COMMUNITY SPIRIT EP available NOW!
Transatlantic flows from hip-hop’s global yokels
Community Spirit, the long-awaited debut EP from American emcee Special Opps and a British trio comprised of wordsmith The Wize and producers DJ Thundercat and Jokes, is a unique collaboration spanning from Springfield, MA, to Oxfordshire, England. The 7 must-hear tracks cover topics as diverse as inept politicians and the love of nature, as well as every rapper’s favorite subject: money (but don’t think for a second they don’t have their own twist on it). Available now: CD and digital download.
Remarkably, Opp and Wize wrote the first few tracks before they’d even met. The effect for listeners is that of two sage wordsmiths on distant shores, floating their verses back and forth across the ocean…except in this case, the ocean has been replaced by the Internet, and instead of rolled-up pieces of parchment they used emails and mp3s.
Community League Records CEO August Ruff eventually managed to helm the meeting of these talented emcees, finally bringing together all parts of the puzzle for the most electrifying US-UK collabo since Dipset and S.A.S. Over the past two years, memorable shows at Oxfordshire pubs (including Wize’s opener for Klashnekoff) and Guinness-fueled freestyle sessions on both sides of the Atlantic have solidified the Community League, setting the scene for the Community Spirit EP.
From house parties to ciphers in the pub parking lot, hip-hop’s roots are in the creative connections forged between people who find themselves in the same space, inspired by a shared love. The Internet boom has made it possible for this process to occur across great distances. This EP is a testament to the community spirit that makes hip-hop great—the global is local, from suburb to suburb and street corner to street corner.
Enjoy!
Meet the League
Special Opps (www.myspace.com/specialopp) hails from Springfield, MA, and currently resides in Philadelphia, PA. He is a dedicated sex educator and counselor, a skilled soccer player, and a fluent speaker of French. The self-proclaimed “wack emcee” doesn’t care if you call him a conscious rapper—as long as you shut up and listen!
The Wize (www.myspace.com/thewize) was born and bred in the small English village of Bampton. Originally drawn into hip-hop as part of his wider foray it “American things” like basketball and baggy pants, Wize honed his rhyme skills at university and discovered his passion in channeling his native turf—“The Shire”—through his words. He strives to be an eternal student of life, and to share thoughts and emotions through his words and his music. He is currently teaching English and perfecting his Spanglish flow in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
DJ Thundercat and The Wize are lifelong friends who have combined their talents and passions to create music. Thundercat is from a musical family and is both a fan and producer of hip-hop. When he doesn’t have a control pad in his hand, you can find him in the studio perfecting his latest beat. He lives and works in Oxfordshire.
Jokes is a musical prodigy from Oxford. According to his labelmates, he is also “bloody jokz”! He is currently playing in various bands (who’s counting?) in and around Oxford and working on exciting musical projects in many genres. The Wize and Jokz formed a tight friendship whilst beatboxing and rapping in a Pizza Hut kitchen.
Augustus Ruff is founder and CEO of Community League Records. He conceived of the idea of the label when he found a trophy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, awared to one Augustus Rufe in 1923—it read “Most Improved Player in the Community League.” The award’s spirit of inclusiveness, community, and self-effacing humor captures his relationship with the music he loves. Ruff lives and works in Philly as a freelance scholar.
Cover art by davidwhitepond.
Track Listing for the Community Spirit EP
1. The Garden Path
2. Field of Dreams
3. Fruit of All Evil
4. Community Initiative
5. K.O.N.Y.
6. Spirits Interlude
7. The Secret Garden
CD: http://www.communityleague.ecrater.com/
Download: http://www.digstation.com/ArtistAlbums.aspx?artistname=communityleague
