.. This is 2008. No, actually it's 2009. Hip Hop is not dead (told you so). Welcome (or welcome back) to BLACK COLLAR. This teams root consists of three multi-talented, multi-tasking, protectors of good music AND ALL ELEMENTS OF HIP-HOP CULTURE. As nothing is ever given in life, BLACK COLLAR represents the working class stance, hence the name BLACKCOLLAR. A combination of old and new equal true. Their influences vary, but their cause is direct.
ROY HOBES aka THE SILENT _________. A true man of mystery (Austin Powers ain't got nothin on my man), this open mic disciple has honed his lyrical skills for a number of years on the spontaneous corner cypher and local club tip(SUB-T resident). HOBES brings an eerie calm and confidence, reserved for only the most enlightened, that seems to mask an explosive inner working that fuels his drive toward ridding the world of the wack ones. Quality not quantity. A man on a mission, indeed. You can contact ROY HOBES at myspace.com/royhobes.
DR. AWKWARD is a true renaissance man extraordinaire. The good doctor actively participates in B-BOYISM, DJing(on the d&b tip), ART DESIGN, BEATBOX and has begun sharpening his tongue on top of all that. A seemingly inexhaustible ball of energy, AWKWARD is poised to become what the newest generations of hip-hoppers can only dream of; well-rounded, complete, multi-talented, and ahead of time, without losing any of that original flavor. The good doctor can be found at myspace.com/tamper1st.
CHI-STEY aka BEATBROKER of HOT SIT INCORPORATED has recently joined BlackCollar as their official producer. His audio wizardry has definitely pushed BlackCollar in the right direction. CHI-STEY brings a plethora of different feels to the production, everything from top 40-ish club banging to straight underground hiphop and anything you can imagine in between. CHI-STEY brings many, many dishes to the table. Being a veteran producer, a multi-talented artist, a seasoned engineer, a production company co-owner and an experienced performer, CHI-STEY brings a thick sound system and a live energy that few can match. You can contact CHI-STEY at myspace.com/chilife.
..DUSTY aka DUSTY CANS is BLACK COLLAR'S live drummer. DUSTY brings both veteran percussion and performance to the front. He is a well-versed jazz-influenced purveyor of rhythm, that has been at it for over ten years! DUSTY compliments CHI-STEY, and has helped to make the perfect addition to an already frenetic, high-paced performance. Look for big things from CHI-STEY and DUSTY, both solo and combined, as they help BLACK COLLAR bring a brand new sound to the world.
..MATT E. BASS is DUSTY'S partner in GRAND THEFT GOODWILL (myspace.com/grandtheftgoodwill). MATT E. brings a great compliment to DUSTY'S polished percussions and will be appearing, in the future, with the rest of THE BLACKCOLLAR EXPERIENCE at their live shows, as well as, on BLACKCOLLAR'S upcoming release, "BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK."
..*DEEP KALICO - sound provider and former backbone of the squad, KALICO is akin to your BIG BROTHER NUMPSEE(though he is the youngest of the group, physically). KALICO comes from a very musical background and cites hundreds of influences, yet his sound remains both refreshing and forward-thinking. In a move to find his true direction, HAKEEM HUNTER has moved his focus toward cultivating his own production company, KRUSH LOVE PRODUCTIONS(myspace.com/krushloveproductions), and away from BLACK COLLAR'S main production duties. The COLLAR still considers him extended fam, as well as, an integral part of their beginnings. Mister Hunter is also currently working on SOULEVR a side project with BlackdominA.
Playing the FRONT of the back is BlackdominA (AKA RACECAR OF MODILL). This lyricist brings veteran poise and guidance to the squad. DOM has toured multiple times nationally and released various projects(both nationally and globally) to critical acclaim. He has performed with and been part of a veritable cornicopia of who's who in both the local and national scene. Some of the groups and artists he has worked with include:
-
ABSTRACT GIANTS
ABSTRACT RUDE
ADAD
ATHLETIC MIC LEAGUE
APAKALYPSE
APOC
ATMA
BILLIE DEE BOODAH
BLUNT CREW
BRENDAN B.
BRU LEI
CAURAL
CONTINUUM
CONTRIBAND
THE CREST
DEBILORITHMICOS
DAVE OF DE LA SOUL
DAVID YOUNG
DIASPORA
DIVERSE
DJ BIG ONCE
DJ CUTLER
DJ KEOR
DJ PHONETICS
DJ SPOOKY
DJ VADIM
EARMINT
EMCEE SICK OF PSEUDOSLANG
FINALE
FREEBASIC?
THE GREEN BROTHERS
GZA of WU-TANG
ILLANOTIX
ILLOGIC
ILLPOETIC
THE IMMORTALS
INVINCIBLE
JUICE
KA DI
KANSER
KILLAH PRIEST
K-KRUZ
THE LABRATS
LANGSTON BUKOWSKI
LONGSHOT
LORD 360
LUPE FIASCO
MaGestik LeGenD
ME, MYSELF & RHYME
MODILL
NEODOTCOM
OLD DOMINION
ONE BE LO
THE OPUS
ORGANIC MIND UNIT
OVERFLO
THE PACIFICS
PRIMERIDIAN
PRINCE PO of ORGANIZED KONFUSION
PSALM ONE
QWEL
ROYCE DA 5'9"
RUEDI SNARE
RUSTY P'S
SAM I AM
SLIM KID TRE of THE PHARCYDE
SMALL CHANGE
SPEECH of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
SOULEVR
SWOLLEN MEMBERS
TEMPLO1
THAIONE DAVIS
TREOLOGIC
TRUTH ENOLA
UNUSUAL SUSPECTS(OMU)
VERB T.
VERBAL KENT
YARAH BRAVO
YOUNG ZONE