Artist Links

Dezaray Dawn

dezPERFORMING LIVE AT SUAF 2010!!

Check out this HOT Track from DEZ!

Chameleon EP-Now Available on iTunes

Dezaray Dawn is an exciting new artist on the future soul scene, possessing a voice which resonates with the depth of both emotion and experience. This German-born, Southern-raised Army brat is a self-described gypsy, having lived in 2 countries, 4 states, and 6 US cities by the time she was 16. She attended 16 schools in 12 years, and Dezaray states: “When nothing else was solid in my life, there was always music. Whether listening to what my parent’s were playing or composing tunes in my head, music was my solace, my friend, my release, my comfort.” Born to two military parents, and raised in an environment where the only constant was change, the one firm foundation was music. Dezaray’s mother was a part-time nightclub singer, and her father’s family includes several highly successful recording artists (neo-soul artist Anthony David is a cousin, as are Sean Stockman of Boys II Men fame, and Tiny from Xscape), so it was only natural that their home was always filled with music. “Soul, pop, funk - you name it. Everything except rap and hip-hop. My mom wouldn’t allow it,” Dezaray says with a laugh. But even this genre came to influence her own musical choices later on, as she grew to appreciate the tribal beats and syncopation of what she was spinning during her time spent as a highly regarded DJ at a progressive club in Nashville.

In addition to the sounds of Chaka, Aretha and Natalie from her mother’s collection, Dezaray Dawn’s early life was spent emulating artists she came to know on MTV. She wanted to “sing like Prince, dance like Michael, and be a showman like Madonna.” As her life became more turbulent following her parents’ divorce and the moves became more frequent due to her mother’s alcoholism, music was her escape. And more than anything, Dezaray came to understand the universality of soul music. Whether on the streets, in a shelter, or in the relative comfort of a stable home, soul music encompassed all she was experiencing and the feelings which ensued from being the victim of circumstances. Immediately following graduation, Dezaray struck out on her own, and, after a lifetime spent on the move, decided to settle right where she was: Nashville, otherwise known as Music City. (more…)

Sheldon Frazier

sheldon“Sheldon Frazier is a native of Atlanta, GA. He discovered his passion for photography while studying Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech.

After graduating from Tech, Sheldon began to pursue photography wholeheartedly as a profession. While working as a business operations consultant during the day, Sheldon began to develop and refine his photographic area of focus: music and fashion portraiture. (more…)

Art, Beats + Lyrics

Kokumo Live: The Passion of Dance

kokumoKokumo Live: The Passion of Dance is Kokumo Collective Dance Company’s first ever full-length dance concert, which was created by Muriel Miller and Darowe McMillon, the company’s Artistic Director and Manager. The performance will include modern, African, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Contemporary dance forms. The dance pieces are divided into four sections: Passion in the Spirit, Passion of Love, Passion of Dance, and Passion for the Motherland.

Come and experience this amazing performance on May 7 at 7:30pm at Savannah High School’s Auditorium.

It’s a show you’re not gonna want to miss!

Tickets:
$8.00 (advance)
$10.00 (at the door)

For more information and tickets:
912-631-3452 or 912-272-2797
abeniculturalarts@yahoo.com

Kid Syc

myspace.com/kidsyc

“Bored with the streets wanted to see the tree tops// Let my eyes get the birds eye view// ‘Cuz I’m sure flying’s cooler than walkin’// I mean look at Superman and Clark Kent//”

The opening lines from KidSyc’s latest project, The Fly High Mikstape, just about sums the Atlanta-bred rapper up in four bars. His style is intricate, but clear. Intelligent, yet concise and to the point. “I don’t think packing my verses with overblown vocabulary makes me a better artist. It just alienates the average listener, and that’s the opposite of what I want to happen when you listen to my music.” At 22 years old it seems Syc has found what it takes most emcees years in the game to discover. Complexity does not equal greatness. Without watering down his content, KidSyc draws you in with a flow that constantly surprises the ear and hooks that stick with you for days at a time.

The passion for creating music was almost forced on him. During the five years he lived in Minnesota after his parents divorce in ‘92, KidSyc, born Lloyd Harold, attended a fine arts elementary school across the street from his house. “We had to play strings, a band instrument, take Spanish, and art classes. It was like basic training for the creative mind.” Growing up on the music of artists like Micheal Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, and Anita Baker, provided the blueprint for the type of music he would aspire to one day create.

“For You” (Live @ Tantra) - Kid Syc

KidSyc, had a late introduction to hip-hop. With a mother that kept close tabs on what got into the eyes and ears of her children, it was almost impossible for him to explore the world of rap music. “My mom wouldn’t let us watch the Simpsons ’cause Bart was disrespectful, so you can imagine how she felt about 2Pac.” These restrictions were something he would later come to appreciate, and view as necessary to his development as an artist. (more…)

Dope Sandwich

Multimedia Hip Hop Collective

 

Based in Savannah, GA, Dope Sandwich Productions is an umbrella organization that includes emcees, DJs, breakdancers, graffiti artists, graphic designers and video producers dedicated to promoting the elements of hip hop culture. DSP hosts a variety of weekly events, including live music, breakdancing sessions, and more. Having shared stages with notable underground hip hop artists including The Cunninlynguists, Oh No, The Justus League, Akrobatik, and Psyche Origami, among others, the Dope Sandwich crew balances a rigorous schedule of performing and touring with community outreach that includes free block parties and breakdancing workshops in partnership with other local organizations.

www.myspace.com/dopesandwichmusic