Welcome to Jamrock

It always starts with a dream, an idea…a soliloquy.  I grew up listening to the music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, intertwined with my growing love for rap music a la Public Enemy, Leaders of the New School and N.W.A. (Dr. Dre) thanks to the eclectic influence of my older brother.  After moving to Vancouver, I discovered the existence of female Graf writers, break dancers and emcees…most notably MC Lyte, Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill.  I delved deep into Hiphop’s underground and kept Lauryn Hill, Wu Tang and Black Star on heavy rotation.

Years later, during my first visit to Jamrock, I had the opportunity to visit the home of Peter Tosh.  His aunty, nephew and family still hang out on the property and help cultivate the beautiful garden that grows around his burial site in the front yard.  I was so moved by the opportunity to sit down and reason with his aunt, eat a mango from Peter’s garden and fend of flirtatious advances from his nephews.  I realized that this icon was also just a man that made legendary music through his message and understanding of life.  It was there and then that I decided that if I was to pursue a life of art, there is no reason why I shouldn’t aspire to the heights of my heros.  If I fail, I fall short only of the greatest.

Only months later I was contacted by Aftermath producer Che Vicious to work on a project together.  This Grammy winning producer and veteran in the Hiphop game has made hits for everyone including Busta Rhymes (Leaders of the New School), Slick Rick, Dr. Dre and ,most notably for me, Lauryn Hill.  After years of fighting for recognition in the Canadian Music industry, here was an incredible producer that believed in my talent, music and vision.  (He informed me that I was just in dire need of better production!)  Months of whirlwind recording sessions between Arizona and L.A. where I met, collaborated and vibed with just about all my Hiphop heros.  I’m signing on the dotted line with KOPS & ROBBERS, the label spear headed by Che and releasing my first mainstream record this summer after 9 years in the business as an independent one woman show.

(Hurts So Bad produced by Che Vicious)

Kops & Robbers

The man with the master plan, Che Vicious rockin' Merdeka!

Madlib and Masia in California!

Chilling with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx himself, Raekwon!!!

The legendary DJ Quik

In the lull before the Hollywood storm, I realized this wave of momentum should not be taken for granted.  Every dream I could imagine and others beyond my capability of conjuring is coming true.  I keep myself grounded by remembering the aspirations I had promised myself while sitting in the morning sun in Peter Tosh’s garden.  I had to return to the vibes in Jamaica, but this time I would return with some of my favorite producers (Stranjah, Junia T & Loqenz) that I had known for years in Toronto.  Sure enough, with the help of the Ontario Arts Council, money saved up from touring with 411 TV and the ongoing support of my family I decided to initiate the first stages of a project I would like to further develop: MERDEKA SOUND.  MERDEKA is the Malay word for “Independence” and this would definitely be an indie endeavor in the pursuit of art and happiness.  Flights got bought, time was booked at no less than TUFF GONG STUDIOS (Bob Marley’s Studio), with only 1 missing element remaining – a live band…a DREAM band.  I knew I had to contact Jubba and Dubtonic Kru.

The players in DUBTONIC KRU have helped shaped the direction of Reggae music, playing with greats like The Mighty Diamonds, Burning Spear, U-Roy – and current artists like Junior Kelly, Lutan Fyah and Richie Spice. The band features Jubba on drums, Jallanzo on guitar, Luke Dixon on keys and Kamau “The Quiet Warrior” on vocals. The original bass player, Stone had not yet made it back to JA from Westcoast touring and of course I was disappointed having watched Stone’s swagger on the bass in past rehearsal sessions.  Jubba linked up an amazing bass player, Dale, who is Jimmy Cliff’s bass player.  Wow.  Things just keep getting better…

In spite of my disorganization, the band was phenomenal and vibed with all the producers visiting from Toronto.  First batter up was my soulful likkle brother JUNIA T with a slow jam groove.  Dale’s bass line would pick up the style of the song, and Luke would follow suite effortlessly over the keys.  Kamau laid some beautiful vocals over the track, and I roughed out my idea as well.  STRANJAH aka Swagman, who I often look up to for his genius, played an uptempo staccato beat for the band.  Jubba was on, it filling in kicks and snares that would turn a drum machine green with envy.  The song is a hit, I can’t wait until it’s release.  The incredible LOQENZ, nick named Empress, played her musical idea in the key of Dilla, and guitarist Jallanzo riffed naturally over the vibe.  3 days of recording, we had in hand 5 solid compositions with the band.  After experiencing what Tuff Gong has to offer, I hope to return soon to mix, master and press a dub out the facility.

Arriving at Tuff Gong

Dubtonic Kru working with MERDEKA crew @ Tuff Gong Studios, March 2010

Tuff Gong studios! Beautiful warm mixes out this room.

One thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain...

Junia T working hard on cooking up the next beat, rocking MERDEKA Tee!

The incredible Empress Loqenz & Masia One: All smiles @ Tuff Gong

Tuff Gong Studios

Stranjah working his magic at the boards

Stranjah working with Jubba on "Lion Dub" riddim

Swagman with his game face on @ Tuff Gong Studios

Tuff Gong Studios

The large main recording space @ Tuff Gong

Piano that "No Woman No Cry" was written on and Gavin Tuff Gong liason

Tuff Gong Manufacturing with original manual vinyl presses still kickin!

Masia One reppin' on the Tuff Gong sticker wall of fame.

Feeling so international @ Tuff Gong with Junia T, Addy & Stranjah

Tuff Gong so International! Swag man and Addy the Daddy!

The gardener at Tuff Gong picked lemon grass and fresh herbs and made us the best tea ever!

Junia T saying peace out to Kamau on the last day

Kamau & Masia One: vibin' off the love standard set by BOB

We rented a house in Kingston, and returned exhausted each night after studio.  Even so, the crew stayed up all hours, driven by music and creating the next big chune.  My great friends Ninja, Squechie and Maaji came along for the project and helped to keep things running smoothly.  Squechie made the most delicious food for us including Ackee Saltfish in the morning (I helped peel the Ackee!) and spicy soup with dumpling at the end of a long day.  At night, we managed to hit some Kingston nightlife and saw the stars come out including Beenie Man chillin’ at the club.  The days passed so inspired, and the family operated like a well oiled machine.  Things always result best when the movements are natural and Jah blessed.

Our Kingston family home (Special thanks to Michael Morris for lining this up!)

Love it when the fam works together!

Computer addictions in Yard with Addy and Junia T!

2 of my favorite ladies, in my favorite place on earth! Loqenz & Maaji chillin' with some peppermint chocolate milo in the morning.

Fresh from the market with some cold Red Stripe.

Breakfast is served! Thank you Squechie!

Maaji with Movado's bike on the Gully side

Feelin' bashy before hitting the dancehall.

Kingston Jammin' with the fabulous Maaji Isobe!

Rude gyal Loqenz

In the remaining days, I wanted the crew to kick back from the relentless hustle of Kingston.  We dropped Loqenz off at the airport in Mobay (where she was off NYC!) and made our way back to the blue skies and ocean of Negril.  Even between sand and surf, the crew continued building on music and the vibe at Tuff Gong carried us through to the end of our time in JA.  I want to give a great big thank you to all the wonderful staff at Tuff Gong that made our sessions so memorable and seamless.  One Love to Jubba & The Dubtonic Kru.  With most of the musicians driving a great distance everyday to reach the studio in time to share their most amazing talents I will do my very best for the world to hear the positive energy and message of peace you all embody. Finally, to my MERDEKA SOUND family, Stranjah aka Swagman, Junia T the Maga Lion, Empress Loqenz, Maaji “Jap Jam” Isobe, Ninjah, Squechie Dog, and Addy the Daddy…thank you for coming through and doing what you all do best.  I know this was a very long winded way to tell a simple story – but I believe everything is important from the root to the fruit.  This is only the beginning, and the beginning is just a dream, a thought….a soliloquy. I can’t wait for the world to hear this project, along with my release with Kops & Robbers.  As I sit here in a Saskatoon hotel recounting this story to the internet universe, I hope that whatever you choose to pursue in life, you keep your aspirations at the heights of your heros.  One Love. – Masia One.

True story...we drove 5 hours on a flat tire, Jah guide.

Loqenz getting ready to leave the island...Addy get off your Blackberry!

Catching free internet at the now defunct 23/7

Sunsets and beat making...

Junia T & Stranjah @ Alfreds, Negril

Loqenz a week earlier...get off the computer!

Still recording with my mobile set up (Thanks Rayna & Che!)

Beautiful Negril.

Sell Sell Sell! Buy Low! Pass the ketchup.

Keeping up with the hustle from my beach office

Masia One "In Di Streets" Muti Music

Masia One – In Di Streets remixes on Muti Music

MARCH 22. 2010 LIVE ON BEATPORT

APRIL 6. 2010 LIVE ON iTunes, Amazon, JunoDownload, eMusic, Rhapsody, Spotify

AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE APRIL 27. 2010

Masia One-In Di Streets Featuring Vybz Machine, Sabotawj, Adonis & DJ Sarasa (ill.gates+Meesha Mix) by Muti

The good people at San Francisco based label MUTI MUSIC will be releasing In Di Streets remixes this week.  The original song by the one and only STRANJAH of BBA Music features my fam SABOTAWJ, ADONIS, VYBZ MACHINE (JA) with DJ SARASA on the cuts.  These remixes are so nasty, bump it til your system blows ya hear?  I’m taking these dubs to yard with me fo sho.

Performing with Ill Gates @ Evolve Festival 2009

Masia One & Ill Gates @ Evolve Festival 2009

Meesha, Masia One, Ill Gates @ Auto Pirate release party 2008

This release couldn’t come at a better time!  ILL GATES and I have been discussing further projects and touring together. (I miss MEESHA!)  I think the time has come for us to build further, and I’m excited for what au-decible destruction this will lead to.  I’ll also be meeting up with STRANJAH tomorrow to finalize our plans to work @ TUFF GONG studios in Kingston, on a new original project tentatively titled MERDEKA SOUND JAMAICA where I hope to link back up with VYBZ MACHINE on a new collab. As well, the fam SABOTAWJ and I have collaborated on an underground project known as HIGHPLACE DRIVE gearing up for official release early SUMMER 2010. My point is – it’s pretty amazing the story that is woven behind 1 single release, and all the lives and artistic talent that intersect, react and grow together.  This 1 single is truly a family affair, linking together regions (Jamaica, Toronto, San Diego, Japan, San Francisco) and now remixed into a new life.  Music is truly a great path.

One Love to Ill Gates, Mochipet & An-ten-nae for their nasty gaza remixes!  Can’t wait til I hear these on some over sized tweeters.

Sabotawj & DJ SARASA @ Pulau release party 2008 I

Sabotawj, Masia One, RH Bless

"In Di Streets, it's how we do it!" VYBZ MACHINE

Track Listings:

1. In Di Streets (Featuring Vybz Machine, Sabotawj, Adonis & DJ Sarasa) prod by Stranjah of BBA Music 4:53  Masia One

2. In Di Streets  (ill.Gates+Meesha Remix) 4:45 Masia One

3. In Di Streets (Mochipet Remix) 4:38 Masia One

4. In Di Streets (An-ten-nae Remix) 3:53 Masia One

5. In Di Streets (An-ten-nae Instrumental) 3:50 An-ten-nae

6. In Di Streets (Mochipet Instrumental) 4:38 Mochipet

7. In Di Streets (ill.gates + Meesha Instrumental) 4:45 ill.gates & Meesha

*Grinder remixes coming soon…*

Artist: Masia One

Title: In Di Streets

Cat # Muti057

UPC # 705105137605

File under: Hip Hop / Dubstep / Glitch Hop / Grime / Crunk / Electronica

Muti Music, 17 Parsons St, San Francisco, CA, 94118 – T 510 499 1568 label@mutimusic.com, www.mutimusic.com

Masia One Bio on Muti Music

http://masiaone.com/muti-music-scheduled-to-release-masia

Masia One before the party in Negril, Jamaica

What’s happening good people!  So I fell off the Bloggin’ wagon again.  Here’s the update…

My last days in L.A. was a pretty hectic mess to get my album complete and giving long hugs and kisses to the Cali family that I will miss so much.  On my way out the door I took a picture next to the platinum Lauryn Hill Plaque that hangs by the entrance to the Kops & Robbers Spacestation studio (Che Vicious produced many records on Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) just to remember this milestone that I’ve reached in my musical career.  Can you imagine?  I grew up bumping this album on heavy heavy HEAVY rotation, and now here I am working with the man that had much to do with it’s melodic beats and infectious rhythms.  Where MUCH of Canada’s industry has never believed in the music I have made, here is a Grammy winning producer, experienced in making hits for the likes of Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes…and he believes in my talent, and the music we have made together.  The album is finally done its recording process and will be mixed over the next month.  Can’t wait for y’all to hear it!  It’s a good one.

I also had a chance to catch up with Joe from Last Rights Clothing in Miami on my last night in LA.  The line is an upscale men’s clothing label, and has literally taken over the Miami scene.  I had to check out the merchandise at the back of the Lincoln Town car.  I love the Currency Tee Joe gave to me…especially because there are 3 different currencies of $$$ sitting in my bootleg LV wallet right now.  I may have to bumrush KARDINAL OFFISHALL for the title Miss International.  Check out LAST RIGHTS CLOTHING HERE

Masia One in front of Lauryn Hill Platinum Plaque

Masia One and the Last Rights mobile, LA

Last Rights Clothing: some fly tees for the road. Thanks Joe!

Landing in Montego Bay Jamaica

After a night of goodbyes and one last stop at 7 GRAND, our favorite whiskey watering hole in LA, I caught the 6:30am flight to Montego Bay Jamaica.  Upon landing on the island, the humid air instantly hit me and memories flooded into my psyche.  Oh man I miss Jamrock.  The scent of the breeze picking up far away Jerk Chicken being BBQ’d, sweet night time blossoms and salt from the ocean.  I met up with my FAM here in Negril, Ninja, and went almost directly to the nightly bash at Alfreds.  I love the fashion style, the overdriven sound systems (Rayna, you’d hate how distorted and loud the bass is bumped up here…I LOVE it!)  and the infectious music that has me dancing since I landed.  I Love Jamaica!  I’m planning to cool out here in Negril for a couple days, get re acquainted with the ocean, before heading up to 9 Mile and see how I can help at the over populated school in the area.  Shortly after, I will be headed to Kingston to prepare the musicians, accommodations and studio for my crew from Toronto to head out here at the end of March and record MERDEKA RADIO: JAMAICA at the legendary TUFF GONG studios.

Without getting over cheesed I’d like to remind everyone that dreams really do come true.  I never imagined, as an 8 year old kid in Singapore falling in love with Hiphop music and listening to my brother play Peter Tosh that I would have been able to do with my life what I am doing.  Now, as I sit here blogging to the world from a crooked wooden bar stool at an internet cafe over looking the blue blue ocean, all I can do is pass the experience on and pray that everyone can live the joy in creativity I have in 1 lifetime.

I’ll do my best to update soon but that’s difficult when nature is so much more interesting than Facebook.

One Love.

Masia.

Where I am sitting blogging right now!

Rude Bwoay fam: Paul & Ninja @ Scrub A Dubs

Getting ready for the party, posing out!

Long wait for food...but it was worth it!

Ate the BEST oxtail with rice & peas before the fete

Feeling bashy tonight! Chillin' with Paul aka GQ69

For some reason this sign led us to the next party...seems fitting for LA club

Boys in North America should feel more liberated to wear color'd denim

My JA Boys Rep M1