MP3: RJD2 x STS – “420”
Philadelphia-Based Producer/Rapper Duo Celebrate the Holiday In Anticipation of Forthcoming Album Release
04.20.2015
Critical Praise for RJD2 and STS:
“The album shuffles between moody, soulful beats and triumphant, horn-anchored tracks” – Rolling Stone
“RJ’s well able to inject spirit and spontaneity into tunes new and old in the live setting, certainly better than most beatmakers and producers out there” – Philadelphia Weekly
“[STS is] unique in style, creative in approach” – Red Bull Sound Select
“STS has the best of both worlds as far as what he offers as an MC: consistent bars, dazzling wordplay, and a Southern bravado” – HipHopWired
The Song:
“20 years from now, 4/20 will be recognized as a major holiday because marijuana is gonna save the world economy… and this will be its theme song,” says RJD2 and STS of their latest release, “420.” The track is off the Philadelphia producer/rapper duo’s forthcoming self-titled album, STS x RJD2, which is slated to release on May 5 via RJ’s record label, RJ’s Electrical Connections.
Described by Complex as a “smooth cut,” “420” features sweet, echoing vocals on top of mellow drums and bright keys with STS rapping lines like “4/20 should have a mascot/ I don’t think the Easter bunny deserves that whole April slot.” RJD2 and STS released their first single, “Hold On, Here It Go,” via Rolling Stone earlier this month, setting a triumphant tone for their forthcoming project. “Rarely do I cut a track and get the goosebumps, slam dunk type feeling RIGHT away, but it happened on this one,” RJ described.
RJD2, the man behind the theme for Mad Men and commercials for Wells Fargo, the Washington State Lotto, J&B whiskey, and movies such as Wimbledon, and much more, holds a track record of genre-defying tunes, from instrumental hip-hop to confessional singer-songwriter to psychedelic rock and pop explorer. Fellow Philadelphia transplant STS has also taken on wide-ranging roles, from writing on Ciara‘s “Oh” and having cuts on The Roots‘ How I Got Over LP. Together, RJD2 and STS collaborated to create a soulful, timeless project unlike anything else in rap today. RJD2 x STS releases May 5, but until then, “The calendar says 4/20, that’s reason to celebrate.”
Listen to “420”: https://soundcloud.com/officialrjd2/420-1s
Read the Complex premiere: http://www.complex.com/music/2015/04/sts-rjd2-new-song-premiere-420
Pre-order STS x RJD2: http://radi.al/STSRJD2
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with RJD2 and STS.
RJD2 Background:
RJD2, a transplant via Ohio, has a history spanning back to the late 90’s indie hip-hop scene. After notable stops on both the Definitive Jux and XL labels, he ventured forth with his own label in 2009 (RJ’s Electrical Connections, which brings you this fine piece of work today). With a catalog of albums running back to 2002, he likely qualifies as an underground vet at this stage of his career. With the tunes“Ghostwriter” and the “A Beautiful Mine,” aka the Mad Men theme making their rounds on TV, his reach has continually spread beyond the sold out club dates and festival appearances of the last decade+.
STS Background:
STS, aka Sugar Tongue Slim, is an Atlanta transplant who found himself amidst the orbit of Dre andVidal, Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, and the cast of players that were in and out of Larry Gold’s “The Studio.”This led to being a writer on Ciara’s “Oh,” working intimately with Def Jam. He was first introduced to the public on The Roots‘ Grammy-Nominated release, How I Got Over, where he was featured on the cuts, “Right On” and “Hustla.” Later that month he released Demand More II featuring the underground hits, “The People” and “In For The Kill.” He soon brought his G.O.L.D act to stage, setting off sold out shows for acts such as Travis Barker, 50 Cent, J-Cole, Big Sean, B.O.B and The Roots among others. That buzz resulted in a spotlight on MTV2’s Sucker Free Sunday as the featured act for XXL’s Show & Prove segment.
Links:
official site | twitter | facebook | youtube
“420”: https://soundcloud.com/officialrjd2/420-1s
“Hold On, Here It Go”: https://soundcloud.com/officialrjd2/hold-on-here-it-go