Video: Down 2 Earth – “Powers” ft. Simmi (Prod. by Kuya Beats)

Oakland trio Down 2 Earth, which consists of DJ/rapper Azure, Clyde Shankle, and Dayvid Michael, dropped a harrowing visual for their “Powers” single, which features singer Simmi and production from Kuya Beats. The video premiered on SF Weekly, who said “… on ‘Powers,’ Down 2 Earth stand tall and come correct without any additional HBK support… it’s the poise and piercing gaze that Azure and Clyde Shankle add, along with the effect over Dayvid Michael’s voice on the hook, that really drive home the bone-chilling, not-to-be-fucked-with feel of this track and video.”

“Powers” is from Down 2 Earth’s debut mixtape, Wildfire, which debuted in February via Complex, who called it “a banger of a project… [that will] make you want to head over to the West Coast immediately.” Unlike many of their Bay Area peers, there’s an edgy, battle rap influence that’s immediately evident in Down 2 Earth’s distinct sound. “’Powers’ was one of the last songs to come out of the Wildfire sessions. We recorded the song with Kuya Beats and an up and coming bay area songstress Simmi,” Down 2 Earth explained. “We got together in what we dubbed ‘Kliff’s Cabin’ in Pinole, California, and started the record from scratch. We were thinking to ourselves, ‘this hook could use a female voice,’ but instead of singing we had Simmi chant. Once we decided to go in that direction, we knew the production had to be a bit mobby and aggressive.”

Crew member Azure, who just got off a 35-city tour handling DJ duties for Iamsu!, is also prepping for the release of his debut solo project, Leap Year, slated to release this summer. His first video single, “Nine Nine,”  premiered via Okayplayer, who said “Azure’s rhyme work here is strong, but with a definitively laid-back air…expect the track to feature prominently in your favorite DJ’s next big set.” Down 2 Earth will be re-releasing Wildfire on CD and vinyl with several bonus tracks, including “Powers.” Physical issues of the project will be available at D2E3D.com.

Watch “Powers” ft. Simmi: https://youtu.be/kBlv_C-vwrs

Check out the SF Weekly premiere: http://www.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2015/05/20/moment-of-truth-video-premiere-down-2-earths-powers-ft-simmi

Listen to “Powers” ft. Simmi: https://soundcloud.com/down2earth/powers/s-6owON

Listen to Wildfire: https://soundcloud.com/down2earth/sets/wildfire

Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Down 2 Earth.

Down 2 Earth Background:

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.” Having already received praise from the likes of The Source, Free On Smash, HipHopDX, and DJ Booth, the three emcees have the pedigree to make a giant splash in the hip-hop world with their debut LP, Wildfire, a coalition of three stories and personalities tied together by thumping beats and production.

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.

Links:

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“Powers” ft. Simmi (Prod. by Kuya Beats): https://soundcloud.com/down2earth/powers/s-6owON // https://youtu.be/kBlv_C-vwrs

Wildfire: https://soundcloud.com/down2earth/sets/wildfire

Bio, photos, and streams available here: http://www.audibletreats.com/down-2-earth/