EL-P

El-P's 'Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3' out now!

drakej — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:40:21 -0400

El-P's instrumental release, Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3, is in stores now via Gold Dust/K7/Def Jux. Buy your choice of 6 different Megamixxx packages here.

For those of you in the Los Angeles area, come on out this Wednesday to Low End Theory where El-P will be blessing the crowd with an instrumental set. Details here.

Preorder El-P's upcoming instrumental record!

drakej — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:47:26 -0400

El-P's instrumental album, Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3, is due August 3rd. We've put together some pretty nice packages for those who preorder the album. Check them here.

Mumorial Day 2010

drakej — Tue, 25 May 2010 12:50:12 -0400

Two years ago today Tero "Camu Tao" Smith died after a grueling battle with cancer. He was a friend, a son, a brother, a groom to be and last but not least a brilliant producer, singer, rapper and entertainer. Words can not express the heartache that has been felt in the wake of his passing by those who loved and respected him.

For two years i have written about Camu on this day. Not a day has gone by that we, his family, friends and fans, haven't thought about him. About who he was, what he did and what he never got the chance to do. About the talent he never got to truly share with the world and the love he did. For over four years i have hoped to make the following bittersweet announcement:

This summer, on August 17th, Camu Tao's first and final solo album KING OF HEARTS will be released by Definitive Jux in collaboration with Fat Possum Records. In conjunction with this release we will also be giving away (for free) the 2005 Central Services (Camu Tao and EL-P) ep "Forever Frozen In Television Time".

In many ways KING OF HEARTS is a record of what could have been, a snapshot of an artist mid-evolution. In some ways its a diary discovered in the belongings of a friend who passed away. Or maybe it's a scrap book of a master inventor with only half of the schematics of some incredible new invention detailed inside. You don't need to see the invention fully realized in order to recognize the magnitude of the creative force behind the sketches.

For those of you who know, i don't feel like I have to explain to you how important the release of KING OF HEARTS is. He was, as i've said before, the secret none of us wanted to keep. He is a legend.

For the many of you out there unfamiliar with Camu and his work: we've written a bio/press release as well as collected some of his music as well as a world premier off of KOH called "Perfect Plan" which I'm putting below. I only ask that you take a little bit of time out of your day to investigate. Don't let yourself be closed off to this mans music simply because you haven't heard of it/him before. Getting his amazing, weird, raw and original music heard is all he ever wanted. We only ask that you give him that chance. I believe you'll be happy you finally discovered the world of the King Of Hearts. I know for the many of us who loved and respected him that knowing Camu and his music changed us forever.

What we hope happens when you hear King Of Hearts is that you feel the way we feel; This music (even in its raw form) is some of the bravest, most surprising, inspired, and (now more so than ever) poignant material around from an artist who was only beginning to tap into his potential. It's a raw reminder for his fans, friends, and family of how special and off the wall his energy was, and yet it sounds nothing like anything he's ever done before or has previously been known for. In fact, I don't think its over the top to say that what Camu was doing sounds like nothing before it because I know for a fact that there was never anyone like Camu before him.

There won't ever be another after, either.

Rest In Peace, Tero "Camu Tao" Smith

Sincerely,

Jaime "EL-P" Meline

PRESS RELEASE:

CAMU TAO “KING OF HEARTS” TO SEE RELEASE ON DEFINITIVE JUX / FAT POSSUM ON AUGUST 17

Camu Tao, the legendary MC, producer, and singer, whose life was tragically cut short on May 25th, 2008 after a protracted battle with lung cancer, will have his debut solo album and final statement, King of Hearts, posthumously released on August 17, 2010 as a collaborative release between Fat Possum Records and Definitive Jux. Described by friends, peers and colleagues as “wild, proud, loving, tough, outspoken, spontaneous, and brilliant,” Tao was a creative powerhouse whose output was as staggering in its scope of influences as it was emotionally evocative. El-P describes King of Hearts as “raw, exciting and unlike anything anyone has heard”. Even newer school rappers feel the impact of Camu’s work, “These songs are so before their time it’s ridiculous” says Kid Cudi. Cage sums up the album as “a masterpiece in the making.”

Camu got his start in the late 90’s alongside RJD2 and Copywrite in Columbus, OH’s seminal hip hop group MHZ whose releases were issued by Bobbito Garcia's legendary vinyl only label Fondle 'Em Records. After dropping his cult classic solo debut 12-inch Hold the Floor on Definitive Jux in 2001 he went on to become a central fixture at the label, his distinctive contributions playing a key role in The Weathermen (his crew with Aesop Rock, Cage, El-P, Yak Ballz, Tame One and Breeze Brewin) and as one half of S.A. SMASH (alongside Keith "Metro" Lawson) on their 2003 Def Jux full length album Smashy Trashy. As a producer his brilliant contributions are evidenced on Cage's seminal album Hell's Winter, and The Perceptionists’ Black Dialogue, as well as appearances on Aesop Rock's Danger, Fire & Knives, El-P's Fantastic Damage and Collecting the Kid, Prefuse 73's Surrounded By Silence, and many, many others.

At the time of his death Camu Tao was working on what his friends and colleagues anticipated to be his breakthrough solo record, King of Hearts, initially scheduled for release on Definitive Jux in 2008, but left incomplete in the wake of his cancer diagnosis. Pieced together from the demos and home recordings he left behind (which have subsequently earned him fans amongst such esteemed peers as Dangermouse, Kid Cudi, and many others), the new release offers a privileged view of a magnum opus in the making by a blossoming visionary who was denied the opportunity to bring his unique masterpiece to fulfillment. The record marks a departure from his former works, most notably as it finds Camu favoring a distinctively playful, semi-soul croon as well as the off-kilter and wild rapping that earned him a reputation among peers and fans as an innovative genius. Musically King of Hearts delves into realms of gritty, electropunk pop, alternately veering between the dark carnival-esque and the sublimely summery. Pleasantly disorienting electronic tones cascade and pulse as dense, propulsive beats build a solid foundation upon which Tao constructs immensely hooky and infectious choruses. Written and produced by Camu himself, King Of Hearts is the last vision of a criminally underrated talent in the midst of a major artistic breakthrough cut short before being fully completed.

Also prior to his death Camu Tao formed production crew and side project Central Services with longtime friend & collaborator El-P, whose long awaited 2004 debut EP Forever Frozen in Television Time has gone unreleased until now. In conjunction with the release of King of Hearts Definitive Jux will be issuing Central Services’ EP as a free digital download.

Thoughts on King of Hearts:

"These songs are so before their time it’s ridiculous. The melodies and
harmonies are very clever, the lyrics are quick witted and his vocal
arrangements are genius. People need to hear this shit and know this
man's story. Camu was a great future Ohio talent who I'm sure would
have made a huge mark in this mediocre industry." - Kid Cudi

“It's a shame he couldn't fully finish this record and an even bigger
shame we lost him. You can feel the pain in his voice as you get lost
in his words and music. King of Hearts is a masterpiece in the making.” – Cage

"I can't tell you how exciting it is to be able to finally put our
dear friend Camu Tao's King Of Hearts record out and to have
partners like the good people at Fat Possum to do it. The music is
raw, exciting and unlike anything anyone has heard. Finally we get to
share the final vision of this very special person with you all." - El-P

"When i was played the Camu tracks, I thought it was one of the best things I'd ever heard from the Def Jux camp. I'm really anxious and excited to release King of Hearts, and to be working with Def Jux." - Matthew Johnson (founder Fat Possum)

DOWNLOAD ALL OF THESE TRACKS HERE!

Your baby would look so cute....

drakej — Tue, 18 May 2010 22:48:23 -0400

with this El-P Weareallgoingtoburninhell onesie.

Preorder the new El-P instrumental album!

drakej — Tue, 11 May 2010 15:20:46 -0400

PREORDER THE NEW EL-P RECORD AND CHOOSE FROM YOUR CHOICE OF 6 TIERED PACKAGES!

New El-P - Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3 preorder and tracklisting!!!!

drakej — Wed, 05 May 2010 16:38:33 -0400

Check it.

El-P is releasing a brand new megamixxx to follow his past two. Both his Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx and Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx2 were only available at shows but the third installment will be available via Gold Dust on August 3rd and available for preorder on the Def Jux webstore starting this week! The artwork and t-shirt that will be available was designed by one of our favorites, Travis Millard. Stay tuned for preorder details and check here for more info on the release.

Tracklist:
01. Take You Out At The Ball Game
02. Whores:The Movie
03. Meanstreak (In 3 Parts)
04. DMSC
05. Drunk With A Loaded Pistol
06. Time Won’t Tell
07. Secret Police Man’s Ball
08. I Got This (El-P Remix) Redux
09. Jump Fence, Run, Live
10. He Hit Her So She Left
11. Driving Down The Block (El-P Remix) Redux
12. Honda Redux
13. How To Serve Man (Stripped)
14. Contagious Snippet (Wilder Zoby Feat. El-P)
15. Eat My Garbage 2

Freeway freestyles over EMG by El-P

drakej — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:40:40 -0400

PitchforkTV's Selector brings us the Philly rapper while he talks about flying planes and decides between beats by El-P and Oh No for freestyling. View here.

El-P performing at Pitchfork Music Festival

drakej — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:27:06 -0400

For all of you headed to Chicago this summer for Pitchfork's annual music festival, you're in luck. El-P will be performing this year alongside other mega groups such as Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, Modest Mouse, Raekwon, and more! Grab tickets here.

Classic Video Friday

drakej — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:18:45 -0500

From El-P's debut album, Fantastic Damage:

OF HOOPTYS AND HOVERCRAFTS

drakej — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:21:09 -0500

Dear Inter-web, fans, friends and JUX family,

People keep asking me what's up with JUX. There's been some talk, there have been some rumors. Some half true, some way off. Reports of our demise have been mildly exaggerated. Here's what it really all boils down to: (read on)

This year, a decade after starting DEF JUX and after overseeing the releases of some incredible albums including the forthcoming release of my dear late and great friend Camu Tao's brilliant "KING OF HEARTS" LP, I'm stepping away from my duties as artistic director for the label to concentrate on what I love most: being a producer and an artist full time. This is something I've been contemplating for a few years now, and can't think of a better time or, with the eventual release of Camu's record, a more poetic way to transition into a new direction.

This means change for JUX. Of course we'll still have our website, we will still sell our catalog, merch and more as well as bring you news and updates on all our projects and artists. We will be releasing "KING OF HEARTS", a DEF JUX remix compilation, a 10 year anniversary retrospective and some other goodies. But then as a traditional record label DEF JUX will effectively be put on hiatus. We are not closing, but we are changing. The process is already underway, and the last several months (for those wondering what the hell we've been up to) have been spent dealing with the technical aspects of wrapping up the label in it's current form and re-imagining our collective and individual futures.

In 2000 starting a traditional record label made a lot of sense. But now, in 2010, less so and I find myself yearning for something else to put my energy into. I also see newer, smarter, more interesting things on the horizon for the way art and commerce intersect, and as an artist and an entrepreneur, I'm eager to see them unfold. The evolution of this industry is, in my opinion, exciting, inevitable and it would be nice to see the DEFINITIVE JUX brand be a part of it. In other words, maybe we can turn this hoopty in to a hovercraft.

All business aside, and regardless of what form JUX may inevitably take, my focus for the immediate future is going to be back-to-basics. The fun stuff: sitting in the studio and immersing myself in music, performing it for for my fans when the time comes and whatever (or wherever) else might be out there creatively for me. Thats how it all started and that's how the next phase will begin. The days of me dedicating the majority of my time and energy into providing JUX with a constant stream of physical releases from multiple artists are on hold for the time being. My heart (and what little common sense I possess) is telling me to simplify my focus and it has always been my policy to listen to my heart.

Truly, DEF JUX has been amazing to be a part of. So many good people. So much fun. I feel very lucky to be friends and collaborators with people who have affected and continue to affect my life and work deeply and indelibly. Working with the likes of Amaechi Uzoigwe, Jesse Ferguson, Jason Drake, and Katy Eustis at JUX as well as allies like Kathryn Frazier (biz3), Michael Bull and Lisa Socransky-Austin (to name only a few) has been incredible. These are people who worked for generally meager wages because they loved what they did and they believed in the artists and the idea of DEF JUX. Anyone would be lucky to have worked with even one person as dedicated and passionate as all of them are. They are true champions of indie music and they (and too many others to mention here) have my gratitude and loyalty forever.

None of it would have existed, though, if not for the artists. Artists who rolled the dice on us the same way we did on them, and were there with us as we battled it all out. CAMU, MR LIF, AESOP ROCK, MURS, CAGE, ROB SONIC, HANGAR 18, CHIN CHIN, CANNIBAL OX, THE PERCEPTIONISTS, RJD2, DESPOT, SA SMASH, YAK BALLZ, CRAYZ, THE MIGHTY UNDERDOGS, DIZZEE RASCAL, DEL, P.F.A.C, ACTIVATOR, COOL CALM PETE ... the list goes on. I consider them all geniuses at what they do. Every victory that they have had and will have will always feel like a victory for myself and all of us at JUX. It's been a joy to create and even struggle with them all. It has not always been easy, but it's almost always been fulfilling. I only hope the work we put in together helped build a path to their collective futures. They have my sincerest well wishes and genuine respect.

Lastly and most importantly are the fans... holy shit THE FANS! Our fans are no joke. I can't tell you how humbled I am to have felt the love and respect that they have shown us all. Even when we did things they didn't like, they stuck around. This was their label as much as ours. We answered to them, and yet they respected that we did what we loved, nothing more and nothing less. We always will. You are why we do any of this, and I'll never be able to express how much your support means to all of us. I think I speak for all of us Jukies when I say I love making music for you and can't wait to make more.

Until then, on behalf of everyone here at JUX and from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

EL-P
Founder/Artistic Director/Recording Artist
DEFINITIVE JUX