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Down 2 Earth is a new trio hailing from Oakland, California, consisting of HBK Gang artist/producer Azure and CaliMade collective members Clyde Shankle and Dayvid Michael. The rap pack presents music reminiscent of the West Coast sounds by household names like Hieroglyphics and Zion I. Down 2 Earth’s goal is “to preserve Bay Area music, specifically alternative hip-hop that a handful of groups in the Bay Area started decades ago.”
Their music tells stories of regular people that speak on common problems, aspirations, and worldly questions that many have in their youth. Having already received praise from the likes of The Source, Free On Smash, Hip Hop DX, and DJ Booth, the three emcees have the pedigree to make a giant splash in the Hip-Hop world with their first debut LP, Wildfire, a coalition of three stories and personalities tied together by thumping beats and production
Calimade’s Dayvid and Clyde have been building a steady name for themselves with countless shows in the region and collaborations. IAMSU! DJ Azure connected with Dayvid and Clyde around the time he released his first solo body of work, Mint Condition. After a period of working from the same studio, the trio felt that the energy and vibe they kept creating together needed to be represented officially beyond just collaborations. Their break as a group came when appearing together on IAMSU!’s well-received Kilt II Deluxe Edition on the bonus track appropriately titled “Down 2 Earth.” As Down 2 Earth puts it, “you don’t always want to hear some semi-conscious nigga preaching at you from the inside of your speakers. Nine times out of ten, people just want a good vibe, & that’s where we come in.”
From Radiohead to Parliament Funkadelic, Down 2 Earth takes influence from a diverse range of artists to vibe out soul-oriented tunes. De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Kendrick, Jill Scott, Hieroglyphics, and Digital Underground are among their biggest influences apparent in their work. Down 2 Earth is evolving the art of collaborative rap, establishing their artistry and making a fresh style all their own.
Press Releases
Premiered by Mass Appeal, the Oakland Trio Explores Relationships In New Loose Single Following Their Wildfire Mixtape
Premiered by SF Weekly, the Oakland Trio Drops “Powers” Visual, Set to Re-release Debut Wildfire EP on CD and Vinyl With Bonus Tracks
Premiered by Okayplayer, HBK Gang DJ/Rapper Azure Releases “Nine Nine” Visual From Forthcoming Solo Project, Leap Year
Premiered by Mass Appeal, Oakland Trio Down 2 Earth Teams Up With Simmi and Kuya Beats for Single Following Release of Debut Mixtape, Wildfire