FEATURED ARTISTS

PETE ROCK & C.L. SMOOTH Legendary Hip‐hop duo and C.L. Smooth made their debut in the hip‐hop scene with the 1992 album “Mecca and the Soul Brother.” Their signature hit “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” broke serious artistic ground with it’s cavernous bass and horn loops. The duo’s acclaimed Electra tenure, innovative soul sampling, combined with freestyle interludes and thoughtful lyrics, made for a hypnotic and engaging style that remains a hip‐hop milestone. They also recorded many productions for both hip‐hop acts like Run DMC and R&B artists such as Mary J. Blige. The pair followed up with a second album “The Main Ingredient” in 1994 and their best‐of compilation, “Good Life” was released in 2003. For more information on Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, please visit: www.myspace.com/peterock www.myspace.com/clsmoothmusic

DJ MUGGS DJ Muggs is one of the industries most talented and best known rap producers. Most recognized as one of the pioneering members of the rap‐rock quartet, , together they have sold more than 17 million albums worldwide. As an acclaimed producer, he scored runaway hits with "” and "Check Yo Self” along with his highly‐ influential solo‐projects such as “Soul Assassin Series” and “Grandmaster’s with Wu‐Tang Clan’s GZA.” In 2008, DJ Muggs along with Cypress Hill received a VH1 Honors award to celebrate the vision and innovation that the group continues to bring to hip‐hop. DJ Muggs’ latest collaboration with Brooklyn’s heavy metal influenced hip‐hop artist, : DJ Muggs vs Ill Bill “Kill Devil Hills” was recently released this Summer. The album features guest appearances by renowned artists such as B‐Real, , , , and Chace Infinite. For more information on DJ Muggs, please visit: www.djmuggs.com FEATURED ARTISTS

FREEDOM Christopher Laroche a.k.a “Freedom” is an internationally renown music artist as well as the co‐ founder and president of Freedom Recordz Inc. Working tirelessly to create his own original sound, Freedom has created a fusion of hip‐hop, R&B, , Blues, Roots, Haitian Racine, and Soul. Freedom feels that music helps people expel their pain in a way that can rejuvenate the soul. He stormed the music scene with his first Creole album “1804: Liberation” in 2004. He is now nearing completion of his second Creole album and working on his much anticipated first international record, to be released under Universal later this year. Freedom continues to aid Haiti and work towards the peace and unity of his nation. For more information on Freedom, please visit: www.freedomrecordz.com

GARTH TRINIDAD Beloved LA based DJ and radio personality Garth Trinidad states he’s fighting the war against musical mediocrity and cultural ignorance. Garth works relentlessly to expose the new and progressive while paying homage to the classic by weaving together intergalactic tapestries of sound artfully exploring a multitude of genres, roots, and movements worldwide on his critically acclaimed nightly music mix on station, KCRW‐FM 89.9. Through his work in radio, event production, music supervision, and as a member of The Recording Academy, he’s broken artists such as Gnarls Barkley, MIA, and exposed music of independent bands on HBO’s Emmy winning series, Entourage. For more information on Garth Trinidad, please visit: www.garthtrinidad.com

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J‐SWIFT Infamous hip‐hop producer and member of , J‐ Swift (The Wascals, , Delicious Vinyl) returns with the soul‐baring rap confessional “Off my chest” to tell the story of his life while away from the spotlight. J‐ Swift is most known for the 1992 hip‐hop classic, “Passin’ Me By” which catapulted The Pharcyde’s “Bizzare Ride II” album to certified Gold. In the mid‐‘90s, J‐Swift lent his signature style to a string of , including ’s “Letitgo,” and Urban Thermo Dynamics’ “Manifest Destiny” featuring Mos Def. J‐Swift’s new album “I’ll Do Mine” under alter ego: Negro Kanevol features a guest appearance by St. Imey, former mate of the rap group “The Wascals.” St. Imey, is most recognized for his stellar appearances on the hits “Class Clown”, “Hard Rhymes”, and “Stole the Show”. Together, St. Imey and J‐Swift make for a collaboration that showcases their intense and raw talents. For more information on J‐Swift and St. Imey, please visit: www.onecellrecords.com

CHRISTINE LIEN Using guitar effects and a looping machine, classically trained violist Christen Lien performs original compositions on viola that are a beautiful mixture of East and West, classical and postmodern, acoustic and electronic. Lien’s debut album “Vol. I: Battle Cry” reflects a journey of challenging and expanding classical Viola expression, taking it to a new level. Spontaneously creating then incorporating layers of live effects, Lien paints music with guitar effect pedals, live looping, melodic mixing and expressive performance. During her emotional and unique performances, Christen composes songs layer by layer for her audience. Always studying the human condition as the inspiration behind her creative work, Christen Lien provides audiences with a live performance of original music that has been called “uncannily ancient and reassuringly contemporary.” For more information on Christine Lien, please visit: www.itsnotaviolin.com FEATURED ARTISTS

MIKE DE LA ROCHA Mike de la Rocha has emerged as one of America ’s most promising singer/songwriters with his emotional lyrics and socially engaging songs that seek to heal and inspire. On “Moving Forward,” his debut solo EP, Mike delivers intense, melodic vocals coupled with his signature acoustic guitar sound that has motivated audiences worldwide to get more involved in efforts to positively transform our society. With music described as “ meeting in a darkly‐ lit bar to discuss politics and then grabbing a rusty guitar to sing beautiful melodies into a mic with no speakers,” Mike has been described as a modern day shedding light on global issues and the undeniable truth that we are all interconnected. Mike’s currently finishing up his first full length record for release in 2011. For more information on Mike de la Rocha, please visit: www.mikedelarocha.com

BEATROCK MUSIC BAMBU is a father, MC & community organizer. Raised in Watts, Bambu turned around the destructive energy that surrounded him and poured it into making music. His music is a tool for a larger goal, to reach and support youth who face the issues he

did, & move them to question what goes on in the world. POWER STRUGGLE is rapper Nomi accompanied by producers Mister REY and Fatgums. Spitting raw insight with a grimy Midwest flow, Nomi represents hard for those who live under the fingernails of society, yet celebrate life with every breath and together they reflect the life and times of workers, students,

hustlers, artists, & immigrants. OTAYO DUBB is going solo, “It’s a whole new beginning for me,” says the Oakland‐based producer. With an original blend of hip‐ hop and soul, Dubb calls his solo material “more straightforward hip‐hop.” He describes his rap style as “thoughtful, but not

preachy … a little bit of conscious, a little bit of street.” THE COUNTERPARTS features T‐Know, BraelanB, Otayo Dubb, Gammaray and Fatgums. As a meshwork of MCs, producers & DJ’s the CP’s create authentic, down to earth, true‐school hip‐ hop. This Cali all‐star crew provides a distinctive Golden‐State sound that resonates nationwide. For more information on BEATROCK Music, please visit: www.beatrockmusic.com