GRIEVES SIGNS TO RHYMESAYERS ENTERTAINMENT, REISSUES 2008 ALBUM 88 KEYS AND COUNTING

NYC-BASED RAPPER AND PRODUCER DROPS CD REISSUE MARCH 2nd, NEW STUDIO ALBUM DUE FALL 2010

US TOUR DATES SUPPORTING P.O.S. BEGIN 2/4 IN COLORADO SPRINGS, SXSW APPEARANCES TBA

The New York City-based rapper, producer, and multi-faceted performer Grieves has announced the reissue of his breakout sophomore album, 2008′s 88 Keys and Counting, coming March 2nd on Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Since his birth in Chicago, IL, Benjamin Laub (bka Grieves) enjoyed a diverse musical upbringing, exposed at an early age to the city’s local jazz and blues clubs by his father. After relocating to Fort Collins, CO and eventually Seattle at age 19, Grieves had broadened his array of musical influences to include punk rock and eventually became completely immersed in Hip Hop as an art form.

Following his debut album Irreversible in 2007, Grieves began collaborating with local Seattle-based producer Budo, a talented multi-instrumentalist that helped complete the organic-yet-intense sound of 15 melodic, sample-free tracks that became 88 Keys Counting. Following rave reviews of the album’s mainly digital release, Grieves and Budo hit the road once again to set up shop in New York City, where they are currently at work on the follow-up to 88 Keys, due for a Fall release this year on Rhymesayers. Untethered to common restraints of the hip-hop genre, the combination of Grieves’ singing and rapping with the refreshing horn, guitar, and keyboard driven production by Budo presents Grieves strongest work to date.

* supporting P.O.S
** supporting Brother Ali
*** festival date

*2/04/10 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO BLACK SHEEP
*2/05/10 DENVER, CO THE MARQUIS THEATRE
*2/06/10 SALT LAKE CITY, UT KILBY COURT
*2/07/10 SALT LAKE CITY, UT URBAN LOUNGE
*2/08/10 BOISE, ID NEUROLUX
*2/09/10 MISSOULA, MT BADLANDER
*2/11/20 VANCOUVER, BC THE BILTMORE CABARET
*2/12/10 SEATTLE, WA NECTAR LOUNGE
*2/13/10 PORTLAND, OR BERBATI’S PAN
*2/14/10 EUGENE, OR WOW HALL
*2/16/10 RENO, NV TONIC LOUNGE
*2/18/10 SAN FRANCISCO, CA BOTTOM OF THE HILL
*2/19/10 LOS ANGELES, CA TROUBADOUR
*2/20/10 SAN DIEGO, CA THE LOFT
*2/21/10 POMONA, CA GLASS HOUSE
*2/22/10 SCOTTSDALE, AZ CHASERS NIGHTCLUB
*2/23/10 TUCSON, AZ CLUB CONGRESS
*2/24/10 ALBUQUERQUE, NM THE LAUNCHPAD

**3/02/10 COPENHAGEN, DENMARK RUST
**3/03/10 LUND, SWEDEN MEJERIET
**3/04/10 GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN PUSTERVIKSBAREN
**3/05/10 OSLO, NORWAY LIVING ROOM
**3/06/10 STAVANGER, NORWAY NYTORGET

***5/02/10 NEW RUTHERFORD, NJ BAMBOOZLE EAST

For more info:

http://www.myspace.com/grieves

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grieves/44855729139

http://www.twitter.com/grievesmusic

http://www.rhymesayers.com/

RHYMESAYERS ENTERTAINMENT TO HOST CHARITY BENEFIT FOR HAITI, TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9TH

HOSTED BY SLUG OF ATMOSPHERE AND FEATURING PERFORMANCES FROM BROTHER ALI, FREEWAY JAKE ONE, SAGE FRANCIS AND MORE AT MINNEAPOLIS’ FIRST AVENUE

ALL PROCEEDS TO BE DONATED TO THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS OF HAITI

“This is one if the greatest tragedies of our lifetime. It’s time for all of us to help the people and families who are suffering.” -Brother Ali

Rhymesayers Entertainment friends are proudly coming together this February 9th, in a time of dire global crisis, to organize a benefit for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. With an all-star lineup assembled for an epic night of music for a good cause, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to charity! Featuring performances from Brother Ali, Freeway Jake One, Sage Francis B. Dolan, I Self Devine, Sims, Muja Messiah, Toki Wright, BK One, DJ King Otto and Kevin Beacham, the night will be hosted by Minneapolis’ own, Slug of Atmosphere. All of these incredible artists are donating their time and coming together for what will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable nights in 2010. For the bargain price of $20, Rhymesayers will be giving their fans an easy and rewarding way to donate, with all proceeds going to Oxfam America, Doctors Without Borders and Yele Haiti, a foundation started by Grammy-Award winning musician and social entrepreneur Wyclef Jean.

Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, January 27th at 11:00am through Ticketmaster, Fifth Element, First Avenue and local ticket outlets.

Rhymesayers Presents: A Benefit For Haiti
Tuesday, February 9th 2010
First Ave (701 North First Ave, Minneapolis, MN)
7:00 pm / 18+
Hosted by Slug of Atmosphere.
Performances by Brother Ali, Freeway, Sage Francis, Jake One, I Self Devine, Sims, Toki Wright, BK One, B. Dolan, Muja Messiah, Kevin Beacham, and DJ King Otto
$20

“It’s embarrassing to admit how unaware I’ve been of the living conditions in Haiti. And that’s before the earthquake hit. I’m honored to be involved with this fundraiser and I’m thankful for the conditions that allow me to be on the giving end of this charity. I trust that our fans feel the same way.” -Sage Francis

“The great people of Haiti live in the poorest nation in our hemisphere and have been impacted by the largest disaster in our hemisphere this century. This isn’t about charity, this is about
respect for humanity.” – Toki Wright

“At this moment Haiti needs the world’s assistance. It’s a privilege to be a part of something so special. Not only should we assist with donations for aid, food, and water, but let’s come together 6 months, a year from now and help with the rebuilding process.” – Muja Messiah

www.rhymesayers.com
www.fifthelementonline.com
www.oxfamamerica.org
doctorswithoutborders.org
yele.org

EYEDEA & ABILITIES RELEASE FIRST ALBUM IN FIVE YEARS

RHYMESAYERS ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE BY THE THROAT ON JULY 21

A duo thoroughly steeped in hip-hop accolades, the Minnesota-based duo Eyedea and Abilities have returned with their brand new album By The Throat, out July 21st on Rhymesayers Entertainment.  Their first album since the breakout 2004 release E&A, By The Throat’s songs range from intensely personal topics to the more esoteric (quantum mechanics).  The end result is leaps and bounds beyond what MC Eyedea is perhaps best known for, his prowess as a battle rapper (winner of HBO’s Blaze Battle, Scribble Jam and several others).  DJ Abilities, also a well-known battle vet and contributor to El-P’s now-classic Fantastic Damage, adds heavily to the sonic soundscape of this album, which advances beyond boom-bap hip-hop into rock-fueled guitar riffs, gritty production and melodic songwriting.

Eyedea and Abilities were instrumental in the wave of independent hip-hop that includes Atmosphere, El-P, Aesop Rock, Living Legends and several other seminal acts.  By The Throat is their most progressive and refined effort to date.

E & A will be performing at Rhymesayers’ Soundset ’09 on May 24th and will be headlining a tour in the fall of 2009.  They have also been confirmed for the following Rock the Bells dates this summer.

06.27 – Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Amphitheater
06.28 – Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
07.05 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Amphitheater
07.12 – Washington DC @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
07.18 – Boston, MA @ Comcast Center |
07.19 – New York, NY @ Jones Beach Amphitheater
08.01 – Vancouver, BC @ Deer Lake Park
08.06 – Denver, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheater
08.08 – Los Angeles, CA @ San Manuel Amphitheater
08.09 – San Francisco, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheater

EYEDEA & ABILITIES ON MYSPACE:

http://www.myspace.com/eyedeaandabilities

RHYMESAYERS:

http://www.rhymesayers.com/

ABSTRACT RUDE TEAMS UP WITH RHYMESAYERS ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE SOLO DEBUT

REJUVENATION IN STORES MAY 5th, DATE AT SXSW, FIRST TRACK LEAK

Los Angeles’ Abstract Rude is set to release his Rhymesayers solo debut, Rejuvenation on May 5th, 2009. Some may have seen Abstract Rude supporting label mate Atmosphere on their most recent US tours but for newcomers, Abstract Rude’s history is a long and fabled one in the LA hip-hop world. With connections dating back to the Grand Royal mixtapes, Abstract Rude was a scene mainstay at the Good Life Cafe in LA, an early stomping ground for such luminaries as Jurassic Five and Freestyle Fellowship in the early 90s. He was spotlighted in the award winning documentary, This is The Life, which chronicled the scene at Good Life. He’s also a member of the Abstract Tribe Unique, a collaboration with interpretive dance performance duo Tribe Unique.

Rejuvenation is a focused product of years of hard work. Produced entirely by Vitamin D (G-Unit, Redman, Black Sheep, etc..), the 14 tracks on the record showcase Abstract’s singular style and flow, as well as his lyrical prowess. It’s a soulful, adventurous ride, with appearances from Aceyalone and Myka 9, as well as up and comers Sahtyre, Busdriver and Alpha MC. It’s a diverse statement and one worth hearing.

Abstract Rude will also be touring in may to support the release with Aceyalone, Myka 9, and Dj Drez. Dates to come.

He’ll also be appearing at Rhymesayer’s SXSW showcase this year:

10:00 – 10:30- Abstract Rude

HABANA BAR PATIO / BACKYARD
708 EAST 6TH STREET
AUSTIN, TX 78701

ABSTRACT RUDE ON MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/abstractrude