Rare Form Live!

~~~ RARE FORM LIVE ~~~
Influenced by an eclectic range of musical genres, Rare Form Live is born with a mission to perfectly harmonize said genres with funk, hip hop, and soul beats. At such a tender age, this unique group follows the heart and soul of each member’s ethnical and musical background influences and peacefully transforms them into a united, unstoppable musical front. Experimenting with a poetic mixture of range and tempo, as well as international influences, Rare Form is sure to appeal to a wide range of personalities and tastes.

CRAIG ANTHONY SMITH - Touch Of CAS
Craig Anthony Smith grew up in West Oak Lane, Philadelphia on a steady and nutritious diet of hip hop and R&B. Penning his vibrant lyrics and publicly rhyming since 1986; he smoothly transitioned from inexperienced rapper in Philly to heterogeneous composer in San Diego. Inspired by the dream to provide a different face and personality to his rhymes, he creates Rare Form in 2006. As the band’s backbone, he ensures that their beats are a consistent mixture of soul, hip hop, and especially funk, to which he embellishes with his touch…that Touch that only CAS possesses.

OBED HAWKINS BEY - BrovaBey
As a native Philadelphian, it is not surprising that this musically talented rapper was strongly influenced by the jazzy, dance hall, and old school hip hop sounds of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. He is the perfect counterpart to his old friend, CAS, and as such, he brings a uniquely exceptional twist to all the lyrics and vocals. Freestylin’ in Philly for many years, Obed has now flourished in San Diego with the words calmly and fluently flowing out of his mouth, as if he was partaking in a typical, everyday conversation. That is Obed’s art, and rhyming is undeniably his muse.

ANDREW ROBINSON - A-Live
The San Diego native already masters a tasteful tact for the bass and the drums, both of which he has been playing for almost half of his life. In Rare Form, his main focus is on the bass, but don’t be too surprised when you see him behind the drums. His experience is palpable and his three previous CDs, in which he also raps, have not disappointed. After building his own home studio he began recording local artists, including Touch of CAS. Andrew delivers what he has previously admired from what he calls his “musically unprejudiced” influences, and surpasses above all expectations.

FELIPE SAPIN AGUINALDO, JR. - Philly Cheese Steak
The youngster in the band has been musically involved since he was four years old, when he first dabbled with the piano. He then slowly veered to the alto saxophone, got his feet wet with the bass and guitar, and finally experimented with percussions. In Rare Form, he masters the drumset percussion, which he attended school for in Hollywood at the Musicians Institute. Remaining loyal to San Diego, where he’s lived since he was five years old, Phil returns to partake in the local hip-hop scene, spicing the genre up with his exceptional drummin’, which has evolved due to his respect for jazz, punk, reggae, hard rock, and pretty much any fusion beats you could possible imagine.

SELENA JONG - Cuticles
The group’s bombshell provides the final element of a well-rounded funk sound with her killer keyboard strokes. With a classical music background in piano concertos back to when she was five years old, this Taiwanese-Canadian leaves her mark on every Rare Form tune. Her wide palate of musical influences range from good old-fashioned rock to R&B and underground hip hop all the way to house beats and electronica, molding her talent into classic perfection.