3rdi – New York, NY
Bookz – New York, NY
Bookz is an NYC-based Grime and Dubstep producer. Originally from Virginia, Bookz started his music career playing bass in Richmond’s punk rock scene. While living in Washington DC he became interested in electronic music production after hearing the pioneering sounds of Drum n Bass.
Shortly after relocating to NYC, friends introduced him to the emerging sounds of Grime and Dubstep. Its raw sound, energy and tempo drew him in and further sparked his interest in production. For him, Grime captured the raw energy of hip hop as well as the DIY attitude of punk. In 2005 he met UK producer Nato and would later cofound Grime and Dubstep label First City Records.
Bookz tunes have had support from Newham Generals’ DJ Tubby and BBC Radio 1′s Tim Westwood among others. In addition to First City Records, Bookz has released music on US based Grime labels ManVSMachine and American Grime Recordings.
Bookz currently splits the majority of his time producing and DJing as well as contributing to the DontsleepNYC blog.
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Gi Major – New York, NY
As a self-proclaimed, cross-genre, alternative hip-hop artist with a UK grime influence, Gi Major is not one to be confined by genre labels. Growing up, Gi’s parents introduced her to a diverse collection of R&B and Soul music that ignited her passion. However, as she grew older it became apparent that Gi was drawn to any and every genre of music as long as it contained one vital element; authenticity. As her musical taste has become more eclectic over the years, Gi has developed a distinct style that incorporates her past, present, and future. Currently stationed in Brooklyn, Gi is Co-Founder and MC for NYC-based music collective, EARTHTONE.
Specializing in grime, trap, bass music, uk garage, and break-beat, EARTHTONE is known to play as a unit. Aions and Oskuro go b2b using both digital and vinyl formats, while Gi controls the microphone with her versatile flow. In short, EARTHTONE has two DJ’s and one MC that perform as a live hip-hop act over UK influenced bass music. The collective seeks to bridge the gap between the roots of the US hip-hop movement and authenticity found in the UK bass and grime scene. Their well-curated event series, dynamic live act, and distinct sound, has enabled them to play in a variety of circuits, carving their own path in music.
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MC Jumanji has pushed his way to the front of the pack in bringing grime to America. Co-owner of the American Grime Records Label and Co-founder of the event ‘Proper’ in South Beach, Jumanji continues to do his part in uniting the stateside grime scene.
Jumanji’s resume is impressive, spanning 10 years of bass music performances and recordings. He has hosted music festivals (Moonshine Music Festival, Fractal Beach), performed at Ultra Music Festival, performed at Marley Fest and has made appearances from A3C in Atlanta, to SXSW in Austin, and Fabric in London.
He has been live and had his music played on UK radio stations like KissFM, Rinse.fm, Sub.fm and Mode.fm to name a few. His collaborative songs with Foreign Beggars, Benzmixer, Shiverz, 12th Planet, Cotti and more, have laid the path to success for the Miami MC.
With growing support from the likes of UK legends such as recording artists Foreign Beggars, grime videographer RiskyRoadz, Grime Report owner Lordie, and American powerhouse Sub.mission, Jumanji has accelerated his push of the genre, organizing his label’s several instrumental EPs comprised of Canadian and American producers with the help of American Grime Records co-owner, Sergio Mendes.
Now, fresh off of collab projects with Dayzero, SpaceJail, Grim Sickers, Shogun and Ransom of Scotland and Abstrakt Sonance, Jumanji takes aim at 2019 with a ferocious intensity that’s only matched by his accomplishments.
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Timbo Slice – Boston, MA
