This is a slow number by T-Pain. Which normally I am not much a fan off but this track has got me off the hook. The production of the beat and with that chopped skipping effect is wicked! Nothing much on the video though~ at least it is far better than T-Pain’s Karaoke.

Dope? Not too sure, but it is surely retro. Somehow Kanye does not seem to really rap in the outright. Must be some experimentation he is doing. Not hard edged…. more soul. That is what every brother needs. That is what we all need.

Blue Night Fellas

I remember e-mailing them the questions a couple of months back. It took a while for them to reply but the answers I got are very well written…. so there is really nothing for me to do but just copy and post it up here. Expect their album to be out next year (if there are no glitches and we will pray for that). The answers are mostly from RDZ… the rest could not be reached at that point in time.

1. How did the group come about?

RDZ: Blue Night Fellas was officially formed in March 2008. I was invited by Asyraf Hardy of M.I.X. to perform with him at Padi Cafe for a New Year’s Eve gathering. So, there we were, performing something different as Asyraf rhymes in the Malay Language and myself in English using a track that I produced. The combination got the crowd wanting for more. I have heard of a young drum prodigy from Sarawak but never had the chance to meet the guy himself (Azim Ali). Coincidently, he was at Padi Cafe performing drum solos and supporting other bands that were playing as well. Little that I know that his elder brother (Kazlan Ali), was magnificent on the guitar.

The next day, the idea of having a hiphop band popped into my head. Asyraf had the same thing in mind. We recorded ‘ Propaganda’ at Pro-Arts Production, where Azim Ali and Kazlan Ali jams and records. They contributed their crafts into the track by playing the guitar and the bass while the drum line is produced by myself using a drum machine. We all liked the outcome. Both Kazlan and Azim are in a Jazz Band, “Borneo”. They played at the Miri International Jazz Festival alongside other Jazz greats and enthusiasts. The bassist of Borneo and also Blue Night Fellas, Azfar Zubri is a maestro on the bass.

Two emcees (RDZ and Asyraf Hardy) who masters their craft and their respective performing language, a guitarist (Kazlan Ali), a bassist (Azfar Zubri), and a drummer (Azim Ali). We have a band! On the 6th of March, Blue Night Fellas was born with one single in hand, ‘Propaganda’. We are here to color the world of music with Jazz influenced Hiphop music with flavors from other genres intertwined.

2. Who are the major influences in your music?
RDZ: We have different influences in music. As for myself, the biggest influence for me has to be Kool Herc and Afrikaa Bambataa. They are the fathers of Hiphop and without their presence Hiphop might not be in existence. Other then them, I would say that my inlfuence for emceeing comes from KRS-One, Talib Kweli, Common, Mos Def, Immortal Technique. To me, being an emcee is a responsibility. So what I say in my lyrics determine what the next generation listen to. Therefore, I focus on having a concious mind while delivering my rhymes. Producing wise, my influences are DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and Inspectah Deck.

Asyraf Hardy’s influence I would say, which has the greatest impact on him would be his own grandfather, Haj Hasbie Sulaiman. You can listen to his lyrics and his flow of the Malay Language is most definitely his own style. As a partner emcee, I would undeniably say he’s the best emcee in the Malay language that we have in Malaysia. Other than that, his influences are The Roots, Mos Def, Amir Sulaiman, Mecca2Medina, Outlandish, Orange Range, A Tribe Called Quest, Kuching Connexion, and Lupe Fiasco

Live @ Banditogether Celcom Blackberry Showcase Part 1

Kazlan’s Influence includes Dream Theater, Metallica, Earth, Wind and Fire, John Petrucci, Chick Corea and many other music greats. He plays the guitar like he is the guitar. Just like how vocalists could easily manipulate their vocal box to produce the sound at heart and mind, the guitar is Kazlan’s vocal box.

Azim is also influenced by Dream Theater, Dave Weckl, Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, Billy Killson Groove, Tony Royster Jr., Dennis Chamber - Boys II Men - Virgil Donati - The Roots - Slipknot, Linkin Park, Erwin Gutawa, Mc Chew, Aubrey Suwito, Justin Timberlake , John Blackwell Jr.,Richard Bona ,Al Di Meola, Steve Thornton and many others. Creative drumlines can be expected due to his wide horizon of influence.

Azfar Zubri is influenced by Jaco Pastorius, Reid Anderson, Jimmy Blanton, Charlie Parker, Ron Carter, Charlie Haden, Charles Mingus, Miles Davis, Dream Theater, Earth, Wind and Fire, Nat King Cole Chick Corea, Ali Omar Obe Hairunie and many more.

3. What is it like to champion Hip Hop in Sarawak and how does the scene there get their music out to the masses?
RDZ: It feels great! We perform at shows in Sarawak in the hope that knowledge is conveyed to the masses through our lyrics, both in the Malay Language and English. Musically, knowledge can be outsourced from what you hear, see, and experience. Therefore, a show with the Blue Night Fellas is an experience in itself, having Peace, spreading Love, promoting Unity, while having Fun is what we can promise you. We hope to bring this spirit accross the South China Sea and around the world. Here, the scene gets their music to the masses through shows by giving out or selling their CDs. They also put up their songs on the internet for downloads.

Live @ Banditogether Celcom Blackberry Showcase Part 2

4. How does the society in Sarawak accept Hip Hop?
RDZ: Here, more and more people accepts Hip Hop as a medium of education and also a healthy lifestyle. The basic four elements is in fact a guidleline for youths to understand this culture. Emceeing - Convey and recieve knowledge; DJing - Bringing music to the ears of listeners while influencing their mood on a daily basis and also a platform for the emcee to deliver their messages; Bboying - This element of Hiphop is the part which involves physicality therefore is a good form of exercise for the youths. Graffiti art - Social expressions in graphic and in the form of words is how youths can express themselves boldly without having the need to be vocal. All these basic elements of Hiphop is well accepted because the emcees, djs, bboys and writers have successfully conveyed to the masses that Hiphop is a healthy culture, and as life imitates art and art imitates life, it is an acceptable positive movement.

5. What are your future plans? Are there any collaborations in the works with any other artist?
RDZ: Right now, both Kazlan and Azim are in Johor Bharu to further their interests in music. Azfar is in Miri studying and as for Asyraf and myself we are living in Kuching. As for shows, we will perform together as Blue Night Fellas regardless of its location. As this musical bond created is very strong between us, we will accept invitations to perform wherever possible. We are currently recording our songs and would release our CD in 2009. We are open for collaborations and are in talks with some local and international acts.

6. Which rapper would you most like to see performing in Malaysia?
RDZ: I would prefer an emcee to perform in Malaysia. But rappers will do. If to be given a choice, I would like to have Mos Def or KRS-One to perform in Malaysia. By the way, Aries Spears would be great too. That way, we would have 4 artists in one. He does great impersonations of Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, DMX and LL Cool J. Rapper? I would like to see Lil Wayne, Diddy or even Soulja Boy! Hahaha… Nelly would be aight too..

Listen to their latest track… “Something About Us”

Head over to their MySpace Music or AMP