Champa 51

CHAMPA 51 – a groove thing
Champa 51 makes music that skillfully fuses - Rock, Trip-Hop, Soul, and Funk, into organic dance music with the raw power of a live band and the groove conscience of the great DJs.
“A creative and individual expression of self…captured freedom that actually makes sense …if the music scene is in need of some repair, here come the plumbers” – The Banner
The duo of Champa51, is the brainchild of husband and wife team Marc and Andrea Blackbird. Singer, dancer, and entrepreneur, Andrea Blackbird has been a force in the arts weather she was dancing in music videos, on MTV, or forming a partnership and creating a star incubating dance studio with Emmy-award winning choreographer Phil Black. As a Singer though, she found her sweet spot. With a “powerful and unique voice” – Music Connection she has evoked comparisons to the likes of Janis Joplin, and Erykah Badu
Multi – instrumentalist / producer Marc Blackbird is a songwriter and beat maker who plays guitar, bass, and piano. His influences come from his upbringing in NYC, and its diversity. “Growing up in queens, I had the best of all worlds, on one side you had the hip-hop revolution with Run DMC, and the other had rock royalty with Kiss and the Ramones being neighbor hood legends. I took it all in. I was on the streets in break dance battles, and in the clubs with the rockers. I always thought that combining these sounds could really elevate and bring people together.” His guitar style has been compared to Jimmy Page, Frank Zappa, and The Edge. As the “Beat Guru” for Champa 51 his is production work has served up “Seductive hip-hop grooves and soulful textures” – Music Connection
Champa 51 was born on New York’s Lower East Side in the late 90’s at a time when the music scene was segregated by genre and mainstream radio was obsessed with boy bands, Brittney Spears and the like. The thought of crossing genre lines was not yet in the conscience of the mainstream music community. But the times were about to change. Champa51 took their groovealicious party to the left cost…Venice Beach California. It started with playing on Sunday’s at the Venice boardwalk and Underground parties drawing people from across the music and social spectrum. “In one room there would be people from the Venice Hip-Hop scene and the other room would have all the hippies, but when we played they all came to where we were” Andrea remembers affectionately. Their mix of musical styles had everyone dancing. “We knew we were on to something special, cause when it stops being “this” kind of person and “that” kind of person in a room and just becomes people digging the music, we can all just get along.” said Marc Blackbird.
“The group incorporates both audio and visual elements to their unique performances making them more than just a band, rather, an interactive participatory musical experience. From dancers, body painters, and fire-spinners to DJs and spontaneous guest performers, each Champa 51 show is a unique and unpredictable event.” – No cover magazine
With their unique sound and innovative live show, Champa 51 quickly became a staple of the LA underground dance scene, bringing their rave rock sound to the avante-guard of Los Angeles featuring some of the west costs most influential musicians, performance and muilti-media artists. Some of the fantastic people that Champa 51 has shared the stage with include Jane’s Addiction front man Perry Ferrell, Los Angeles hip-hop- icon Medusa, Michael Franti (Spearhead), Jason Bentley (KCRW), Banyan (featuring Stephen Perkins of Jane’s Addiction, Nels Cline of Wilco, and Mike Watt of The Minutemen), to name a few. Champa 51 has been invited to play legendary raves, parties, clubs, and festivals including Burning Man, X-Games, Earthdance, The 2000 democratic national convention, The Other Venice Film Festival, Earthday LA, Venice Carnevale, Moontribe, Dream theatre Circus, and renowned LA clubs Roxy, Knitting Factory and Temple Bar.
“Their sound is set part from all the other’s” – Rave Thirsty
The name Champa comes from nag Champa – an incense burned for clarity. 51 refers to “area 51” which represents all that exists that we are blind to. Or as Andrea puts it “if you add clarity to the things we are blind to then we can see” Champa 51 continues to break barriers, bring people together and write songs with messages about our human condition, love, and of course the all-important party!
For years now Champa 51 has been making music that you can shake you’re thing with groovingly and nod your head with knowingly…. Champa 51 will continue to bring it so keep on the lookout for more music coming soon.
YOU ARE THE TRUTH YOU SEEK
PEACE,
Champa 51