Stape Mega
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Stape Mega

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | INDIE

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | INDIE
Band Hip Hop EDM

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Press


"Elemental Magazine Issue 38 (2002)"

"The duo of producer Stape Mega and MC Adam 12 delivered some dope songs and established themselves as one of the up and coming groups in Philly. Right now Stape may not be that well known but he is one the underground producers to keep an eye on, because just about every beat he makes is dope."
Dan Gizzi - Elemental Magazine Issue 38 (2002)
- Elemental Magazine


"urbansmarts.com (2002)"

Stape is doing everything correct with some heavy orchestra"
urbansmarts.com (2002) - urbansmarts.com


"Elemental Magazine Issue 29 (2001)"

"Stape is one of the up and coming producers in the underground".
Dan Gizzi - Elemental Magazine Issue 29 (2001) - Elemental Magazine


"urbansmarts.com (2001)"

"The beat goes into a more experimental and science fiction field, which shows the versatility that Stape has within him".
urbansmarts.com (2001) - urbansmarts.com


"rapreviews.com (2001)"

"Clever string variations and beat changes"
rapreviews.com (2001) - rapreviews.com


"Philadelphia City Paper (Apr 12, 2001)"

"Producer Stape Mega creates a singed whirlwind of sound, a hot breeze of militaristic fire and frenzy, plucked violins, mellow mordant cellos and Hammer-horror vocal choirs. All this heightens rubber-band rapper K-Mass’s hyper, dramatic abstractions on "Declarations (…of War)." But mostly, Mega lends creaky cinematics to Mass’ teaming with Dept. of Rec.’s Adam 12. Adam’s brusque bark comically bitches out evil gods, Rosemary’s babe and provokes brotherhood while maintaining murderous thoughts on "Witch Jawn." It also provides a teetering mad counterpart to Mass’ epic elasticity on the media-obsessed obviousness of "Freddy Vs. Jason" and the title track. Hollywood flash and comic reveling in this time of discontent may be the jovial heart of this EP".
A.D. Amorosi - Philadelphia City Paper (Apr 12, 2001) - Philadelphia City Paper


"Elemental Magazine Issue 19 (1999)"

"Although Stape's beats differ from each other they all have a raw sound to them that works well with the aggressive Adam 12. Adam 12 is nice on the mic. I have never heard Adam 12 before this album, but it's obvious he isn't a rookie. Stape is equally impressive, as he can go from the mafia-like "Stream of Consciousness" to the more uptempo but very dope "Global Eruption". -
Dan Gizzi - Elemental Magazine Issue 19 (1999) - Elemental Magazine


"Urb Magazine (Jan 4, 2008)"

Welcome to the damp nihilistic world of Digs Darklighter where nothing is sacred. The Philly MC is spitting that grimy ish' and gutting the "brotherly love" out of his city's rep. Having built a local following in Philadelphia, the city where he was "Born, raised and trapped", Darklighter is ready to drop his debut album Boomboxcutter. The album is a collection of Digs Darklighter's lyrical sword-fights over apocalyptic explosions, sure to make Def Jux fans grin. Peep the scathing social criticisms on the title track, delivered with Digs' frantic yet confident flow, scratching and clawing at Stape Mega's beat like a cat avoiding a bath. Digs Darklighter is the man to watch to put Philly on the map..then destroy it.
Paul Glanting - Urb Magazine (Jan 4, 2008) - Urb Magazine


"All Philly All Day (Dec 4, 2007)"

Whats more fitting for my first album review on All Philly, All Day. Than the latest release from illatropolis Records, and Frankford's own Digs Darklighter. The album entitled "Boomboxcutter" is a 15 track monster of in your face indie hip hop, in its purest form. No bling boastin', gadt rappin', nonsense. Digs touches on things from all walks of Philly life. From the neighborhood life, to graffitti kings, to malt beverages. At first take, I noticed the album artwork screaming nothing but Philly. The tall hands, gangster scripts, wicked straight letter, and photograph of sneakers on the wire (taken by Digs).

The beats on "Boomboxcutter" smack you in the mouth, right of the bat. Every track is full of ill cuts, classic samples, and some obsecure greatness. Most of the tracks are produced by Stape Mega, who gives you no choice but to remember his production steez. Each and every track on point. The production on "First Element" stands out in the crowd, produced by Caliph-Now."First Element" has to be the illest Illadelph graffitti anthem released. "First Element" is without a doubt one of my favorties, up there with "What We Are All About" , "Big 5" , and "Sick of the City" with production from underground legend RJD2.

When "Boomboxcutter" came to its end, I definetly felt myself wanting more. Never getting bored with one track, each and every track kept my ears peeled and head noddin'. Psyched on Digs representing Philly, the way Philly should be represented. Straight truth. With all said and done, go pick this up at a local independent record shop in the city. You will not be dissapointed. Keep an eye of Digs Darklighter's MySpace for updated on shows and such.

Stay Golden, SG

Sean Gallagher - All Philly All Day (Dec 4, 2007) - All Philly All Day (Blog)


"Leisure Lab (September 1, 2009)"

Stape Mega produces dark, instrumental Hip Hop with a sound that’s almost Shadowesque, and reminiscent of the Endtroducing era. While he cites DJ Premier and RZA as his primary influences, Stape’s beats could easily find interest among fans of RJD2 or Blockhead. His latest effort, a forthcoming album called Metrica Mega is what Stape calls a “tribute to machines and robotics.”

But don’t let the industrial description fool you; while the songs have dark melodies and sounds that are at times unnerving, their rhythms maintain the warmth of Hip Hop beats. A good example is “The Art of Machines.” The song begins with a minimalist drone, which is soon followed by metallic, electronic percussions. However, about a minute into the track, comes the familiar boom bap of kicks and snares. Stape seems to be using the Hip Hop drums you know to carry you through the dark and angular sounds you don’t yet know. The same balance can be heard in songs such as “Solid Mechanics” and “T-1000.”

Metrica Mega isn’t out yet, but we highly recommend picking it up when the album drops. The record sounds like a soundtrack to a science fiction movie we wish someone would make. Until the official release date comes, check out the samples below. You can also learn more about Stape Mega at illatropolis.com - Leisurelab.com


Discography

Boomboxcutter CD - illatropolis Records - 2007

Arrakis Records Presents: The Spice CD - 2002

Dept. of Rec. - Raising Illatropolis EP 12" - 2002

Dept. of Rec. - Will We Ever Be Famous EP 12" - 2001

Briz - Blownmind 12" 2001

Photos

Bio

Born in the year 1975, Stape Mega hails from the city of brotherly love. He grew up in the Olney section. Taking an early interest in music, Stape listened to records in the basement of his family's row home for hours on end. Playing the records on a classic Fisher Price toy record player. A few years later, Stape purchased an old 5 piece drum set from a kid in the neighborhood using money he earned from a paper route delivering the Philadelphia Inquirer. The drums ended up collecting dust in the garage. It was difficult to find time to whale away loudly on drums in a row home. Family members and neighbors alike did not take kindly to this new hobby. Stape moved to guitar playing next. He took guitar lessons at around age 12 after convincing his mother to buy him an electric guitar and amp. The guitar was put down pretty quickly in favor of sports, specifically baseball. But he did learn some valuable lessons regarding the basics of music during those initial lessons and it served to further his interest in music later in life. Interested in keyboards and little musical toy gizmos, Stape owned several small casios over the years. He eventually took an interest in rap and electronic music in the late 80's. Listening to anything from EPMD to New Order. Stape found electronic music technology fascinating. Intrigued by sampling and sequencing keyboards, and the use of computers to make music, he was determined to get his hands on some equipment. In 1994, Stape linked up with high school friend Digs Darklighter, an MC and graffiti artist. Digs introduced Stape to MC Adam 12, a member of Digs' then rap group called, The Dead Pigeons. They pooled their money together and purchased some equipment. Opting to make beats with an Ensoniq EPS sampling keyboard and a sequencing program they ran on a Mac Performa, the friends quickly began to make dirty underground tracks. Around 1996, Stape formed a group with MC Adam 12, called, Dept. of Rec. In 2000, they signed to Arrakis Records, a Philadelphia based underground hip hop label. The duo released 2 Vinly EP's and a compilation CD with Arrakis. Stape lent tracks, as well as recording and engineering skills, to some other projects for the label before it went defunct after a few years in the business. Stape most recently produced material for his old friend Digs Darklighter's debut full length CD on the illatropolis imprint entitled, "Boomboxcutter". Stape Mega's style is heavily influenced by East Coast style boom bap production. He sites DJ Premeire and RZA as his main influences but finds inspiration in a multitude of musical genres and styles. Stape Mega is currently working on, and looking to release, instrumental hip hop. His latest effort, "Metrica Mega" is a hard hitting instrumental opus composed in tribute to machines and robotics. Nasty, mood-setting beats that knock hard as hell inside your car door. His production ranges from deep and dark to mellow and entrancing. Lo-fi and dirty to clean and crisp. Stape's production is unique. He has the versaltility to suit different moods and atmospheres with solid arrangements and impressive programming skills. Some of the artists Stape has worked with include: Digs Darklighter, Adam 12, Doap Nixon, The Mighty Flipside, MF Doom, Alaska of Hangar 18, Killer Rellik, DJ Cru Cut, DJ Panek (illvibe), Breez Evahflowin, Mic Stylez, Outerspace, King Syze, K-Mass, Maylay Sparks, Briz