Giant Panda (group)
Encyclopedia
Giant Panda are an underground hip hop
group from Los Angeles
, California
.
Giant Panda - still a symbol of remembering traditions without forgetting progression - is composed of childhood friends Newman and Maanumental (hailing from Seattle) and Chikaramanga (a Tokyo native), with their foundation based out of Los Angeles, CA.
The trio's name is simply an analogy to their ethnic and cultural make-up. The first single released was "88 Remix" independently in December 2002, with airplay across the globe. The follow-up to that was the acclaimed 12-inch single "With It" in September 2004 on Tres Records. "With It" received raves from print critics such as Chairman Mao from XXL 2005 saw the release of Giant Panda's first full length, "Fly School Reunion" (Tres Records). "FSR" received great reviews in URB (4 1/2 stars), XXL, XLR8R, HHC, NME, and a plethora of other international magazines. It was also a hit with college radio (3 on CMJ hip-hop charts).
Giant Panda made URB's list of Next 100 in 2005. This buzz allowed the group to tour the West Coast with fellow Angelino hip-hoppers People Under The Stairs and Time Machine. In 2006 GP hit the road with Ugly Duckling for a European tour, and then once again that year reached the EU shores with People Under The Stairs. May 20, 2008 saw the release of Giant Panda's sophomore effort, "Electric Laser". Overall "Electric Laser" was a forward step for Giant Panda, but not so forward to lose fans who appreciated their sound on previous works.
The group cites De La Soul
, Jungle Brothers
, EPMD
and A Tribe Called Quest
as key influences
Underground hip hop
Underground hip hop is an umbrella term for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon. It is typically associated with independent artists, signed toindependent labels or no label at all....
group from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Giant Panda - still a symbol of remembering traditions without forgetting progression - is composed of childhood friends Newman and Maanumental (hailing from Seattle) and Chikaramanga (a Tokyo native), with their foundation based out of Los Angeles, CA.
The trio's name is simply an analogy to their ethnic and cultural make-up. The first single released was "88 Remix" independently in December 2002, with airplay across the globe. The follow-up to that was the acclaimed 12-inch single "With It" in September 2004 on Tres Records. "With It" received raves from print critics such as Chairman Mao from XXL 2005 saw the release of Giant Panda's first full length, "Fly School Reunion" (Tres Records). "FSR" received great reviews in URB (4 1/2 stars), XXL, XLR8R, HHC, NME, and a plethora of other international magazines. It was also a hit with college radio (3 on CMJ hip-hop charts).
Giant Panda made URB's list of Next 100 in 2005. This buzz allowed the group to tour the West Coast with fellow Angelino hip-hoppers People Under The Stairs and Time Machine. In 2006 GP hit the road with Ugly Duckling for a European tour, and then once again that year reached the EU shores with People Under The Stairs. May 20, 2008 saw the release of Giant Panda's sophomore effort, "Electric Laser". Overall "Electric Laser" was a forward step for Giant Panda, but not so forward to lose fans who appreciated their sound on previous works.
The group cites De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, Jungle Brothers
Jungle Brothers
The Jungle Brothers are an American hip hop group that pioneered the fusion of jazz and hip-hop and also became the first hip-hop group to use a house-music producer. The group began performing in the mid-1980s and released its first album, Straight Out the Jungle, in July 1988...
, EPMD
EPMD
EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is a concatenation of the members' name "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith...
and A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
as key influences
12" Singles
- '88 Remix'88 Remix"88 Remix" is the first 12" single by Giant Panda. It was released by Ukenjam Records . The single contains three song with their instrumental tracks.-Track listing:Side A# '88 Remix# '88 Remix # For ExampleSide B# Say What?...
(2002) - With ItWith It"With It" is the second 12" single by Giant Panda. It was the first release under their new label Tres Records . The single contains three songs with their instrumental tracks as well.-Track listing:Side A#With It#With It...
(2005) - Super Fly (2005)
- T.K.O. (2005)
- Speakers PopElectric LaserElectric Laser is a studio album by Los Angeles hip hop group Giant Panda. It was released on May 6, 2008 under Tres Records.-Track listing:01. Laser Beam 02. Justin Case03. Ready To Fly04. Speakers Pop05. AIM06. Laser Ray...
(2008)
External links
- Myspace Page - Currently their "official" site.
- Tres Records Artist Page
- Tres Records Official Site
- PUTS Online - The "official" unofficial fan site of People Under The Stairs. Also has up to date information on Giant Panda.