Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
(Atlanta, GA) --March 7, 2006 New rap duo Most HiFi represents a change in the winds of hip hop with their March 7th release. With their debut album, 'Everything's Gonna be Alright' the group is set on establishing a new order for hip hop. Comprised of Mecca, an up north emcee inspired by Public Enemy, KRS-One and Rakim and Vel, a New Orleans born southern rapper who lists 8 Ball and MJG along with early Ice Cube as inspiration, Most HiFi represents a balance of east coast and down south contributions to hip hop.“When it started, hip hop was a reference tool,” says Mecca ½ of the new rap duo Most HiFi, of his earliest music-related memories. “That substance was there when hip hop as an art form was born. We want to be a part of the movement that is innovating today’s hip hop culture. We want our music to leave people with perspective, inspiration, and substance.” The name Most HiFi, was bestowed upon the duo by their mentor, Chuck D. who says the moniker is a culmination of the group's dedication to excellence, the Almighty and also out of reverence to the quality of their sound (High Fidelity).
From Mecca’s prolific way of addressing anything hip hop related, to the Public Enemy legacy passed down to the duo, there are imminent signs that Most HiFi is preparing to spearhead a revolution. Revolution is a concept that certainly is not far from the group’s definition as Most HiFi is the first project to debut on Public Enemy front man Chuck D’s new record label, SlamJamz.
The group's first single, 'Here we Go Now' has received rave reviews from critics and tastemakers everywhere. The melodic track is reminiscent of old school hip hop mixed with a contemporary appeal and has old school hip hop heads in concert with new school hip hop fans moving their feet on the dancefloor. Besides a loyal grassroots fanbase in the northeastern and southern markets, Most HiFi is quickly hipping fans nationwide to their signature sound.
Most HiFi's debut album is a combination of several elements such as soul, old-school hip hop, funk and jazz. It seemed a natural progression for a group spearheaded by a legacy of hip hop to bring hip hop full circle with this new genre of hip hop.
"Most HiFi is more than just a sound," says Vel, "we believe this is the beginning of a movement. A movement of quality music, even further than that quality entertainment."
With tracks like 'Pimp or Preach', a musical expose on corrupt preachers, and the radio ready 'Let it Be' the album serves as a documentary on real life issues everyone can relate to. The second single 'Be Alright', is an encouraging message of possibility and purpose, woven through an almost vintage sound. The groups anthem, 'Here We Go Now', is a feel-good track filled with creative metaphors over a classic Issac Hayes sample.
In addition to the album, which hits stores nationwide on Tuesday, the duo also inked a deal with Mecca Clothing to participate in the 2006 ad commercial campaign for the brand. The Mecca ads will showcase Mecca and Vel wearing the new 2006 line of the Mecca clothing. Ads will run in various entertainment magazines over the next nine months. "With Mecca clothing it was just a good fit. I think they appreciate what we're bringing to hip hop and we in turn appreciate what the brand represents," says Mecca.
Look for Mecca ads featuring Mecca and Vel in an upcoming issue of URB and also the April issue of Elemental magazine, along with issues of Streetmasters and BREAK magazine.
Most HiFi will also release the movie version of the album late summer 2006. commercial campaign for the brand.
'Everything's Gonna Be Alright' will be available for purchase, March 7, 2006, in record stores, nationwide, on amazon.com, overstock.com, and connect.com.
For more information on Most Hi-Fi's debut album 'Everything's Gonna Be Alright', visit www.mosthifi.com or www.myspace.com/mosthifi
- EnchantedPR
Discography
The 1st singles are "Here we go now" and "Let it be". "Here we go now" is a new hip-hop anthem that is getting rave reviews from critics all over. "Let it be" is the commercial radio friendly song which has a video that is slated to air mid-spring.
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Bio
Most Hi Fi
Biography
“When it started, hip hop was a reference tool,” says Mecca ½ of the new rap duo Most HiFi, of his earliest music-related memories. “That substance was there when hip hop as an art form was born. We want to be a part of the movement that is innovating today’s hip hop culture. We want our music to leave people with perspective, inspiration, substance.” From Mecca’s prolific way of addressing anything hip hop related, to the legacy passed down to the duo, there are imminent signs that Most HiFi is preparing to spearhead a revolution. Revolution is a concept that certainly is not far from the group’s definition as Most HiFi is the first project to debut on Public Enemy front man Chuck D’s new record label, SlamJamz.
Most Hi Fi consists of two emcees, Mecca (aka Janol Holmes) and Vel (aka Lavell Hewitt). Mecca and Vel present the perfect balance to the current music scene. Queens, NY born Mecca with his commanding tone and aggressive delivery on a track evokes memories of the northern emcees of old. Vel’s laidback southern style is a bit more contemporary and is a direct result of his hometown of New Orleans, LA.
Mecca credits UTFO, Run DMC, Whodini, Boogie Down Productions and of course Public Enemy as being his earliest influences of music and shaping his adolescence. “My first real impression of hip hop is Run DMC’s Rock Box,” Mecca recalls fondly. “I remember having the ghetto blaster and walking the streets with it on my shoulder blasting that song.”
An avid fan of Public Enemy and other social and politically conscious rap groups Mecca says he studied the names and information he heard Chuck D, KRS One and others speak about in their music. Later these seeds sewn by Mecca’s hip hop idols would take root and blossom as he became an outspoken proactive leader later in his community. It also lead to him picking up a pen and writing lyrics that he felt would be socially relevant to his generation.
While Mecca’s first memories of music included Run DMC, Vel remembers the live instruments and rich musical culture all around him in New Orleans. “I grew up around live bands, junk bands, brass brands a lot of instruments. In New Orleans we had a lot of local music that belonged just to us; like Gregory D, Sporty T, Rebirth,” Vel says. Born into a musical environment Vel was writing lyrics at age nine and soon was listening to the likes of 8Ball & MJG, Ice Cube and Outkast. He also credits Public Enemy with helping him through some rough years during adolescence. “Everyone processes and interprets music differently. One message can help many different people in different situations,” he says.
Eventually Mecca and Vel’s journeys lead both of them to Clark Atlanta and a chance meeting at the Woodruff Arts Center. By that time Mecca and Vel had cultivated their very different lyrical styles and realized that together they presented the perfect balance. Mecca had the benefit of meeting his mentor Chuck D. several years earlier through a series of events that can only be described as pre-destined. Chuck was impressed with the two and decided they would be the flagship project for his newly developed Slamjamz label.
All of the history, hard times and memories of a much younger, much stronger hip hop culture have primed Most Hi Fi for the March 2006 release of their album, ‘Everything’s gonna be alright’. While their music has been referred to as revolutionary, hard hitting and innovative, Mecca and Vel insist they are just trying to make music that will inspire and entertain their fans the way they were inspired and entertained growing up. Besides the message, Most HiFi is also unique in that they’ve incorporated a live band into their live performances. “The band aspect brings a different aspect, an entirely different element and new meaning to the term live show in hip hop. We are using real music and instrumentation and it brings an energy that you can’t duplicate,” Mecca says.
While their message and their live shows may have some critics grouping Most HiFi with underground acts, Chuck D is certain that his group has a much bigger appeal. “Most Hi Fi brings an important and powerful element to music that has an appeal that can transcend above the underground scene to become relevant and entertaining to the vast mainstream,” he believes.
“This squad has really come the distance to where it is today. True art in these times of die tryin’ to be rich, has few smiling upon it. This is why I really dig MOST Hi-Fi.” Chuck D
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