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1st Dagree - Bringin' The Heat Nationwide
on MTV
By Dru Mighty
Let me start by saying (in case you don't know) we have a very large and diverse underground hip-hop scene within Michigan. I am always stumbling across more good music and discovering new groups that have been putting it down for several years, and 1st Dagree is a group that I've heard about on many occasions, but only had the pleasure to hear them bless it on different mix tapes.
This time is a little different.
The mix tape is 1st Dagree's mix tape. It is all their talent plus some nice features scattered throughout their 22-track line-up.
When I rolled through a couple tracks for
people who had yet to actually hear 1st Dagree, the response was
always the same - "These guys are local?"
Our underground scene has some real
talent in it, and 1st Dagree is of the crčme de la crop. Alas,
underground they will be calling their home no more, especially with
their nationwide debut projected to release in the spring of next year.
Robert Askew aka D Snipes, Diandre
Nash aka J Stone, and Marquis Smith aka Big Mark make up
1st Dagree. Though Stone spent some years in Tennessee, he and Snipes
grew up as childhood friends in Saginaw. They met Big Mark in middle
school and immediately become an inseparable trio who knew they had more
in common than coming from single family homes and their love of music.
They started their entrepreneur journey
at a young age releasing tapes throughout their school and in local mom
and pop record stores back in 1995. Since then, they have put out quite
a few releases, put on many shows, and put down many artists.
The crew has had some artists' come and
go (At one point, there was actually 5 members), but is finalized back
to three core artists as 1st Dagree. They still have their camp tooŠ
They expect to soon be focusing on releases for other artists who include: Shorty V, Matt Dillon, Young Z, Comfort, and Game Spittaz.
It is definitely a rare occurrence, at
least for me, to come across a group where you can't decide who your
favorite artist within that group is. The mesh of styles and vocal
sounds of each rapper is so widely diverse, that comparing them is like
comparing apples to oranges, since each are respectively on top of their
game lyrically and flow-wise.
From the rusty, deep, smooth playalistic
southern style voice of J Stone, to the solid and precise
lyricism of Big Mark, to the intense yet simple "real" and
diverse style of D Snipes brings you the vocal soundscape and
lyricism known as 1st Dagree.
If you have not yet heard 1st Dagree,
allow me to direct you to some listening pleasure. This group has been
putting it down in Saginaw for more than a decade now, and have
relentlessly worked to earn the stripes that have now have stepped to
the big time.
This mix tape "Ride Wit Us Or Get
Ran Ova" marks their 5th release as a group and once again, they
are raising the bar. The Mix Tape comes complete with 22 tracks and a
DVD of a hot new video for "Don't Quit" they shot in
Fresno, CA. Oh yea, did I mention they've been getting spins of this
video on MTV Jams, as well as an impressive and increasing
repertoire of radio play on a nationwide scale?
Add this to the fact they've been
touring throughout the nation, opening for artists like Ludacris,
D12, And Bone Thugs N Harmony, B.G., Scarface, Obie Trice, Petey Pablo,
Young Geezy, and more! You better believe 1st Dagree is
getting the damn thing done and reppin Saginaw to the Fullest!
This mix tape is a must have for any head whether you like ridin, deep, commercial, gangsta, whateverŠ Guest artists include Infamouz, Shorty V, QD Tha 3rd, Laid, Face, Roc, and Twan all from Saginaw, as well as Royce Da 5'9", Big Proof of D12, and Lil Flip.
Featuring production from local
producer Ennix B, as well as some "in the spirit of mixtapes"
classic ganked beats, you're not gonna be ejecting this CD for a hot
minute, be sure of that.
1st Dagree throws us a bonus DVD
with the video for "Don't Quit" full of eye candy pleasure over a hot
playalistic type track included in the mix tape. "Don't Quit" is a very
sonic classic feeling track featuring the guitar work of John Elliot.
(Featured with 112, Missy Elliot, among others) With 21 tracks
on 1.0 and 22 on 1.5, the current limited edition is available at their
shows.
Now here's the deal: Versions 1.0 and
1.5 are out, and word has it there is a version 2.0 mix with a new music
video on it to be shot in Florida with some special guest features! You
gotta find 'em on the street, at their shows, or in their give-away
specials. I've been directed to Ray's Records and Tapes and
Media Play in Saginaw where you can get a free copy of this
Mix Tape with the purchase of another CD. It is a limited time offer.
First come, first serve.
You can check 1st Dagree out live
at one of their upcoming shows:
B-Back Teen Club -West Branch, MI Nov
5th w/ D12; Crossroads Nightclub -Tawas, MI Nov 12th; Ft Wayne, IN Nov
19t; Purplemoon - Flint, MI - Nov Wed 23rd w/ Young Jeezy - Pieres;
Crossroads Nightclub - Tawas, MI- Dec 9th.
You can find 1st Dagree online at www.empirerecords.org, or you can check out their video at www.launch.com. You'll be hearing spins of a couple mix tape tracks on www.reviewthisradio.com soon as well.
Big ups to 1st Dagree.
Keep putting it down!
That's all for today ladies and
gentlemenŠ Up and coming we got the Holli Boyz of Bay City with
their new release. Also, word is, Dru Mighty has an exclusive
all local hip hop show on Review This Radio coming very soon!
Artists -get your music showcased on Review This Radio - You will
hear 1st Dagree bumpin' on there!
Submit your music, along with a signed
copy of the release form off
www.reviewthisradio.com
Get at me! |
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