USA Projects

I will be writing and recording a group of original songs in the style of 1970s Motown and Stax artists such as Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Booker T, etc. The song structures, arrangements, instrumentation and recording techniques will be as close to those of the early 70s as possible. 

Once these recordings are complete, I will be sampling from them and adding additional instrumentation to create new hip hop compositions. The goal is to create instrumental hip hop that captures the aesthetic of traditional, sample-based production but contains only original music. 

Sampling has been the base of hip hop since the begining. Soul, funk and jazz musicians such as James Brown, George Clinton, The Meters and Bob James have had as much an influence on the sound of rap as any DJ, MC or producer. 

Additionally, this album will serve as a tool for those battling cancer, while also raising funds for the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Association. Last year, I lost my mother to ovarian cancer. As she battled the disease, she often used music as a tool to ease the pain of chemotherapy, long hospital stays and countless surgeries and procedures. I hope to create music that can serve the same purpose for those currently battling cancer – music that is relaxing, yet uplifting, calming, yet strong.  

In addition to serving as a tribute to my mother and a tool for others with cancer, a portion of the proceeds from the project will be donated to MOCA to help raise awareness about ovarian cancer. The more the album is supported through fundraising, the greater the impact.