to the north. The Rising Sun All Stars span the divide. Nieves and his cousin Ruben, a percussionist, are of Puerto Rican descent, and NenJah and Ariana Smith — one of the band’s two singers — are black. The other singer, Mike Costello, along with the two guitarists, Pat Nowak and Dave Giordano, are white. Ask about their experiences with police, and you’ll get very different answers.
“I have police in my family,” said Costello. “I have a lot of police in my family. My grandfather, my uncle, my aunt, two cousins. One is in narcotics at the 120, the same precinct Officer Pantaleo came out of. And that’s all great. But my grandfather would be rolling in his grave right now knowing that this shit is going on.”
One evening in early December, before a deadly ambush on a pair of police officers shook the city and diverted attention from the escalating protests against police misconduct, Garner’s family members and their supporters gathered near the spot where Eric died, chanting, “I can’t breathe.” Upstairs, the band members were sitting around on Nieves’s couch cracking open cans of PBR. Costello said he couldn’t understand why the cops would respond so aggressively to something so trivial. (The police say they’d confronted Garner for selling loose cigarettes.) “Before putting your arm around the man’s throat,” he said, “why not open the squad-car door and say, ‘Eric, let’s go’?”
“I’ll tell you why,” said NenJah, a 26-year-old originally from the Bronx. The officer, he claimed, “sees this big black guy — he already demonized him in his mind. People are like, ‘Oh, it’s not a race thing.’” He rolled his eyes. “It’s nothing but a race thing.”
“If they were responding to somebody selling cigarettes in Annadale,” said Ruben, referring to a white, middle-class neighborhood on the other side of the Island, “that guy would not be dead now.”
A few nights later, I met Nieves outside the studio and we walked over to the spot where he watched Garner take his last breath. Nieves is quiet, reflective. As we stood there, looking at the cluster of votive candles and handmade signs that have marked the site since July, I noticed him anxiously tearing a scrap of paper into smaller and smaller pieces. Nieves said he’d had doubts about releasing the song. What if people saw it as a ploy for publicity, a vulgar attempt to become better known outside of Staten Island?
“What pushed me to the point where I knew [recording a song] was something that felt right was thinking about what Eric’s reaction might have been,” he said. “What if the song was about another guy out here? There are other guys serving the same type of role that he did.” Nieves paused and fiddled again with the scrap of paper. “I think he would like the song,” he said. “I think he would like the message.” - Vulture_NY Mag
The funky soul hip hop group Rising Sun All Stars are among readers' top favorite hip hop acts here. (PHOTO BY DAVID GIORDANO) - Staten Island Advance
Several months after witnessing the death of Eric Garner happen right outside his Staten Island-based recording studio, Gary Nieves, Jr., along with his rap group, The Rising Sun All-Stars, have released a single in honor of Garner’s life. They knew Garner as a “gentle giant” who often hung out on their street, not only selling loosies but also helping resolve conflicts. Available for free to listen to on SoundCloud and BandCamp, their song, I Can’t Breathe, represents the group’s attempt to grapple with Garner’s death and the grand jury verdict that cleared the police officer who killed him. Nieves wrote the music for the track; NenJah Nycist, one of the band’s two singers, wrote the lyrics.
“Hard to sleep / When these cops on the beat / Choking out motherfuckers that look like me,” raps Nycist. “No mystery just misery.”
The band is currently offering the song to listeners at a “pay-what-you-want” price, and they promise all the proceeds will go to the family of Eric Garner. In a recent interview with NY Mag’s Vulture blog, Nieves says he channeled his grief at the loss of Garner into the song.
“What pushed me to the point where I knew [recording a song] was something that felt right was thinking about what Eric’s reaction might have been,” Nieves told Vulture. “What if the song was about another guy out here? There are other guys serving the same type of role that he did... I think he would like the song... I think he would like the message.” - GOOD magazine
The impact of Eric Garner’s choking death has transcended way beyond his nuclear family. His daughter and brother may have just released a song about the sting of his passing, but another set of community acquaintances who miss his presence put their feelings on wax.
The Rising Sun All Stars, a hip hop group that calls Staten Island their home, remembers the day they watched Garner die on the ground at the hands of Officer Daniel Pantaleo.
“I wasn’t sure if he was dead or not,” Gary Nieves Jr., the band’s bass player, told Vulture. From his studio window across the street, he watched as the police wrestled Garner to the ground as he pleaded with them for oxygen. “In my head, I didn’t think he was dead. It looked bad, but because of how nonchalant the responders were, I was kind of assuming, tomorrow he’ll be out here again.”
Shaken up by the incident, he and his bandmates were prompted to record the song “I Can’t Breathe,” copying Garner’s now famous final words verbatim. It was released on Dec. 10, 2014. You can stream the impassioned song on Bandcamp or Soundcloud for free.99, but if you purchase the song, all proceeds will go to Garner’s family.
After you press play on the song, read more of the groups reflections on the incident here.
Photo Credit: Mike Shane - Vibe Magazine
I remembered the dude kevin saying, yo’ you should check these guys out, i think you’ll like them. Kevin was right. This young group of talented musicians make up the group Rising Sun Allstars. This bands style is a unique mix of genres, so i’d say no matter what kind of music you like… you will definitely get your fill of GOOD MUSIC & GOOD TIMES hanging at a RSA show. Might even end up dancing with a cutie by the bar. #statenislandgetfresh
Nycist is wearing the “Death From Above” 5Panel by @HUFSF. Now available at your local RHC.
If you missed them at Cafe 120… come down to @VanDuzerDays to see Rising Sun Allstars rip the stage alongside Aquavibe & In Buenos Aries.
ARTICLE FEATURES PHOTO/VIDEO/TEXT Content, Please click through the URL link to view all! - Richmond Hood Company
This track right here!!!! Is probably one of the hardest tracks I’ve listened to in long time! I honestly have it on repeat! Shout to my due Nycist! Someone needs to sign this man!
- Mine Are Kool
This track right here!!!! Is probably one of the hardest tracks I’ve listened to in long time! I honestly have it on repeat! Shout to my due Nycist! Someone needs to sign this man!
- Mine Are Kool
EFF UP (Explicit) by The Rising Sun All Stars
The Rising Sun All-Stars are a band affiliated with rappers Tay & Nycist. They sent me this new joint, a very souldful joint that is pretty DOPE!!! And they are on their grind, tonight they'll be up in Staten Island, NY performing at Rhythm & Brews! - Baltimore's Very Own
EFF UP (Explicit) by The Rising Sun All Stars
The Rising Sun All-Stars are a band affiliated with rappers Tay & Nycist. They sent me this new joint, a very souldful joint that is pretty DOPE!!! And they are on their grind, tonight they'll be up in Staten Island, NY performing at Rhythm & Brews! - Baltimore's Very Own
Ladies and gentlemen, feel this groove as we add ‘We Will Rise’ from The Rising Sun All Stars to the Playlist for The Big One.
These are young’uns sounding like old school rap/hip-hopsters in a musical mob with deep roots in B’more and NYC. The band is fronted by Baltimore rappers Tay & Nycist – and Ariana Smith – and a killer gathering of young passionate players: Michael Costello – Vocals & Lifesaving [he's an EMT], Gary Nieves Jr (GLNJR) – Bass, Alex Salinger – Drums, Dave Giordano – Guitar, Pat Nowak – Guitar, Ruben Nieves Jr – Percussion, and Stephen Afasano – Percussion, glockenspiel.
Heavily influenced by Motown’s “Funk Brothers” band as well as James Brown’s various bands, The Rising Sun All Stars’ music is saturated (and yes, that’s saturated as in analog-tape saturated) with a vintage vibe reminiscent of those soul bands. ‘We Will Rise’ has a back-to-basics bass line that’s absolutely awesome. This is a perfect soundtrack if you’re up here in Quebec and working your way through another #manifencours tactical med shift and/or for the transition from Friday to a long Memorial Day weekend in America. Rock with us, people. - Big Medicine
Ladies and gentlemen, feel this groove as we add ‘We Will Rise’ from The Rising Sun All Stars to the Playlist for The Big One.
These are young’uns sounding like old school rap/hip-hopsters in a musical mob with deep roots in B’more and NYC. The band is fronted by Baltimore rappers Tay & Nycist – and Ariana Smith – and a killer gathering of young passionate players: Michael Costello – Vocals & Lifesaving [he's an EMT], Gary Nieves Jr (GLNJR) – Bass, Alex Salinger – Drums, Dave Giordano – Guitar, Pat Nowak – Guitar, Ruben Nieves Jr – Percussion, and Stephen Afasano – Percussion, glockenspiel.
Heavily influenced by Motown’s “Funk Brothers” band as well as James Brown’s various bands, The Rising Sun All Stars’ music is saturated (and yes, that’s saturated as in analog-tape saturated) with a vintage vibe reminiscent of those soul bands. ‘We Will Rise’ has a back-to-basics bass line that’s absolutely awesome. This is a perfect soundtrack if you’re up here in Quebec and working your way through another #manifencours tactical med shift and/or for the transition from Friday to a long Memorial Day weekend in America. Rock with us, people. - Big Medicine
Pasadena Bound for Baltimore
Scott Hommel - Baltimore Indie Music Examiner
Heads will bob and the beer will flow when resident party boys Pasadena headline “Who The F**k?” presented by The Underground, Friday January 28th at Sonar. Touring extensively up and down the east coast, the band possesses an unparalleled work ethic yet stays true to their laid back persona and reputation as a sure-fire good time. Mixing several musical genres within a predominantly reggae backbeat, Joey Harkum’s lyrics shine as the band carves and grooves its way to the land of good vibes. With a solid rhythm section and trumpet fills echoing throughout the mix, the band’s sound is contagious and few (if any) local bands seem to match Pasadena’s devoted following. They’ve played to packed houses at Rams Head Live and The Recher, so tickets to the Sonar show are gonna fly.
With $2 BOHs, $2 PBRs, and $3 rail drinks, the recipe for getting loose comes at a reasonable price courtesy of Sonar. The rest of the artists on the night’s bill are some of Baltimore’s rising stars of hip-hop and r&b. Miss Cream and Pope will perform among others, and the evening will feature a talented storytelling duo Tay N Nycist. Gaining attention upon dropping their mixtape “Who the F**k is Tay & Nycist", the group is poised to take the pivotal next step in their inevitable rise to the top of the musical food chain. Having already shared a stage with the likes of Big Boi and Shwayze, it would appear the sky is the limit for the duo and, sooner than later, no one will be asking “Who the F**k is Tay & Nycist?”
Examiner.com Pasadena Bound for Baltimore - Baltimore indie music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/indie-music-in-baltimore/pasadena-bound-for-baltimore#ixzz1pgOJpc9Y
Scott Hommel, Examiner contributor, is a lifelong musician and avid concertgoer. Playing multiple instruments as well as singing, he has been active in the local music scene for quite some time and currently plays with The Cheaters.
- Examiner
Pasadena Bound for Baltimore
Scott Hommel - Baltimore Indie Music Examiner
Heads will bob and the beer will flow when resident party boys Pasadena headline “Who The F**k?” presented by The Underground, Friday January 28th at Sonar. Touring extensively up and down the east coast, the band possesses an unparalleled work ethic yet stays true to their laid back persona and reputation as a sure-fire good time. Mixing several musical genres within a predominantly reggae backbeat, Joey Harkum’s lyrics shine as the band carves and grooves its way to the land of good vibes. With a solid rhythm section and trumpet fills echoing throughout the mix, the band’s sound is contagious and few (if any) local bands seem to match Pasadena’s devoted following. They’ve played to packed houses at Rams Head Live and The Recher, so tickets to the Sonar show are gonna fly.
With $2 BOHs, $2 PBRs, and $3 rail drinks, the recipe for getting loose comes at a reasonable price courtesy of Sonar. The rest of the artists on the night’s bill are some of Baltimore’s rising stars of hip-hop and r&b. Miss Cream and Pope will perform among others, and the evening will feature a talented storytelling duo Tay N Nycist. Gaining attention upon dropping their mixtape “Who the F**k is Tay & Nycist", the group is poised to take the pivotal next step in their inevitable rise to the top of the musical food chain. Having already shared a stage with the likes of Big Boi and Shwayze, it would appear the sky is the limit for the duo and, sooner than later, no one will be asking “Who the F**k is Tay & Nycist?”
Examiner.com Pasadena Bound for Baltimore - Baltimore indie music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/indie-music-in-baltimore/pasadena-bound-for-baltimore#ixzz1pgOJpc9Y
Scott Hommel, Examiner contributor, is a lifelong musician and avid concertgoer. Playing multiple instruments as well as singing, he has been active in the local music scene for quite some time and currently plays with The Cheaters.
- Examiner
New York, NY events
The Rising Sun All Stars
May 5, 2012 7:00 pm (Saturday)
The Annex
152 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
Supporting Acts: The Smoking Jackets
The Rising Sun All Stars
The Rising Sun All Stars are a musical collective, fronted by Baltimore rappers Tay & Nycist along with Ariana Smith (DJ CSI radio). The band, lead by bass player Gary Nieves Jr, takes an old school, all live approach to Hip Hop and R&B music with a 3 man percussion crew of Alex Salinger (Born Ready, drums), Ruben Nieves Jr (congas, aux) and Stephen Afasano (Racing Exit 13, glockenspiel, aux) Biography Heavily influenced by Motown's "Funk Brothers" band as well as James Brown's various bands, The Rising Sun All Stars' music is saturated (and yes, actually analog tape saturated) with a vintage vibe reminiscent of those soul bands. The live performance is highly energetic with 4 vocalists up front getting the crowd moving. The band is visually vibrant, young, diverse, high energy, well dressed, talented, and fun. The concept is simple, live band "sampling." Our MC's need to look no further than their band to drop that next hot beat with a classic shimmering riff on top that we all remembe
Cost
Payment required - 5.00 USD
Links
Buy Tickets - CBS Local & 92.3 NOW FM
New York, NY events
The Rising Sun All Stars
May 5, 2012 7:00 pm (Saturday)
The Annex
152 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
Supporting Acts: The Smoking Jackets
The Rising Sun All Stars
The Rising Sun All Stars are a musical collective, fronted by Baltimore rappers Tay & Nycist along with Ariana Smith (DJ CSI radio). The band, lead by bass player Gary Nieves Jr, takes an old school, all live approach to Hip Hop and R&B music with a 3 man percussion crew of Alex Salinger (Born Ready, drums), Ruben Nieves Jr (congas, aux) and Stephen Afasano (Racing Exit 13, glockenspiel, aux) Biography Heavily influenced by Motown's "Funk Brothers" band as well as James Brown's various bands, The Rising Sun All Stars' music is saturated (and yes, actually analog tape saturated) with a vintage vibe reminiscent of those soul bands. The live performance is highly energetic with 4 vocalists up front getting the crowd moving. The band is visually vibrant, young, diverse, high energy, well dressed, talented, and fun. The concept is simple, live band "sampling." Our MC's need to look no further than their band to drop that next hot beat with a classic shimmering riff on top that we all remembe
Cost
Payment required - 5.00 USD
Links
Buy Tickets - CBS Local & 92.3 NOW FM
Saturday, October 29, 2011
5TH ANNUAL BALTIMORE CROWN AWARDS
On November 5th, 5 Seasons will again be the venue hosting the Baltimore Crown Awards, a show designed to recognize and honor those who are members of the burgeoning hip hop/poetry/artistic scene in this region. Since 2007, the Baltimore Crown Awards have given light to those that may be underappreciated, from the underground, considered the underdog, but that is soon to change. This year's crop of nominees is deep, covering a wide spectrum of talents and areas. Yours truly is nominated for the first time for Best Baltimore Blog/Website, so I am truly honored and excited by this recognition from peers and music fans alike. Chin-Yer, a staple on the underground scene, hence the organizational moniker The Baltimore Scene, has done an excellent job of uniting various aspects of our subterranean hip hop culture, creating a family affair not seen here in Charm City before. Just looking at the nominee listing showcases the amount of talent that this fair city of ours holds, yet doesn't quite get the just due it deserves. The good thing about the Baltimore Crown Awards is that each individual nominated is a winner, just because of the simple fact each nomination came with an explanation for why said individual is deserving of accolades. That notion alone should make each and every entity proud, because your/our peers took the time and effort to recognize what our underground scene is all about. Below you will find a complete listing of each category and nominee. You can also go to http://thebaltimorescene.com/the-baltimore-crown/ for more information about the Baltimore Crown Awards and The Baltimore Scene movement. To each and every nominee, I salute your efforts and congratulate you on this victory, because we are all winners!
HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Skarr Akbar
Caddy da Don
Los
Dirt Platoon
Billy Lyve
Wordsmith
Mully Man
BATTLE MC OF THE YEAR:
Lil Nay
Smooth Black
Apex
Murda
Danja
Rio
Tay Roc
POET OF THE YEAR:
Femi the Dri Fish
Slangston Hughes
Hanalyn
Love The Poet
E the Poet MC
Archie the Messenger
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Karron Johnson
Anonamas
Carmen Cameron
Mai Henderson
J S.O.U.L.
J. Pope
BAND OF THE YEAR:
The Bangledesh Project
Soul Cannon
Ama Chandra
Rebel Nation
Dri Fish and The Out of Water Xperience
The Rising Sun All Stars
Black Angel Down
BEST UNDERGROUND RELEASE:
“Beautiful Mind”---Skarr Akbar
“Pursuit of Happiness 1&2 ”---Skarr Akbar
“Sleep When I’m Dead 2”---Billy Lyve
“Worth The Wait”---Los
GRAPHIC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Skarr Akbar
Fame
Stevie Krizz
Bmore Unique
Mike Traum
Wax Chemistry
BEST BALTIMORE MEDIA:
Strictly Hip Hop 88.9
Politic with Permiss
Shockwave Magazine
Allbmorehiphop.com
Dan Da Cameraman
BEST BALTIMORE BLOG/WEBSITE:
IAM-HIPHOP.com
Bmore’s Very Own
MerdJ.com
Citypaper.com
Wisdom40.blogspot.com
Allbmorehiphop.com
DJ OF THE YEAR:
DJ Booman
DJ 5 Star
DJ Harvey Dent
DJ Remedy
DJ Jabril
DJ Black Wizard
DJ Redz
STUDIO:
ARS
Street Legal
Wrightway Studio
II Nice Studio
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR:
Street Scott
Kariz Marcel
Sean Toure'
Beat Ryda
Inside Men
Imahj Beats
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR:
Eyeni Photography
Clipse Photography
Lisa Stant
Fame of Street Smart Magazine
Ad Lib
Edith/Diamond Digital Photography
VIDEOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:
Keystone Productions
GeneralbeatZ
Mike Traum
Ernest Turner/Amplified Videos
Profitt Productions
The Grench
Supa Dave
MANAGER OF THE YEAR:
Bridgette Johnson
Frank Lewis
Tim Blackman
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR:
Rah Staten
Tay Tay of Tayland Promotions
Billy Lyve/Wisdom Court Entertainment
Bridgette Johnson and Dreko
5 Starr Entertainment
BEST NEW ARTIST:
Rell
KG
BlackStaff247
Ull Neva No
Jay Dee
UNDER THE RADAR:
Last Born Child
Darryl McCready
Morese of Stinkiface Music
Si-Notes
Imahj Beats
Jamma Wun
BEST LIVE VENUE:
NowChild Soundstage
Sonar
Baltimore Soundstage
Rams Head Live
Eden’s Lounge
BEST HIP HOP VENUE:
Sonar
The 5 Seasons
NowChild Soundstage
Baltimore Soundstage
Club Reality
BEST POETRY VENUE:
The Art of Conversation
Warm Wednesdays
Organic Soul Tuesdays
Storytellers
GOLDEN MIC AWARD:
Awarded to an extraordinary Hip Hop Artists who goes above and beyond to provide the scene and/or community with a service:
Ogun (Baltimore Hip Hop Council)
OOH of Brown F.I.S.H. (mentoring youth)
Billy Lyve (Wisdom Court Kids)
Skarr Akbar (holding the scene down with his artistic services)
GOLDEN PEN:
Given to a blog writer/journalist/Poet/Author that goes beyond the call of duty and gives a special contribution to community and/or artistic scene:
Civil Jones (work with Hip Hop In Pink and media outlet Merdj.com)
Slangston Hughes (work with youth slam/youth movement)
Olu Butterfly Woods (work with youth/Poetry for the People/Organic Soul Tuesdays )
GOLDEN STAGE: - Chin Yer - The Baltimore Scene
Saturday, October 29, 2011
5TH ANNUAL BALTIMORE CROWN AWARDS
On November 5th, 5 Seasons will again be the venue hosting the Baltimore Crown Awards, a show designed to recognize and honor those who are members of the burgeoning hip hop/poetry/artistic scene in this region. Since 2007, the Baltimore Crown Awards have given light to those that may be underappreciated, from the underground, considered the underdog, but that is soon to change. This year's crop of nominees is deep, covering a wide spectrum of talents and areas. Yours truly is nominated for the first time for Best Baltimore Blog/Website, so I am truly honored and excited by this recognition from peers and music fans alike. Chin-Yer, a staple on the underground scene, hence the organizational moniker The Baltimore Scene, has done an excellent job of uniting various aspects of our subterranean hip hop culture, creating a family affair not seen here in Charm City before. Just looking at the nominee listing showcases the amount of talent that this fair city of ours holds, yet doesn't quite get the just due it deserves. The good thing about the Baltimore Crown Awards is that each individual nominated is a winner, just because of the simple fact each nomination came with an explanation for why said individual is deserving of accolades. That notion alone should make each and every entity proud, because your/our peers took the time and effort to recognize what our underground scene is all about. Below you will find a complete listing of each category and nominee. You can also go to http://thebaltimorescene.com/the-baltimore-crown/ for more information about the Baltimore Crown Awards and The Baltimore Scene movement. To each and every nominee, I salute your efforts and congratulate you on this victory, because we are all winners!
HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Skarr Akbar
Caddy da Don
Los
Dirt Platoon
Billy Lyve
Wordsmith
Mully Man
BATTLE MC OF THE YEAR:
Lil Nay
Smooth Black
Apex
Murda
Danja
Rio
Tay Roc
POET OF THE YEAR:
Femi the Dri Fish
Slangston Hughes
Hanalyn
Love The Poet
E the Poet MC
Archie the Messenger
VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Karron Johnson
Anonamas
Carmen Cameron
Mai Henderson
J S.O.U.L.
J. Pope
BAND OF THE YEAR:
The Bangledesh Project
Soul Cannon
Ama Chandra
Rebel Nation
Dri Fish and The Out of Water Xperience
The Rising Sun All Stars
Black Angel Down
BEST UNDERGROUND RELEASE:
“Beautiful Mind”---Skarr Akbar
“Pursuit of Happiness 1&2 ”---Skarr Akbar
“Sleep When I’m Dead 2”---Billy Lyve
“Worth The Wait”---Los
GRAPHIC DESIGNER OF THE YEAR:
Skarr Akbar
Fame
Stevie Krizz
Bmore Unique
Mike Traum
Wax Chemistry
BEST BALTIMORE MEDIA:
Strictly Hip Hop 88.9
Politic with Permiss
Shockwave Magazine
Allbmorehiphop.com
Dan Da Cameraman
BEST BALTIMORE BLOG/WEBSITE:
IAM-HIPHOP.com
Bmore’s Very Own
MerdJ.com
Citypaper.com
Wisdom40.blogspot.com
Allbmorehiphop.com
DJ OF THE YEAR:
DJ Booman
DJ 5 Star
DJ Harvey Dent
DJ Remedy
DJ Jabril
DJ Black Wizard
DJ Redz
STUDIO:
ARS
Street Legal
Wrightway Studio
II Nice Studio
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR:
Street Scott
Kariz Marcel
Sean Toure'
Beat Ryda
Inside Men
Imahj Beats
PHOTOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR:
Eyeni Photography
Clipse Photography
Lisa Stant
Fame of Street Smart Magazine
Ad Lib
Edith/Diamond Digital Photography
VIDEOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR:
Keystone Productions
GeneralbeatZ
Mike Traum
Ernest Turner/Amplified Videos
Profitt Productions
The Grench
Supa Dave
MANAGER OF THE YEAR:
Bridgette Johnson
Frank Lewis
Tim Blackman
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR:
Rah Staten
Tay Tay of Tayland Promotions
Billy Lyve/Wisdom Court Entertainment
Bridgette Johnson and Dreko
5 Starr Entertainment
BEST NEW ARTIST:
Rell
KG
BlackStaff247
Ull Neva No
Jay Dee
UNDER THE RADAR:
Last Born Child
Darryl McCready
Morese of Stinkiface Music
Si-Notes
Imahj Beats
Jamma Wun
BEST LIVE VENUE:
NowChild Soundstage
Sonar
Baltimore Soundstage
Rams Head Live
Eden’s Lounge
BEST HIP HOP VENUE:
Sonar
The 5 Seasons
NowChild Soundstage
Baltimore Soundstage
Club Reality
BEST POETRY VENUE:
The Art of Conversation
Warm Wednesdays
Organic Soul Tuesdays
Storytellers
GOLDEN MIC AWARD:
Awarded to an extraordinary Hip Hop Artists who goes above and beyond to provide the scene and/or community with a service:
Ogun (Baltimore Hip Hop Council)
OOH of Brown F.I.S.H. (mentoring youth)
Billy Lyve (Wisdom Court Kids)
Skarr Akbar (holding the scene down with his artistic services)
GOLDEN PEN:
Given to a blog writer/journalist/Poet/Author that goes beyond the call of duty and gives a special contribution to community and/or artistic scene:
Civil Jones (work with Hip Hop In Pink and media outlet Merdj.com)
Slangston Hughes (work with youth slam/youth movement)
Olu Butterfly Woods (work with youth/Poetry for the People/Organic Soul Tuesdays )
GOLDEN STAGE: - Chin Yer - The Baltimore Scene
Discography
Savage (EP, 2017)
Deeper Than Beats (Single, 2015)
Rising Sun Gang (LP, 2013)
Photos
Bio
Rising Sun All Stars are an Alternative Hip Hop band hailing from New York. With a live ensemble featuring drums, guitars and percussion, we create a unique brand of hip hop music with a heavy dose of classic funk and soul. Led by our emcee Nenjah Nycist, we go for a dynamic and all-out raw approach, both on stage and in the studio. Everything we do is real, live, organic instruments and voices.
Band Members
Links
