MP3: League Of Extraordinary Gz – “I’m Alive”

The League Premiere Another Track From Their Album #LeagueShit Via Noisey

11.20.2013

Critical Praise for League Of Extraordinary Gz:

“The eight members of the group were a high-energy bunch, rapping with distinctive Texas twang and pogo dancing nonstop.” – The New York Times

“A goddamn typhoon onstage.” – Houston Press

“Eight immensely capable lyricists, all of whom bring a unique perspective, voice, and level of vigor to the stage” – Austin Chronicle cover story

“…what promises to be a defining group in Texas rap history: The League of Extraordinary Gz.”- DJ Booth

The Song:

Today, Noisey presents the opening track from League of Extraordinary Gz debut album #LeagueShit. Produced by The League’s own Reggie Coby, “I’m Alive” features Grammy Award-winning Latin funk band Grupo Fantasma, providing buzzing, blaring horns over a whirring hi-hat instrumental. The song is a tribute to late League member Octavis “Esbe Da 6th Street Bully” Berry with a hypnotizing hook that goes “We ain’t supposed to make it past 25 / I’m still here, are you surprised?/ My brother dead, bitch, but I’m alive!”

The production on “I’m Alive” was the last that Coby got to play for Esbe, who passed away due to a pulmonary embolism two years ago. “We wanted to remind people about how precious life is. Every second you’re above ground is a win,” the producer explains. “Also, we wanted to deliver a message to people that although we lost our brother, it didn’t mean we were going to quit. We’re going to continue to grind more than ever and carry on his legacy he left through our music.” The debut album #LeagueShit is available now on iTunes.

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Check out the Noisey premiere: http://noisey.vice.com/blog/league-of-extraordinary-gz-grupo-fantasma-im-alive

Listen to “I’m Alive”: https://soundcloud.com/theloegz/im-alive-feat-grupo-fantasma

Preview and purchase #LeagueShit on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/leagueshit/id708663564

Check out the album stream via DJ Booth: http://www.djbooth.net/index/albums/review/loegz-leagueshit

Please contact Michelle or Dan if interested in talking with League Of Extraordinary Gz.

League Of Extraordinary Gz Background:

When Austin, Texas, reality rap collective League of Extraordinary Gz recorded “We Gone Make It” in spring 2010, Octavis “Esbe Da 6th Street Bully” Berry stepped in the booth and yelled two words: “League Shit!”. Three years later, it has become an emphatic anthem, brand and title. The Bully’s vision formed in 2009 when his choice of 8 members and 3 groups with their own budding local buzz – Dred Skott, Da COD and Southbound – sat in a driveway plotting a collaborative mixtape. In 2010 they debuted locally, played the SXSW Music Festival and Fun Fun Fun Fest and were featured on MTV Jams’ Texas All-Star Edition. In 2011 they rocked over 60 shows, including a West Coast tour with Jackie Chain for their Concealed Weapons 3 mixtape, and a national tour with Dead Prez. Then, in October 2011, The Bully passed away suddenly due to a pulmonary embolism. As 2011 ended, the LOEGz were named one of Sonicbids’ Top 5 Hip Hop acts, and they released The Plug EP. All of this came from a collective effort by 3 groups in 3 years via the foresight of a now-absent leader. All anticipation, questions or doubt after a few spins of The Plug EP will be quenched with their debut album #LeagueShit. Clearly rooted in traditional hip hop, #LeagueShit includes stout musicality and wildly free speech featuring Dead Prez, Bavu Blakes, Grupo Fantasma, and Slim Gravy of A.Dd+.