I think as I get older I tend to gravitate towards music that reminds me of past times, sounds that evoke nostalgia but aren’t dated. I was put onto production duo BlackMale Beats a couple of years ago and fell in love with not only their sound but the visuals that came along with the beats they produced. Their aesthetic seems to be that of something that’s more than the music they create, it’s a lifestyle that’s influenced by their community and what they hope to share with the people that listen to their music. The duo are currently working on their latest compilation ‘Community Roots’ which encapsulates their influences perfectly and is a project I’m really excited to be sharing on the site.
COMMUNITY ROOTS is a free compilation album/mix tape set to release this summer. The album is produced by emerging production duo Shem Lawrence and Lukman Shoge, better known as Blackmale Beats. This will be available to download at www.ourcommunityroots.co.uk on the date of release. The project features songs by young urban artists from different areas within south London along with soulful instrumentals: all produced by Blackmale Beats. The dynamic duo contributes to the undiscovered talent absent from the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics Festival of art programmes. However, Blackmale Beats started this project to pay homage to their surrounding community. This is a project that embraces the diversity and vibrancy that exists in south London . COMMUNITY ROOTS explores; culture, status, environment, trends and slangs and what it all means to the artists. COMMUNITY ROOTS above all is an acknowledgement of both the good and the bad of London , showing us how to embrace our own community roots and the people that are part of it – it all has influence on who we are.
“This project is more than music; it has many aspects of involvement from the local people in our community. Growing up in south London can have many negative stereotypes and by producing COMMUNITY ROOTS we want to help break those old ideas. During our lives our communities have changed drastically and we intend to let the voice of the many forgotten people of London be heard musically. Here in London we have been known to take our communities for granted. The COMMUNITY ROOTS mix tape intends to celebrate the achievements and bring to light the failings of where we call home.”
With the release of the mix tape, COMMUNITY ROOTS will lead to other collaborative music projects and introduce something fresh to the London music scene.
For more info check out:
Check out a sample track from the compilation below:
