New Decade, Moar Bass

"Here's to a deep, fearless and beautiful 2011... Forward we march." Burial (via MAH)

Happy 2011 world! As seasons change and cycles start anew, we enter a new decade. What it shall bring, only jah is privy. But if the analysis of last year amounted to any indication, it’s that dubstep --and Santa Babylon along with her-- is rolling deep. First, our 2010 recap:

It’s hard to say which skyrocketed first, the 2010 brostep takeover, finally reaching into the mainstream rave scene, or rather, was it Santa Babylon’s explosion, situated in a peripheral city which is currently undergoing an EDM-slanted club-music revolution of its own. It’s clear they are definitely linked... and co-dependently. Our crew broke into a steady traction through mid-2009 at our favorite local café, Muddy Waters. Hype and anticipation would inevitably outgrow the place. A wonderful spot, but fire permit limits, wasteman extraordinaires, and SB’s growing EDM evolution forced us -blessedly- to search for a new residency in 2010. (To be honest, hippie B-Boys centered in a cipher of moshing bros, with fine artwork on the walls of a narrow café, is not a good business model either).

*To end 2010, we decided to pay homage to our beginnings by building a monument*

*Santa Babylon Bass Bins @ Muddy Waters, SB.*

Santa Babylon closed out the '09 year with "Autumn Dubfest", a two-room Dubstep~Reggae collaboration featuring Pawn and Kemst of SMOG. That momentum would propel us into uncharted territory for bass music in SB. In just this past year, the sound has come so far, being able to adapt to an expandable franchise section of Santa Barbara’s mainstream entertainment market; more so than Jungle/DnB ever managed to at least.

And so the year began... it seemed in an uncertain state after leaving MW, as we were setback by failures on two initial-venue procurements. Luckily, as last resort, Statemynt had nothing planned that night and was willing to give it a shot. Little did we know it would blow off so proper. All-crew-only line up. We were blasting filth out of bass-bins into Santa Barbara’s up-scale city-center, State Street. Though changing at the moment, the club option standard in SB remains commercial, radio music. For a Santa Babylon party, I’d often go outside to watch the puzzled, perplexed, and curious expressions of pedestrians as they passed our by our venue: Lights on low, lasers on high, and an omnipresent sub-bass that pummels unrelentingly. 2010 would feature us exploding into our own, elevating those viral-spreading excessive rave wobbles that dubstep had become. However basic the sound production and DJ selections have become --or for an unbiased neutrality; “different" than it had been-- it unabashedly still destroys at the raves. Now, one can catch global megastars, like LA’s homegrown 12^th Planet and his SMOG crew taking stage on-line ups featuring Rusko or Bassnectar at places like Coachella, as well as LA’s select, ultra "massives".

*Video-work courtesy, Akaider*
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As a Santa Barbara's premiere bass crew, we held our 805 flag high, representing our musical talents and style, up and down the Cali coastline from San Luis Obispo multistage outdoor-undergrounds, to Los Angeles premiere dubstep events such as “I ♥ L.A."

Back home, we continued to expand beyond our residency at Statemynt, playing Tonic’s seasonal “Summer Sunday Session” as well EOS multiple times, taking dubstep head-on into direct competition with the commercial chart-toppers at SB’s primary clubs. And it wasn't easy mind you, losing some of our core-supporters who some how believed we had "sold out", when the only thing that was 'out' was our own billfolds. Then there were those typical club-goers who just weren't having it. No respect... But FWD>>we marched.

*Rins'em out each and every bassline.*

*Step Correct + Hoodzpah aka 'Each & Every'*

*Check the first WIP from Ea'N'Ery:*
Undertow - Each and Every (Step Correct & Hoodzpah collab)


We also reciprocated the inter-county connections, putting on parties with headliner acts such as: KNORSQ (SubChamber//6K), Emu + Dustmite (SMOG), APX-1 (Tonz of Drumz // GhettoLife). In addition to, Dumbsteppaz (Dubfront), Blang (Bell Ringer), Direct Feed (Jungle Riddim//Relentless Audio) and Portland boss-man, Jon A.D. (LoDubs). In addition to LA’s heavy hitters, we established strong local ties with 805 DJs Professor West, Mackle, Pursuade, Lowkey, Diamonds & Guns and SB’s wicked new talent: Chadillac.

*Video Courtesy of Dustmite*
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We are kicking the year off correct with an all-out bass assault through January. First off, we invade Whiskey Richards alongside Chadillac. Hailing from Kansas City, man is quietly expanding his sound throughout the city in addition to icing some ink into people by day as a tattoo artist for 805 Ink.

Chadillac remains humble, yet confident in himself, exploring his new-found locality within our south-coast paradise. Pure love for his selections bleeds through speakers with original style and technical edge. You can expect big collaborations with Chadillac + Santa Babylon for 2011, as well as his solo efforts around town and all the way back to K.C. Chadillac holds a weekly dubstep night, "The Sunday Grime" @ Whiskey Richards. Our Sabylon event is this Friday, Jan. 14, 2010 and will feature Cadillac and W.R. co-resident, MI².

*"Holy shit!! Is that DJ Chadillac?!" Naa... just Jesus :( *

*Chadillac @ Santa Babylon's Halloween Special: "Night of the Living Bass" Statemynt, SB*
*DJ Chadillac @ Whiskey Richards, Sundays Weekly*

Proceeding that local-oriented event, we head back to the goddess lounge at EOS. Always exciting to play there, the venue retains a well balanced formula of elegance and class, combined with an unpretentious, carefree atmosphere that one should expect on a night out. That will take place on the 1.21.10, a week to the day of the Whiskey Dicks debut. Following that we will participate in a huge night put on by the Nightowl Brotherhood. The supreme college-night collective will bring you LowKey, Santa Babylon and APX-1 on 1.27.10. Our boy APX got a taste of Santa Barbara when we featured him in June (here), and the city surely wanted him back. Now you got it. Following January, we are off to San Luis Obispo for “Syncopation”. Put on by Danny Style and Dionysius, with sound provided by DJ Lytic's FunDip Productions. The SLO scene has been steady expanding from its nascent EDM roots which favored electro, into a more eclectic diversity now including popular dubstep, glitch and DnB events. We are looking forward to showcasing ourselves once again for the SLO steppas who always come ready to party. Keep out for Syncopation’s DJs coming down to SB to rock out in the near future too <-Big-up! *Don't forget to style up for EOS. Alongside the house slelecta, DJ Hogg, droppin' on some underground 4x4! That's 1.21.10 in the Goddess Room. Sparx holding down the front *THIS FRIDAY.*



*Santa Babylon @ Syncopation, 2.2.11* *Library Lounge, San Luis Obispo, CA*

In addition to spreading the bass virus up and down the west-coast, Santa Babylon has also turned our focus to the production-side. Both Step Correct and 9FeetofSmoke have been separately putting tracks together, and it seems 2011 will finally have their respective first releases put out. Following a summer promo video, Hoodzpah has opened some doors to collaborations with various producers, (check vid here). Aiming to make 2011 a breakout year, there also looms a possible collaboration with his British bredren, Simbad Fresh (Restoration Camp), representing Hoodzpah’s former residence in the United Kindgdom via CB-1. He has also began spinning, and will have a set on Universal Sound Stream radio soon. (TBA). 9FT has teamed up with his his DFHY brother, RTRD (formerly CityMavrick) to bring you "Blunt Bothers Radio" every Tuesday night, 6-10PM. Our crew also put out a mix featuring sets from all 3 Santa Babylon selectas! Check that mix out below. So that’s a wrap… we are all looking forward to a progressive year of bass music in the Santa Babylon crew... we hope you'll join us.

Lastly, we’d like to thank all the talent who have participated in providing Santa Barbara with quality bass music on the regular. Outs to our homeboy, DJ and videographer, Akaider. The rudeboy has been our strongest link to Los Angeles, and a true supporter of our crew from the get-go... We will certainly want you back soon, brother! In the meantime, holla at them Brazilian galdem, booom! Outs the all the talent, local or outsourced, for converging together for the simple goal of putting on a good party, and showcasing our subculture to the mass-culture. And finally, big shout out to all the SB steppas who have come out. Old-school junglists, OG dubstep massive, and all those, "never heard it in my life, but that bass drew me in" people. Without you all, it would not be possible. Big tings for 2011 so keep on the look out. All Santa Babylon 805 Bass represent! P.E.A.C.E.

Santa Babylon Roll Call:
1.14.10 - Santa Babylon hosts Whiskey Richard's, SB
1.21.10 - Santa Babylon hosts Goddess Room, EOS, SB
1.27.10 - SB Nightowl w/ Lowkey, Santa Babylon, APX-1
2.2.10 - Syncopation presents Santa Babylon, Library Lounge, SLO

*Santa Babylon Crew Mix (Chrono):*
*9FTofSmoke, Step Correct, ERS-One*

Hiero × Akomplice @ Fuzion, 11.4.10

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Just a couple hours on the countdown till my Santa Barbara mandem, sexy fasonistas and fine glass aficionados converge on Fuzion SB. Starting at 5:00PM tonight, 11.4.10, Fuzion will be hosting a reception for Hieroglyphics & Akomplice, to kick-off the release of a highly-anticipated collaboration effort between the two crews. Over years of progressive innovation and creative product, AK and Hiero have long built a mutual respect and admiration for urban aesthetics toward one another. Finally manifesting into fruition this year, AK is taking you back with one their massively popular Hoodie Varsity silhouette designs. The jacket will be adorned with the distinct Akomplice trademark, as well as Hiero's OG flavor-- Originally designed by Del, the son of an abstract artist, the 3rd-eye straight faced logo has become a staple image in hip-hop. It can be seen all over the world; from bombed up concrete walls graff-art world capital São Paulo, to tatted-up Oakland badmen, to a 5-9 fitted on the dome of that skater grinding curbs outside your house. In a 2000 interview, Del himself recalled how the image alone increased Hiero's promotional perception, "when I invented that symbol, I never thought it would get this big [...] I think slowly but surely people are starting to pay attention to us."

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Just in time for an impending winter, these limited-edition pieces will keep you looking crisp outside and warm inside. Cozy arm-struts as you roll one up. As stated, this is a exclusive product based off Hiero~AK's synergistic qualities. It is sure to sell out. Consider that after today, it will only be available to purchase from Hieroglyphics and Akomplice's respective online-retail stores. I would recommend getting your ass down to Fuzion today and cop that shit!! Must also be mentioned that Hiero went into the studio to make a tune specifically for this. The jacket will come with an unreleased Hiero digi-dubplate! In addition to "The Collab" itself, there will be plenty more ill gear to scope and purchase. Exclusive new products will be showcased from Fuzion's wicked apparel, which has become a staple in SB, as well and their incredible selection of high-end glasswork. Further, Akomplice will have more signature gear rolling out their arsenal of urban wear. Personally, I've been buying AK gear since 2006, and rate it as one of the top it its industry... although to be fair, there actually isn't an industry when it comes to an AK design. The creative uniquity and strict-drive to separate from mass-appeal and popular trend, makes AK they're own industry: Unmatched.

Shit-- just spent too much time writing... it's time get ready. Head on down to Fuzion's storefront location right now, located at 1115 State St., Santa Barbara. Come kick it with some of the Hiero members and peep out the illin' threads whilst surrounded by beautiful art and beautiful people.

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Oh yeah, nearly forgot. Y'all know Hieroglyphics wouldn't rolling into town without a show, right? Following the reception will be a performance of Souls of Mischief w/ Pep Love!! The feature will be SC's Virbrant EYEris, an experimental hip-hop/dubstep crew. But foremost, my homeboy NUK will be opening to get Velvet Jones kicked-off correct! Conveniently, you can get your pre-sale tickets at Fuzion. I wish I could be there tonight... but unfortunately my Santa Babylon clique will be playing AKA's "Dub-Hoppin'" at EOS nightclub. Ironically, the event is sponsored by Fuzion and Akomplice, in cooperation with Nightowl, an SB promotion coalition. 2 rooms: Hip-hop and Dubstep. Headlining the latter, you can find myself, Hoodzpah, rinsing-out on the mic with our face-melting DJs. Whatever way you roll down State tonight, get to Fuzion for the pre-party. Cause either way... tonight is gonna be off the hook! Yep. It's like that and a-- a Hieroglyphics, yeeaah!! P.E.A.C.E.

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Out-note: When I heard my choice emcee of the Oakland collective, Pep Love, was going to be accompanying Souls of Mischief, I thought a couple 2010 remixed gems would be fitting. Per usual, my standard end-post audio is by NUK, off his promo mixtape, covering Deltron 3030's "Mastermind". Additionally, the video --although 2010 creation-- will no doubt take you back to 1993. Pep, teaming up with some of the Bay's rising stars on hip-hop's most classic riddim. Enjoy the revamped nostalgia... but those golden days ain't over. Hiero back a'gone '10 till infinity!

Link: Akomplice Apparel
Link: Fuzion SB
Link: Hieroglyphics
*© All images provided under proprietary ownership of their respective companies ©*

Pep Love ft. Young Gully & Hongray - '93 Til Infinity (2010 Remix)



NUK - Mastermind (Automator Cover)