Antipop Consortium
Encyclopedia
Antipop Consortium are an American
alternative hip hop
group. The group formed in 1997, when Beans
, High Priest, M. Sayyid and producer Earl Blaize met at a poetry slam in New York City
. They are notable for their stream-of-consciousness lyrics and musical references to contemporary composition methods.
They released several tape singles and two albums primarily on Dan the Automator
's experimental hip-hop label 75 Ark
before being signed by Warp Records
in 2000.
Their releases were met with mixed reviews from the mainstream music and underground hip-hop press alike, although they are noted for their inventiveness and the experimental electronic productions contributed by all members. They were frequently compared to other rappers with unorthodox lyrics, such as Kool Keith
, MF Doom
and Aesop Rock
. In 2001, they opened for Radiohead
during the European leg of their Amnesiac tour and subsequently toured with DJ Shadow
.
The group disbanded due to creative differences in August 2002, with Beans pursuing a solo career while High Priest and M. Sayyid formed Airborn Audio, which released a single album, Good Fortune, on Ninja Tune
in 2005, and toured with The Faint
and Bright Eyes. All three members have pursued solo projects since the group's breakup.
Antipop completed their third album before they broke up, released in February 2003 as Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp.
They reunited in 2007. In an August 2007 interview, the four members stated that they reunited with the intention of touring and releasing a new record.
They played a reunion show at the Knitting Factory of New York City in March 2008 and formed part of the support for Public Enemy on the It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Don't Look Back
British tour in May 2008. They have played at the 2009 ATP
VS the Fans festival in Minehead, UK, followed by the Incubate Festival
in Tilburg
, the Netherlands the following week.
After releasing their reunion album Florescent Black in 2009, the group has been touring steadily. Playing shows in Pontiac, Michigan; Futuresonic
at Urbis
in Manchester
, UK (May 14, 2009), as well as appearing at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas in 2010. After playing at SXSW they played at the Incubate (festival)
in Tilburg
, The Netherlands in September 2009.
EPs, Singles & Promos
As Airborn Audio:
Beans solo releases:
M. Sayyid solo releases:
High Priest solo releases:
They have also collaborated with Alec Empire
, Gotan Project
, DJ Spooky
, Bill Laswell
, DJ Krush
, kid606, DJ Logic
, MF Doom
, vyle, TV on the Radio
and The Infesticons, among others.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
group. The group formed in 1997, when Beans
Beans (rapper)
Beans hails from White Plains; a suburb of New York City. He is one of the founding members of New York's legendary Antipop Consortium, who disbanded in 2002 but have since reformed: new material was released in the form of the group's 2009 album Fluorescent Black on Big Dada Records.With his...
, High Priest, M. Sayyid and producer Earl Blaize met at a poetry slam in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. They are notable for their stream-of-consciousness lyrics and musical references to contemporary composition methods.
They released several tape singles and two albums primarily on Dan the Automator
Dan the Automator
Daniel M. Nakamura , better known by the stage name Dan the Automator, is a Japanese-American hip hop producer. He founded the record label 75 Ark, which was distributed by Tommy Boy Records during its short existence....
's experimental hip-hop label 75 Ark
75 Ark
75 Ark was a hip hop record label based in San Francisco, California. It was run by Dan the Automator from 1994 to 2001, when it ceased trading. Its back catalog was sold to Rapp Records.-Artists:*Encore*Dr. Octagon*Antipop Consortium*The Nextmen...
before being signed by Warp Records
Warp Records
Warp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
in 2000.
Their releases were met with mixed reviews from the mainstream music and underground hip-hop press alike, although they are noted for their inventiveness and the experimental electronic productions contributed by all members. They were frequently compared to other rappers with unorthodox lyrics, such as Kool Keith
Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton, better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York. A founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is the self-proclaimed inventor of...
, MF Doom
MF Doom
Daniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
and Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock
Ian Matthias Bavitz , better known by his stage name Aesop Rock, is an American hip hop artist and producer. He was at the forefront of the new wave of underground and alternative hip hop acts that emerged during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was signed to El-P's Definitive Jux label until it...
. In 2001, they opened for Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
during the European leg of their Amnesiac tour and subsequently toured with DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
.
The group disbanded due to creative differences in August 2002, with Beans pursuing a solo career while High Priest and M. Sayyid formed Airborn Audio, which released a single album, Good Fortune, on Ninja Tune
Ninja Tune
Ninja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
in 2005, and toured with The Faint
The Faint
The Faint is an American indie rock band. Formed in Omaha, Nebraska, the band consists of Todd Fink, Jacob Thiele, Dapose, Joel Petersen and Clark Baechle. The Faint was originally known as Norman Bailer and included Conor Oberst...
and Bright Eyes. All three members have pursued solo projects since the group's breakup.
Antipop completed their third album before they broke up, released in February 2003 as Antipop Consortium vs. Matthew Shipp.
They reunited in 2007. In an August 2007 interview, the four members stated that they reunited with the intention of touring and releasing a new record.
They played a reunion show at the Knitting Factory of New York City in March 2008 and formed part of the support for Public Enemy on the It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back is the second studio album by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released April 14, 1988, on Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions for the album took place at Chung King Studios, Greene Street Recording, and Sabella Studios in New York City...
Don't Look Back
Don't Look Back (concert series)
Don't Look Back is a yearly series of concerts in which London based promoters All Tomorrow's Parties ask artists and bands to play one of their seminal albums live in its entirety...
British tour in May 2008. They have played at the 2009 ATP
All Tomorrow's Parties (music festival)
All Tomorrow's Parties is a music festival which takes place at Camber Sands holiday camp in East Sussex and Butlin's holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset, England....
VS the Fans festival in Minehead, UK, followed by the Incubate Festival
Incubate (festival)
Incubate is a multidisciplinary arts festival in Tilburg, the Netherlands. On June 16, the festival changed it name into Incubate after a request by the Austin, US based festival SXSW to change its name. Between 2005 and 2008 the festival was called ZXZW....
in Tilburg
Tilburg
Tilburg is a landlocked municipality and a city in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant.Tilburg municipality also includes the villages of Berkel-Enschot and Udenhout....
, the Netherlands the following week.
After releasing their reunion album Florescent Black in 2009, the group has been touring steadily. Playing shows in Pontiac, Michigan; Futuresonic
Futuresonic
Futuresonic is an annual festival of art, music and ideas. It involves a freeform mix of live events, exhibitions, workshops and talks in up to 30 different venues and spaces across Manchester, UK. Futuresonic was established in 1995 with the first major festival in September 1996...
at Urbis
Urbis
Urbis is an exhibition centre located in Manchester, England. From 2002 to 2010, the centre hosted changing exhibits on popular culture topics including urban living, art, music, fashion, photography and videogames alongside talks, gigs and special events....
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, UK (May 14, 2009), as well as appearing at the South By Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas in 2010. After playing at SXSW they played at the Incubate (festival)
Incubate (festival)
Incubate is a multidisciplinary arts festival in Tilburg, the Netherlands. On June 16, the festival changed it name into Incubate after a request by the Austin, US based festival SXSW to change its name. Between 2005 and 2008 the festival was called ZXZW....
in Tilburg
Tilburg
Tilburg is a landlocked municipality and a city in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant.Tilburg municipality also includes the villages of Berkel-Enschot and Udenhout....
, The Netherlands in September 2009.
Discography
Albums- Tragic Epilogue (2000, 75 Ark75 Ark75 Ark was a hip hop record label based in San Francisco, California. It was run by Dan the Automator from 1994 to 2001, when it ceased trading. Its back catalog was sold to Rapp Records.-Artists:*Encore*Dr. Octagon*Antipop Consortium*The Nextmen...
) - Shopping Carts Crashing (2000, Antipop Recordings)
- Arrhythmia (2002, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Antipop vs. Matthew Shipp collaboration with Matthew ShippMatthew ShippMatthew Shipp is an American pianist, composer and bandleader.Shipp was raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and began playing piano at six years old. His mother was a friend of trumpeter Clifford Brown....
(2003, Thirsty Ear Recordings) - Fluorescent BlackFluorescent Black-Credits:* Earl Blaize – producer, engineer, group member* Ron Croudy – design* Tony Dawsey – mastering* Mark Evans – illustrations* Michael Figaro – hook* David Nelson – introduction* Roots Manuva – guest appearance* Timothy Saccenti – photography...
(2009)
EPs, Singles & Promos
- Disorientation 12" single (1997, Antipop Recordings)
- Band-Aids for Bulletholes 12" single (1997, Antipop Recordings)
- Diagonal Ryme Garganchula 10" single (1997, Black Hoodz)
- Hydrogen Slush 12" single collaboration with DJ VadimDJ VadimDJ Vadim is a prolific DJ and producer, born in Leningrad, USSR , raised in London and currently residing in both New York and Berlin, whose music combines hip hop, soul, reggae and electronica...
and Prime Cuts (1998, Jazz Fudge) - Orators of Advanced Thought early promo version of The Isolationist collaboration (1998, Ozone)
- The Isolationist collaboration with DJ VadimDJ VadimDJ Vadim is a prolific DJ and producer, born in Leningrad, USSR , raised in London and currently residing in both New York and Berlin, whose music combines hip hop, soul, reggae and electronica...
and Prime Cuts (1999, Jazz Fudge) - The Instrumentalist instrumentals from The Isolationist collaboration (1999, Jazz Fudge)
- Lift 12" single (2000, 75 Ark75 Ark75 Ark was a hip hop record label based in San Francisco, California. It was run by Dan the Automator from 1994 to 2001, when it ceased trading. Its back catalog was sold to Rapp Records.-Artists:*Encore*Dr. Octagon*Antipop Consortium*The Nextmen...
) - Diagonal Ryme Garganchula 2.0 12" single released under the name Tri Pinnacle (2000, Ozone)
- What Am I? 12" single (2000, 75 Ark75 Ark75 Ark was a hip hop record label based in San Francisco, California. It was run by Dan the Automator from 1994 to 2001, when it ceased trading. Its back catalog was sold to Rapp Records.-Artists:*Encore*Dr. Octagon*Antipop Consortium*The Nextmen...
) - Fear 12" single with Kaos and Patrick Pulsinger (2000, Studio !K7Studio !K7Studio !K7 is an independent record label based in Berlin, Germany that focuses mostly on electronic music. The name is an abbreviation of the company's original Berlin address, Kaiserdamm 7 . !K7 has since opened branch offices in New York City, Hamburg, London, and Tokyo.It has four independent...
) - The Ends Against the Middle EP (2001, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Ghostlawns 12" promo single including remixes by Mike Ladd and LFO's Rik Waller (2002, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Dead In Motion 12" promo single (2002, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - APC: Unreleased 1996 97 98 promo (2008, no label)
As Airborn Audio:
- The Lucky Day 12" single with Buck 65Buck 65Richard Terfry , who uses the stage name Buck 65, is a Canadian experimental artist, MC and turntablist. Underpinned by an extensive background in abstract hip hop, his more recent music has extensively incorporated blues, country, rock, folk and avant garde influences.Terfry is also a radio host,...
(2004, Ninja TuneNinja TuneNinja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
) - From Antipop Consortium to Airborn Audio mixtape (2004)
- Snapshots from the Forthcoming Mixtape mixtape (2004)
- PhD mixtape (2004)
- Bright Lights/Inside the Globe 12" single (2005, Ninja TuneNinja TuneNinja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
) - Close Encounters mixtape (2005)
- Good Fortune (2005, Ninja TuneNinja TuneNinja Tune is a London-based independent record label started by DJs Matt Black and Jonathan More, better known as Coldcut and managed by Peter Quicke. The label has a strong leaning towards mostly Electronic Music...
)
Beans solo releases:
- Nude Paper/Star Killer 12" single (2000, 75 Ark75 Ark75 Ark was a hip hop record label based in San Francisco, California. It was run by Dan the Automator from 1994 to 2001, when it ceased trading. Its back catalog was sold to Rapp Records.-Artists:*Encore*Dr. Octagon*Antipop Consortium*The Nextmen...
) - Mutescreamer 7" single (2003, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Phreek The Beet 12" promo single (2003, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Tomorrow Right Now (2003, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Down By Law 12" single (2004, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Now Soon Someday (2004, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Shock City Maverick (2004, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
) - Only collaboration with William ParkerWilliam Parker (musician)William Parker is an American free jazz double bassist, poet and composer.-Biography:Parker was not formally trained as a classical player, though he did study with Jimmy Garrison, Richard Davis, and Wilbur Ware and learned the tradition. Parker is one of few jazz bassists who regularly plays arco...
and Hamid DrakeHamid DrakeHamid Drake is an American jazz drummer and percussionist. He lives in Chicago, IL but spends much of his time traveling around the world for concerts and studio dates....
(2006, Thirsty Ear Recordings) - Thorns (2007, WarpWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
)
M. Sayyid solo releases:
- Outside The Box 12" single (2004, Sound-Ink)
- Twilight Zone mixtape (2006)
High Priest solo releases:
- Mind Control/Disorientation 12" single (2000, Antipop Recordings)
- Sonics For The Youth mixtape released under the name Anton Tonebarr (2000, Antipop Recordings)
- Ghost In The Drummachine 12" single (2000, Antipop Recordings)
- Book Of Keys 12" single (2004, Sound-Ink)
- Book Of Ones mixtape (2005, Sound-Ink)
- Prizm 2007 mixtape (2005, Sound-Ink)
- At the Controls mixtape (2007, Prizm Audio)
- Born Identity (2007, Sound-Ink)
- Knives from Heaven collaboration with Matthew ShippMatthew ShippMatthew Shipp is an American pianist, composer and bandleader.Shipp was raised in Wilmington, Delaware, and began playing piano at six years old. His mother was a friend of trumpeter Clifford Brown....
and Beans (2011, Thirsty EarThirsty EarThirsty Ear Recordings is an American independent record label. It was founded in the late 70s as a marketing company and expanded to issue its own records in 1990....
)
They have also collaborated with Alec Empire
Alec Empire
Alec Empire is a German musician who is best known as a founding member of the band Atari Teenage Riot. Also a prolific and distinguished solo artist, producer and DJ, he has released well over a hundred albums, EPs and singles and remixed over seventy tracks for various artists including Björk...
, Gotan Project
Gotan Project
Gotan Project is a musical group based in Paris, consisting of musicians Philippe Cohen Solal , Eduardo Makaroff , and Christoph H. Müller .-History:...
, DJ Spooky
DJ Spooky
Paul D. Miller , known by his stage name DJ Spooky, That Subliminal Kid, is a Washington DC-born electronic and experimental hip hop musician whose work is often called by critics or his fans as "illbient" or "trip hop". He is a turntablist, a producer, a philosopher, and an author...
, Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell
Bill Laswell is an American bassist, producer and record label owner....
, DJ Krush
DJ Krush
, better known as DJ Krush, is a producer and DJ. He is known for his atmospheric instrumental production which incorporates sound elements from nature and extensive use of jazz and soul samples.-Biography:...
, kid606, DJ Logic
DJ Logic
DJ Logic is an American turntablist active primarily in jazz and with jam bands.Kibler was born and raised in The Bronx. An early interest in hip hop led to his using the turntables, practicing often. Kibler was also interested in funk and jazz music, and began collaborating with various musicians...
, MF Doom
MF Doom
Daniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
, vyle, TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio
TV on the Radio is an American art rock band formed in 2001 in Brooklyn, New York, whose music spans numerous diverse genres, from post-punk to electro and free jazz to soul music....
and The Infesticons, among others.
External links
- Full length concert video of Antipop Consortium in Paris
- Antipop Consortium Bio
- Antipop Consortium at the Warp RecordsWarp RecordsWarp, commonly referred to as Warp Records, is a pioneering independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 1989, notable for discovering some of the more enduring artists in electronic music....
website - Official MySpace
- Antipop Consortium on Discogs
- Antipop Consortium interview at Allaboutjazz.com
- Antipop Consortium's "Volcano" video on VimeoVimeoVimeo is a video-sharing website on which users can upload, share, and view videos. It was founded by Zach Klein and Jake Lodwick in November 2004...