Double Helix's "SoundProof" LP is the first full length CD from Florida record label, Peripheral Records.
This joint is gonna have kids flippin' out even more than the "SoundProof" 12"! Double Helix drops knowledge and soul in a mixture that's at once a throwback to an earlier era and a breath of fresh air for the current hip hop climate. Taking their cues from groups like BDP, Tribe, Dilated and Gangstarr, Double Helix combines a flair for insightful engaging wordplay and raw beats and turntable cuts. The "SoundProof" LP mixes traditional boom bap styles with a dance hall flair and consciousness raising lyrical gymnastics in order to create a neo-classic hip hop album. Their live performances are quickly becoming the most talked about elements of hip hop events in Florida.
One DJ and two emcees.
The fundamental elements in which Hip Hop music was born. Two emcees and one Dj.
With this simple foundation Double Helix builds an elegant creation.
Why We Do What We Do
The goal is to propagate a positive vibe that transcends spiritual beliefs, to profess an unwavering love for the Hip Hop culture, and to rock a party to the early morn! In an industry where ignorance reigns and excess is commonplace routine, Double Helix hopes to heighten intelligence while remaining humble and refined. So whether you hear one of our record's, or attend a live performance, welcome to the movement and we're glad you came. Maybe together we can all spread love and POSITIVE VIBRATIONS.......
A Solid Foundation
One emcee...
Double Helix was founded in February of 2001 by Surreal and producer/photographer, Ever. They immediately began work on their debut album "Break the Mold".
Two emcees...
In June of that same year, a few months before recording began, Synapse9 a Rastafarian wordsmith from New Jersey, witnessed Surreal win his fourth emcee battle in 12 months @ the fourth annual Got Skillz competition. Both emcee's entered the battle, but never met in head to head combat. They quickly recognized a common bond and exchanged numbers, "The rest is history".
One DJ...
Dj Balance, a local turntablist, was recruited to lay some cut's for the record. Surreal, realizing that a quality turntablist and technically sound Dj had been right in front of him all along, invited Balance to join Double Helix in September of 2001.
One DJ and two emcees...
Very rarely will you hear a group of artist's who are so evenly matched in their trades. In most cases one star either carries or out shine's the others. That's not the case in the Double Helix cypher. Surreal and Synapse have a combined eighteen years of experience flippin' words and rippin' mics, add Balance's seven plus years on the one's and two's, and you've got a potent sound. Don't believe it? Check the sounds section. Surreal, initially cast as a "battle emcee" has extended his abilities to production. At the same time, his writing skill's now incorporate story telling and a myriad of concept driven works. Synapse (or as he is affectionately called by his family and friend's Bongo Dread) has been bubbling reggea chant's and riddims for over five years. His mixture of Ital Rasta culture and mind-bending wordplay makes for a prototypical vibe. Dj Balance does exactly that, balance, he mixes, he rocks a party, and has continued to expand his technique in the art of turntablism. Balance is the fabric in which the synergy of Double Helix is woven, his pre-production studio is the brain of the operation. Most of the idea's you hear were born inside the wall's of his flat.
What's Next?
In the Winter of 2002 Double Helix signed with Lazy, head of Peripheral Records and the DJ for Red Tide, to release their debut 12", "SoundProof b/w Homegrown". The Double Helix LP, "SoundProof", will also be released on Peripheral Records in the Fall of 2003. In the Meantime, look for Double Helix onstage wherever there are two turntables and a mic.
Surreal: since the age of sixteen surreal has been crafting his skills to become the greatest emcee you never heard of. Winning four emcee battles in a 12 month span to reign as one of tampa's elite spit kickers. While his battle skills are unquestionable, Surreal has also developed as a storyteller and beatmaker. The new Double Helix LP "SoundPr%f" highlights this progression from battler to songwriter. Florida heads have now started to check for his performances instead of the headliners!
Synapse: He came up in the early 90's streets of New Jersey. At the time "The Bricks" was bubbling with talented artists like Red Man, Naughty by Nature & The Artifacts. With so many emcees to look to, all of whom kept it in the hood, Synapse got offered criticism and advice. This helped his skills to rapidly evolve. Synapse also maintains a devout loyalty to Haile Sellassie I and the tenets of the Rastafarian way of life. These two influences help him to create a potent mixture of spirituality and street level savvy that resonates with hip hop lovers at home in the streets or all over the world.
DJ Balance: The foundation for any true hip hop group has gotta be the DJ. This being the case, Double Helix is built on a rock solid foundation. Balance mixes his proclivity for turntablist ability with an ear for vocally scratched hooks that brings to mind other greats like Primo, DJ Hi-Tek, Shadow, Pete Rock and DJ Babu from Dilated Peoples. This cat can rock a party without emcees! But once he came together with Surreal & Synapse he knew the synergy was undeniable.
Surreal, Synapse and DJ Balance, watch out for these cats...
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