MysticBlu

By Ana Anguiano, College Times
Published: Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Earsweat Drops
Various Artists
Earsweat Records
Grade: B

If you’ve ever wondered what the Phoenix hip-hop scene had to offer, now’s your chance to fully immerse yourself. Earsweat Records has released a compilation album highlighting 14 of its artists.

Earsweat Drops is filled with MCs that are both talented and ingenious. Each track on the album brings a new whirlwind of fresh beats and a different personality. Each artist comes with his own story and leaves the listener wanting more.

That’s really the purpose of Earsweat Drops, to tease listeners and expose them to what the local scene has to offer. Because this album is so varied, it’s hard to single out just a few of the highlights. There is something for everyone.

Highlights include CCBeats’s “Hands Up” featuring LD and Ariano. The upbeat and light-hearted track gets you up and moving in no time.

Rashenal’s “Looking At You” and The Sh!t’s “Ass Dro Not” have incredibly fluid and entertaining samples that get lodged in your memory and will rattle in your brain all day.

The album concludes with a collaborative track, called “The Bass,” which ties up Earsweat Drops like a present on Christmas Day.

Luckily the best is yet to come. Every artist on the compilation album is currently working on a new release that will be put out by Earsweat Records in the future. Give it a spin, find what suits your fancy and support the local scene. You’ll be surprised by what you find. - College Times

Take a bunch of (very talented) mc’s and producers, combine them with great ideas and a creative work flow that equals that of pretty much every great artist in their prime and you get Ear Sweat.

Ear Sweat Drops is something of a rarity; it’s a compilation, of varied mc’s with varied styles that actually works on a whole. Unable to skip a track I was mesmerised by each beat, verse, flow and then some. The beats bang, the rhymes are original and each individual contribution to this project is a rigid testimonial to the fact that everything about hip hop can be and is still great.

The mc’s all follow suit, each one is a hard act to follow, yet they all seem to succeed in holding suit and everyone maintains that quality of sound. Clever rhymes, the head nods for the duration of each and every track.

From Optimals quick-fire multi syllabic rhymes to Lakais smart social every-day-able-to-relate-to observations to G-Owens fantastical daydream sing-rap head nod beautifulness. From the power of Charades brag-spit-im-the-illest type flows to Kye’s mind spinning imaginative concepts , on which the build-up to The Ogre is ingenious.
The music here operates on so many levels and that’s what it is, music, not just uninspired loops and drum machines. Not just another hip hop crew but rather a collective of great minds who know how to please the ears.

http://earsweat.bandcamp.com/ - Can't Stop Fanatics Blog

If variety is indeed the spice of life, then my love of the compilation album is evidence I am living rather well. I have always had an affinity for a myriad of artists that can be found conveniently in one place and the myriad of styles from track to track provides the notion that I am getting more bang for my buck.

All of the aforementioned facets are in place on Drops, the new, 16-track album from the collective that is Earsweat Records. Set to drop on May 8, the Arizona record company has put forth their biggest and brightest on an album of Hip Hop that truly appeals to all. From track to track, what becomes apparent is that this isn’t everyday, cut from the mold Hip Hop. This album is rife with originality that strays from any “set rules” of how to make a good rap track. Think the outside of the box thinking and approaches taken by the likes of Tribe, Jurassic and the like.

DJ Cre One “Earsweat Drops Promo Mix” MP3:

SKOPE IT HERE! ( http://k004.kiwi6.com/hotlink/8nd9o91298/dj_cre_one_mp3_promo_es_drops.mp3 )

G Owens opens the album with “Aviator”—equal parts, Hip Hop and R&B over a clubby back beat. The trippy ethos of the track is bolstered by intermittent singing and rapping and reflects the many genres Owens is influenced by… think a mash-up of Maxwell meets Tribe Called Quest. Piano tinkling opens up “Sacrifice” by Social Studies. Live instrumentation adds an element of authenticity to the track as it moves through the verses of tandem rap lines. Idolize the MC lends the groovy “Earth to Smootha” with more backing piano. Clever lyrical matter and a smooth delivery cap this head bobber of a rap track. “Stress?” by Lakai reflects a vast imagination that mirrors his equally imaginative biography (Unicorn ponies?). Smart lyrics tinged with humor reflect the real life, hard times message that runs through the track. Galactic Basic (with a guest appearance from Optimal) lends “Empty Days”; rife with backing synth and a slight, simple backing beat allows the lyrical matter to shine at the foreground. Rap verses are spit at accelerated speeds and complement the down tempo track pace. Eerie synth opens Jay Speaks’ “Champion.” The track sounds raw and earthy with a gritty element in the background beat and chirps and chimes. Beat box makes an appearance at the track midpoint and while it bolsters the beat, it seems somewhat out of place or possibly an afterthought. Finally, what sounds like a full collaboration rounds out the album with “The Bass.” This track pulls out all the stops with samples, synth, a heavy back beat (live instrumentation in there maybe?)Again, it’s a head bobber track that illustrates the available talent at the Earsweat camp disposal. Arrangement certainly had the forethought to save the best for last.

Who knew there was so much a solid base of simply good Hip Hop in Arizona’s desert? I for one certainly didn’t but this album has been added to a steady rotation in my iPod. Solid talent, good arrangement and professional engineering make this another great compilation of witty and honest Hip Hop and if you can’t find tracks that speak to you here; I would argue if you were really a Hip Hop fan at all. Look for Drops on May 8th at earsweat.bandcamp.com or for more information on individual artists go to their website www.earsweat.com.

By: Christopher West @ cwestlaz@gmail.com - Skop Magazine

Go to radiosupa.com for achieve interview - RadioSupa

There is a unique sound when you mix soul, jazz, hip-hop, and folk together. Patrice Stewart, also known as MysticBlu, has succeeded to do so and now the local artist is performing across the valley.

MysticBlu began performing at a young age. Not only is she a soul artist, but she is also a songwriter, poet, emcee, musician and actress. In 2004, MysticBlu decided to move to Arizona after growing up in Minnesota. “I had no reason to move here. I knew people who lived here and I wanted something different,” she said.

With different inspirations consisting in her music and lyrics she said, “I am inspired by love and how I see the world higher and better. It’s about love and relationships and digging deep within.”

Initially the soul artist made music just for friends. Though she also enjoys how other people reach out to her about her music. “It feels really good. You know people who have embraced your music. It’s not about the money for me,” she said.

What I really wanted to know was if MysticBlu wanted to stay here and continue performing around the valley, or to someday leave the area to become more well-known. She does plan on moving forward with her music. She plans on traveling in the future, even though she says Phoenix is home.

As for several next performances, MysticBlu will be performing on Oct. 7th at Michael’s Cafe for Comedy Night with New Groove and Dirty Red. There will be a five dollar coverage. On Oct. 14th she will also have a show at The Lost Leaf. Once Nov. 18th comes around she will be performing at the Hard Rock Cafe in Downtown Phoenix for Urban Projex. It will be a poetic and artistic showcase including poets and artists such as Roosevelt, Kevin Daily, Kafiah and many more. Even though shows won’t be until a while from now, her debut album will be coming out in December.

For more information about MysticBlu, check out the following links:

SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/mysticblu

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MysticBlu/356154074467622

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysticBlu223

Email: feelnopainmusic@gmail.com - Vianka Villa/wordpress blog ASU

Today MysticBlu releases the long awaited “I Am” album. The 21 track effort displays a range from soulful ballads to in your face hip-hop driven tracks.

Local Phoenix Artist star in MysticBlu's "I Am" video. The video already has 105k views, and touches on the sensitive issue of domestic violence.
Local Phoenix Artist star in MysticBlu's "I Am" video. The video already has 105k views, and touches on the sensitive issue of domestic violence.
Negro Tarantino
View all
11 photos
available at www.iammysticblu.com
Ladie Purm of Goldenphimediadesigns.com
The buzz around the release started when she released the title track video “I Am.” The video featured local artists and was directed by Negro Tarantino. As of today the video has already received over 105,000 views. As the title suggests the video was a reflection of gaining your power back and choosing what you want your life to be. The song addresses the rising domestic violence issue and was written as a woman’s anthem.

While attending Howard University she fell in love with jazz music and the influences can be heard throughout her work. As well as her favorite genres reggae, soul and hip-hop. Her vocal range and her soulful delivery make the album a great listen. She sings, she raps, and she speaks in tones that demand attention. The variety of production on the album gives a new appreciation to an all-around talented young lady. Upon listening she comes off as a new age Meshell Ndegeocello.

"I've always been passionate just about waking people up and getting people riled up, and getting people to think and to challenge people. I'm a little quiet, but my inner being is just like a lion... On the album I just wanted to reveal that side of me and not be afraid to do it,” she says of calling herself a militant spirit.

MysticBlu tried her hat in producing on her latest effort. “Beautiful Surprise” which was originally a guitar driven record, but one day she says she was “clowning around” and actually created the album version. This was her favorite as she didn't know she had it in her. The track is just that a beautiful surprise.

Singing since the age of three, and writing poetry by the age of nine, MysticBlu has self-taught herself to play drums, piano, and the guitar. She got to show off her skills on the album’s reggae track “Right On” which was produced by her. She played all the instruments on the track and did the vocal layout. “Everything you here I played out,” she says of the track.

“So Amazing,” produced by Lakai and “Ecstasy” show the artist’s sensual side. “Fill Me Up” might have listeners crossing their legs as she moans her breathy desires.

“The ‘So Amazing’ song was more like dreaming what it would be like to love someone. What I wanted to experience… I wrote that more in a dream state than an actual state,” she reveals.

She will be breaking out the box for her next video “You Don’t Want To See Me.” On this track she displays her hip-hop influence. Negro Tarantino will be directing this video and she’s already planning to create something abstract and different from the more homely feel of the “I Am” video.

The album has production by her, DN3, and Lakai. DN3 mastered the entire album and mixed along with Nythee. Her album cover was done by Ladie Purm. Of DN3 she says, “He saved me… He reached out to me and said I’m going to help you… he was consistent, there and didn’t disappear. I’m so thankful for him.”

MysticBlu has two performances this Saturday. She will be performing an acoustic set at Taco Guild located at 546 E Osborn Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85012 from 8-11 p.m. After that she will be performing at Blaine Coffee’s State of The Artz' birthday celebration for Gee at the C.A.S.A. SunBá located at 15 E 6th St, Tempe, AZ 85281. The free show will go until 2 a.m. and will feature some of the valley’s best artists.

Next Saturday, July 18, she will be performing her “I Am” at Real Talk with Louanna’s Getting Real with Domestic Violence event from 6-9 p.m. The event will be at Kays Lamar Boutique located at 2025 W Broadway Rd Mesa, AZ 85202.

Every once in a while a breath of fresh air comes to the music world giving us a break from the main stream. This gem of an album will be sure to awake any jaded music fan. No matter what your musical tastes is MysticBlu’s “I Am” won’t disappoint.

The album is available for purchase on her website www.iammysticblu.com for $10 as well as her Band Camp page where you may take a listen. You may also visit the site to learn more about her and get booking information. - Examiner.com

Tune into website for radio interview. - citybuzzradio.com

Listen to interview

https://youtu.be/LZEjiiOmBtY - Mafia Magazine

watch tv interview here!

https://youtu.be/_8fpL4B-agE - Blue Nation review

Summer is finally ending, and the local music scene is ready for the temperature change with some cool new music video releases. Phoenix favorites like decker., MysticBlu, Red Tank!, No Volcano, and Pro Teens are bursting into fall with new multimedia material. Each of the videos by these five different artists or acts definitely have their own distinct flavor that goes in line with the direction of the band which produced it. At the same time, however, all four videos just feel like Phoenix. Let's have a look at each of their audio-visual offerings.

Let’s say an artist moves to the Valley and just happens to start performing under the moniker of MysticBlu. No problem, right? Well, the trouble is, there’s already another artist around these parts by the same nom de guerre who’s been making music here for awhile and she didn’t like the fact that the new arrival had adopted the same name — not one bit. Hence the setup for the music video for the “You Don’t Wanna See Me,” which serves as the OG MysticBlu’s response to said interloper and features her going full-on anarchist by adopting the Joker's persona to put the pretender on blast.

In the video, directed by Negro Tarantino, the original MysticBlu dons the makeup and attitude of the Batman villain (the Heath Ledger version, that is) and raps maniacally into the camera while what one must assume is an avatar for the impostor is tied to a chair behind her. It makes for a great concept video, to be certain. MysticBlu often has been known more for her R&B-infused music, but on this one she represents hardcore hip-hop extraordinarily well. JEFF MOSES - Phoenix New Times