Www.shamanwork.com Recent Articles

Two New Videos From C.H.A.Z.Z.

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:17:17 +0100

DMV native and Shaman Work fam, C.H.A.Z.Z., has a new mixtape / album entitled Cubicle Muzik (download here) and has filmed two videos to promote the project. Look out for the official release of Cubicle Muzik soon on Shaman Work.

"No More Monday" Video:

"Laid Off" Video:

Craft 'Sunday Morning' EP - That New Digi

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:27:23 +0100

Shaman Work founder, Chris Craft, is mostly known for his business acumen. Craft has transformed into producer mode and brings his Sunday Morning instrumental EP to the masses. The EP will be released July 21, 2009.

Tracklist:

1. Easy
2. Toddler Rhythm
3. Mustard Seed
4. Get Up and Go
5. Rise Again

Here's a couple of the tracks in the meantime:

Toddler Rhythm

Mustard Seed

The SW / adidas New Classics Tour (Philly Recap)

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:56:41 +0100

Philly is, hands down, one of the illest cities in the US, making the "New Classics Listening Party," that touched down there, one of the most enjoyable experiences of the tour.

In brief: a picture-perfect spring/summer day and evening on South St, complimentary Heineken, Red Bull and Vitamin Water, a very music savvy crowd including Shaman Work's own Wale Oyejide and Born Free (Wise Intelligent's Mngr), fresh goods from Adidas and Frank 151 (Phat shout to Todd Nisbet - Chop Shop, Frank 151 fitteds), and superior sounds provided by DJ 2-Tone Jones and Philly's own DJ Junior.

Thank you to all of those that made it out, all of our sponsors for supporting: Jason and the staff - adidas South St, Dave - Frank 151, Ya Ya - Red Bull, D - Heineken, Robert, Leah, and Todd - Vitamin Water, and, last but not least, the Shaman Work Staff too. Also, good lookin' out to ILL Photoz for shooting.

The SW / adidas New Classics Tour (Philly) and NYC Recap.

Sat, 02 May 2009 10:34:14 +0100

Shaman Work Recordings and adidas Originals presents
"The New Classics Promo Tour"

Listening Party at adidas Originals South Street

436 South St. Philadelphia, PA. 19147

SATURDAY MAY 23

Hosted by John Robinson

4pm-7pm

- Complimentary Beverages Provided by Red Bull

- DJ 2-Tone Jones

8pm-10pm

- Complimentary Beverages Provided by Heineken

- DJ Junior
- RSVP ONLY
- 21+

Print Flyer and Receive 20% OFF on All Product

Diesel, mi Originals, "O by O" Excluded

*Valid Only on 5.23.09 at adidas Originals South Street

RSVP - promo@shamanwork.com

The Shaman Work / Adidas New Classics listening session (NYC) Recap:

The Shaman Work "New Classics Listening Party" (NYC) definitely lived up to and beyond the energy that it built up.

In brief: a line down the street, complimentary Red Bull and 10 Cane Rum all night, good people, dope product from adidas, gift bags, Frank 151 in the house, and great music courtesy of DJ 2-Tone Jones and Sucio Smash.

Thank you to all those that came out, all of our sponsors for supporting (Danny and staff - adidas Soho, Dave - Frank 151, Todd - Red Bull, and Meagan - 10 Cane), and the Shaman Work staff too. Also, good lookin' out to Chris Carr on the photos!

In case you missed our NYC stop, be sure to check out our next one - Saturday May, 23 at Adidas South Street - 436 South St. Philadelphia, PA 19147.

See yall at the next one!

SW Fam.

SW New Classics Tour NY (Soho)

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:39:19 +0100

Shaman Work Recordings Presents "The New Classics Promo Tour"

Listening Party at adidas Originals Soho 136 Wooster St. NYC 10012

THURSDAY APRIL 23

4pm-7pm - Complimentary Beverages Provided by Red Bull -

DJ 2-Tone Jones - OPEN TO PUBLIC

8pm-10pm - Complimentary Beverages Provided by 10 Cane Rum -

DJ Sucio Smash - RSVP ONLY - 21+

*Print Flyer and Receive 20% OFF on All Product *Diesel, mi Originals, "O by O" Excluded *Valid Only on 4.23.09 at adidas Originals Soho

RSVP - promo@shamanwork.com
www.shamanwork.com

Below are a couple of looks at adidas Originals Soho, where we'll be doing our listening party - Thurs. April 23.

If you're in NYC check them out at 136 Wooster St. (btw W.Houston & Prince).

J.R. x HipHopDX

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:42:22 +0100

Shaman Work Prez, John Robinson, has a new story on HipHopDx.com .. Below is an excerpt:

It's almost peculiar that John Robinson is introducing himself so strongly this year. Six weeks in, the South Bronx native emcee already has two albums released and nationally distributed - Who Is This Man? and I Am Not For Sale, with plans for one or two more. The late '90s Stretch & Bobbito/Fondle 'Em Records alum has been recording singles and albums - with his group Scienz Of Life for over 13 years. He left New York a decade ago for Atlanta, and subsequently Los Angeles, and on a frigid Thursday afternoon, Robinson talks extensively back in his native city, in a crowded Manhattan cafe, about careers and paths coming full circle.

Read more at: http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/features/id.1308/title.john-robinson-self-scientific

DJ K.O. x 2DopeBoyz = Reeemix!

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:01:39 +0100

DJ K.O. is back at it again... He has set forth on a remix contest mission with 2DopeBoyz.com ... All the info is below...

http://2dopeboyz.com/2009/01/19/2dopeboyz-dj-kos-best-to-do-it-remix-contest/

DJ K.O. states: When I put Royce, Elzhi & Supastition on this track together nearly 3 years ago, who would have thought joints like "Motown 25" or "Glow" would be the trickle down effect?!!???!!? I want to give a chance to every producer out there to be a part of history that I helped create with "Best To Do It" being the 1st track Royce & Elzhi were on together. I'm going to be releasing a remix EP for Picture This shortly and the winner will receive placement on it as well as have their own hand in hip-hop history. The good folks at Elementality Productions, Shaman Work Recordings and 2DB present to you the "Best To Do It" Remix Contest!! The contest will be judged by 2DB, Shaman Work Recordings executives and myself. All you have to do is download the a capella version and show us why you're... the best to do it. -DJ K.O.

Return of the Shaman

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:01:31 +0100

Shaman Work Recordings, who secured industry notoriety with The Alpha Projects releases in 2002 and 2003, have relaunched with a new site and new releases from exemplary artists across a broad range of music genres, including hip-hop, soul, jazz, and dance.

Shaman Work is the braintrust of founders Chris Craft, Lamar Gilliam, John Robinson and Gerald Watson who believe that integrity in music and business can be achieved through versatility, creativity, positive energy and strong relationships within and outside the boundaries of the company itself. Shaman Work aligns itself with artists and business partners who share this same philosophy. "Shaman Work is a culture that cultivates and nurtures creative and positive people from all walks of life; we are 'culture scientists,'" notes Gerald Watson.

"Shaman Work is just that!," says John Robinson, "Doing the work of a Shaman via music and other forms of entertainment and media. Shamans are the medicine men of the village who care for the health of the community and oversees that all is well and healthy. We are releasing music with substance and integrity that has healing power when exposed to the mind, body and soul."

"Shaman Work represents the culture of the thought-provoking hip-hop we grew up on; artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La, Brand Nu, Ice Cube, Scarface and so on," adds Lamar Gilliam. "We release music that stands up to other respected art forms. We feature a versatile mix of genres and artists, from hip-hop to jazz to afrobeat to electronic, not seen in many independent labels, especially those that specialize in hip-hop."

Shaman Work relaunched with a newly designed website as well, showcasing a variety of web features such as Shaman Work Radio, photo-sharing, artist blogs and tweets, polls and quizzes and click-thru merchandise and album purchasing. "Shaman Work embraces technology as a means to not only market and reach the fans of the artists in our label family but also to discover new avenues of expression, communication, art and commerce. We explore all innovative methods to promote and sell, especially online, our artists' music, merchandise and live shows while reaching existing and potential new fans in smart, fun ways," says co-founder Chris Craft.

Shaman Work's active family of artists include: Carlos Nino and Lil' Sci's What's The Science?; Blackberry Jones, Build an Ark, Chris Craft, DJ 2Tone Jones, DJ K.O., John Robinson, K Banger, Scienz of Life, Sene, newcomer Tiffany Paige, and Wale Oyejide. Upcoming artist releases from Shaman Work include Elevation from What's The Science? and DJ K.O.'s Picture This.... which features an array of respected talent including Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, Royce da 5'9, Phonte (Little Brother), Elzhi, Kaze, Silent Knight and more. Both albums street on September 23, 2008.

Shaman Work Executives:

Chris Craft - CEO

Lamar Gilliam - COO

John Robinson - President

John Robinson Exclusive Interview on Hip Hop Post Dot Com

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:16:21 +0100

I had the opportunity to send a few questions by John Robinson for an interview. If you don't know who he is, you are missing out. JR is a dope NY emcee that has been rocking the mic steady for over ten years. He represents real hip hop, none of that "Soulja Boy off in this hoe!" shit you hear on the radio. Check him out...

Interview taken from www.thehiphoppost.com

So for those readers on the blog who aren't fully acquainted with you yet, could you give us a brief description of yourself?

JR: Yes, Indeed Peace to all the readers out there in the virtual world. My name is John Robinson aka Lil Sci of the Scienz of life crew! I have been professionally releasing substance and integrity Hip Hop independently for over a decade. I have worked with the likes of MF DOOM, J Rawls, Madlib, Talib Kweli, and many others during my journey. The best way to put you all in tune with who John Robinson truly is check the discography here.

I have always wondered about the meaning(s) of your stage name(s). Where did you get Lil Sci and are "Lil Sci" and "John Robinson" meant to represent separate personas?

JR: Lil Sci or Lil Scienz describes my style of rhyming and approach to doing music. I spoon feed the masses by giving them want they want, so that they will want what i have to give. It means "A little bit of science at a time". John Robinson on the other hand is my given name that I recently decided to begin using professionally in my music career. DOOM actually was the one to inspire me using my real name to do music. Now he is here for all of you to bear witness "John Robinson"!

The main distinction is Lil Sci rhymes in a live and direct fashion usually whether on stage or in the studio. John Robinson rhymes with more of a personable tone. He rhymes to the entire world one person at a time.

I Am Not For Sale sounds great from what I have heard so far, I look forward to buying that. While making the album what was the main message that you wanted to get across to readers?

JR: First off thanks for your praises, kind words and support. My main message with "I Am Not For Sale" is that this music is sooo much bigger than money and record sales and all that other biz and politics. Music saves lives and inspires people to do things that they probably would not have before coming to certain realizations, so with this title I took a stand saying "I Am Not For Sale" you can't buy my soul nor will I compromise my integrity or my perspective for commercial gain period.

What do you make of the current state of hip hop? Do you think hip hop is dead?

JR: Hip Hop will never truly DIE! The energy that is has been creative from will exist forever, it is boundless! My take on the state of the culture is pretty straight forward. I don't hate everything this is being played on the mainstream level. I just feel that there is a huge lack of balance of the sound and perspective that closely represents the principles that have been put in place since the foundation was layed by the wise pioneers of this culture in the South East Bronx, NY 34 years ago now. KRS said it best "We will be here forever!"

Who were you supporting in this year's election?

JR: OBAMA all the way man. I can't remember the last time we actually had a candidate in place in the running that feels as articulate, intelligent, charismatic, knowledgeable and more inspiring than right now! This is truly history right before our eyes! Let's change the world yall!

I know you have worked with some great producers like MF Doom and Flying Lotus, who was your favorite so far and who is one producer you might want to work with in the future?

JR: Hard to truly pick a favorite but if I had to it would be my brother and partner in Scienz of Life - I.D. 4 Windz! The chemistry we have naturally is unmatched in terms of how we are able to work together and although it hasn't been displayed much in my other works outside of Scienz of Life definitely stay tuned to hear a lot more gems!!!

Now don't get me wrong though all the producers I work with give their own unique level of brilliance. Especially Flying Lotus he has this young inspirational insight that he shares when we build and work together that makes it feel automatic. I know we have a lot more work to accomplish in the near future! DOOM lends another form of insight and perspective that is full of experience on many levels from writing, to delivery, to word choice and cadence on down to the outlook of the approach on the mic to the people. Definitely learned a great deal about my craft from DOOM and it has helped me become a better writer in the last several years.

While you were growing up, who were some of your biggest musical influences?

JR: This list is soooooooo long man! I will just name a small amount that comes to mind! Stevie Wonder, Brand Nubian, KRS, SLick Rick, Chaka Kahn, Anita Baker, Miles and Trane, Charlie Parker, Archie Shepp, J Dilla, and sooooo many more... this list is boundless!

What tracks/artists are getting heavy play for you right now?

JR: Lately I have been listening to a lot of old school Reggae Roots! Stone love vibes like Beres Hammond, Freddie Macgregor and Dennis Brown. also a great deal of Soul music like Patrice Rushen, Bobby Womack, Stevie, Anita and Sade.

Just hear the new Q Tip Renaissance album and I love it! Tip is definitely Repping the realness. Straight up grown man substance and integrity for the people!!!

A huge thanks goes out to John Robinson for taking the time to answer a few questions for us. Make sure to check out his latest release I Am Not For Sale.

CHANGE

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:19:09 +0100

History in the making for sure! A friend asked me today do I think Barack Obama was purposely place in the presidential position and will eventually end up showing us he is just like the rest of them. He truly feels that the gov't is full of conspiracies and definitely can't see them letting certain things align in order to truly bring positive change to the U.S. and the rest of the world. My outlook on things are simple, we are dealing with a scenario where a man put in extreme amounts of hard work to fulfill a dream and his idea was manifested. On the conspiracy level maybe it is time where all color lines and borders have been erased and Obama had the master plan an intelligence to propel above the norm. I can easily say I followed both campaigns pretty in depth and it was obvious to me that Barack was the better man for the job.

The Bottom line was the Republican campaign was based around them constantly taking stabs at Barack and what he can't and won't do. The Democratic campaign was based on information that the people were interested in and re-explaining the corrections of the same stabs the he has expounded on over and over again. It's funny to me how this is definitely still turning out to be a race thing! So many people are worried that we are DOOMED because a Black man is president now. I say the only thing constant in the universe is Change! Let's get it!