Live Manikins

Artist Information

Biography

WWW.THELIVEMANIKINS.COM

Music genres evolve as cultures begin to converge and interact; the audience widens and diversifies. It begins to take shape creatively; resulting in music that crosses boundaries in both content and whom it reaches. The Live Manikins are truly a example, a reflection of their diverse musical and cultural upbringings. Their second album, “Full Canvas” showcases a mosaic of their influences, ranging from the boom bap of golden-era hip hop, vibes of soul music, and lyrical tenacity of battle emcees.

Hailing from all over California, the Live Manikins consist of four emcees and one deejay, all of which now live in Sacramento. As the city’s subcultures began to undergo a renaissance in the early 2000’s, the group formed organically while crossing paths at various events. While hailing from different ethnic backgrounds, the group forged a bond, unified by the common denominators of hip hop, passion for good music, and most importantly- friendship. Events were hosted, shows were rocked, tours commenced.

The Live Manikins have collectively performed with a wide array of artists who serve as inspiration, both mainstream and progressive: Nas, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Canibus, Dead Prez, Little Brother, Swollen Members, Black Sheep, Gym Class Heroes, Living Legends, Heiroglyphics, Blu, Exile, The Beat Junkies, Zion-I, Lyrics Born, Ugly Duckling, Killa Priest (Wu-Tang), Krs-One, StrangeFruit, LifeSavahs, Mistah Fab, Mayer Hawthorne (Now On), Procussions, Moka Only, Busdriver, Pigeon John, Buff One, Pharcyde, and Brother Ali.

Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, having achieved numerous Sacramento Music Awards, full-spread interviews in local press, and numerous appearances on morning drive television. In 2008, the Live Manikins released their debut album, Still Life, which secured critical acclaim:

“Still Life by Live Manikins: A near-flawless release from one of the most charismatic hip-hop groups since Digital Underground. Runt Rock’s musical knowledge combined with DJ Rated R’s absolute precision and the smooth verbalism of emcees Flavius, Self and Linguistics, deem Live Manikins a crew of fascinating hip-hop musicians.”

Josh Fernandez, Sacramento News & Review


The Live Manikins have released their follow up album, “Full Canvas.” An ode to their trials and tribulations, this record declares growth both personally and musically; literally starting from the album’s introduction, as the group celebrates the challenges overcome to finish the project. The record is mixture of feel-good, soulful hip-hop vibes; lyrically reflective by emcees Flavius, Self, Mr. Lingo, JRockit and Runt Rock, cut and scratched by DJ Rated R. The DNA of funk soul samples is still prevalent, drums kick hard and the melodies sing- thanks to production from Runt Rock, DJ Epik & Thiago Prodigo; mastering from Andrew Lozano at Freqy Music Group.


AWARDS:
- BoDog Battle of the Bands Semi-finalist in nation-wide Battle of the Bands.
- 1st place in Northern Cali: Hip Hop Genre MP3.com
- Semi-finalist on MP3.com’s world-wide “Get Exposed” Contest
- AllHipHop.com UPlaya Finalists in the Music Universe Contest
- 103.5 The Bomb - Featured live on-the-air during the specialty show “The Leak.”
- Winner of weekly head to head competition with the song “Wake Up” (103.5)
Sacramento Music Award (Sammies):
- 2008 Critics Choice Award Best Live Performance
- 2008 Critics Choice Award Outstanding Turntablist
- 2010 Readers Choice Award Outstanding Turntablist
- 2011 Readers Choice Award Outstanding DJ & Turntablist

Individually and as a Group Performance Highlights with Artists:
Nas, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Cannibus, Dead Prez, Little Brother, Swollen Members, BlackSheep, GymClassHeroes, Living Legends, Heiroglyphics,Blu, Exile,
Beat Junkies, Zion-I, Lyrics Born, Ugly Duckling, Killa Priest (Wu-Tang), Krs-One, StrangeFruit, LifeSavahs, Mistah Fab, Mayer Hawthrone (Now On), Procussions, Moka Only, Busdriver, Pigeon

Instrumentation

Runt Rock - MC, Music Producer
Self - MC vocals
Flavius - MC vocals
J-Rock-It - Vocals & MC
DJ Rated R - Production / DJ, Digital Turntables/Laptop
Andrew Lozano - Bass, Music Producer
John Bengo - keys, Music Producer
Josh Marquez - Guitar, Music Producer
Mark Preciado - Drummer

Discography

Live Manikins - Still Life(2007)
Live Manikins - Full Canvas (2011)

Official Website

http://www.TheLiveManikins.com

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Soundcloud
• Bandcamp
• Live Manikins Youtube
• www.TheLiveManikins.com

Audio

• FMG003_02_Live Manikins_PSA
  Listen  
• FMG003_04_Live Manikins_The Party
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• FMG003_05_Live Manikins_Funkin
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• FMG003_07_Live Manikins_Cali Sunshine
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• FMG003_08_Live Manikins_Sleepy
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• FMG003_12_Live Manikins_Heights Feat. Random Abiladeze
  Listen  
• FMG003_10_Live Manikins_Band Of Brothers
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• FMG003_14_Live Manikins_Saturday
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• FMG003_13_Live Manikins_Show Me Love
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• FMG003_16_Live Manikins_Dis Jock Feat. Sleeprockers
  Listen  

Video

LiveManikinsRelease.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• SUBMERGE MAGAZINE Cover & Article Nov 2011
  

  SUBMERGE MAGAZINE Cover & Article Nov 2011

• "A near flawless release from one of the most charismatic hip-hop groups since Digital Underground" - Sacramento News & Review [+ Show ]
  

  “Still Life by Live Manikins: A near-flawless release from one of the most charismatic hip-hop group...“Still Life by Live Manikins: A near-flawless release from one of the most charismatic hip-hop groups since Digital Underground. Runt Rock’s musical knowledge combined with DJ Rated R’s absolute precision and the smooth verbalism of emcees Flavius, Self and Linguistics, deem Live Manikins a crew of fascinating hip-hop musicians.”
  
  Josh Fernandez, Sacramento News & Review

• "With beats that take you straight back to '93, and rhymes that are friendly to the ears, it's hard not to stop and take a listen." ~The Legend Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "With beats that take you straight back to '93, and rhymes that are friendly to the ears, it's hard ..."With beats that take you straight back to '93, and rhymes that are friendly to the ears, it's hard not to stop and take a listen."
  ~The Legend Magazine

• ""Anywhere" isn't about that thuggish stuff that tends to get people uptight. The song is all about an uplifting vibe, with soulful backing vocals and a choice flute sample to keep the good feelings flowing." ~Sacramento Bee [+ Show ]
  

  ""Anywhere" isn't about that thuggish stuff that tends to get people uptight. The song is all about ...""Anywhere" isn't about that thuggish stuff that tends to get people uptight. The song is all about an uplifting vibe, with soulful backing vocals and a choice flute sample to keep the good feelings flowing."
  ~Sacramento Bee

• "Live Manikins, a group from Sacramento, emphasized uplifting themes in its [...] performance." ~The Record Newspaper [+ Show ]
  

  "Live Manikins, a group from Sacramento, emphasized uplifting themes in its [...] performance." ~T..."Live Manikins, a group from Sacramento, emphasized uplifting themes in its [...] performance."
  ~The Record Newspaper

• "Hip-hop needs new superheroes. Sacramento-based Live Manikins prove that underneath their seemingly normal facade is a group whose combined abilities can only be described as extraordinary." ~Sacramento State's Local Slice [+ Show ]
  

  "Hip-hop needs new superheroes. Sacramento-based Live Manikins prove that underneath their seemingly..."Hip-hop needs new superheroes. Sacramento-based Live Manikins prove that underneath their seemingly normal facade is a group whose combined abilities can only be described as extraordinary."
  ~Sacramento State's Local Slice

• "Albums are special. Most people don’t even listen to albums all the way through any longer—they’re that special." - Sacramento News & Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Albums are special. Most people don’t even listen to albums all the way through any longer—they’re ..."Albums are special. Most people don’t even listen to albums all the way through any longer—they’re that special."

Setlist

1 Hour to 45 Minute Set (We also have a shorter 30 min set):
Intro
PSA
Party
Funkin
We Are Defrockit
Cali Sunshine
Sleepy
Malfunktion
We Gonna Make It
Band of Brothers
Great Heights
Show Me Love
Saturday
Who's That
DiskJock

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Live Manikins Technical Rider

Calendar