Intelepaths is a collaboration of the talented woman, ill-esha, and the homie, Unlimited Gravity. The two of them have had their own success working on their solo projects but a handful of events unfolded to have them work together on this new union.

They’ve put together a few tracks together that I’ve heard and blessed to be sharing this debut track. They’ve chosen Adina Howard’s Freak Like Me. The vocals Elysha put down on this one are incredible. If you haven’t heard of ill-esha sing live yet you’re missing out. Now add Ronnie dropping some vocals in the background of the chorus. The vibe and energy is just a small tease to what they have in store. I had to pleasure of playing one of their new tunes at Emissions this past week-end and hope everyone who hasn’t left to Symbiosis could grab this one. Freak Like Me is the perfect tune for any set. Who doesn’t want to find a freak out there =D

One of the things that Intelepaths reminds me about is how there is no limit to what you can do music. The EDM scene consist of instrumentals for the most part. The two of them bring so many pieces of the puzzle together to create a new blend of EDM. The vibes aren’t as focused on the dancefloor as much and creating beautiful music with good energy. Ever since I’ve been talking to Elysha about this collab I find such positivity and love behind it. Don’t expect crushing bangers with insane drops. Intelepaths represents the art of  playing live set with live vocals, beatboxing, looping, and free styling organic sounds. The true experience is seeing to joining forces of both of them in a live set environment.

There is a small EP that is in the works but there are no official dates as of now. What I’ve heard so far is fantastic and always get excited to share the music they’ve both created together. It’s great to hear tracks that include original vocals from both a man and woman.

There’s much more ahead for these two. Elysha relocation to the States has opened the door to a lot more shows and availability to work with other artist. Ronnie is finishing up school and ready to show everyone what he has been working on and accomplished with his MHSM family. Expect a lot of new things from both of them working together and on their own. This isn’t the last you’ll hear of this.

Enjoy the first official Intelepaths tracks here from AfroMonk.com <3

I consider Pressha one of the greatest strictly DJs out there in bass music today. The first party I ever planned and promoted Pressha played. Didn’t know much about him but my good friend Shilo assured me he was incredible. He showed up and totally blew me away. There aren’t many DJs who mainly only use Serato to play out and using Turntables that I enjoy. Ever since he came to Miami and crushed it for my WMC party we’ve kept in close contact. He really works hard and understands the importance of building a network and relationships in the music industry. There isn’t a line up in the NW that I’ve seen where it be a major event and not seen this man not playing at it. His network and ear for music is almost unmatched entirely but when talking solely DJ and not producing music there is no other I can think of besides Mihkal.

I’ve had the pleasure of kicking it with him out in Seattle and showed me around a bit during Decibel Festival. He’s a super chill dude who likes to party but also collects and plays dubs like it’s nobodies business. I know when I was focused more on putting out mixes that I had to beat Matt to the punch of releasing a mix because if not he’d probably be playing a lot of the stuff I’d be playing also. Now that I’m focusing less on playing out I’m glad that he’s still going strong and playing out and making a huge name for himself.

It has been awhile since we last kicked it but I’m really looking forward to getting to spend some time with him at Emissions this year. We’ll both be out there playing at it and if was still playing glitch-hop I’d probably have to check with him what he has planned because this guy always has the headie tracks that most don’t have access too. If you haven’t heard of this man and looking to become a DJ in this culture I highly recommend going back and looking to see the work he has put in. He’s the true model of what most DJs should be like…

Everything in Moderation Tracklist:
1.) Sugarpill – A Gift To
2.) Gladkill – Stay Awake
3.) Kastle – Walking Away Mc Armanni
4.) Goldrush – It’s when I miss all of you (Gladkill Remix)
5. ) Sugarpull – Say you want to
6.) Kastle – I Know (Bokator and Jock Styles Remix)
7.) Drake – November 18th (Stratus Remix)
8.) Sugarpill – Tanktop
9.) Minnesota – Roof Back
10.) Sugarpill – Cats used to harmonize
11.) Matty G – Back to the Bay ft.Ugene
12.) Ginuwine – Pony (Molecule Remix)
13.) Polish Ambassador – Space Leaf Dub (Gladkill Remix)
14.) Frequent C + kLL sMTH – Something for Everyone
15.) Guttstar – Waking
16.) Awol-Nation – Sail (Slim Thugz Remix)
17.) Paper Diamond – So Precise
18.) Chris B – Be Cool
19.) Oh Tebins – Tickle Parts
20.) Samples – Capture the Flag

Michal Menert just released his new full length release, Even If It Isn’t Right, today on Pretty Lights Music for FREE. If you’re a fan of Michal Menert or the sound that Pretty Lights represents I highly recommend grabbing this right NOW!

I had the pleasure of meeting Michal over WMC this year and got to kick it with him and take a glimpse into what the future holds on his side of things. This album defies a lot of the norm for most releases and tells his story in this long composition. Spending a few days with him and his manager I knew that I had to help them out. It’s not very often you come across such a talented artist with the ideals and vision that Michal has.

He’s your regular guy who likes to play video games, chill, make music, and eat tons of sushi. His story is quite a unique one and he’s the only person who could say that early Pretty Lights music was composed of Derek and Michal. It’s something that I believe isn’t noted enough.

I had the pleasure of being in Denver for Menert’s debut of his new fancy projection mapped stage. The moment I walked into Cervantes I was totally blown away. The team that put together is the same team that has put together Pretty Lights past stages but this one has been taken to a whole new level. The dedication and effort put behind Michal Menert is second to none. It’s a honor to have been brought in to take part of it. There’s much ahead and can’t even describe to you how incredible the experience was that night except by showing you a video of how wild it all came out below. The video was done by the Swaager team/website and is only a small glimpse into this magical stage represented by mountain like structures with a sun/moon center where Michal performs in front of.  The lasers, video clips, and seamless combination of music and visuals are some of the best I’ve ever seen in my life.

Dear promoters of all locations. This show and stage will be touring in the Fall. I HIGHLY recommend picking this up. It’s one of the most amazing stages I’ve seen. The production levels is on par if not higher than Pretty Lights and other projection mapping stages out there. Cervantes was completely slammed and no one had any idea that the stage was being showcased for the most part.

Now go grab the album for FREE and download Dreaming of a Bigger Life if you haven’t already!
Michal Menert – Pretty Lights Profile

Also the new website has had a soft launch and ready to check out if you haven’t seen it. Check it out and watch it grow as I work my magic on it.

Michal Menert Official Website

Sonic Bloom 2012 Line Up (phase 1)

Tipper
Bonobo (DJ set)
Emancipator
Ott
Eskmo
VibeSquaD
Random Rab
Karsh Kale & Jamie Janover
Papadosio
ZILLA
Minnesota
Ana Sia
GRiZ
Octopus Nebula
Heyoka
ill-esha
Govinda
Stephan Jacobs
Phutureprimitive
Adham Shaikh
Gladkill
Kaminanda
Bird of Prey
SuperVision
Filastine
Sugarpill
Jantsen
Paul Basic
Russ Liquid
Dov
Thriftworks
Akara Project
Lotus Drops

Lightning in a Bottle 2012 Lineup!

I’ve been working on a new project for 2012 and it’s about time I share it with you all! The past few months I’ve become a bit more critical than usual. Bass music hasn’t been doing what it use to do for me. My relocation back home to Miami has changed a lot of things especially my life style. When I lived in Texas I was always out with friends, partying, DJing, traveling, etc… Now I spend most of my time relaxing enjoying the ocean breeze on my balcony. My nights consist of digging for more music and that peaceful state of mind. I’ve grown up and feel like an adult. Music now plays a different role for me now.

It’s not that I’m disappearing now but expect much of my focus to go in this new direction. Lounge Temple is ultimately Afro Monk 2.0 with its primary genres being downtempo, trip-hop, and future bass. It’s a lot more laid back and lounge like.

Not only will the site be something new i’ll be exploring but also have a supporting weekly lounge night here in Miami. I’ve been offered an industry night at The Stage here in Miami. It offers a great environment as well as chance to start something entirely different from your typical club rave night. Gooddroid and I will be playing lounge music ever Sunday night! Chilled Out Sundays starts up February 19th, 2012!

For more information and your chilled out needs go to:
Lounge Temple: Downtempo, Trip-hop, & Future Bass Blog

Kaminanda’s new full length just came out today and it’s everything you’ve wanted in music if you’ve been suffering from a drought of good music. The new album Gateways of Consciousness picks up where we last left off on his past album Year of the Golden Tiger. Think melodic, tribal, downtempo, and sexy beats. It’s as if you opened up your mind and released all the acid build up.

This release comes at a perfect time as I gear up for a transition from bass music to more loungy downtempo beats. All I’ve been listening too lately is Thriftworks the past few weeks in regards to bass music. I’m grateful to finally get some new music that awakes my soul. This is where my heart and mind have been when thinking about music. There are not enough positive words for this release. This gets me really anxious for festival season to get started. I’m praying that this year there will be a bigger representation of chill music like this. Festivals lately seem to be focusing more on what’s hot and rage versus keeping a balance. I’d love to see a lot more balance towards the later hours of the night.

I’m hoping that Kaminanda will be booked for some of the festivals approaching. I’m really looking forward to meeting the man behind this music and thank him for his form of expression.

Be sure to grab this album and jam it on those journeys of your inner consciousness.

It hasn’t been a secret on here that I’ve relocated back to my hometown Miami. Truth is I haven’t really made it a point to tell anyone except my close friends. The music community is so vastly different here and knew I was giving up a lot moving back to this market. It’s not meant to be taken in a negative sense. Unfortunately the music I’ve been playing/pushing doesn’t really have much presence here. We all know the meccas are Colorado & California.

I was lucky enough to discover a market in Texas that allowed me to do what I’ve always wanted to do… Play glitch-hop. I became extremely involved in Texas and turned my life focus on music for the most part. I’d go out every night and actually network/talk to people. I’ve always been shy and moved to Texas only knowing my roommate. Texas was a scary move but once I got there it took me for one of the best rides of my life. I was only in Texas for a year but it feels like I was there for over five years. The amount of talented artist is overwhelming! The festival crowd is full force and plenty of homegrown events.

Now that I’m back in Miami I’ve started an entirely new lifestyle. I know that bass music popularity has reached a new height but it has also left me much to be desired. I don’t want to become that bitter old man complaining non-stop. I’ve decided to put this mix out there to target the Miami audience and nightlife but at the same time tip my hat goodbye to this sort of style. It’s fun, party, dance, and rave out music but truth is I’m burnt out and have been for some time now I’m sure. If you follow me on FB and Twitter you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’m a mid range bass hater. Yes, I admit it.

It’s time to focus on a positive new attitude and something different that will brighten my spirits. 2012 will be the start of many new things. As I said my lifestyle is quite different now. I don’t go out anymore and I’m going back to my anti-social recluse ways. My nights consist of me laying around my dream apartment on the beach listening to chill out lounge music and playing video games. My roots are in trip-hop/downtempo/lounge. I’ve decided to focus on that for 2012 and create a sister site that will built around that vibe. Expect a soft beta launch around Feb 2012.

This doesn’t mean this site will be executed!!! Ed and Tara have been doing an incredible job and I’ll still be writing post but come to understand I won’t be as active. It’s time to expand the market. I’ll still be around at all the events but keep in mind Miami doesn’t offer acts that I’ve been spoiled with while living in Texas. The bass scene is very alive here but it’s very brostep/moombah oriented which truthfully I can’t vibe with. Along with the sister site launch there will be a new weekly event that will be created to support the new movement here. I’m super excited to see how this pans out.

Now about this mix. It was designed on the fly to get you moving and sing along. There are times where I need to get motivated to go out to the club or bar and these tunes get me all hyped. They are mostly top 40 remixes with me giving them an extra umphhh to them and adding my glitches live. It’s been over a month since I’ve played or even mixed since I’ve been so busy with the move. Not to mention like I said I’ve kept myself isolated in Miami so not looking actively to play out. It was fun to rock out in my new studio to this. Anxious to see what the reception of this mix will be.

I hope you enjoy and have a happy new year!!!

-Afro

There is one driving force that keeps me going every day, Passion. Life has its way of playing that typical game of back and forth like it does for you as well I’m sure. When it comes to my career, hobbies, social life, blog, art, etc… all I use and look for is that inner feeling to express myself and let it all out.

This site is one of my biggest accomplishments and never thought I’d have thousands of visitors coming back. I built it as a place to share and showcase music I thought was worth posting about. If there is one thing I look for when listening to music it’s that feeling of emotion and soul put into it. That doesn’t mean that some of the music I don’t enjoy doesn’t have emotion or soul by any means. Trust me some of the agro bass out there has emotion just usually on a level I don’t want to touch or feel. The music I post has to capture me in some sort of fashion. I’ll usually even send releases to writers if I’m not feeling it and know I should probably write about the tracks but can’t do it if not my cup of tea. After all sometimes you want to support your friends but just don’t connect with those certain tracks.

Passion is everything. I don’t have to tell you how much competition there is in the music industry. Hell it’s so easy to become a DJ in today’s world and even a producer with all the advances in DAWs and VSTs. What’s the secret to making it somewhat successful? Passion dude! You have to live it and breathe what you do. This isn’t a competition of how many Followers, Likes, Plays, Downloads, etc… you have. It’s about being able to express yourself freely and not give a shit if anyone listens or hears your music. You have to want to make/share music. You’ve got to tune into what you feel and enjoy. There are thousands of people who can tell you it’s about who you know, who writes about you, what label/agency you’re with, etc… but in truth it’s all garbage. If you’re doing what you like forget about what people think. Seriously one of the biggest tips I tell people when first starting out is DO NOT FOCUS ON LOCAL MARKET. Think big and don’t worry about playing shows in your city or if people like you are not. Focus on what you’re doing and put yourself out there. You’ll be surprised how many people from around the world will find you if you’ve got something real. The rest will follow suite later if you keep it up.

I’d also like to mention please please don’t confuse passion for desperation. I can’t tell you how many people I see and know that just hustle and hustle but it looks so fake because they are dying for results. Trust me this trend of I’ll release a free tune if I get x number of new followers etc… FORGET THE NUMBERS. Release music because you want to. I get it you want to push further and further and all this energy and passion has lead you to bust your ass. Don’t get desperate. If you keep doing what you’re doing people will find you. Don’t force it. Plus you look like a total newb searching for attention. Passion in your work will be recognized on its own. I can’t think of one time I’ve been like ohh shit I want a new tune let me go hit the Like button on their page. No, usually I’m like OMG seriously you’re doing this?!

I can’t emphasize anymore about how you have to do what you do because you LOVE it. Most people by now realize I hope that I have a real career and only consider this blog/DJ thing as a hobby. Yeah ok so I’ve thrown a few parties, have an agent, fly around the States for music, etc… Truth is I’m just doing what I do for fun and the friends, fans, followers, etc are just a bonus. Do not focus on the fame, money, etc… If you’re trying to make a career out of this industry I’m sorry but please don’t rely on this industry for that. The way I look at is you should be stable enough to make money without it and once you make enough to support yourself with music make the switch. If this idea was put into place I’m sure there would be a lot less desperation and spam out there. Put yourself out there but don’t overdo it.

Follow and do what your heart tells you. Be yourself and if something seems like you’re forcing it you probably are. Here is another pro tip for all things in general… Make it natural.

- Afro

Kiran:

“You are obviously getting paid….I have checked your blog and it sucks….you play everything safe…you are paid off by muti..
headtron and thats about it….you miss so much… your blog has become old news …..Your Part of the problem….Your the PEPSI of my industry……Living off us real producers…..YOUR BLOG SUCKS……”

I just got this message and wanted to share it with you all because you know how much I get paid to write blog post. LOL.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

Guess I’m doing something right if have my first official hater.
Sucks I can’t use this to make more cash on this post. hahahaha

JM