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Selector: The Graduate Celebrates 5 Year Anniversary of Simmer Down Sound

May 10, 2017

Nic The Graduate is truly a jack of all trades, making up one-half of reggae/hip hop duo Illuminati Congo, as well as being a professional photographer,  a multi-instrumentalist, and one of Chicago’s best DJs and producers.

A serious collector of reggae records, the Graduate boasts one of the best collections in the city, and his love affair with reggae goes way back.  “I laugh when people say they have been into something their whole life but I feel like I have been into reggae pretty much my whole life! My parents used to play Bob Marley around the house when I was in infant and they say the first song I ever requested when I was a kid was “Buffalo Soldier.”  Over the years reggae has seemed to play a larger and larger role in my life. I have continued to collect and discover new (or new to me) reggae records and find every opportunity to play them out for the people. I have met so many great friends through collecting and djing reggae.”  

As a DJ, The Graduate joined forces with Cosmos Ray, Akasha and Selector Aaron in 2012 as an original member of the crew running what was then known as Simmer Down Sundays at the Double Door.  He is also currently has a residency at the Whistler on Second Fridays.  

As a producer, The Graduate has put out three albums with Illuminati Congo and has participated in international collaborations with Lee “Scratch” Perry, Anthony B, Lutan Fyah, Midnite, Pressure, Big Youth, Burro Banton, King Kong, Pressure and JahDan Blakkamoore.  We at Simmer Down are happily anticipating imminent vinyl and digital releases of The Graduate’s productions on the Happy as a Lark label.  

 

The Graduate’s sensibilities with respect to reggae have definitely played a role in shaping Simmer Down Sound’s vision and mission with respect to embracing diversity and inclusivity.  When we asked him about how he felt about the role of reggae with respect to raising social consciousness, Nic said, “Part of my interest in reggae and hip hop especially is the very broad range of messages that can be found in the songs. When I DJ I try to cover as much of this range as possible because it is all interesting to me – often the message is something I can relate to, but sometimes it is so foreign I can only try to imagine what life is like for this person. It is good to see a strong new roots movement currently happening in Jamaica and around the world. Making this positive message more and more acceptable in the mainstream can definitely inspire change for the better.”  We at Simmer Down wholeheartedly concur with him, and are very happy to have The Graduate help us celebrate five years of building our movement this Saturday, May 13th at Subterranean!

Mr. Greenweedz to Host Simmer Down Sound 5 Year Anniversary

May 9, 2017

Mr. Greenweedz is a  legendary name in Chicago hip hop lore. He grew up on Chicago’s West Side, began rocking microphones in 1986 and he hasn’t stopped nor slowed his pace since. In the early 90’s he linked up with Chicago hip hop royalty, Capital D and Tone B Nimble of All Natural, who led a collective known as Unison. Unison evolved into Family Tree and the record label All Natural Inc.

 

Mr. Greenweedz enjoyed great success with Family Tree and also as a solo emcee. By the 2000s he was also the featured emcee of Grammy-nominated Liquid Soul. He has shared the stage with countless giants in hip hop and almost every other imaginable genre.

 

The video is an homage to the 1988 classic film They Live. 

 

In 2010 Greenweedz founded Hey Lil’ Baby Entertainment with Cosmos Ray and began working with acts like Rita J, JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound and Adad. By 2013, Mr. Greenweedz added tastemaker to his resume as he became the talent buyer for Chicago’s legendary club, the Shrine. At the Shrine, Greenweedz booked some of the best in reggae and hip hop and hosted a weekly Sunday staple reggae night, Rocksteady Sundays. Rocksteady was the longest lasting recurring event at The Shrine and forged Mr. Greenweedz’s name as an impresario of reggae music in Chicago.

 

With respect to his love for reggae, Greenweedz says “My dad and brother turned me onto it back in the day with Bob Marley and Jacob Miller.  They used to go to Wild Hare and to Selassie Festival back in the day.  I couldn’t wait to get down.  I’m a hip hop artist but reggae might be my first love as far as digging the music, and I immediately found the connection between reggae and hip hop. It was an easy fit for me. I will always love reggae music which is why I’ve been down to put together events or be a part of them. I became a vegetarian as a result of the influence the music and culture has brought to me. I’m Ras as a result of it. It’s a very beautiful thing.”

 

In addition to emceeing and promoting reggae, Greenweedz recently began an acting career at Chicago’s legendary comedic institution The Second City, making his stage debut in the critically acclaimed Afrofuturism show. We at Simmer Down Sound are thrilled to have Mr. Greenweedz host our 5 Year Anniversary this Saturday, May 13th at Subterranean.