Selector: Rad Brian Is Ready for Simmer Down Sound 5 Year Anniversary

May 10, 2017

Rad Brain is yet another multitalented member of the Simmer Down Sound crew. An iconic Chicago DJ and resident at Simmer Down, Rad Brian is the owner of Odd Obsession Movies, a niche video store in Chicago’s Wicker Park which purveys foreign, classic and independent genre films meant to open new mental spaces

When we asked Brian about the intersection of these interests, he explained “I definitely came to reggae through movies. Before I even thought of collecting reggae and dancehall vinyl, I was watching Jamaican cinema, classic films like “Country Man,” “The Harder They Come,” “Rockers” and “Smile Orange.” Reggae music was everywhere in these movies, so I couldn’t help but latch onto it. The soundtracks to these movies cover a “who’s who” of the 70’s and early 80’s scene. I started to really study the music, picking up as many 45’s from this era as I could find. The number of versions vocalized on the same riddim and variations in between blew my mind. From a collector’s standpoint, I began to see how awesome and seemingly never-ending that was.”

Rad Brian’s affinity for reggae and film brings a unique element to Simmer Down Sound as he curates and screens Western and martial arts films at our events, creating a visual aspect to the night which is a strangely perfect counterpoint to reggae music. In addition to bringing his film aficionado skills to bear at Simmer Down, Brian brings his unique and wide-ranging vinyl collection to his DJ sets. “Dancehall 45’s brought out the collector in me,” he says. “It quickly became my calling to try and find as many versions of a particular riddim as possible!”

Brian’s many other talents include his African music and hip-hop DJ skills. He ran a monthly DJ night under his Odd Obsession brand at The Whistler and was also featured at a hip hop monthly hosted by Pseudo Slang. Finally rounding out his already impressive resume, Brian also curates an exceptional collection of Ghanaian movie posters at Deadly Prey Gallery, a space co-created by Brian and his sister.

While clearly a devotee to all art forms, Rad Brian pays particular homage to the special power of reggae music as a positive social force, saying “Music heals when so many other things can hurt. Reggae music is typically recognized as one of the most positive genres of music for good reason. While certain themes in dancehall music throughout the years might not always be thought of as clean and kind, nevertheless its empowering nature bleeds out strong and cannot be ignored.” We at Simmer Down Sound could not agree more, and are thrilled to again feature Renaissance man Rad Brian at our Fifth Anniversary, this Saturday, May 13th at Subterranean!

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.

Illuminati Congo Live at Simmer Down Sound 5 Year Anniversary

May 8, 2017

Illuminati Congo is a Chicago-based one-of-a-kind project melding hip hop aesthetic with reggae consciousness, imagined and realized by visionary frontman Jahn Da Baptist and backed by production created by Nic the Graduate. The last decade has seen few emcees as prolific and dynamic in lyrical content as Jahn Da Baptist, or such diversely influenced production as that of Nic The Graduate.

Borrowing from hip-hop, soul, funk and electronic strands and particularly reggae, Jahn’s ties to his music are not simply about aesthetics, and are rooted in early childhood. “My father used to play reggae when I was in grammar school and I took all the reggae he brought back from Jamaica. That was what brought me to Rastafari.”

His personal connection to his music is clear from scripture imbibed songs like “Shiva Smokin’” to odes about physical immortality on “Eternal Life” to songs celebrating “Bike Ridin’” to the comedic admonishment of “Still Got My Sensi.”

Jahn says that “reggae is music that encourages consciousness, activism, love, and good vibes. These are pillars for me.”

A regular collaborator with both local and national acts, Illuminati Congo has played and recorded with Lee “Scratch” Perry, KRS-One, Dead Prez, Big Youth, Lutan Fyah, Digable Planets, Shabazz Palaces, Del the Funky Homosapien, Anthony B, Burro Banton, King Kong, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Perfect Giddimani, Sa-Roc, and Rocker T, among others. With the release of two albums in July, Illuminati Congo continues its prolific creative clip. Jahn attributes the rate of his creative output to feeling inspired by the current political and cultural situation, stating simply, “If we can continue to spread the message of roots and culture, acceptance and compassion through the music and embody it in our day to day relations, it’ll help our situation.”

We always love to have Illuminati Congo at Simmer Down Sound and are thrilled to have them as our very special guest for this occasion. Illuminati Congo has three songs with Jahdan and will join Jahdan for a couple songs on Jahdan’s set this Saturday, May 13th at Subterranean for our 5 Year Anniversary!

http://illuminaticongo.com/