Deca
Gig Seeker Pro

Deca

Band Hip Hop Spoken Word

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Life Crew"

Subject(s): Life Crew
As a singular cohesive document, the Life Crew's inaugural release falls short. It sounds like the disjointed effort of more than a dozen artists. Fortunately, that's what its creators intended. Meant more as a sampler, the disc deftly showcases the individual talents of this hip-hop collective's fourteen members. While each of the 27 tracks are blessed with some inspired performances, DJ AWHAT's turntable dexterity and the impeccable flow of MCs Deca, Ichiban and Mane Rok are what stand out. The disc's production -- overseen by Crew members Deca, Ichiban, Awok, (G)riot, Gunther B, Pirate Sygnl and Yonnas -- runs the gamut from lo-fi to glossy, and the material will appeal to those who gravitate toward a more cerebral aesthetic. Overall, the compilation is stellar. Catch the Life Crew this Friday, April 22, at the Bluebird Theater when they unveil the new disc and the Feelmode DVD (www.feelmode.com). - Westword (Village Voice Media)


"Life Crew Compilation"

Album cuts: Life Crew
Compilation Vol. 1, Self-released
John Zwick

Issue date: 2/16/05 Section: Music
Print
Email

Article Tools
Page 1 of 1

Is it really fair to call a network of artists "underground" when they so cleanly avoid all the classic underground pitfalls? It feels like so much truly underground hip-hop stays underground for a reason. It carries the stigma of poor beats, emcees who rhyme just to hear themselves and nonexistent musicality.

So let's call the Denver artists who make up the Life Crew something else. How's "criminally underappreciated?" It's hard not to feel some kind of injustice, after all, when we've gone through a disappointing couple of years in hip-hop and the talents at home don't get their due. The crew, consisting of a long list of Denver collaborators including the Pirate Sygnl, Ideal Ideologies, Prana and others are all over the musical landscape in the 27-track collection, finding plenty of occasions to drop intense diatribes and dope head-nodding hooks (including a solid recontextualizing of Dr. Dre's "Next Episode" melody courtesy of deejay A.WHAT.)

Critical listeners might decide that Life Crew packed their best material toward the front end of their compilation, but while the latter half forgoes the flash and energy of the first, it doesn't come off as sleeper or throwaway material - just a cool-off session on the kind of record that renews a fan's faith in the local love. - UCD Advocate


"Deca; The Hedonist"

Deca probably has one of the most distinct voices in local hip-hop. His gruff and rigid vocal style, which recalls an alto-voiced Supernatural, is one of his strengths; it grabs your attention instantly. Lyrically, Deca's as solid as they come. On The Hedonist, his debut disc, his dexterous wordplay is bolstered by excellent production; head-bangers such as "Strung Out Dreamer," "Second Time Around" and "Sideshow Freak" showcase his flow over hot, riot-starting beats. The entire project, though nice overall, is at times undermined by an uneven mix, with a sample here or a beat there drowning out Deca's rhymes -- so much so that you actually miss a bar or two. Webster's defines a hedonist as someone who pursues or is devoted to pleasure, particularly when it comes to the senses. To that end, Deca has succeeded in making sure that The Hedonist (due to be released this Friday, May 4, at the Marquis Theater) lives up to its name. - Westword (Village Voice Media)


Discography

The Hedonist (LP),
Life Crew Compilation (LP),
Top of the Line Bottom Feeder (LP),
The Universal Language (LP)

Songs from each of Deca's albums have had radio play in Denver on KS 107.5, Radio 1190 AM Basementalism, and FM 88.5

Photos

Bio

Deca is currently the main character in a groundbreaking Documentary Film chronicling the rise of Denver’s bourgeoning Hip-Hop scene. The film follows Deca and a selection of Denver’s most talented MCs as they make their mark and find their place in the national arena. It may be too soon to say that Denver’s Hip-Hop style will have a dramatic and lasting affect on the genre as a whole, but only because it has not received the National recognition it deserves; until now. ‘Till The Break of Dawn is set to become a landmark in the world of documentary filmmaking by exploring and exposing the most interesting lives, innovative cultures, and unparalleled artistry in today’s world of Hip-Hop music. Perched on the edge of what is quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon, ‘Till The Break of Dawn has a unique vantage point to observe and record the progression of a social movement that will have profound and lasting effects on today’s Hip-Hop scene.
DECA
Having mastered a cadence that has no parallel coupled with a deep captivating voice, Deca’s music shines like a beacon through the monotonous abyss that has come to define contemporary Hip-Hop. Deca’s new album The Hedonist paints a landscape of hell on earth where one’s thirst for happiness is never quenched. The usage of obscure samples and head nodding drums, reminiscent of Hip-Hop in its purest form, provides listeners of Deca’s second album with an escape route from ordinary everyday life and takes them on a journey through the surreal. Deca portrays vivid images of a tortured life looking for that perfect moment in time for any listener lucky enough to hear the awe inspiring words of Denver’s lyrical genius. Deca’s life has been inextricably tied to the hardships he has overcome. Introduced to the art of freestyle rap at a young age, Deca has been engineered to be one of the fiercest M.C.s ever seen. With this young exposure to the streets where he soaked up Denver’s Hip-Hop culture also came indoctrination into a world replete with drugs, alcohol, and criminal activity. Deca’s struggle with addiction rounded out by his unique take on human spirituality has taken him on a journey from the darkest realms of human existence through the most inspirational epiphanies imaginable. Deca is an undeniably raw talent who is destined for greatness.