Sa-Ra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sa-Ra is a hip-hop group based in Los Angeles, California, also known by its full name, Sa-Ra Creative Partners. Pronounced Sah-Rah, Om'Mas Keith, Taz Arnold, and Shafiq Husayn comprise the partnership and its name translates roughly to "the children of God."
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[edit] History
Sa-Ra, comprised of members & founders (Om'Mas Keith, Shafiq Husayn & Taz Arnold), formed in the late 1990s from a trio of industry producers, musicians, and executives who had diligently worked in a multitude of high-profile music productions and business ventures prior to the group's inception. Sa-Ra's various remixes, collaborations, singles, and productions circumnavigated the globe, instantly propelling them to the forefront of the underground during the early 2000s. The group’s discography[1] includes songs with artists as established as Jurassic 5 and Pharoahe Monch. It had previously been signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music label, where it planned to release their debut full-length LP, reportedly titled Black Fuzz, was dissolved by distributor Sony BMG, and the group, free from restriction, signed a deal with independent label Babygrande. Its unique sound, including vintage soul, spacey electronic/euro pop, and true hip-hop & jazz elements, along with atypical vocal harmonies, and unusual sonic effects (using vintage synthesizers), has generated a considerable amount of buzz in the underground, despite the fact that the group have yet to release a major-label-distributed single or album.
[edit] Releases and Recent Music
In 2006, brief reports appeared on the Allhiphop.com rumors page that the group had disbanded or lost one of its members. Shafiq, on behalf of the group, recently responded to these comments in an exclusive interview on okayplayer.com, denying them. Several singles and recordings have been released under the group's own name, primarily on independent labels such as ABB Records, Ubiquity, and Sound in Color and on various compilations, and include the cult hit "Glorious," and singles "Double Dutch" and "Second Time Around." Newer material was released on the promotional SetUps and Justifications album sampler in mid-2006,including songs such as "Big Fame," "StarWars," and "Hollywood." Songs from the album sampler are currently streaming on its website (below). Their other officially-released music is most easily obtained online, where a selection of some recordings and singles, some listed as a partial album under the name Sa-Ra Creative Partners, are available via the iTunes music store. Their "Second Time Around" single was released in CD format and is generally available from major online retailers as well as iTunes. The group’s original vinyl singles ("Double Dutch" and "Glorious") were limited releases on Ubiquity Records. A proper full length album, titled The Hollywood Recordings, was released on Babygrande Records on April 24, 2007.
[edit] Other Projects
Taz Arnold, going by TI$A ("Taz is So Arnold"), recently released a music video on YouTube in support of Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign. The video features a song, produced by Daedelus, with lyrics supporting voting "Obama way."[2] The video also features cameos from Kanye West, Jay Z, Chris Brown, Travis Barker, Shepard Fairey, Apl of The Black Eyed Peas, Consequence, Fab 5 Freddy, and Miss Jack Davey.
[edit] Discography
- The Second Time Around (2005)
- The Hollywood Recordings (2007)
[edit] External links
- Sa-Ra RBMA video lecture session Pt.1
- Sa-Ra RBMA video lecture session Pt.2
- A dated 2005 interview with the group can be found on on [[1]]
- Okayplayer Interview: [[2]]
- Their home website can be found at http://www.sa-ra.net (and) http://www.sa-ramusic.com/
- Cream Magazine Interview
- Exclusive Interview in Complex Magazine
