Brooklyn's Ninjasonik are taking their self-sustained, militant buzz off the streets and translating it onto wax for their long awaited debut album this spring. Beginning as an art concept record and a time capsule of their almost 18 months together, "Art School Girls" features guest appearances from Matt and Kim, Team Robespierre, and Vivian Girls.
It's obviously not the normal collaborative line-up for what many could misconstrue as a hip-hop record, but a "cultural fusion" says emcee Telli. "I don't think sound has been merged like what we do. I'm a rapper, Jah's a punk, and Teenwolf's a musicologist." Ninjasonik is unleashing this raw and uncut synthesis of styles with their "Art School Girls" full length VIA Green Owl / Chief Records due April 20th, 2010. Green Owl is a label that is ahead of the game in itself by respecting the planet both economically and environmentally through sustainable technology, news, and information.
At the heart of this all is the live show where Ninjasonik truly demonstrate an aerobic performance that leaves audiences fully engaged. The Brooklyn trio splashed onto the stage and established themselves as next generation of live hip hop by creating a synergy between their rhymes and a newly evolved performance art in the making. Having shared the stage with such disparate artists as Spank Rock, Dan Deacon, Japanther, Afrika Bambataa, The Cool Kids and Murs, Ninjasonik has melded enough sounds to bring in fans across all genres.
At it's most fundamental, Telli is right about what separates and unites the members of Ninjasonik. DJ Teenwolf received his own buzz as part of the Sound Advice DJ collective, and as a solo remixer. Jah Jah was a DJ of his own accord, spinning at some of the first Treble & Bass parties in Baltimore, and later rolling deep with famous skaters and graffiti artists like Mark Gonzales and Ben Robey. And since childhood, Telli was banging out rhymes over lunch table beats, before going on to record with Raheim and a few Wu-Tang associates before being burned out by the game (and then re-inspired by his Ninjasonik cohorts).
There is no definition for a record so eclectic yet thematic. "Ha Ha Ha" (featuring Team Robespierre) may have the most traditional hip-hop structure, with punchline-packed verses and an innocuous hook. "Art School Girls" throbs with a powerfully fast bassline and Jah Jah's charmingly off-key crooning.
Catch Ninjasonik in their most vital setting during their brief run of shows w/ The Very Best next week followed by a worthy stay at SXSW in Austin.
Tour Dates w/THE VERY BEST
3/12/10 New York, NY @ Museum of Natural History w/ The Very Best
3/13/10 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar w/ The Very Best
3/14/10 Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel w/ The Very Best
3/16/10 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge w/ The Very Best
Austin TX, SXSW DATES
Wed. Mar 17 SXSW
Karmaloop Party
Beauty Bar 2:30pm
617 East 7th Street
Thur. Mar 18 SXSW
Pianos Party - Kung Fu Saloon 5:30pm
Green Owl/IHEARTCOMIX Showcase - Beauty Bar 11:15PM
Alliance Showcase - Submerged (333 East 2nd Street
) 12:15am - 12:45am
Fri. Mar 19 SXSW
BBQ at Green Owl Ranch - 2PM-7PM
Sat. Mar 20 SXSW
IHEARTCOMIX/Mad Decent Carnival - Time TBA