MP3: Down 2 Earth – “Powers” ft. Simmi (Prod. by Kuya Beats)

Premiered by Mass Appeal, Oakland Trio Down 2 Earth Teams Up With Simmi and Kuya Beats for Single Following Release of Debut LP, Wildfire

3.27.2015

The Song:

Following the February release of their debut LP, Wildfire, Oakland trio Down 2 Earth dropped their new track, “Powers,” via Mass Appeal, which features singer Simmi and production by Kuya Beats. Down 2 Earth, which consists of Iamsu!‘s DJ/rapper Azure, Clyde Shankle, and Dayvid Michael, apply the recognizable bass slaps that the Bay is known for, while taking a darker, gloomy approach than the typical function-ready affair. Wildfire debuted via Complex, who called it “a banger of a project… [that will] make you want to head over to the West Coast immediately.” The project features a strong Bay Area roster, including rising R&B singer Kehlani, Iamsu!, and fellow HBK Gang member Jay Ant. “Powers” drops amid Iamsu!’s Eyes On Me Tour which kicked off yesterday in Los Angeles with Azure handling DJ duties throughout the tour.

“’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 tells Mass Appeal. “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. Usually it’s the opposite; we let the beat speak, then find a hook, then verses.”

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 years ago.”  Their music tells stories of regular people that speak on common problems, aspirations, and worldly questions that many have in their youth. Their focus on evolving the art of collaborative rap and establishing their artistry creates a fresh musical style all their own. Later this year, 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.

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:

twitter | instagram | soundcloud

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

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

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