Urban Cartel

Destiny considered acquainting this eventual five-man group in high school, only the stars didn't align during their days at Eleanor Roosevelt in Greenbelt, Md. All five then ended up at another school together; this time in college at the University of Maryland, and this time they would meet and realize a mutual love for music, as well as big-city culture and vibe, and decide to embody that in song. They became Urban Cartel.

The band's first project is Sounds from the Red Line, a five-song EP (extended play) that is perhaps as complete as any 12-plus track album that has come out in the last year.

The second best thing about this well-crafted debut project is that it won’t cost you a penny to have. It’s free and can be downloaded from their website: www.theurbancartel.com, but fans are also directed to iTunes where they can show support by purchasing the tracks individually or the album in its entirety.



Continue reading on Examiner.com Urban Cartel provides free sounds from the red line - Washington DC indie music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/indie-music-in-washington-dc/urban-cartel-provides-free-sounds-from-the-red-line?do_not_mobile_redirect=1#ixzz1qFiBqVvu

Sounds from the Red Line proves that the band has its hand on the heart of the city and palpation reveals that Washington, DC’s true representation has nothing to do with taxation; it’s the talent of its artists like Urban Cartel, driven to create music that transcends time while garnering buzz with a sound fiercely determined to elbow its way to the forefront of audience’s minds and music players.

With genre-crossing elements, “Fire in Her Eyes,” a standout track on the project, is the perfect song to define what UC is all about—rhythm and blues-influenced with the persuasion of Hip Hop and Rock. It’s both a smooth and a hard track that serves up a soulful yet gentle vocal for the verses, and then breaks into a rap-infused, more assertive and slightly rock-tinged hook. The bridge delivers a talking guitar that electrically speaks a similar heartfelt lyric as the verses—love had and love lost.

The group’s vulnerability is sprawled about the five songs of their EP exposing their heart and soul as they ambitiously aim to be one of the best acts to ever come out of the city.

Sounds from the Red Line proves that some of the best things in life can be free. UC’s sound purely defines indie urban music in Washington, DC. And to think: they’re just getting started.



Continue reading on Examiner.com Urban Cartel provides free sounds from the red line - Washington DC indie music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/indie-music-in-washington-dc/urban-cartel-provides-free-sounds-from-the-red-line?do_not_mobile_redirect=1#ixzz1qFiT3vxC - Examiner.com

I remember being in college–I say that like it was so long ago–and hearing my friends AJ and Bryan talk about how they wanted to start a band. Apparently my post college days have been a blur because here we are seven months later and they’ve done it! Urban Cartel features band members AJ Ajiboye (keys), Bryan Sackey (drums), Andy Bixby (guitarist), Seph Adenugba (vocal) and Teddy Atkins (vocal). The UC sound encompasses the excitement and truculency of urban culture. Check out their video for one of my favorite songs, Just Fine; dope shit only. - MINE.ARE.COOL

I remember being in college–I say that like it was so long ago–and hearing my friends AJ and Bryan talk about how they wanted to start a band. Apparently my post college days have been a blur because here we are seven months later and they’ve done it! Urban Cartel features band members AJ Ajiboye (keys), Bryan Sackey (drums), Andy Bixby (guitarist), Seph Adenugba (vocal) and Teddy Atkins (vocal). The UC sound encompasses the excitement and truculency of urban culture. Check out their video for one of my favorite songs, Just Fine; dope shit only. - MINE.ARE.COOL

Destiny considered acquainting this eventual five-man group in high school, only the stars didn’t align during their days at Eleanor Roosevelt in Greenbelt, Md. All five then ended up at another school together; this time in college at the University of Maryland, and this time they would meet and realize a mutual love for music, as well as big-city culture and vibe, and decide to embody that in song. They became Urban Cartel.
The band’s first project is Sounds from the Red Line, a five-song EP (extended play) that is perhaps as complete as any 12-plus track album that has come out in the last year.

The second best thing about this well-crafted debut project is that it won’t cost you a penny to have. It’s free and can be downloaded from their website: www.theurbancartel.com, but fans are also directed to iTunes where they can show support by purchasing the tracks individually or the album in its entirety.

Sounds from the Red Line proves that the band has its hand on the heart of the city and palpation reveals that Washington, DC’s true representation has nothing to do with taxation; it’s the talent of its artists like Urban Cartel, driven to create music that transcends time while garnering buzz with a sound fiercely determined to elbow its way to the forefront of audience’s minds and music players.

With genre-crossing elements, “Fire in Her Eyes,” a standout track on the project, is the perfect song to define what UC is all about—rhythm and blues-influenced with the persuasion of Hip Hop and Rock. It’s both a smooth and a hard track that serves up a soulful yet gentle vocal for the verses, and then breaks into a rap-infused, more assertive and slightly rock-tinged hook. The bridge delivers a talking guitar that electrically speaks a similar heartfelt lyric as the verses—love had and love lost.

The group’s vulnerability is sprawled about the five songs of their EP exposing their heart and soul as they ambitiously aim to be one of the best acts to ever come out of the city.

Sounds from the Red Line proves that some of the best things in life can be free. UC’s sound purely defines indie urban music in Washington, DC. And to think: they’re just getting started.

For more on other great artists in the DC area, check out DC indie artists with star quality. - Kayona Ebony Brown

Taffy sat down in the WMUC studio with rising band Urban Cartel. The band released its debut EP, Sounds From the Red Line in December 2010 and has been making a name for itself across and beyond the DMV ever since. Check out the audio from the interview here and look further for the lastest video drop from the band, footage from their performance at the University of Maryland’s annual Art Attack concert, where UC opened for Nelly. - The Sugar Shack

Taffy sat down in the WMUC studio with rising band Urban Cartel. The band released its debut EP, Sounds From the Red Line in December 2010 and has been making a name for itself across and beyond the DMV ever since. Check out the audio from the interview here and look further for the lastest video drop from the band, footage from their performance at the University of Maryland’s annual Art Attack concert, where UC opened for Nelly. - The Sugar Shack

Meet The Urban Cartel, a five-part band out of the DMV, that blends rock instrumentation with hip hop and R&B. Having opened for Nelly and Big Sean this year, Teddy Atkins, Seph Ade, AJ Ajiboye, Andy Bixby and Bryan Sackey also released their first full length album, titled “Cassette Music”.

DC Fab!: Where do you like to party/hang out in the District?

Andy: Smith Commons, hands down. They have awesome beers even better cocktails and the music is always good there. All around perfect happy hour or weekend spot.

What curse word do you say most often?

Seph: The curse word I use most often is probably “f*ck.” I think it’s one of the more vulgar ones, but I still use it pretty often when I’m frustrated or confused, like for example, “dude…what the f*ck?”

What shoes are you wearing right now?

Bryan: Classic low top white chucks…yes, even in the winter I am rocking the low tops [with] no socks because they are trill and you can’t go wrong with chucks. It goes smooth with everything and I will continue to wear them until they melt.

Who would you rather go to dinner with: Lola Monroe or Alison Carney?

Teddy: Saw Alison Carney do her thing a while back at Pure Lounge open mic and I was shook! She could have had everything in my wallet that night. Definitely would wine and dine Alison.

What do you love about D.C.?

AJ: I like the culture. I like being able to go to DC [on] any given weekend and visit a museum, see a live show, grab a bite to eat or party hard at a sexy lounge. I also love the diversity. - The Fab Empire

Urban Cartel had just finished their set at the university's annual Art Attack concert last May when thunder cracked and, as members tell it, they nearly became headliners.
"As soon as we picked up our last instrument, the sky turned purple, the heavens opened up and poured, and it was like mayhem," said Bryan Sackey, a university alumnus and band member.
"It was like we planned it," he added, laughing. "That would have made it seem like Art Attack was just us."
After a brief hiatus, the show went on, and Nelly performed as expected. But members of Urban Cartel said that doesn't tarnish their memory of the evening, and after forming at this university two years ago, they said they are happy their band is on the rise. Urban Cartel will be releasing a music video to their track "Just Fine" this week, and they have begun a five-stop tour ending in a performance at the 25-year-old South by Southwest music conference in Austin this March.
All five members of Urban Cartel attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, and although they vaguely knew each other from classes and parties, they didn't realize they shared a common love of music until meeting again on the campus.
Each had recently picked up new instruments for the first time, and jam sessions inspired original music that their friends enjoyed as much as they did, according to group members. That, alumnus and keyboardist A.J. Ajiboye said, is when they knew they had "something special."
Presently, senior psychology major Funsho "Seph Ade" Adenugba provides lyrics and vocals — he also played bass in a show for the first time Thursday at Temple University; alumnus Teddy Atkins raps; Sackey plays drums; Ajiboye also experiments with synths; and Andy Bixby, who attended Montgomery Community College but is considered "College Park family," plays guitar.
Although Bixby had experience in another band,and said he learned to hate classical clarinet after years of study, joining Urban Cartel changed how he felt about music.
"When I started playing with these guys, that's when it gave me a reason to get better and gave me a reason to strive for this," he said.
When Ajiboye recommends the band to new friends, he has to name two or three songs because no single track represents Urban Cartel's style.
Together, their diverse tastes and influences — ranging from the Fugees to Jimi Hendrix to the Red Hot Chili Peppers — make up a sound that varies from song to song and doesn't fit in any traditional genre, members said.
But while their sound doesn't fit inside a box, fans sometimes make judgments, often guessing that they see "hordes and hordes of groupies" after shows, Ade said.
"I'm not going to say we do, but I'm not going to say we don't, either," he added. "People always make assumptions about the lifestyle that people in the music industry live. And a lot of it's true, a lot of it's true."
Since releasing their first album, Sounds from the Red Line, in December 2010, they've performed dozens of shows and already show the chemistry of a veteran band, according to Atkins' roommate, Alan Morrison. He remembered one show where members smoothed over a potential disaster — one of Bixby's guitar strings snapped in the middle of a song.
"They just sort of kept it moving, and nobody had a clue," Morrison said. "Seph started singing a cappella, and people were so mesmerized by his vocals that next thing you knew, Andy was back on stage."
On another occasion last year, the group entered a competition at LIV Nightclub in Washington feeling like the underdogs for their lack of experience. Instead, Sackey said, he was shocked when fans that came out to support other groups starting cheering for Urban Cartel and asking for an encore after they won the competition.
"[That night] is starting to become nostalgic when I think about it," Ajiboye said. "It was such a pivotal point for us that propelled us to where we are now and gave us a lot of the opportunities that we've gotten."
But as the group continues their tour, they said time management will be a challenge; for example, Bixby bartends but wants to return to school, and Ajiboye holds down two part-time jobs.
Currently, the group is too stretched for time to practice more than once a week.
But Ade's mother, Sade Adenugba, said she has no doubts they will find a balance.
"I love their music, but at the same time the reason I'm so proud is they can juggle two or three things together. The music doesn't affect their education," she said. "I know it's very hard, but nothing comes easy." - The Diamondback

Urban Cartel had just finished their set at the university's annual Art Attack concert last May when thunder cracked and, as members tell it, they nearly became headliners.
"As soon as we picked up our last instrument, the sky turned purple, the heavens opened up and poured, and it was like mayhem," said Bryan Sackey, a university alumnus and band member.
"It was like we planned it," he added, laughing. "That would have made it seem like Art Attack was just us."
After a brief hiatus, the show went on, and Nelly performed as expected. But members of Urban Cartel said that doesn't tarnish their memory of the evening, and after forming at this university two years ago, they said they are happy their band is on the rise. Urban Cartel will be releasing a music video to their track "Just Fine" this week, and they have begun a five-stop tour ending in a performance at the 25-year-old South by Southwest music conference in Austin this March.
All five members of Urban Cartel attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, and although they vaguely knew each other from classes and parties, they didn't realize they shared a common love of music until meeting again on the campus.
Each had recently picked up new instruments for the first time, and jam sessions inspired original music that their friends enjoyed as much as they did, according to group members. That, alumnus and keyboardist A.J. Ajiboye said, is when they knew they had "something special."
Presently, senior psychology major Funsho "Seph Ade" Adenugba provides lyrics and vocals — he also played bass in a show for the first time Thursday at Temple University; alumnus Teddy Atkins raps; Sackey plays drums; Ajiboye also experiments with synths; and Andy Bixby, who attended Montgomery Community College but is considered "College Park family," plays guitar.
Although Bixby had experience in another band,and said he learned to hate classical clarinet after years of study, joining Urban Cartel changed how he felt about music.
"When I started playing with these guys, that's when it gave me a reason to get better and gave me a reason to strive for this," he said.
When Ajiboye recommends the band to new friends, he has to name two or three songs because no single track represents Urban Cartel's style.
Together, their diverse tastes and influences — ranging from the Fugees to Jimi Hendrix to the Red Hot Chili Peppers — make up a sound that varies from song to song and doesn't fit in any traditional genre, members said.
But while their sound doesn't fit inside a box, fans sometimes make judgments, often guessing that they see "hordes and hordes of groupies" after shows, Ade said.
"I'm not going to say we do, but I'm not going to say we don't, either," he added. "People always make assumptions about the lifestyle that people in the music industry live. And a lot of it's true, a lot of it's true."
Since releasing their first album, Sounds from the Red Line, in December 2010, they've performed dozens of shows and already show the chemistry of a veteran band, according to Atkins' roommate, Alan Morrison. He remembered one show where members smoothed over a potential disaster — one of Bixby's guitar strings snapped in the middle of a song.
"They just sort of kept it moving, and nobody had a clue," Morrison said. "Seph started singing a cappella, and people were so mesmerized by his vocals that next thing you knew, Andy was back on stage."
On another occasion last year, the group entered a competition at LIV Nightclub in Washington feeling like the underdogs for their lack of experience. Instead, Sackey said, he was shocked when fans that came out to support other groups starting cheering for Urban Cartel and asking for an encore after they won the competition.
"[That night] is starting to become nostalgic when I think about it," Ajiboye said. "It was such a pivotal point for us that propelled us to where we are now and gave us a lot of the opportunities that we've gotten."
But as the group continues their tour, they said time management will be a challenge; for example, Bixby bartends but wants to return to school, and Ajiboye holds down two part-time jobs.
Currently, the group is too stretched for time to practice more than once a week.
But Ade's mother, Sade Adenugba, said she has no doubts they will find a balance.
"I love their music, but at the same time the reason I'm so proud is they can juggle two or three things together. The music doesn't affect their education," she said. "I know it's very hard, but nothing comes easy." - The Diamondback

"" - DMV All Access

Very Talented group I really enjoyed the show back in December! - Tone Def Lounge

Very Talented group I really enjoyed the show back in December! - Tone Def Lounge

Very Talented group I really enjoyed the show back in December! - Tone Def Lounge

Very Talented group I really enjoyed the show back in December! - Tone Def Lounge

Very Talented group I really enjoyed the show back in December! - Tone Def Lounge

The anticipation has been building around Urban Cartel’s new project entitled “Cassette Music”. We previously posted the promo video for it and now they’re releasing their first single which is called “Just Fine” (produced by J. Rob). With a slow, old school hip hop sound, the song is very smooth and gives you that original feel. Something that can be played on almost any occasion, whether it be in your car during your morning commute or on your stereo during after hours of of the day. This song doesn’t disappoint so click [HERE] and definitely give it a listen. The project drops 11-15-11. Don’t sleep. - Upper Thinking

Shout out Seph Ade & the entire UC Crew, keep up the good work! - Upper Thinking

Shout out Seph Ade & the entire UC Crew, keep up the good work! - Upper Thinking

Shout out Seph Ade & the entire UC Crew, keep up the good work! - Upper Thinking

The wait is finally over, DMV-based Music Band Urban Cartel, released their second album today titled Cassette Music. I’ve been blasting the record since Midnight and I’m very impressed. I personally feel like music the quality of music has been depreciating lately not many Artist in our generation are capable of making timeless music, and although Urban Cartel’s second album is barely 15 hours old, they are definitely on the right track. The sound is extremely unique and a breathe of fresh air, from the music that plagues the airways nowadays. I gotta chance to catch up with the bands Lead Singer, Funsho aka “Seph Ade” (who is also a good friend of ours) and he was able to shed some light on what Cassette Music is. Checkout the Q & A:

Q: What was the inspiration behind the Album Title?

A: The name came after the creation of the music, we all sat back and took listen from beginning to end, the sound of the music is reminiscent of music back in the day, people used to really appreciate the instrumentation and raw feel of the music, so we decided it was a fitting name.

Q: Besides the DMV which areas do you believe show you guys the most love?

A: I would have to say New York and Philly, alot of people have reached out to us, about doing shows.

Q: What is your favorite song on the Album?

A: Personally I would have to say “In Too Deep” because it tells a story, if you listen to the track you will see, that starts off speaking about one thing and then begins to transition like an epic play that ends so powerfully.

Q: If you could collaborate with any Artist in the DMV who would it be?

A: I would have to say Wale, besides him being the hottest Artist in the area, his music encompasses a lot of components we incorporate in our music. There is a lot of depth and content, of course you’re gonna have your club bangers, but talking about something real is very important.

You can find the Album on their BandCamp Page & on itunes…You can also checkout their website for more info & updates http://theurbancartel.com

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- Upper Thinking

With midterm exams, papers and group projects beginning to pile up, you might be thinking of songs to add to your ultimate study playlists and for some students adding songs by Urban Cartel is a must.

The local DMV band Urban Cartel, also known as UC, is making it’s way through the DMV and now even to Austin, Texas.

After mock battle of the band competitions, go-go mixing in dorm rooms, and talent shows the group came together summer 2009 and decided to call themselves Urban Cartel. The band is comprised of lead vocalist and base player Seph Ade, keyboardist Aj Ajiboye, drummer Bryan Sackey, Emcee Teddy Atkins, and guitarist Andy Bixby.

“The name Urban Cartel really comes from our style being kind of a mix of the urban lifestyle and everything in our background,” Ade said. “Sackey always says like the echoes of the streets.”

The band has come a long way from passing each other in the halls of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md. and jamming in college dorm rooms.

“It’s kind of just one of those stories where the pieces just fell together,” Ajiboye said.

If you attended Art Attack last semester you may have remembered that UC opened up for Nelly and they were a huge success and have been riding on that momentum ever since.

“The craziest thing was thinking about how everyone on North Campus could hear my voice,” said Ade.

After Art Attack UC started venturing out into D.C. and began doing shows in New Jersey and Philadelphia. The group has even landed a spot performing at the South By Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas this month and is hoping the event will allow them to expand their fan base.

UC’s music can be described as a fusion of R&B, hip-hop, and alternative rock with an indie feel.

“Music shouldn’t just stop at one genre it should transcend, you gotta pull from all influences,” Bixby said.

“It is really fresh; no two songs sound alike and they do a really good job of capitalizing on the talents of everyone in the band,” junior government and politics major Ida Daniels said. “I really love how they blend a variety of genres.”

Despite the fact that three of the members have already graduated and Ade is the only remaining UMD student, the five guys say that are in it for the long run. So for those of you who were wondering, yes, you can expect a lot more music from Urban Cartel.

“Let your passion be your drive,” Sackey said. “We use to lug our instruments to random places to practice. We didn’t know why we were doing it. You just gotta keep doing it if you really enjoy what you are doing.”

You can purchase Urban Cartel’s CD on iTunes and Amazon or download their songs and find out more information at www.urbancartel.bandcamp.com and www.facebook.com/TheUrbanCartel.

And if that isn’t enough Urban Cartel will be performing live at DC9 in Washington D.C. on March 5, 2012 for a South By Southwest Preview. The show starts at 9 p.m. - HerCampus.com