Afro Monk

Colorado rockstars Big Gigantic & Ben Samples team up on an epic glitch-hop remix of Wiz Khalifa’s Black & Yellow. This track is probably one of the best examples of glitch-hop in my book. The next person who ask me to show them a track that shows what the genre is about it’s going to be this. I know this track will be a prime example of what it’s about when I load this into my set and smash some efx on top of it and crush the crowd. That to me is glitch-hop. A perfect blend of hip-hop/crunk, banging bass, glitched up beats, and live elements.

Massive respect to the duo Big Gigantic and Samples on this one. It’s absolutely massive and easily one of the anthems for awhile. I can see this being used quite often by many in the community.

DOWNLOAD: Wiz Khalifa – Black and Yellow (Big Gigantic & Samples Remix)

Be sure to pick up some of their other work if you aren’t to familiar with them.

The other day, I came across some tracks by Fractal Sky and was really impressed.  I couldn’t stop listening to his latest track “Not Quite December” which sort of has a “Pretty Lights” feel to it.  It’s def a nice tune to throw the headphones on for and chill but still wanna move.  He uses hip hop samples nicely in his tracks too.  I reached out to him to find out a little more about him so I could share it with you……

Fractal Sky is the latest project of producer/dj Aaron Spence out of Arkansas. In 2003, Aaron began experimenting with early 2000 breakbeat/trance production. He slowly started to grasp the raw low ends of analog synthesizers and super tight breaks and cuts. By 2006 He released his first track under the name “dj FL!P.”  By 2009 his sounds evolved into the slower(bpm), super groovey, tight, emotional, and uplifting sound that he calls “Fractal Sky”.

Beginning in 2010 Fractal Sky moved his production to the LIVE stage. His goal is to create an art that touches people’s hearts and souls. He tries to blend many genres w/ a hiphop base, which he says is reflective of his life, so.. it’s all from the heart! He plans to release another CD this year, but isn’t sure when just yet. He’s currently working on plenty of fresh original beats and is booking some shows in his hometown Ft. Smith, Arkansas and is planning big shows and festivals and will have them booked as confirmations roll through. A current bigger show in the works is Feb 4th, 2011 @ Georges Majestic Lounge in Fayetteville arkansas w/ Vibesquad and Eliot Lipp.

He plans to compete in this year’s “Wakarusa Winter DJ Classic” where djs turn in mixes and production to be voted on in hopes of gaining a spot @ Wakarusa 2011. A huge goal for him in 2011 is to open up his live production more and book shows out of the midwest.  Some of his musical influences include the many things going on in his life, friends, family, technology, festivals, art, and nature.

Make sure to follow him on facebook to stay in the loop about upcoming shows and releases: Fractal Sky

For booking, email: thisisaar0n@hotmail.com.

Here’s a few of his hot tracks i pulled from soundcloud.com/fractal-sky.  Grab the free downloads!

Fractal Sky – Not Quite December

Fractal Sky – Trash Talk

Fractal Sky – Laser99

-EA

EA@afromonk.com

soundcloud.com/Ericluvsmusic2

Papa Skunk (aka Dan K) is a producer and DJ based out of Boulder, CO and a member of The Skunk Boyz. He’s been playing music for over 10 years and started producing electronic music 2 years ago. For production, he uses logic instead of the most commonly used ableton which is why his sound might be a little different from other producers with similar styles. A few days ago he released a 7 song all original EP for FREE through his soundcloud page. The release is a lot of fun and makes ya wanna dance. It’s a nice mix of glitchhop, dupstep, and crunk with some appropriate samples. The samples used in the track “What’s a Rave” make me smile

I could see An-ten-nae recruiting this up and coming producer for one of his next acid crunk compilations. Check out the tracks here and grab the free downloads:

A Skunk is Born EP [FREE D/L]

And you seriously need to grab his “Remixes Round 1 ep” which he also just put up for free download on his bandcamp page along with this release. It includes some quality remixes of tracks by Ludacris, LoBounce, Elli Goulding, and Samples. Grab it here: http://papaskunk.bandcamp.com.

The Skunk Boyz are throwing a benefit show on January 20th in Denver with the Mile High Sound Movement (Project Aspect, Unlimited Gravity, etc.). They are going to donate all the money to a local children’s charity and hope to give electronic music a better image in the community. The lineup is stacked: Bass Science, LoBounce, Unlimited Aspect (Unlimited Gravity vs Project Aspect), Papa Skunk, Animus Invidious, and Ecliptik.  Papa Skunk will be debuting some new unreleased material at the show too! You can find more info and check out other upcoming events at www.theskunkboyz.com.

Thanks for the hot free tunes Dan and I love your quote on your bandcamp page so I’m gonna share it here:

“I’ll keep putting out the free music, you guys keep dancing!!”

-EA

EA@afromonk.com

May 18th, 2010 will be the day I believe Ben Samples will begin his Legendary status. Samples is one half (Fisk the other half) of the live remix project Fresh2Death/Girlfriend Bullshit that is based out of Boulder, CO.

Samples is on top of the game and is ready to explode. He is a prolific crunk glitch-hop producer. He brings it hard with his bass-heavy remixes of your favorite club anthems. Ben started his DJ career in 2006 when he picked up a weekly variety radio show for CU Boulder’s KVCU.  He played many styles and genres, with a focus on dance music and hip hop. At the end of the day if anyone ask me what is glitch-hop or what does glitch-hop sounds like I point them in the direction of Mr.Ben Samples.

Samples is a member of the Denver Bass Squad, which is the essential crew that runs the bass scene in the Denver/Boulder area. It is worth mentioning that DBS will be a crew you will all know about soon… Spectre, Fisk, and Samples have been on a rampage releasing serious bombs! Don’t be surprised when you see the top selling tracks on there all from DBS members on the Additech charts.

Pick up the new EP put out by Mochipet’s label Daly City! It’s on pre-release here & check out Samples mini-mix of the EP!