To coincide with the release of our “Midnight Marauders” collection, enjoy the Best Of Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders album along with the original samples used to make the classic tracks. Production by Atlanta DJs, DJ Mars, DJ Kerosene, and DJ Trauma
Every so often something comes along so monumental, that its effects transcend even time. This is the case with the legendary rap group A Tribe Called Quest, whose album Midnight Marauders released in 1994, is still affecting Hip Hop music and culture today. In recognition of the 20th Anniversary of this historic album, we have put together a capsule to reflect the look and feel of the music. Take a look below at the lookbook for the collection, featuring some influential figure’s in Atlanta’s Hip Hop culture scene.
Purchase the Wish 2013 Summer “Moreland Marauders” Collection here as well as in-store via our Moreland Ave. location.
To wrap up our “Moreland Marauders” Project, we shift our focus to the element of the heralded MC. To get a better understanding of today’s MC, we enlisted Atlanta rapper Curtis Williams of Two9. The next big thing out of Atlanta’s music scene, Curtis and the Two9 collective have used their edgy and diverse sound to become one of the most buzzed-about groups, quickly rising in popularity in the Hip Hop world. Take a look below as Curtis speaks on the craft of the MC and shows off another one of the looks from our “Moreland Marauders” capsule:
Explain what doing your craft is like in today’s society with the advancement of technology, the internet, digital downloads, availability of information etc.? Do these elements prove as aids or obstacles?
Making music in today’s world is kind of bittersweet because its definitely somewhat easy to get your music out there and get noticed. But being that everyone is on twitter and shit like that, people have begun to judge artists based on their appearance or how cool they are rather then actually listening to what is being said. But I definitely feel like its an aid if you use it the right way.
How does your craft influence HipHop today and vice versa?
I’m just trying to bring a familiar but fresh breath of air to Hip Hop; in Atlanta atleast. So I think MCs kind of influence Hip Hop by pushing people to go back to being creative and doing what they love, not just trying to get single or a check. And I just watch the guys that are really making a statement and see how far they have gotten with their craft, so it influences me to stay true to my shit and keep creating.
In our quest to further examine the progression of Hip Hop, we’re continuing to explore Hip Hop’s core elements. Our next subject is Brandon Sadler, an artist who got his start in street art and is now growing a body of art in the contemporary collection of the High Museum. Sadler’s work can also be seen throughout Atlanta including his work along the Atlanta Beltline which is showcased in the images below. So take a look below as Brandon talks about his craft and models another one of the looks from our “Moreland Marauders” capsule:
Explain what doing your craft is like in today’s society with the advancement of technology, the internet, digital downloads, availability of information etc.? Do these elements prove as aids or obstacles?
I keep both doors open really, I stay true to a hands on approach and utilize the digital world as a tool and network. I prefer to work analog but the cyber tap is inevitable at this point, and it does allow a level of accessibility and impact that conventional approaches can’t provide. Successfully creating in today’s world requires balance, so in order to avoid succumbing to any one particular medium; I sharpen many techniques on the regular.
How has your craft changed since the inception of HipHop?
Well Hip Hop had already erupted by the time I was born in 86’, so what I became and what I do now is reflection of decades of Hip Hop influence. My style is a symphony of different cultures and disciplines and it will develop continuously; the ability to observe, adapt, and master is the essence of Hip Hop culture.
How does your craft influence HipHop today and vice versa?
I can’t speak on my influence on Hip Hop. Its influence on me however, has been based in progressive forms of creativity, language, innovation, transformation, and style; I have shaped my artistic career on these principles.
Always taking the opportunity to pay homage to influential forces in our sphere, we have put together a capsule inspired by A Tribe Called Quest’s classic album Midnight Marauders. Created in recognition of the 20th Anniversary of the timeless record, we wanted to create pieces that captured the look and feel of the legendary music that Tribe produced, spawning the name “Moreland Marauders.”
In creating the “Moreland Marauders” capsule, it also gave us the opportunity to examine the ways that Hip Hop has progressed and changed in the last 20 years. To get a better viewpoint of Hip Hop in today’s culture, we took a look at three of Hip Hop’s core elements, The MC, The DJ, and The Street Artist, hoping to get a more in depth perspective of how Hip Hop manifests itself not only in today’s music world, but also today’s art and fashion world. So we enlisted three individuals from here in Atlanta that operate in each sphere to help us on our search.
Our first subject is DJ Baby Yu, a DJ originally from Toronto that moves crowds anywhere from Atlanta to cities across the globe. When not busy touring around the country with Young Jeezy as his official tour DJ, Baby Yu can be found spinning daily on V103 or at the hottest Atlanta nightclubs on any given night. Take a look below as he gives us a first-person perspective on his craft and shows off one of the looks from the “Moreland Marauders” capsule:
Explain what doing your craft is like in today’s society with the advancement of technology, the internet, digital downloads, availability of information etc.? Do these elements prove as aids or obstacles?
I remember when the “internet” became commercialized. I would be playing multi-player computer games on a 14.4 dial-up modem, and yell at my mom not to pick up the phone because the connection would interrupt. I was able to connect with other players in the U.S., which I thought was totally cool. Understanding this, it has made it easier for us DJ’s and artists to promote our music more efficiently to the world over the internet. When I check my stats on my podcast I’m happy to see downloads from places like Iraq, New Zealand, and Russia. I’ve never been to these places, so it amazes me.
Advancement of technology has made it easier for new DJ’s to start up, but it also gave a lane for established DJ’s to become greater. I’m known to do live remixes while I DJ, and technology has given me the power to do things I couldn’t do with my vinyl. Til this day, some people think that all my mixes on the radio are pre-recorded because they don’t understand how I do some of the remixes live. With all the DJ programs and production tools, it allows me to be more creative because resources are unlimited. If I needed a rare sample, well in one click I can get it and make a song out of it. If i was missing a song for the night, I can actually download it then play it while I’m DJing. Even when I’m stuck on something, I could easily look it up on the internet, and most likely there would be a step by step tutorial on it. With all the time I save with the work load I have, it gives me more room to think as an artist to prepare myself for my next project or venture.
How has your craft changed since the inception of HipHop?
Other than converting from vinyl to Serato, I’ve become more open as a DJ since the inception of Hip Hop. We have to remember that “Hip Hop” was originally a hipster movement in a sense. Music in general was so segregated back then. Til this day, I can count all the great R&B and Hip Hop records that weren’t recognized because it wasn’t global enough. I mean, whoever was indulged in to the culture knew about what’s new and hot, but to the rest of the world, “Hip Hop” was in its own world. So because of this, I was just considered a hip hop DJ. Remixing was nothing new since the start of my career, but I would only use Hip Hop records with R&B songs, or other Hip Hop vocals. Now that Hip Hop is popular, it gives me more room to work with other genres and to mesh it with other genres of music. Because of it, I am a DJ, not just a Hip Hop DJ.
How does your craft influence HipHop today and vice versa?
I love music, and I still have joy learning about the Hip Hop culture…This song used this sample, this artist is the next big thing, this DJ produced this song, all these things inspire me and motivates me with my craft and projects. In turn, I hope my craft has made Hip Hop more open minded with all the crazy remixes I do.
For more information on DJ Baby Yu or to hear some of his work, visit: babyyu.com
a tribe called quest, DJ, dj baby yu, hip hop, moreland marauders
