In the beginning production was one dimensional. Production houses, producers-even those deemed superproducers-were restricted by genres. Regardless of talent, artists were regulated to manufactured sounds lacking creativity and fresh perspective. Trends and musical influences emerged and dissipated into oblivion, sounds overlapping, rhythms meshed together until it seemed as if every pop, rock and urban radio station played the exact same pop, rock or urban song all day long. Artists lost their inspiration and the industry resigned itself to the lackluster conundrum that became contemporary music. Critics assigned the industry to an existence filled with mediocrity,until the summer of 2005.
Sensing an unbalance in one of the greatest creative outlets known to man, the planets aligned themselves on hot summer night against the Atlanta nightline. HeadROC, Skape, Mello, Luke and Bigg Tyme, five chosen vessels, pre-destined to change the art form as we know it were lead to the infamous Apache Café in mid-town Atlanta for a producer's battle. Four individual producers and an industry veteran made their way to the crowded sweatbox known for its reputation of birthing pure unadulterated energy in the form of music.
HeadROC aka RadioROC aka ROCStarr had been addicted to music since he was an infant. Growing up in Omaha, NE Headroc was intrigued by Al Green, Bootsy Collins, Parliament, the Funkadelics, and Earth, Wind & Fire. With an none to subtle funkadelic vibe evident in his interpretation of hip hop, pop and neo-soul, its obvious this young musician was destined to live up to the moniker he earned back in NE. When asked to explain his love for music, HeadRoc responds in his native tongue. "Music is what I truly love. Music is balance, and balance is life". HeadROC.....Is.....Music.
Skape aka Skape Zilla aka " The Visionary" was a former graphic design student that fell victim to hip hop after being infected by the Atlanta music scene years ago. Originally from Alexandria, VA the former skateboarder and graffiti artist (thus the moniker Skape) acknowledges reggae, Miami bass, DC Go-Go, new wave, bangara, and drum n bass as flavors from the bag of tricks he references when creating his own brand of hip hop. Besides being a go to man in Battery5, Skape is also a member of SunToucher, a live dub band based in Atlanta, GA. When asked why he was christened the visionary Skape responds, "I'm the guy that makes the hits left field without fouling out."
Mello aka Mello Dope aka The Re-animator found music on every side from the time he was a child. Currently referred to as Battery5 secret weapon, Mello was born in unsuspecting Dayton, OH. With a church background serving as the foundation for his musical influence, Mello turned down the bright lights of center stage as an artist, and found his true calling behind the boards as a creator. Mello's specialty with Battery5 has been his ability to inject a party joint, remix or even a ballad with raw energy. When asked about his role in the five man powerhouse, Mello acknowledges, "I'm the guy that can bring the dead back to life."
Looke aka Looke Z aka Looke Skywalker aka The Sleeping Giant was a classical guitar student. After playing guitar for years, young Looke was introduced the bass. He fell hard and the affair has continued ever since. Looke's expertise with the bass earned him positions in various musical groups before his fate connected him with Battery5 including orchestras, symphonies, rock bands, heavy metal bands, hardcore bands, hip hop/drum and bass bands. Looke's courtship with rock and heavy metal afforded him an edge in his production, with many of his tracks embracing various forms of rock n roll. When asked how his tracks stand out amongst the rest of the group, Looke confides, "You probably won't hear me first in a conversation as I typically wait for everyone to say their piece, but when I choose to speak you won't forget what I have to say, the same is true for my music. When you hear one of my tracks, it catches your attention. Every detail, every nuance is on purpose."
That fateful night, the four producers battled against one another and against several up and coming producers, under the watchful eye of Gregory Smith aka 'Bigg Tyme', an expert hailing from one of the most
musically advanced families in the industry. Greg says he listened intently to the distinct strengths in each producer's catalog. "They were each a force to be reckoned with", Smith explains, "but I could see the vision. Together as a united front they would be unstoppable."
And thus Battery5 was born. Battery5 is four producers and an aggressive industry-savvy front man able to produce for a myriad of styles with enough influence and expertise to blur the lines on the industry's denotative meaning behind each genre. What is hip hop? What is pop? What is rock? What is alternative? The answer to all of the above: Battery5.
In the span of one year, Smith managed to secure several heavyweight placements with such groups as the Nappy Roots, Rick Ross, WitchDoctor and Killah Priest, Scar from Purple Ribbon and Yelawolf, a new
artist signed to Sony. Battery5 also signed its flagship artist, brash southern rapper Young Trimm. Besides more placements than some well-known producers, Smith snagged publishing/production deals for the producers as well as a home for their artist. It's all the proof Smith needed to confirm his suspicion that Battery5 is the future of music that knows no boundaries. He predicts, "This whole concept is ahead of its time. After Battery5 music production will never be the same."
-Christal Jordan-Mims
For information contact:
Gregory "Bigg Tyme" Smith, CEO/Beatbroker
[email protected]"
Public Relations: Christal Jordan-Mims
[email protected]
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