Hip Hop - Rap: Under The Lights - Flowalition - Just the BeginningSaturday, November 01, 2008 | by Nicole CormierDoesn’t it seem like when everything is going great something comes up and throws a wrench in your game? Well that is Boulder hip-hop duo, Flowalition’s story, but both these local soldiers won’t let a little bad luck stop their mission of making real and honest hip-hop.
Marz and Briz Ill met in high school in 1996, and together created Flowalition with their ambition of creating gritty yet intelligent underground music. They started battling and freestyling at parties as teenagers, and haven’t stopped yet. They have opened for many legendary MC’s such as Nas, Immortal Technique and GZA and helped Boulder’s scene become a thriving hip-hop community. Recently Marz has found himself in a bit of trouble, which has required Flowalition to take a temporary hiatus. Briz is holding it down for the pair and is feverishly working on completing Marz’s solo album and the sophomore Flowalition album. Briz has found support in the local community and has teamed up with Uneek MC while awaiting Marz’s release, and they are experimenting with new styles and techniques.
I recently found out about Flowalition at a show at Herman’s Hideaway and noticed Briz’s considerable talent. Sporting a “Free Marz†shirt, my interest was piqued in this local story that is nowhere near finished. Marz and Briz are what I would call raw, both in voice and lyrics. They rap about real issues, and reflect their influences, namely Wu Tang. The obvious commitment that Briz shows to Flowalition is admirable and I have no doubt that once Marz can rejoin the team that they will have many doors open up for them. This story doesn’t end here and I look forward to writing about Flowalition’s success in the future.
Myspace.com/FlowalitionTheir debut album "13 Days" was released July 10th 2007. Flowalition has worked with many producers over the years but finally found the production they were looking for from Grafik, from Proximity. After rocking countless shows, freestyles, battles, and fake mcs hearts right out their chest, Flowalition is ready to take the underground by storm. With endless rhymes from Marz & Briz, expect to see many more projects to be released within the next few years. Briz is currently recording what will be the "Free Marz Mix Tape", and also working on the "iLL Behavior" project with Red 5. Marz plans ..ping his solo album sometime in 2008, followed by the next Flowalition album. "13 Days" is dedicated to the memory of Ben Barlow, Rest in Peace.Hip Hop - Rap: SPOTLIGHT - Uneek MC: Unique in Most ContextsSaturday, November 01, 2008 | Comments (0)by Nicole Cormierthink that it is safe to say that every artists dream is to quit their day job and solely concentrate on their craft. In today’s world this is not an option for most, but in Colorado one MC/producer is making a living on hip-hop alone.
Uneek MC is from Martinsville, Indiana and that is where he got his introduction to hip-hop at age fifteen. He started writing, manipulating beats, and getting involved in the local scene. Two years ago Uneek moved to Colorado, Boulder specifically, and wasted no time immersing himself in our vibrant community. Because of his knack for networking and ability to relate to people both on and off the stage he has had no problem adapting to this change. He has worked with many other local artists and has ultimately turned his passion into a career.
It’s not an easy feat to make a career in music here in Colorado, but Uneek is a hardworking man and has his hand in all aspects of the industry. He runs a studio out of his home which he happily rents out to any aspiring artist in need of a break. He also DJ’s at clubs around town when requested and to top it all off he creates beats for himself and anyone else who needs them. His hard work and determination has made it possible for him to concentrate only on music, and make a living with it.
Uneek MC’s passion for the music and the scene allows him to not only follow his musical ambitions but also to aid others in their own journey. Always looking to collaborate with other musicians he is continually reaching out and building his network. He has already worked with many local veterans such as Flowalition and Life the MC and created amazing tracks such as “Better Than You†which can be heard on his myspace page. He has several upcoming projects include his solo album No Way Out, due to drop this Christmas season, which should be a truthful and enlightening album that is set to feature many other local artists.
I think that the example that Uneek MC has set is inspirational and should serve as motivation for any struggling artist in Colorado. It is possible to make it. I hope that any aspiring artist will reach out to Uneek and see what they can learn from him.
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