Freebass 808, a hip-hop duo, played at the Raleigh Wide Open festival this weekend.
Freebass rapper Geechi Suede, who is also a member of Camp Lo, said the Freebass’ mission is to “make it out of space [and] make it twisted.”
This duo takes from other genres, such as euro-dance and world music. Freebass 808 is made up of two members, producer/drummer Apple Juice Kid and Geechi Suede. Together they also formed a production company called La Universe.
Apple Juice Kid is an 8-time beat battle winner. He is also a member of the Remix Project, a band that plays covers and remix them live in a different style.
Geechi Suede is a veteran and a legend in hip-hop. He is one half of Camp Lo, whose 1997 album Uptown Saturday Night is viewed by many as a classic. Camp Lo’s “Luchini aka This Is It” is held by many critics as one of the greatest singles in Hip Hop. It peaked at number 5 in the Billboard charts back in 1997.
Geechi Suede explained that while Camp Lo is “vintage and nostalgic,” Freebass 808 is “futuristic” and demonstrates his “individual being”.
He added that Freebass 808 is “embodying difference and homegrown, not industry-born”.
Freebass 808 brings “raw energy, originality, improv and love” to their shows. Apple Juice Kid revealed that Freebass 808 will release their first full-length album, Overdose Vol. 1, at the end of 2008. The album will feature YahZarah, DJ Triple B and the Jungle Brother’s Mike G. Artists like Will Smith and Aesop Rock have also asked Camp Lo to appear on their albums.
Meanwhile, Geechi Suede and Camp Lo’s other half, Sonny Cheeba, have recently signed a deal with SRC Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records. Camp Lo also brought their “Soul Fever” imprint to SRC Records.
Camp Lo’s new album A Piece Of The Action will be in stores at the beginning of 2009. The album will “let hardcore [Camp Lo] fans know that we ain’t going nowhere” Suede said. A Piece Of The Action marks a change in Camp Lo. The album has a “Motown sound” and it will be more “upbeat” than its predecessors.
The first single “Lumbi” is already spreading through the Internet. A video will soon follow.
