The Real Live Show:Formed in New York City in 2001, The Real Live Show is comprised of the industry’s most accomplished and talented artists, each with a distinct musical styling. As a collective unit of 2 lyricists/emcees and a 7-piece jazz/funk ensemble, they have created an inspiring new urban sound called funk-hop. Think of them as The Roots infused with elements of Parliament/Funkadelic, De La Soul and Outkast.
When they perform, their onstage synergy and charisma results in a mind blowing jazz hip-hop musical experience that can only be called The Real Live Show. They have performed with influential acts such as Talib Kweli, Norah Jones, De La Soul, Dead Prez, Rakim, and Roy Hargrove and have an established fan base ranging from New York to Paris and everywhere in between. They have an independently distributed album, a video that premiered on MTV-U, and a nationally televised commercial for Pontiac that featured their song “Energy”. Born and bred in the outer boroughs of New York City, Stimulus and Malik Work (a.k.a. Dionysos), have an extraordinary artistic presence in the trendsetting nightlife scene of Hip Hop’s birthplace. Lyrical counterparts since the age of twelve (born 16 days apart), they met in a scholarship program and have been pursuing their vision of “Urban Excellence” ever since. Separated only by secondary school, then university, the two reunited to form rap conglomerate “The Eclectic Regiment.” Their themes of revelry and social inclusion quickly took hold of NYC’s then new ‘multiethnic hip hop party generation’ and the duo capitalized; promoting clubs and special events unrivalled in positivity and creativity. See: Blue Note, Jazz Standard, Joe’s Pub, Mercury Lounge, Bowery Ballroom, Irving Plaza, Cheetah, Lotus, Webster Hall, Pink Elephant and Cielo. The more success they garnered, the more they were imitated; until they discovered live musicians. They decided they would document their new experiment with live musicians and broadcast a reality show on the internet called The Real Live Show. The music took New York by storm. People from all over the world were flocking to Izzy Bar every Tuesday to catch some of the best jazz rap live. Stimulus and Malik Work became hosts of a barrier-breaking format. NYC’s premiere hip-hop band was born. Some of the industry’s most sought after musicians became regulars, i.e. Bilal, Roy Hargrove, N’Dea Davenport, Swiss Chris, Raymond Angry, Tarus Mateen, Kim Thompson, Rob Glasper, Greg Hutchinson, Deantoni Parks and Chris Dave. |