Albums : RJD2 : More Is Than Isn't
Albums : RJD2 : More Is Than Isn't
Listen To RJD2 : More Is Than Isn't
Who Is RJD2?
Rjd2 (born Ramble John "RJ" Krohn; 27 May 1976) is an American music producer and musician. Rjd2 was born in Eugene, Oregon and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was signed to the Definitive Jux label where he released two largely instrumental hip-hop albums and has produced tracks for many prominent rappers. However, he has now left Definitive Jux and has signed with XL Recordings. His 2007 album, The Third Hand, is a striking departure from his usual style and features Rjd2 singing and playing instruments on nearly every track.
In 2009, Rjd2 established his own label, RJ’s Electrical Connections and reissued three early records as well as a box set. Rjd2's new full length More Is Than Isn't was released on October 8, 2013 on his new label, which is distributed by The Orchard.
Rjd2's work has been used heavily in media and advertisement, particularly the singles "The Horror" and "Ghostwriter". Since 2007, Rjd2's "A Beautiful Mine" has been the opening theme for AMC's Mad Men.
Krohn originally began his career in Columbus, Ohio, DJing in 1993 with a pair of turntables bought from a friend. He went to high school at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, where his mother taught dance, and graduated in 1994. He claims his name originates from another friend who referred to him as "Rjd2" (a play on R2-D2) in his raps, and the name stuck. Originally working the role of DJ in the Columbus rap group MHz, he later signed to Bobbito Garcia's Fondle 'Em label, releasing the self-proclaimed "mix CD" Your Face or Your Kneecaps. A year later he signed to El-P's record label Definitive Jux and released his solo debut album Deadringer to much acclaim. Rjd2 later collaborated with Columbus rapper Blueprint under the name Soul Position, releasing Unlimited EP in 2002 and 8 Million Stories in 2003. He released his second solo album Since We Last Spoke on Definitive Jux in 2004 and released Soul Position's second album Things Go Better with RJ and AL in 2006 under Rhymesayers Entertainment label. He still continues to produce tracks, working with many independent rappers, such as Copywrite, Cunninlynguists, Cage, DOOM, Diverse and Aceyalone. He contributed a cover of "Airbag" by Radiohead for the 2006 album Exit Music. 2006 also saw the release of the collaborative record Magnificent City with Aceyalone. Magnificent City includes "A Beautiful Mine", which samples Enoch Light's rendition of "Autumn Leaves", and has been used in the titles of Mad Men. In 2007, he released the solo album The Third Hand on XL Recordings, which he toured for extensively in '07 and '08.
In 2009, Rjd2 established his own label, RJ's Electrical Connections, and reissued Your Face or Your Knee Caps, The Horror, and Since We Last Spoke as well as a box set entitled 2002-2010. Rjd2's new full length The Colossus was released on 19 January 2010 on his own label, which is distributed by The Orchard. On 7 January 2010 a music video for "Let There Be Horns" premiered on Pitchfork followed by a video for "A Spaceship for Now" on 3 March 2010, directed by Michael Ebner, via SPIN Magazine. In 2010, Rjd2 remixed indie rockers Yo La Tengo's single, "Here To Fall" for the Here To Fall Remixes EP which included remixes by De La Soul and Pete Rock.
On 1 February 2011, Rjd2 released the album We Are the Doorways under the pseudonym The Insane Warrior, on RJ's Electrical Connections.
His latest project is Icebird, a collaboration with Aaron Livingston, one of the leaders of a Philadelphia-based band called "The Mean". Their album Abandoned Lullaby was released 11 October 2011. Livingston previously appeared on "Guns Are Drawn" from The Roots album The Tipping Point and appeared on "Sleep" from The Roots recent album, undun.
In June 2013, Rjd2 announced that his next album More Is Than Isn't would be released on 8 October 2013. The first single off the album titled "Her Majesty's Socialist Request" was revealed 29 July 2013.
More Is Than Isn't Review
More Is Than Isn’t, the fifth proper full-length from Philly beatsmith RJD2, opens and closes with the echoes of distant bird chips. A consummate crate-digger and sample hunter, RJ lines the path in between nu-disco, dusty soul, rock ‘n’ roll, spiraling organ runs, and brash hip-hop. As the title suggests, its 16 tracks are a cacophony of aesthetics pulled from the producer’s myriad inspirations. However, unlike other mad scientists, RJD2′s creations are beautiful offshoots of their distorted components rather than monster mashes.
Anchored by three tracks (“Suite 1″, “Suite 2″, and “Suite 3″), the album’s beats are granted ample room to roam before being reeled back into that celestial calm. During each movement, the creation and subsequent destruction of melodies builds tension across the broader piece. On the first half of the album, the soulful “Temperamental” and disco-leaning “Behold, Numbers!” establish the chillout tempos that the 8-bit electronics, heady Middle Eastern vibes, and rock riffs of “Her Majesty’s Socialist Request” are intent on eviscerating. The latter half’s Motown-indebted “See You Leave” (feat. STS and Khari Mateen), “Got There, Sugar”, and electro-pop current of “Love and Go” (feat. Aaron Livingston) serve similar roles.
With a new child in tow during this album’s recording process, RJ’s sense of nostalgia seems stronger than normal — especially the soft-rock elements of “Dirty Hands” and “Milk Tooth” — but the producer proves eternally relevant on “Bathwater” (feat. P. Blackk) and “It All Came to Be in a Dream” (feat. Blueprint). Each stays true to RJD2′s retro styling while simultaneously bringing in current hip-hop trends and encouraging socially conscious lyricism.
Unlike P. Blackk’s note that “the god in me won’t allow modest,” RJ continues to be one of the most humble producers in hip-hop. He’ll leave the beefing and celebrity production credits to up-and-comers, and continue pulling from an encyclopedic knowledge of American music to craft fad-resistant, challenging cuts.
Contact RJD2
Facebook | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Soundcloud | MySpace
Contact Consequence of Sound (COS)
Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Sources : RJD2 Photo | Listen To More Is Than Isn't | RJD2 Biography | RJD2 Review
Purchase : iTunes | Amazon
Listen To RJD2 : More Is Than Isn't
Who Is RJD2?
Rjd2 (born Ramble John "RJ" Krohn; 27 May 1976) is an American music producer and musician. Rjd2 was born in Eugene, Oregon and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was signed to the Definitive Jux label where he released two largely instrumental hip-hop albums and has produced tracks for many prominent rappers. However, he has now left Definitive Jux and has signed with XL Recordings. His 2007 album, The Third Hand, is a striking departure from his usual style and features Rjd2 singing and playing instruments on nearly every track.
In 2009, Rjd2 established his own label, RJ’s Electrical Connections and reissued three early records as well as a box set. Rjd2's new full length More Is Than Isn't was released on October 8, 2013 on his new label, which is distributed by The Orchard.
Rjd2's work has been used heavily in media and advertisement, particularly the singles "The Horror" and "Ghostwriter". Since 2007, Rjd2's "A Beautiful Mine" has been the opening theme for AMC's Mad Men.
Krohn originally began his career in Columbus, Ohio, DJing in 1993 with a pair of turntables bought from a friend. He went to high school at Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, where his mother taught dance, and graduated in 1994. He claims his name originates from another friend who referred to him as "Rjd2" (a play on R2-D2) in his raps, and the name stuck. Originally working the role of DJ in the Columbus rap group MHz, he later signed to Bobbito Garcia's Fondle 'Em label, releasing the self-proclaimed "mix CD" Your Face or Your Kneecaps. A year later he signed to El-P's record label Definitive Jux and released his solo debut album Deadringer to much acclaim. Rjd2 later collaborated with Columbus rapper Blueprint under the name Soul Position, releasing Unlimited EP in 2002 and 8 Million Stories in 2003. He released his second solo album Since We Last Spoke on Definitive Jux in 2004 and released Soul Position's second album Things Go Better with RJ and AL in 2006 under Rhymesayers Entertainment label. He still continues to produce tracks, working with many independent rappers, such as Copywrite, Cunninlynguists, Cage, DOOM, Diverse and Aceyalone. He contributed a cover of "Airbag" by Radiohead for the 2006 album Exit Music. 2006 also saw the release of the collaborative record Magnificent City with Aceyalone. Magnificent City includes "A Beautiful Mine", which samples Enoch Light's rendition of "Autumn Leaves", and has been used in the titles of Mad Men. In 2007, he released the solo album The Third Hand on XL Recordings, which he toured for extensively in '07 and '08.
In 2009, Rjd2 established his own label, RJ's Electrical Connections, and reissued Your Face or Your Knee Caps, The Horror, and Since We Last Spoke as well as a box set entitled 2002-2010. Rjd2's new full length The Colossus was released on 19 January 2010 on his own label, which is distributed by The Orchard. On 7 January 2010 a music video for "Let There Be Horns" premiered on Pitchfork followed by a video for "A Spaceship for Now" on 3 March 2010, directed by Michael Ebner, via SPIN Magazine. In 2010, Rjd2 remixed indie rockers Yo La Tengo's single, "Here To Fall" for the Here To Fall Remixes EP which included remixes by De La Soul and Pete Rock.
On 1 February 2011, Rjd2 released the album We Are the Doorways under the pseudonym The Insane Warrior, on RJ's Electrical Connections.
His latest project is Icebird, a collaboration with Aaron Livingston, one of the leaders of a Philadelphia-based band called "The Mean". Their album Abandoned Lullaby was released 11 October 2011. Livingston previously appeared on "Guns Are Drawn" from The Roots album The Tipping Point and appeared on "Sleep" from The Roots recent album, undun.
In June 2013, Rjd2 announced that his next album More Is Than Isn't would be released on 8 October 2013. The first single off the album titled "Her Majesty's Socialist Request" was revealed 29 July 2013.
More Is Than Isn't Review
More Is Than Isn’t, the fifth proper full-length from Philly beatsmith RJD2, opens and closes with the echoes of distant bird chips. A consummate crate-digger and sample hunter, RJ lines the path in between nu-disco, dusty soul, rock ‘n’ roll, spiraling organ runs, and brash hip-hop. As the title suggests, its 16 tracks are a cacophony of aesthetics pulled from the producer’s myriad inspirations. However, unlike other mad scientists, RJD2′s creations are beautiful offshoots of their distorted components rather than monster mashes.
Anchored by three tracks (“Suite 1″, “Suite 2″, and “Suite 3″), the album’s beats are granted ample room to roam before being reeled back into that celestial calm. During each movement, the creation and subsequent destruction of melodies builds tension across the broader piece. On the first half of the album, the soulful “Temperamental” and disco-leaning “Behold, Numbers!” establish the chillout tempos that the 8-bit electronics, heady Middle Eastern vibes, and rock riffs of “Her Majesty’s Socialist Request” are intent on eviscerating. The latter half’s Motown-indebted “See You Leave” (feat. STS and Khari Mateen), “Got There, Sugar”, and electro-pop current of “Love and Go” (feat. Aaron Livingston) serve similar roles.
With a new child in tow during this album’s recording process, RJ’s sense of nostalgia seems stronger than normal — especially the soft-rock elements of “Dirty Hands” and “Milk Tooth” — but the producer proves eternally relevant on “Bathwater” (feat. P. Blackk) and “It All Came to Be in a Dream” (feat. Blueprint). Each stays true to RJD2′s retro styling while simultaneously bringing in current hip-hop trends and encouraging socially conscious lyricism.
Unlike P. Blackk’s note that “the god in me won’t allow modest,” RJ continues to be one of the most humble producers in hip-hop. He’ll leave the beefing and celebrity production credits to up-and-comers, and continue pulling from an encyclopedic knowledge of American music to craft fad-resistant, challenging cuts.
Contact RJD2
Facebook | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Soundcloud | MySpace
Contact Consequence of Sound (COS)
Website | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Sources : RJD2 Photo | Listen To More Is Than Isn't | RJD2 Biography | RJD2 Review
Purchase : iTunes | Amazon
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