Atmosphere's new tour will kick off in...

ATMOSPHERE ANNOUNCE DATES:  TO ALL MY FRIENDS TOUR
BLUEPRINT, GRIEVES, BUDO, AND DJ RARE GROOVE JOIN IN ON THE FUN

Atmosphere, the most prolific group in independent rap, has announced plans to tour the US with Rhymesayers label-mates Blueprint, Grieves & Budo, and DJ Rare Groove. The tour, which stretches 23 performances across the month of September into the beginning of October, will stoke anticipation for Blueprint's upcoming release while introducing audiences to recent signees Grieves & Budo, who are also slated to release an album in the near future.

Since it's inception in 1995, Rhymesayers Entertainment has fostered one of the most inventive and organic musical communities in the country. Atmosphere formed in 1995 when a mutual friend introduced Sean Daley, who MCs as Slug, to producer Ant. The two set to work and have since built an inland empire, selling hundreds of thousands of records independently and forging a new model for the post-millennial music business. Relentless tour schedules across five continents have gained them notoriety in industry circles and have proven to be their most effective promotional asset.

An Atmosphere show is a passionate, whole-hearted immersion into hip-hop idealism that's complimented by a full live band. Slug is known to deliver lyrics with unbridled energy over deafening drums, alternately emoting over lost love and calling out those that would detract him for doing so. Blueprint is a welcome companion for this tour, armed with a bevy of new material that's certain to expose audiences to an unfamiliar facet of his character. Grieves & Budo, with the last three years spent on the road and their recent appearances at SXSW, Soundset, and Bamboozle, round out the bill.

"This Minneapolis indie rap hero [Slug] has potential to spare, delivering taut, complex rhyme narratives with everyman earnestness." - Rolling Stone

"Print's fresh take on the relatively common ghetto life theme is a powerful example of his wordplay capabilities." - Pitchfork

"Grieves's disarming charisma and flow float his signature new-jack emo swag: self-image, self-abuse, relationships, family-it's all there, just far better executed than the hordes of bedroom MCs/producers who pose as fans these days." - The Stranger




ATMOSPHERE TO ALL MY FRIENDS TOUR DATES:

9.08- Madison, WI        Orpheum Theatre
9.09- Milwaukee, WI        Riverside Theater
9.10- Indianapolis, IN        The Vogue Theatre (with Mudkids) *
9.11- Covington, KY        Madison Theater
9.12- Grand Rapids, MI    Intersection
9.15- Bozeman, MT        Gallatin County Fairgrounds
9.16- Missoula, MT        Wilma Theater
9.17- Missoula, MT        Wilma Theater
9.18- Spokane, WA        Knitting Factory
9.20- Boise, ID               Knitting Factory
9.21- Bend, OR               Midtown Ballroom
9.22- Eugene, OR         McDonald Theater
9.24- Chico, CA             Senator Theatre
9.25- Reno, NV              Knitting Factory
9.27- Arcata, CA             Arcata Community Center
9.28- Sacramento, CA     Sacramento State Union Ballroom
9.29- Santa Cruz, CA        Catalyst
10.01- Las Vegas, NV        House of Blues
10.02- Salt Lake City, UT    In The Venue
10.04- Rapid City, SD        Dublin Square
10.05- Sioux Falls, SD       Sioux Empire Expo Building
10.06- Des Moines, IA       People's Court
10.07- Chicago, IL             Congress Theater


* Grieves & Budo not performing


ATMOSPHERE MYSPACE
http://www.myspace.com/atmosphere

BLUEPRINT MYSPACE
http://www.myspace.com/blueprint

GRIEVES & BUDO MYSPACE
http://www.myspace.com/grieves

RHYMESAYERS
http://www.rhymesayers.com

An entire Psalm One album for zero dollars!

Wu-Tangers meet Rhymesayers: This year's Soundset is gonna be HUGE!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 30, 2010                 
SOUNDSET  FESTIVAL 2010
Date: Sunday, May 30, 2010 - Gates at 11:00AM CST
Location: Canterbury Park - Shakopee, MN

General On Sale is Friday, April 2, 2010 at 11:00AM local time


Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents bring you the third annual Soundset Festival:  the official Midwest kick-off of the summer with nine hours of the best independent Hip Hop music in one day. It all goes down at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN (rain or shine).
 

Confirmed artists for Soundset 2010 include: Atmosphere, Method Man & Redman, Brother Ali, Hieroglyphics featuring Del The Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual and Pep Love, P.O.S, Murs, Freeway & Jake One, Eyedea & Abilities, Wiz Khalifa, Cage, DJ Rob Swift, Grieves & Budo, 45 King, People Under The Stairs, BK One, DJ Revolution, Dessa, Yelawolf, Fashawn, Themselves, Busdriver, Toki Wright, Solillaquists of Sound, Prof & Rhazwell, Cecil Otter, Dark Time Sunshine, Ernest Rhodes, A.R.M (M.anifest & Krukid), Mike Dreams, I.B.E, Ice Rod, Plain Ole Bill, Mike 2600, Kid Cut Up, DJ Pratt and DJ Anton.  Hosted by Peter Parker, Kevin Beacham and DJ Snuggles.
 

In 2009, Rhymesayers and Rose Presents produced the second year of Soundset to an outdoor festival setting at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN with over 15,000 people in attendance, including:  two stages with over 40 artists performing, b-boy battles, live DJs, artist's painting, live skateboard demos and a low rider car show. Soundset 2010 is expected to be even bigger this year!
 

"The biggest indie-rap festival of the year..." URB.com
 

After playing the main stage at Lollapalooza,headlining Red Rocks in Colorado and performing at the Outlands Festival, Atmosphere will be back at Soundset to play their first live performance of 2010. On the heels of their latest release "Blackout 2", superstar combo Method Man (Wu Tang Clan) & Redman bring their legendary live show and catalog to the Twin Cities for a set that's not to be missed. Hieroglyphics, including the full lineup of: Del The Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual and Pep Love return to perform together in Minnesota for the first time in 5 years! Referred to as, "one of independent Rap's strongest voices" by HipHopDX, Brother Ali will once again deliver his raw emotion on the main stage. Murs of Living Legends and Rhymesayers collaborative project Felt will touch down at Soundset in support of his brand new album, "Fornever". With over a year on the road in support of, "Never Better" and performing on last year's Warped Tour, hometown hero or glorified Doomtree member, P.O.S is back again (YEAH RIGHT!). With much critical acclaim for their debut release on Rhymesayers, "The Stimulus Package" and recently performing on Jimmy Fallon with The Roots, Freeway & Jake One are set to play main stage. Since appearing on XXL Magazine's Freshman 10 cover, both Pittsburgh's Wiz Khalifa and Fresno's Fashawn are confirmed to play Soundset for the first time along with buzzworthy Alabama native Yelawolf, making his Minnesota debut.
 

With options of two stages delivering over 40 artists performing nine hours of diverse music, an expanded B-Boy/B-Girl DJ tent, live painting exhibit, skate demo area, Slow and Low custom car show and a special Last of the Record Buyers production showcase, Soundset 2010 is guaranteed to bring the fun for the whole family!
 

Tickets are on sale Friday, April 2, 2010 to the general public through www.ticketmaster.com  and Fifth Element. General admission tickets are $35 plus applicable fees ($3 facility fee and parking are included in ticket price), VIP options are also available!

Visit our websites for the latest Soundset Festival 2010 lineup, music and information!

www.soundsetfestival.com          www.rhymesayers.com               www.twitter.com/soundset

Grieves signs to Rhymesayers, reissues '88 Keys and Counting'

NYC-BASED RAPPER AND PRODUCER DROPS CD REISSUE MARCH 2nd, NEW STUDIO ALBUM DUE FALL 2010

US TOUR DATES SUPPORTING P.O.S. BEGIN 2/4 IN COLORADO SPRINGS, SXSW APPEARANCES TBA


The New York City-based rapper, producer, and multi-faceted performer Grieves has announced the reissue of his breakout sophomore album, 2008's 88 Keys and Counting, coming March 2nd on Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Since his birth in Chicago, IL, Benjamin Laub (bka Grieves) enjoyed a diverse musical upbringing, exposed at an early age to the city's local jazz and blues clubs by his father.  After relocating to Fort Collins, CO and eventually Seattle at age 19, Grieves had broadened his array of musical influences to include punk rock and eventually became completely immersed in Hip Hop as an art form.

Following his debut album Irreversible in 2007, Grieves began collaborating with local Seattle-based producer Budo, a talented multi-instrumentalist that helped complete the organic-yet-intense sound of 15 melodic, sample-free tracks that became 88 Keys & Counting.  Following rave reviews of the album's mainly digital release, Grieves and Budo hit the road once again to set up shop in New York City, where they are currently at work on the follow-up to 88 Keys, due for a Fall release this year on Rhymesayers.  Untethered to common restraints of the hip-hop genre, the combination of Grieves' singing and rapping with the refreshing horn, guitar, and keyboard driven production by Budo presents Grieves strongest work to date.


* supporting P.O.S
** supporting Brother Ali
*** festival date

*2/04/10                        COLORADO SPRINGS, CO            BLACK SHEEP
*2/05/10                        DENVER, CO                                    THE MARQUIS THEATRE
*2/06/10                        SALT LAKE CITY, UT                        KILBY COURT
*2/07/10                        SALT LAKE CITY, UT                        URBAN LOUNGE
*2/08/10                        BOISE, ID                                                NEUROLUX
*2/09/10                        MISSOULA, MT                                    BADLANDER
*2/11/20                        VANCOUVER, BC                                    THE BILTMORE CABARET
*2/12/10                        SEATTLE, WA                                    NECTAR LOUNGE
*2/13/10                        PORTLAND, OR                                    BERBATI'S PAN
*2/14/10                        EUGENE, OR                                    WOW HALL
*2/16/10                        RENO, NV                                                TONIC LOUNGE
*2/18/10                        SAN FRANCISCO, CA                        BOTTOM OF THE HILL
*2/19/10                        LOS ANGELES, CA                                    TROUBADOUR
*2/20/10                        SAN DIEGO, CA                                    THE LOFT
*2/21/10                        POMONA, CA                                    GLASS HOUSE
*2/22/10                        SCOTTSDALE, AZ                                    CHASERS NIGHTCLUB
*2/23/10                        TUCSON, AZ                                    CLUB CONGRESS
*2/24/10                        ALBUQUERQUE, NM                        THE LAUNCHPAD

**3/02/10                        COPENHAGEN, DENMARK            RUST
**3/03/10                        LUND, SWEDEN                                    MEJERIET
**3/04/10                        GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN            PUSTERVIKSBAREN
**3/05/10                        OSLO, NORWAY                                    LIVING ROOM
**3/06/10                        STAVANGER, NORWAY                        NYTORGET

***5/02/10                        NEW RUTHERFORD, NJ                        BAMBOOZLE EAST


~Information courtesy Biz 3

Slug hosts Rhymesayers' Haiti benefit Feb. 9 at First Avenue

RHYMESAYERS ENTERTAINMENT TO HOST CHARITY BENEFIT FOR HAITI, TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9TH HOSTED BY SLUG OF ATMOSPHERE AND FEATURING PERFORMANCES FROM BROTHER ALI, FREEWAY & JAKE ONE, SAGE FRANCIS AND MORE AT MINNEAPOLIS' FIRST AVENUE ALL PROCEEDS TO BE DONATED TO THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS OF HAITI "This is one if the greatest tragedies of our lifetime. It's time for all of us to help the people and families who are suffering." -Brother Ali Rhymesayers Entertainment & friends are proudly coming together this February 9th, in a time of dire global crisis, to organize a benefit for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. With an all-star lineup assembled for an epic night of music for a good cause, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to charity! Featuring performances from Brother Ali, Freeway & Jake One, Sage Francis & B. Dolan, I Self Devine, Sims, Muja Messiah, Toki Wright, BK One, DJ King Otto and Kevin Beacham, the night will be hosted by Minneapolis' own, Slug of Atmosphere. All of these incredible artists are donating their time and coming together for what will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable nights in 2010. For the bargain price of $20, Rhymesayers will be giving their fans an easy and rewarding way to donate, with all proceeds going to Oxfam America, Doctors Without Borders and Yele Haiti, a foundation started by Grammy-Award winning musician and social entrepreneur Wyclef Jean. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, January 27th at 11:00am through Ticketmaster, Fifth Element, First Avenue and local ticket outlets. Rhymesayers Presents: A Benefit For Haiti Tuesday, February 9th 2010 First Ave (701 North First Ave, Minneapolis, MN) 7:00 pm / 18+ Hosted by Slug of Atmosphere. Performances by Brother Ali, Freeway, Sage Francis, Jake One, I Self Devine, Sims, Toki Wright, BK One, B. Dolan, Muja Messiah, Kevin Beacham, and DJ King Otto $20 "It's embarrassing to admit how unaware I've been of the living conditions in Haiti. And that's before the earthquake hit. I'm honored to be involved with this fundraiser and I'm thankful for the conditions that allow me to be on the giving end of this charity. I trust that our fans feel the same way." -Sage Francis "The great people of Haiti live in the poorest nation in our hemisphere and have been impacted by the largest disaster in our hemisphere this century. This isn't about charity, this is about respect for humanity." - Toki Wright "At this moment Haiti needs the world's assistance. It's a privilege to be a part of something so special. Not only should we assist with donations for aid, food, and water, but let's come together 6 months, a year from now and help with the rebuilding process." - Muja Messiah ~Information courtesy Biz 3

Rhymesayers, Freeway and Jake One one-up George W.

I don't care much for Freeway's rhymes, but this is pretty cool:

In anticipation of the February 16, 2010 release of FREEWAY & JAKE ONE "The Stimulus Package", Rhymesayers' flagship store, Fifth Element is following suit in Freeway's efforts to stimulate the Hip-Hop industry. Everyone who pre-orders "The Stimulus Package" at www.fifthelementonline.com will receive a stimulus check courtesy of the Fifth Element. Each will ship to recipients separate from the album and bonus mixtapes. The Fifth Element stimulus checks will be good for 15% off any purchase at Fifth Element. Upping the value, Freeway and Jake One will personally sign each check which will be individually printed with the name of the recipient directly on the 'pay to the order of' line. Checks will be mailed separate from the album and bonus mixtapes. Envelopes will be adorned with limited edition Freeway & Jake One Stimulus Package postage stamps.

-> Read my review of Jake One's "White Van Music" here. <-

All who pre-order will automatically be entered to win $100.00. This is a straight cash prize, a crisp Benjamin gifted as part of Freeway's Stimulus Package. Fifth Element would like to increase the chances of those who pre-order by drawing not one, but five winners! Giving away a total of $500.00 in the Hip-Hop Recovery and Reinvestment Act initiative. Winners may use prize money as they wish, towards Fifth Element, Rhymesayers, or to support Hip-Hop in any way they see fit. The theme of this release is to appreciate and pay it forward. Freeway and Fifth Element would like to thank their fans and customers for their continued support, and what better way than giving away cold hard cash.

Fifth Element has decided to do their part in The Stimulus Package by adding two more bonus items for those who pre-order. In addition to receiving the Freeway & Jake One "The Stimulus Package", personalized FE stimulus check, and entry into a cash prize drawing, each pre-order will get Freeway's most recent mixtapes (while supplies last). The first, The Beat Made Me Do It [Freeway over Jake One beats]. The second, Freelapse [Freeway over Eminem beats]. Freeway, Jake One, album featured artists: Birdman, Raekwon, Beanie Sigel, Young Chris, Bun B, Latoiya Williams, Mr. Porter, Omilio Sparks and mixtapes with production from Jake One and Eminem. Freeway has brought a posse along for the ride. This Fifth Element pre-order package is a don't miss opportunity. Visit www.fifthelementonline.com to pre-order Freeway & Jake One "The Stimulus Package".

~Information courtesy RSE

A&E FYI: Cheap Soundset ticket pre-sale ends tomorrow

Soundset Artist Announcement & Special Fan Pre Sale On Sunday, May 24, 2009, Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents brings you the second annual Soundset: the official Midwest kick-off festival of the summer with over eight hours of the best independent Hip Hop music in one day. It all goes down at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, MN (rain or shine). This is the first round of artists we are announcing, this IS NOT the final lineup.

What fun would it be to tell you everything right away?

Confirmed to perform on the Soundset main stage are: Atmosphere, MF Doom, Brother Ali, Sage Francis with B. Dolan, Immortal Technique, P.O.S, El P featuring Mr. Dibbs, Eyedea & Abilities, Abstract Rude and I Self Devine.

Soundset Tickets: For three days only, we are offering special fan pre-sale tickets to our supporting Rhymesayers peeps first. This special recession friendly ticket price is ONLY available from: Monday, March 16 through Wednesday, March 18 starting at 3:00PM CST at Fifth Element and www.artistarena.com ONLY.

For those of you in Minneapolis, we have limited pre-sale tickets available starting today at Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Ave. South in beautiful Uptown Minneapolis, MN. For the first 100 people that purchase pre-sale tickets in store, you will receive a FREE limited-edition screen print poster from Soundset 08.

For all our friends outside of the Twin Cities, please go online at: https://tixx1.artistarena.com/soundset2009/

Get your tickets now, and save that dough!

Here's the deal (3/16 - 3/18 only!):
Special Fan Pre Sale General Admission - $25 (parking included!)
Special Soundset Festival & After Party (must be 18+) - $35 (parking included!)
VIP ticket (must be 18+)- $75 (VIP parking included!)

National Public On Sale is this Saturday, March 21, 2009 at:
General Admission- $30 (parking included!)
Special Soundset Festival & After Party (must be 18+) - $40 (parking included!)
VIP ticket (must be 18+)- $75 (VIP parking included!)

TEN other FAQ:
1. Hell yeah, there is going to be an after party. It will be on site in Canterbury this year, a hop skip and a jump from the festival grounds. You will need to be 18+ to party and 21+ to party with adult beverages. We will be announcing the who and what of this soon, but you can get these tickets now with the purchase of your Soundset ticket for a grand total of $35. There is not a separate ticket for the after party, you can only get access to this event as a combo ticket package.

2. For those people 18+, we are offering a limited VIP ticket. The VIP ticket includes the following: entrance to the festival and after party, access to a special exclusive VIP area near the main stage, meet and greets with artists, VIP parking, separate restrooms, VIP bar with adult beverages (beer and liquor) and special festival laminates. The VIP ticket is $75.

3. Of course, Soundset 09 is all ages- we are for the kids! And, for those youngsters under the age of 10 you get to experience the music for FREE, but must be accompanied by ticket paying adult. 2 kids per one adult.

4. No, this is not the final lineup for Soundset. We still have other main stage artists to announce, the entire line-up for the Fifth Element stage, the DJs for the Red Bull B-Boy tent, after party performers and DJs and much more. Stay tuned for regular announcements leading up to soundset 09!

5. When you get a ticket to Soundset, you get a parking spot. That's right party people, no extra parking fees this year. So, get your carpool on and help save the planet!

6. Tickets are always available at Fifth Element service charge free if you pay cash. If you pay with a credit card, those tickets will have a fee of $1 per ticket tagged on to your purchase. For information on tickets available at Fifth Element, call 612-377-0044.

7. Where is Canterbury Park? Well, if you're standing in front of Fifth Element in Minneapolis, it's 23 miles and less than 30 minutes. If you want to find out from your place in the world, get your Google on here: www.canterburypark.com/Directions/tabid/179/Default.aspx

8. Can I bring my camera? Yes, "point and shoot" photo cameras are allowed, but NO VIDEO cameras and ALL professional cameras will need a photo pass.

9. My Mom, Dad or Uncle Frank will be dropping me off at Soundset is there a drop off point? Yes, there will be signs upon entering Canterbury. Your folks can even go check out the horse racing which will be going on during Soundset starting at 1:30PM on May 24, 2009.

10. If you still have a question, concern or just want to voice your opinion, please email us at: soundset@rhymesayers.com.

~Information courtesy Rhymesayers

This Week's Shameless (Midweek) Budgeteer Plug

A Q-and-A with Rhymesayers emcee Mac Lethal and even more CD reviews -- all available exclusively online!

"Mac Lethal Returns to Duluth" :: Brash Rhymesayers rapper Mac Lethal brings his Rotten Apple Pie Tour to The Venue at Mohaupt May 9.

"Also Released 3" :: Reviewed this go-round: Does it Offend You, Yeah?’s “You Have No Idea What You’re Getting Yourself Into,” Hungrytown's self-titled debut and the soundtracks to "Jumper" and "Penelope."

Enjoy! Oh, and steer clear of the Minnesota Zoo this summer. (I heard they just booked Hootie & the Blowfish....)