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"Woke, Leery"
Video Clip
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“Woke, Leery “ Article
True Vibe Records, based in Oakland, California, takes a bold stand on freedom and democracy as well as the plight of marginalized and disenfranchised people with the recent release of its single titled “Woke, Leery.” Producer “BJ” (aka Bill Jackson) expands his contribution to this Socially-Conscious Multi-Genre (SCMG) music as a lead vocalist and gets things poppin’--performing dynamic spoken word and singing on this emotionally-charged track. Over the polyrhythmic Afro-Latin beat with Hip-Hop, Jazz-Funk, and R&B influences, he promotes eternal vigilance and empowerment to overcome the challenges that many underdogs face in American society.
Bay Area hip hop star, D Labrie the E.O.G. (East Oakland’s Greatest), a representative of Hip-Hop Congress who often tours the U.S. and Asia, shows his lyrical mastery and poetic genius during the second verse of the song, as he comments on the state of affairs in America. “Flip the script like an acrobatic actress. Watch for the theatrics, we leery of their tactics.” He also offers solutions for concerned people in the fight for equal opportunity for all.
Multi-talented musician Ben Ball lifts listeners’ spirits with a couple of dazzling keyboard organ solos, and Wally McClellan, who is the engineer, doubles as the guitar player and adds extra flavor by treating listeners to his Wah-Wah guitar-style embellishments and solo, reminiscent of 70s stars such as Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Sly and the Family Stone, and Isaac Hayes to name a few. Master percussionist Bill Norwood fattens the polyrhythmic sound on congas. Veteran classic-soul vocalist Rufus Wonder, up and coming pop vocalist Wakane Luke (who has sung the national anthem at a Golden State Warriors Game), and “BJ” sing background vocals. The multi-talented and highly gifted graphic artist Aidan O’Flynn designed the brilliant album cover, and Levmusic used his creative genius to make this thought-provoking music lyric video.
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Newly Released Single!
“From the Bottom Up“ Video Clip
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Song Reviews
Song: From the Bottom Up
(Hip Hop Lyrical Version)
Overall Impression:
Hailing from True Vibe Records and chocked full of unpredictable melodies, chunky grooves, and plenty of stylistic flair, "From the Bottom Up" is an exciting slice of funk-laced Hip-Hop that is both wholly unique and wildly creative in its musical approach, giving listeners a track that feels distinct and refreshingly different with regard to its character. Fronted by gifted lyricist and vocalist DLabrie and produced by Bill Jackson, "From the Bottom Up" offers an eclectic mix of off-the-wall synth lines, rousing grooves, soulful backing vocal layers, and daringly adventurous harmonic progressions, ensuring "From the Bottom Up" is never short of an exciting moment or intriguing spark of creativity, resulting in a piece of songwriting that feels quite unlike anything I've encountered in the Hip-Hop genre before, and that's quite something!
Strongest Point(s):
It's in no way easy for a piece of music to feel distinctly unique, yet I'm definitely getting that with "From the Bottom Up". The mix of Hip-Hop, Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Funk really helps give the track its personality, and from the unpredictable melodic/harmonic elements to the charisma-driven vocal performances, it’s a wild blend of ideas and sounds that always feels exciting and undeniably fresh with regards to feel. The lighthearted nature of the music contrasts well with the important message at the heart of the lyrics and the way DLabrie articulates this particular element of the track is both engaging and empowering. DLabrie riffs off the surrounding instrumentation brilliantly, further strengthening the song's sense of momentum whilst Bill's arrangement allows each and every melody to fly off one another with a sense of vigor, ensuring energy levels are kept at a continual high throughout whilst pulling listeners in and retaining their attention with ease through the track’s sometimes unconventional approach.
About the Reviewer:
Andre Avanessian is a freelance session musician, composer, and sound engineer based in the U.K. Having studied music production and composition at a degree level, he has taken his passion for all things audio-related to a level that has allowed him to become both a competent musician and performer. Being a self-confessed "Guitar Nerd" Andre has been continually studying the guitar as well as teaching it, helping students learn the instrument, develop their songwriting, and become proficient in home recording
 'From the Bottom Up'
Review by Abby Kenna
Opening with the roar of a live crowd, the bright energy of DLabie is already tangible from the moment “From the Bottom Up” begins. A distinctive drum lays down a rolling beat, establishing the song’s laid back groove. An organ plucks out a riff before beginning the chord progression.
Low in the depths of the track, a deep bass mimics the movement of the organ, doubling the striking sound. This choice of lead instrument sets DLabie’s production style apart from other Hip-Hop tracks, giving it an interesting edge of
progressive-rock influences. Drawing from 70s rock bands like The Doors or Deep Purple and infusing it with 90s hip-hop flair gives “From the Bottom Up” a unique sound.
“Tell the youngun's they’re out of luck / run down or running up, sundown and sun up / they’re trynna one up…”
As the song touches on topics of upward mobility and life’s challenges, the arrangement swells in response. The chorus features a tidal wave of background vocals that echo the age-old question: “What’s goin’ on?”. A simple yet heavy statement, these lyrics are accentuated by a percussive, almost glassy synth and airy chords that ring out beneath the melody.
Although “From the Bottom Up” delves into inspirational themes, DLabie’s lyrics have a tongue-in-cheek tone that keep the song casual and universal sending the message that people have the right to a better life and upward mobility.
‘Walk 8 miles in my shoes, wipe your Nike’s on the rug”
The engaging intersection of genres and inviting local tone of “From the Bottom Up” keep the song fresh and bursting with energy. DLabie’s upcoming release with True Vibe Records is one to look out for – an original take on modern hip-hop.
About DLabrie the E.O.G. (East Oakland's Greatest) aka "Mr. Network"
Bay Area hip-hop star DLabrie the E.O.G. (East Oakland's Greatest) aka "Mr. Network," a member of Hip Hop Congress who often tours the U.S., Asia, and beyond, is one of many gifted artists that True Vibe Records is proud to work with. He has performed in the same shows along with The Roots, KRS-1, Alkaholiks, Keak da Sneak, Cellski, Planet Asia, Blackalicious, Serendipity Project, Living Legends, Radio Active, Aceyalone, Hieroglyphics, and more.
From the Bottom Up
New Album Coming in 2025!
 True Vibe Records, based in Oakland, California, will stay true to its promise of slamin’, dynamic music with an important message of self-examination, hope, and upward mobility for the young and underserved with the recent release of its upcoming Single “From the Bottom Up,” followed by the 7-track EP titled From the Bottom Up Part 1, named after the title of the first track. Producer Bill Jackson aka “BJ” explains that “this time around, we’re releasing a Hip-Hop lyrical version and a Jazz instrumental version of the same song on EPs Part 1 (coming later in 2024) and Part 2 (coming in 2025)—and both versions represent the label’s Socially-Conscious Multi-Genre (SCMG) music aka Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry (JFHP), as Paradise the Poet coined it.”
Oakland native and Bay Area hip-hop star DLabrie the E.O.G. (East Oakland’s Greatest) aka “Mr. Network,” a representative of Hip-Hop  Congress who often tours the U.S. and Asia, shows his poetic genius as lead vocalist of this song’s lyrical version as he uses a series of metaphors to describe challenges that many young people need to work through to achieve a better quality of life.
Multi-instrumentalist Ben Ball ignites the song bridge with a monster organ solo, versatile vocalist/ actress/ stage director Tanika Baptiste is featured during a brief but hype-filled rap. “BJ,” up and coming pop singer Wakane Luke (who has sung the national anthem at a Golden State Warriors game), and classic soul vocalist Rufus Wonder as well as Tanika Baptiste sing background vocals on the track.
Other tracks include: BJ’s “Woke, Leery” about democracy preservation, human rights, and civil rights, featuring DLabrie, keyboard artist Ben Ball, guitarist Wally McClellan (also the engineer) while percussionist extraordinaire Bill Norwood plays congas; Paradise’s timely spoken word piece (related to the Crown Act regarding racial discrimination based on black hair) “It’s  OK to Be a Black Girl” featuring Ben Ball adding flavor on alto sax; and the high-energy "Give It All U Got!" with lead vocals by "BJ," Brianii Savage, Kalizay, and Paradise the Poet.
John Patrick Douglas takes listeners on a hopeful, inspirational journey with his majestic tenor sax on “Master Peace,” and “BJ” closes the album out with his upbeat danceable holiday jam featuring tenor sax master John Patrick Douglas lighting this track up, as well as up and coming female conscious hip-hop artist Yazameen adding lots of spice on “Christmas Cheer Is Here Again.”
 Professional recording studio The Wally Sound is once again at its best to bring this project to peak quality, as veteran engineer Wally McClellan recorded, edited, mixed, and mastered all of the album tracks. The multi-talented and highly gifted graphic artist Aidan O’Flynn designed this brilliant album cover, adding a visual dimension that is thought-provoking for True Vibe Records fans.
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