BY STEVEN SAWADA
‘I knew it was a good song. But I had no idea it was going
to blow up as much as it did, I always knew my music
had the ability to reach all those people.’
— Tom Shimura, aka Lyrics Born
Lyrics Born Calling Out
Underground rapper scores big, returns to Eugene.
T
VE
Sad Panda
©2005 PABST BREWING COMPANY
remixer line-up reads like the roster for an
he fact that Coke and Motorola both
indie hip hop all-star team. DJ Spinna, DJ
licensed “Calling Out,” the hit sin-
Shadow, Chief Xcel of Blackalicious, E-40,
gle from Lyrics Born’s debut solo
Jumbo of the Lifesavas, Evidence of Dilated
album Later that Day, for huge ad campaigns
Peoples, Dan the Automator, KRS-One and
should come as a no-brainer to anyone who
Joyo Velarde all lend a helping hand.
has followed the career of Tom Shimura, aka
On the remix of “Pack Up,” Evidence,
Lyrics Born. Hearing that hook played a hun-
Jumbo and KRS-One split open
dred times on TV got a little tir-
Lyrics Born’s already mind-
ing, but the funky blasé attitude
Lyrics Born,
blowing original. Jumbo adds a
behind the song was infectious
Money Shot,
muddy, elephantine bounce to
and truly harkened back to the
Genus Pro,
the bass line, and both Evidence
days of real party hip hop. It was
Default
and KRS-One slice up fiery, on-
hard to hate the underground,
9 pm, Tues, 10/25
point lyrics. It’s like a jazz track,
Japan-born, Nor Cal-raised rap-
WOW Hall,
where all the individual players
per for making a buck off of a
$10 adv / $12 dos
have a chance to shine while
song when the song itself was
adding a fresh dimension to the
so dang hot.
entire composition.
“I knew it was a good song. But I had no
Shimura explained that working with new
idea it was going to blow up as much as it
producers and musicians has opened up pos-
did,” Shimura said over the phone from
sibilities for future projects. “It reminded me
Atlanta. “I always knew my music had the
of how much I missed working with other
ability to reach all those people.”
people,” he said. Although a new album of all
Months into the release of his follow up,
original songs is in the works, Lyrics Born is
remix album Same !@#$ Different Day,
currently wrapping up the production work
Lyrics Born has hit the road again, this time
for Joyo Velarde’s debut album, which
with a full band backing his speedy rhymes
should be completed by the year’s end. He
and baritone melodies. He explained that in-
said he is also producing Pigeon John’s new
corporating the funk band into his live per-
album, both of which will be released on
formances has allowed for a lot of experi-
Quannum.
mentation and improvisation while on tour,
Money Shot, the steady locomotive pick-
expanding on but still embracing the tradi-
ing up steam all around town, will also per-
tional tools of hip hop: the turntable and the
form, along with Genus Pro (who should
microphone.
have a new album debut any day now) and
The new album features original material
Default, the group with the hottest hip hop
as well as revamped and remixed tracks from
night in town.
Later that Day. The guest musician and
ew
“Sad Panda's music bridges the gap between
The Cure-like and Depeche Mode-like sounds
of their era and adds the genius of our more
modern craftsman such as NIN and Beck.
Mesh it all together and you’ll have a club
hopping and a cult following this brilliant
writer wherever he goes.”
— Anthony Lombard, www.Melodymatrix.com
See them live tonight. Check EW’s Nightlife
page for more details.
OCTOBER 20, 2005 49