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Tunnel Clones

NEW ALBUM: 'WORLD WIDE OPEN' OUT NOW

About Me

‘World Wide Open’ is a strong, confident record — densely musical (opening with Steely Dan, closing in Africa, supplying considerable funk in between) with smart, grounded flows and terrific backing vocals. A nice change of pace from the standard-issue style of most Memphis rap.
• Tunnel Clones had the opportunity to headline at the Memphis, TN 'Barack the Vote' Concert Fundraiser at the Hi-Tone Café, Friday, February 1, 2008
• ‘World Wide Open’ voted 3 by Commercial Appeal’s contributing editor Mark Jordan for his ‘Top 10 CD’s of 2007’
• ‘World Wide Open’ also made the Commercial Appeal’s main Editor’s list of ‘Best Memphis Music of 2007’ coming in at 6
• New album also received 7 of 10 in the Memphis Flyer for editor Chris Herrington’s ‘The Year in Memphis Music 2007 Review’
• Radio Campaign starting November 27 and going for 8-10 weeks of radio play to 250 College and CMJ Radio Stations across the U.S. and Canada
• Current winner for the Sonicbids/Relix Magazine Jam Off Contest for the Dec07/Jan08 issue, including advertisement and a song from the new album 'World Wide Open' ("In the City") featured on the accompanying compilation, to be distributed to 100,000 Relix Magazine readers
• Tunnel Clones taught high-school students workshops on poetry, music and turntablism, as well as performing at the Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking, a Non-Profit Event held in Memphis, TN, October 26, 2007 {GandhiKingConference.org}
• Performed at the BRIDGES INC. ‘Speak Out For Peace’ Concert 10/26/07 (www.bridgesusa.org)
• New Sophomore Album, 'World Wide Open', released September 25, 2007
• Group performed at NORML, Memphis Chapter, Reception (3/23/07)
• Redeye credited for coordinating the opening showcase of the Hip-hop Immortals Exhibit at the STAX Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis, TN (9/8/06) Exhibit based on the book 'Hip-hop Immortals,' by Bonz Malone, expressing photos of various hip-hop legends taken by world renowned photographers
• DJ Redeye produced and remixed the music for the Hip-hop Immortals Exhibit pod cast, which was the first pod cast ever associated with the STAX Museum (9/8/06)
• Tunnel Clones became the first hip-hop group to perform at the Stax Museum for the Hip-Hop Immortals Exhibit (9/8/06)
• DJ Redeye attended the Remix Hotel Atlanta Conference to give live exhibitions for the Rane Corporation (9/6/06)
• Tunnel Clones featured in the independent film, 'Dollars and Signs' by Brandon Hutchinson (rel. 6/2006)
• DJ Redeye main contact for the Scratch Academy in Memphis, and head instructor for the Scratch Academy Exhibition during the Memphis 2006 NBA Rhythm n' Rims (5/5 – 5/7/06) • MC Bosco teaching workshops/mentoring members of GIRLS INC. on music/poetry/life 2004 – 2005 (www.girlsincmemphis.org)
• Debut album 'Concrete Swamp' received notoriety from 'he Memphis Playbook's ‘The Best of 2005, Top 10 Albums of the Year,' placing them 9th in the city. "A refreshing change of pace from the crunk that dominates the local hip-hop scene."
• 'Concrete Swamp' also noted in The Memphis Flyer's ‘Top 15 Local Albums of the Year 2005,' receiving the 9th spot here as well. "Startlingly straightforward. An urban fieldtrip, taking listeners on a musical journey."
• Redeye credited for assisting Scott Bomar, of the Bo-Keys, with parts of the score for the John Singleton movie, 'Hustle & Flow' (2005)
• Debut album 'Concrete Swamp' released January 25, 2005
• Group continuously working with and supporting the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center (2004-Present)
• Rachi co-wrote poetry book 'Young and Confused' with Orlando J. Smith; features five of his poems (self-published, 2003)
• All group members continuously collaborating with other groups/bands/MC’s in the Memphis area
Contacting Tunnel Clones

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 7/29/2005
Band Members: MC BOSCO -- NAPOLI, ITALIA
MC RACHI -- MIAMI, FL
DJ REDEYE JEDI -- KENNETT, MO

The Tunnel Clones are a collaboration between two MC's, James "Bosco" Catchings and Deverick "Rachi" Sheftall, and a DJ/Turntablist, Luke "Redeye Jedi" Sexton. Although the three members of the group are from different cultures and diverse backgrounds, they share a similar interest for the love of Memphis Soul music, both underground Hip-hop music and it’s culture, and the positive, conscious Hip-hop Movement that is flourishing in the midst of all the negative light shed upon the genre itself. After chance meetings found them together in Memphis, TN five years ago, the group Tunnel Clones was formed and the trio were eager to share their musical prowess with the native ears of Memphis.

Rachi is an MC/Producer from Miami, FL, and is a classically trained musician, skilled at the euphonium and the trombone. Bosco, a poet born and raised in Naples, Italy, moved to Memphis when he was fifteen years old and has been writing poetry and music since 1997. Redeye Jedi, a DJ/Producer, originally from Kennett, MO, has been DJ'ing since 1994 and has opened for groups like SOULS OF MISCHIEF, ATMOSPHERE, FREESTYLE FELLOWSHIP, CARLA THOMAS, THE PHARCYDE and Stax recording artists' the BO-KEYS. Despite being one of the founding members of the internationally known Memphix record label and the sole artist behind the exclusively sought after 'Red and the Eyerights' 45's, Redeye has performed across the globe with several trend setting turntablists like DJ KLEVER, DJ CASH MONEY, PEANUT BUTTER WOLF, MR. DIBBS and DJ DREZ. The soulful, intelligent hip-hop sound he brings to the music he produces earned him a chance to assist SCOTT BOMAR, WILLIE HALL and SKIP PITTS of the BO-KEYS in producing major parts of the score for the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, Peoples Choice Award winning movie ‘Hustle & Flow’.

Together, performing for the past five years and still full of energy and creative ideas, the Tunnel Clones are here to express their original and unique style of music. As a whole, the Tunnel Clones have performed with groups like DEAD PREZ, DIGITAL UNDERGROUND, ALKAHOLIKS, DEFARI, STONES THROW recording artist PERCEE P, STRANGE FRUIT recording artists DELOACH and BAVU BLAKES, PIGEON JOHN, MEDIA DARLING RECORDS, YAMAGATA and HOPE CLAYBURN of BOOBALOO MUSIC. Amazed by local artist Hope Clayburn's eloquent skills on the flute and saxophone, and the fact that she has performed with musical legends JAMES BROWN, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS, THE TEMPATIONS and jazz giants DAVID MURRY, BILL FRISSELL and MELVIN SPARKS, the group insisted that she play live with them regularly.

The Tunnel Clones are a unique, high-energy, hip-hop group that creates a one of a kind sound, agreeable to people of all ages and to people who appreciate other genres of music besides hip-hop. They have been continually evolving since the release of their debut album, 'Concrete Swamp', in early 2005, and are again, breaking boundaries in hip-hop by creating the innovative and soul inspiring music within their sophomore album, ‘World Wide Open’, which was released locally and digitally September 25, 2007.

This local trio crafts music to go with a vision. They share a goal of making Memphis the formidable presence it deserves to be on the underground Hip-hop front; to bring it up out of the ashes and set it on a pedestal where it can do some good for the community that is working in it. They have focused on unifying local artists as opposed to proliferating battles, and they’re efforts are constantly bringing together everyday people to celebrate this unparalleled sound.

Tunnel Clones ft. Hope Clayburn, performing 'Last One Standing' Live @ The Hi-Tone

Sounds Like: ORIGINALITY
Record Label: HEMPHIX RECORDS
Type of Label: None