Live Manikins
Sacramento, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
"Live Manikins, a group from Sacramento, emphasized uplifting themes in its [...] performance."
~The Record Newspaper - The Recorder Newspaper
“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 - Sacramento News & Review
SUBMERGE MAGAZINE Cover & Article Nov 2011 - SUBMERGE Magazine
"Albums are special. Most people don’t even listen to albums all the way through any longer—they’re that special." - Sacramento News & Review
""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 - Sacramento Bee
"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 - The Legend Magazine
"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 - Sacramento State's Local Slice
“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 - Josh Fernandez, Sacramento News & Review
Discography
Live Manikins - Still Life(2007)
Live Manikins - Full Canvas (2011)
Photos
Bio
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
Links
