Yes, another music recommendation post! This is for everyone who’s tired of hip hop and rap being labeled as this and that. This is for everyone who says that hip hop and rap is not MUSIC. With a CD name like Archetype, you should be expecting something new– something different.
Archetype (plug!) is Tonedeff’s (plug!) debut album and is being released on his own independent record label, QN5 Music (plug!).
Archetype has been trying to make it’s way onto store shelves near you for years. Multiple investors and distribution deals have fallen through, constantly pushing the release date back. To be completely optimistic: It’s this frustration that gave birth to the album’s single, Politics (download), which is about the politics involved in the music industry/business.
Oh mercy, mercy me.
At this point in my career, I should already be on my third CD
But every turn of the way has been met with adversity
- Tonedeff (from “Politics”)
What is Archetype?
When I say that this is Tonedeff’s album, that’s exactly what I mean. It is not Tonedeff + fifty of his friends. In fact, only two tracks on the album feature guest appearances.
It is a very musical album. That line right there might initially turn some people off of Archetype (in Tonedeff’s words, “[People] want to keep hip-hop in a teeny box … It’s a very mature album for mature tastes”), but that’s one of the reasons why I love the album. Lots of melodies, vocal harmonizing, etc. It’s a beautiful thing.
Archetype is an album. Made to be played through from first to last track. Sadly, that’s a rare thing to see in music now.
Why should I buy Archetype?
Other than for the fact that you’re going to like this album?
To make a difference for the future. Distribution companies look at soundscan sales figures when working out distribution deals with artists/record labels.
To make a difference in what hip hop and rap is (and can be) about. Please, I can’t take anymore off-beat, can’t-flow-worth-a-damn, look-at-the-cars-I-drive rappers that couldn’t have a popular song without someone elses production and a million dollars in their advertising budget.
Cause, what the fuck!? Do I need to get shot to get props?
Do you need talent? I guess not…
but with drug money and a guest spot
You can spend lots on a track from the producer of the month
And that’ll induce you with the buzz,
that’ll get you news scoops and the pub
- Tonedeff (from “Politics”)
Help prove that the independent artist and record label can compete with the rest, especially when they have more than enough talent to do it.
Also, there’s a DVD of extras that comes with the CD. It includes production commentary, live show performances, interviews, etc.
And a very small bonus: You just might learn what the hell shhiwonttellnobody.com means (at the time of this post, it just redirects back to Online Fame, so I’m not linking it).
Where can I buy it?
Archetype will be released on April 5th, 2005 (Queue in 5 days, right?). Check out The Official Tonedeff Website and check out the list of stores (both online and offline). If a store near you isn’t carrying it, just ask them to order it and they will.
Or if you only have one more mouse click left in you: you can buy it from Amazon.
To conclude my previous post, iDrop, I bought a new iPod and took some pictures (one and two).
I’m getting used to the color screen of the new iPod — It’s hard to read the screen unless the backlight is on — and now I’m saving up money for some more music to feed my hungry MP3 player. It’s not even half full and I think I hear growling at night.