In 2006, all-round hip hop maestro Jneiro Jarel set off on a Pan-American mission to assemble a unique squad or rappers and producers to join forces and create a totally unique hip hop album bringing together influences from the US hip hop diaspora.
In 2007, Shape of Broad Minds is a force to be reckoned with:
Roc Wun from the West coast - the psychadelic singer of the group. A big fan of 80s New Wave, free Jazz, Hendrix, Prince, Rock music and anything that just wigs out! A totally free spirit and a major creative element in the album. He's currently working on another project with Jneiro and Khujo of Goodie Mob.
Philadelphian beat-maker Dr Who Dat? (who released the lush instrumental Beat Journey LP on Lex last year) is certainly the most mysterious and introverted of the group but when Jneiro is having trouble in the studio, trying to find the right sound for a track, the doctor is known to sneak in, tweak some weird synthesizers into the perfect mood and just glide out like it aint no thing. He's got quirky habits but he's too cool to be nerdy. Although, with a world-record-sized collection of immaculately filed vinyl currently occupying a warehouse in upstate Philly, he's pretty close!
Panama Black hails from Atlanta aka. ATL, aka Hotlanta- not style obsessed but definitely all about staying on top of his game. He's a straight-up rapper but still chilled enough to hang with the likes of Roc and Dr Who Dat?
Jawaad hails from Houston, Texas- where the group, masterminded by Jneiro Jarel- took shape. They met in through Dr Who Dat? in 1994 when Jawaad was just a kid, rapping and performing as a multi-talented musician (keyboards, trumpets) but already established in the hip hop scene. He's played live worldwide with Jniero and will be touring around the release of the group's first EP - The Blue Experience - featuring an elite guest appearance from hip hop legend MF DOOM who's inimitable style perfectly compliments the style of this new hip hop A-Team.
In 2007, Shape of Broad Minds is a force to be reckoned with:
Roc Wun from the West coast - the psychadelic singer of the group. A big fan of 80s New Wave, free Jazz, Hendrix, Prince, Rock music and anything that just wigs out! A totally free spirit and a major creative element in the album. He's currently working on another project with Jneiro and Khujo of Goodie Mob.
Philadelphian beat-maker Dr Who Dat? (who released the lush instrumental Beat Journey LP on Lex last year) is certainly the most mysterious and introverted of the group but when Jneiro is having trouble in the studio, trying to find the right sound for a track, the doctor is known to sneak in, tweak some weird synthesizers into the perfect mood and just glide out like it aint no thing. He's got quirky habits but he's too cool to be nerdy. Although, with a world-record-sized collection of immaculately filed vinyl currently occupying a warehouse in upstate Philly, he's pretty close!
Panama Black hails from Atlanta aka. ATL, aka Hotlanta- not style obsessed but definitely all about staying on top of his game. He's a straight-up rapper but still chilled enough to hang with the likes of Roc and Dr Who Dat?
Jawaad hails from Houston, Texas- where the group, masterminded by Jneiro Jarel- took shape. They met in through Dr Who Dat? in 1994 when Jawaad was just a kid, rapping and performing as a multi-talented musician (keyboards, trumpets) but already established in the hip hop scene. He's played live worldwide with Jniero and will be touring around the release of the group's first EP - The Blue Experience - featuring an elite guest appearance from hip hop legend MF DOOM who's inimitable style perfectly compliments the style of this new hip hop A-Team.
