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Hallelujah, nothing to you
Let the music do it to you
Feel it in your, chest is heavy
Listen now, are you ready?
I’m from a reality based on what is your salary
Jobs, I’m working it hourly except for when I rhyme
Perfect paint what I’m picturing, make you see what you’re listening
To enhance all your visioning, I mean it – I don’t mind
Essence of storytelling and representing that melanin
But what is my development? I’m for that human kind
Lyrics I’m spelling, selling it, doing it for the hell of it
Making your shorty melt with it, the power of the mind
It’s not a problem, insane in my asylum
Turn up my stereo to drown my walls’ volumes
Problems persist the outcome – the library
The styles vary that I carry and I marry
The world that is the world I see, the world that be
Defined by human history
Put it all in your book and all of where you’re looking
Read it wrong or right and never is it mistook and
Listen, I’m not calculated by algorithms
I just spit the real back to y’all who bullspitting
I do with it, do rhythms, a new mission
New visions
New spittin’, with new wisdom
New listens, new minds, put news in it
And make sure that I’m getting all my views in it
You win it, but I control your high
Goddamn it feels good with this hip hop vibe
Hallelujah, nothing to you
Let the music do it to you
Feel it in your, chest is heavy
Listen now, are you ready?
Get you there, take it there
Never gonna be the same again
Anywhere, everywhere
But we’re gonna think how to begin …again
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2. |
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A lot going on, man
Too much
A lot of madness
A lot of confusion
A lot of craziness
Illusions
Delusions
I’m out here in the cold
Desolate
Where’s the oasis?
It could go either way
It’s a toss up
Can’t lose sight
Faith is the most powerful weapon I’ve got
Insert whatever
Right here
Right now
Light years behind present times
And lifestyles
Blueprints exist
Of the movement’s events
Under few kings remain they resist a new prince
Philosophies
Prophecies
Breach insecurities
Modern warfare incubated in a nursery
Public enemy number one
Nothing has changed
The only difference is the popular opinion
Active duty of an extra in a movie
Reboot troops for sequels
Parts two, three
For the worse
Or the better
In store for now or never
Rain checks expire as the weather’s getting wetter
Without a umbrella my feather too heavy to soar
Dry personalities unanimously flawed
Critically endangered
So now your reservations are sacred
Entertainment making Siskel and Ebert so famous
Great debaters
Masters of illusion
Passing mass confusion through generations of human evolution
Institutions
Improper schooling
Monsters drooling
At the thought of perpetual ruling
Amusement parks
Bizarre rides for emotions
Rollercoasters depart from home aka the heart
Are we the sum of our parts or the sum of our arts?
The thirsty draw blood just to summon the sharks
Dark waters
Territories marked with borders apart
Formal complaints in the form of compartmentalism
It was written
In cold blood
Reptilian villains want a mammal’s warm hugs
Prepare, beware a heavy price trees bear
War is unfair, but it does include a fare
I sacrifice to live
And generous with kids
Addicted to the chess game
But wanna get off the grid
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'Tis insight, behold as I unfold something phenomenal
Use the fuels of jewels to move molecules
Admire fire that’s flyer, liars are soluble
Highly microscopical while you do what is possible and
Challenge any obstacle, balancing the proper tools
Show ’em what you got to do when the time is opportune
And soon you can walk through the reflection in the picture on a wall of Charles Drew
Pioneering doctor who developed methods for blood transfusions
Who went to Amherst College in Massachusetts
I study science while I deliver ruthless rap acoustics
Last forever with benevolent evolutions
Remove fools that prove useless and produce clips
Christine Darden predicted when the sonic boom hits
Data analyst and aeronautical engineer, stands in
Painted sand, native lands extend to the hemisphere
I tear through a dimension, ripped the devil’s lair
Out of the heavens, near the remnants of rebels
Resting there
Weapons of fear destroy the soul, nobody shed a tear
Curse been on us for five hundred and twenty-seven years
Some worship millionaires yet I dedicated life to bring you air
Not a duplicate, so you should get your picture clear
I rather see us all succeed but some don’t get it
The greatest innovators did it not only for credit
Ground-breaking researcher like Ernest Everett – he
Studied embryonic development; improving the methods
Life is not just about who connected
You like the movie, who directed? Paid for product, who collected?
Support then, who respected?
A legacy can disappear in time if you neglect it
I keep track of facts will be corrected
Insight, innovate the past is resurrected
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Ups and downs
Highs and lows
The west is wild and the east is evil
So they say
But I’m a sceptic of people
Heaven and hell
Angels fell who need to get back up
But the angle’s too steep to overcome
Let’s see and we shall
Anticipate a great space to relocate
While we take from this place and freeload
It's more than generous retrieval
Incomplete circles but the moon is always full
No matter how we see it
Receive it
Futile are the fights to deceive it
Believe it
Not even a wee bit
I won’t budge
My personal growth is a landmark
That’s judged
Before and after the flood
In and outside the mud
Thorns bud on a flower showered with hate over love
Send praises above
’Cause it ain’t a fair fight, still I’m raising my gloves
How do you like that?
I step out into a light so bright
It’s twice that of daytime
Colour blind
Melts the crayons
Harmonious
Treble clefs to basslines
Now I lay mine down to sleep
Wake up for the job
And play for keep’s sake
Souvenirs of daily spoils
They all get away, don’t waste your oil
’Cause the lamp runs low
There’s nowhere to go but down from the top of the ramp
Walk slow
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5. |
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You fucking with the gods
The sun, moon and stars
The third rock is ours
The next stop is Mars
No rest stops or pause
Naw, the best got this far
It’s our job to go further
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, look out world, look out world, we taking over
Scientific, my time rhythmic
Mind designed like a shiny prism
Psychic vision, psych the system
Punk and psych rock, rock my system
I’m a jazz guy, except I couldn’t be that fly
My rap life baptised like
Christ, trying to be more Christ-like
Godly, you can see the light
Moving through the night, like the moon and the star
Guiding the wisemen that come from afar
God in your eyes, I don’t care who you are
How dare you, who dared you to cross
The G. O., you just ordinary people
Who ordinarily wouldn’t dare to be evil
But here we go, down a six feet hole
To eternity, burn with me slow, hell no
You fucking with the gods
The sun, moon and stars
The third rock is ours
The next stop is Mars
No rest stops or pause
Naw, the best got this far
It’s our job to go further
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, look out world, look out world, we taking over
You fucking with the gods
The sun, moon and stars
The third rock is ours
The next stop is Mars
No rest stops or pause
Naw, the best got this far
It’s our job to go further
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, we taking over
Look out world, look out world, look out world, we taking over
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6. |
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I’m Sam Cooke wit da soul, like summatime sky
Peach cobbler on the ride, make the pies fly
Buddaflies in July, speak in tie-dye
Punch-drunk off the rum, is you mai tai?
Looking at my guy, like, why would I lie?
Life is a drive-by, no, never a dry eye
So why don’t we eliminate the extra?
Shorty cannot play me, won’t you try playing Alexa?
They try’n’a reach me like they try’n’a get to Mecca
Plus I got perfection on the record like Elektra
So gimme the front, gimme a blunt and a picket sign
Spent more than time below the Mason-Dixon line
Black lives lit it – uhp!
I hear critics
But never will a bigot prevent me from getting mine
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I dedicate all that I ever made to better days
It never pays off when you walk, in retrograde
I was caught moving backwards out of the dark, where I fought
So many fights that I lost
All of my rights, to bear arms, just protecting myself
I ain’t shoot nobody, how I get arrested with no bail?
For fighting on the weekends, we used to serve weekends
Now it seems the justice system is getting even
Oddly, they place God Lee in the cuffs and mob’s free
After they shoot down innocent people on my street
In front of my face, while I eat
Got me feeling wanted for nothing while I sleep
Can we please get justice for Breonna Taylor?
What kind of favour am I asking, asking out of prayer
You the mayor, you the governor, right, you the president
When will receive true justice from the government?
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Penitentiaries filling us, preachers faking they’re healing us
The hell in us is telling us gun’s our saviour, helping us
Harriet’s my prophet but y’all can ignore the messages
And pray to every god that wasn’t made for the rest of us
Black was never in the cold, the bodies generated soul
Got my eyes stuck on it like looking at a centrefold
Bullets verse the intellect, sword not mighty as the pen
Then again, you gotta know when dealing with the sinnermen
I don’t do this for the top spin, this isn’t Wimbledon
I do it for the Trayvons, Tamirs and fuck the Zimmermans
I do it for the Floyds, Amads, and their remembrance
Sometimes I’m so annoyed but then I get my vengeance in
A nigga who can read exceeds speeds at ease
Beyond weeds my high can float the seven seas
Drain honey from any bees while in the garden of Eden
Spark up your memories from lives you can believe
Geez, and still keep cool throughout the streets
It’s a metronome, a pulse, a motherfucking beat
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Call me crazy, but I see people
Even crazier, victims of evil
Between the lines was a test for my literacy
Then I find I’m less likely to be
OK, OK, computer, set me free
Go on, get on, move on, nothing to see
Speaking of journeys, where do I start?
I know how it ends, but my ship has no charts
I'm stepping into new dimensions
Prime focus the lens of my views
Use only my natural resources
Synthetic rejection I choose
I’m stepping into new dimensions
Prime focus the lens of my views
Use only my natural resources
Synthetic rejection I choose
Got choices, make choices
Make voices heard, travelling into the future
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Def Pressé and KPM/EMI Announce All-Access to the Iconic KPM Archives;
As Previously Sampled by Madlib, Prince Paul, MF DOOM, J Dilla, Gorillaz, & More
Two New Series Allowing Select Producers, Including Stro Elliot, Chris Dave, J-Live, and More, to Both Sample the KPM Library And Add New Music Into the KPM Library
This is the first Release, Conversation Peace by Damu The Fudgemunk.
Follow Def Pressé Bandcamp with this -
defpresse.bandcamp.com
London-based label, Def Pressé, is thrilled to announce its exclusive partnership with KPM/EMI to officially open KPM’s iconic music and sound design library for the first time ever. A production music label dating back to 1956, the KPM library contains over 30,000 original recordings of non-commercial music made for licensed use in television, film, radio, or any other media outlet. Ranging from cinematic symphonic themes to bizarre sound effects, elaborate environmental landscapes of computer-synth orchestras to film scores, these licensed recordings, commissioned without the pressure of generating commercial hits, have long been a treasure trove for producers digging for samples. This adventurous undertaking, initiated by Def Pressé in affiliation with EMI Production Music’s hip-hop outfit The Real Fifth, will see a handful of carefully selected composers and sound-excavationists creating all-new records alongside an array of featured singers, rappers, and instrumentalists, to be released by Def Pressé in two forthcoming series: KPM Crate Diggers and KPM Originals.
The KPM Crate Diggers series will consist of new albums by select producers made entirely of samples from the KPM archives, as well as German-based library music labels Coloursound, Selected Sound, Themes International, Conroy Recorded Music Library, and Francis, Day & Hunter, all of which Def Pressé artists also have exclusive access to. These releases will be entered into the KPM archives for future use as “library music,” making these producers “KPM Artists” in their own right. The KPM Crate Diggers series will kick off with Damu The Fudgemunk, and see forthcoming releases from Stro Elliot (of The Roots), J-Live, Chris Dave and many others to be announced in the coming months.
The KPM Originals series will see new albums composed of entirely new, sample-free compositions, released by Def Pressé and added into the KPM archives, also for future use as “library music.” Artists confirmed to participate in the KPM Originals series include Bastien Keb, Corey King, and Chris Dave, with more to be announced in the coming months.
Kicking off the KPM Crate Diggers series is Conversation Peace, a new album from Damu The Fudgemunk, the Washington, DC-based musician and producer known for his many collaborations with Raw Poetic, Archie Shepp, Blu, Flex Matthews, and others, in addition to his own acclaimed solo work. “Damu the Fudgemunk came to our studio in London to carefully dig his way through the whole KPM 1000 series,” says Peter Clarke of EMI Production Music. “If anyone is in doubt about sampling being an artform, they just need to watch him work! It’s great to breathe new life into all these old recordings, too. And then place it straight back into library music for use in media. Exactly how it was originally intended.”
Developed in the mid-’60s, the now-iconic KPM 1000 series launched the golden years for KPM, with the birth of “Greensleeves” albums (named after their consistently plain-green record covers). Currently, the classic KPM archives boast over 30,000 original recordings by acclaimed library composers such as Keith Mansfield, John Cameron, The Mohawks founder Alan Hawkshaw, The Shadows drummer Brian Bennett, David Bowie, The Beatles’ collaborator Alan Parker, and Exotica pioneer Les Baxter. KPM has extensively recorded at studios such as London’s Angel and Abbey Road (The Beatles recorded most of their albums here during the KPM 1000 recording era).
A massive amount of work has gone into taking care of these aged reel-to-reels, vinyl records, and DATs. They have been painstakingly digitized and made available to Def Pressé exclusively and the selected artists working on these projects.
“For years, all of these old archive tracks have sat dormant on the LPs—undigitized and only discoverable by those that had copies or had enough money to get them via Discogs or Ebay,” says Paul Sandell, Senior Content and Distribution Manager at EMI Production Music. “There's a huge amount of pride here at EMI PM about KPM, and the other archive libraries. Not only is this music an important document of television music from the time, but it has a far wider cultural impact - whether from the theme music to a cult TV show, the sleazy funk of an erotic exploitation flick or as music sampled by the likes of Jay-Z, Drake, Florence and The Machine, and many more.”
“KPM has always been there with us for as long as I collected records,” says Def Pressé founder Matt Moat. “While digging for records, it would always be a straight pick-up, no need to listen. Their records were collectables and coveted as such. It was always a dream to somehow be connected with this library in a fuller way. The moment I met Pete and we discussed what EMI Production Music had been doing with the catalogue, I had to dream up a way Def Pressé and our friends could take this stuff, flip it, and end up as ‘Library Musicians’ ourselves. To be able to contribute to the KPM Library means the world to all of us."
“The relationship between hip-hop and library music has always been strong,” adds Sandell. “But this project really unifies the process between the library and the creative input of the producers. It's a high five between the two to say 'look what’s possible.”
From Damu...
The music that would become Conversation Peace began with a trip to KPM’s London HQ in late January of 2020. I had just finished wrapping up post production on my album Ocean Bridges with Archie Shepp and Raw Poetic. I actually received the invitation during the summer of 2019 during studio sessions for Ocean Bridges and scheduling for the top of 2020 made the most sense. So I packed up a few records and a few drum machines then embarked on my first trip to England. Upon arrival, I was speechless when I walked through the doors. I thought to myself, “this is really happening”. We had a quick meeting about expectations, then it was time to see the archive. As a record collector, I’m very familiar with the legacy of the KPM brand. I had been lucky enough to find a few over the past decade during my digging trips up and down the east coast, but looking at the complete vinyl catalog was a great privilege. I anxiously began combing through records from morning to night looking for the right sounds. The whole experience was surreal. Listening to the entire catalog was a history lesson and the amount of great composers and compositions in the recordings was endless. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t somewhat overwhelming. As a producer looking for textures, inspiration and grooves, the abundance of those things made it extremely difficult to narrow down what I wanted to use. From drums to sound fx to orchestras to small rhythm sections to ambient noises, I heard a wide variety of things and they were all so well produced and recorded. Every instrument you can think of was there! I spent a little over a week capturing sounds knowing that my work was cut out for me when I returned to my home in DC. Once I got home, I got to work. I captured so much, that it took me about a month just to organize all those ideas. Little did I know the world would drastically change in the next month following my return. My flight to and from London would indefinitely be my last time traveling for a while. I worked diligently with the material and took my time making sure I had strong ideas. The history of KPM and the opportunity to collaborate with the prestigious lineage made the stakes very high for me and I knew I needed to deliver a quality product. It’s an honor to be the first artist to release a KPM Crate Diggers title.
Once I had most of the instrumentals done, it was time to reach out to vocalists. I went to my friends first because I wanted to extend this honor to them to be a part of a KPM record. Raw Poetic and Insight Innovates are two of my closest friends. Blu and I have a long history of working together. In addition to my friends, this marks the first time I’ve collaborated with Nitty Scott. I had become a fan over the years thanks to a mutual friend we share. I was really hyped to get Nitty on this project. With the kind of year we had in 2020, all the guests contributed lyrical concepts that reflect exactly what we witnessed to that point (late summer 2020). I didn’t give much direction at all and everyone brought serious narratives to this album. I also wrote and contributed vocals to three tracks. I think the most relevant area of the album is the “Four Better or Worse Suite” parts 1-4. The lyrics detail much of the spirit in the USA then and now. I personally went through a lot in the year and having this project to focus on kept me grounded throughout ongoing chaos. Quite honestly I was under a lot of stress when I made much of the album. The Def Presse and KPM teams were extremely supportive while I navigated life, art and my commitments to business. Looking at the finished product, I’m very happy with this work. I’m excited for my existing fans and new listeners to hear my latest ideas. The title Conversation Peace came to me well after the album was done. This record is certainly a celebration of the KPM library, but I felt it needed a title that represented the commentary and the term Conversation Peace popped in my head. The way I produced and arranged the music, I felt each vocalist offers an essay of sorts and the extended instrumentation balances each number so the listener has space to reflect on the ideas presented by each lyricist. That’s why the title made sense to me. The vocalist initiates the conversation and the audience has room to form their own opinions.
released September 3, 2021
Credits
Raw Poetic- @rawpoetic
Blu- @bluherfavcolor
Nitty Scott- @nittyscottmc
Insight-
insightinnovates.com
Damu the Fudgemunk-
thefudgemunk.com @damuthefudgemunk
Label - Def Pressé.
www.defpresse.com / @defpresse /
defpresse.bandcamp.com
Lyrics written by Jason Moore (1 & 8), Earl Davis (2, 4 & 9) Andre Todman (3), Nitzia Scott (6), John Barnes (5 & 7)
Mixing, arranging, recording & post production by Earl Davis
Additional mix assistance on (9) by Jason Moore
Scratching by DJ Damu the Fudgemunk
Thank yous: Blu, Raw Poetic, Nitty Scott, Insight, Ben Wexler, Ian Freeman, Sounds of the Universe, Danny and The Find Mag, Peter, Paul and KPM Music teams. Matt and Def Pressé - Thank you for the invitation, your hospitality and welcoming me into the HQ. Pleasure meeting all of you and hope to meet again. The city of London, Dan Love, Crosstown Doughnuts and all the food spots that held me down. Thank you family and friends who supported me while completing these sessions. All of the composers, session players and recording engineers whose work is sampled throughout this album. Thank God for the gift, experiences and inspiration of music that brought me in contact with such an opportunity and great people. Thank God for taking me safely from my home in Washington, DC to my first visit in the UK and back!.. Despite the crazy times and on behalf of everyone else involved, we enjoyed working on "Conversation Peace!" I am proud of this record. Until part 2...