Rave Panda
San Jose, CA | Established. Jan 01, 2017 | INDIE
Music
Press
San Jose, California’s EDM/Hip-hop scene just got a bit more interesting. Enter: Rave Panda (a.k.a., Dimitri Vigil).
Previously performing for a couple of years under the moniker, True Spirit, Vigil changed the name to Rave Panda after his reputation for going out dancing in a panda hat resulted in the inevitable nickname.
Vigil (rapper, lyrcist) is joined by DJ Satch (hypeman, dj, beat maker, rapper) on their latest project, the self-titled debut album, Rave Panda, in which the two decided to merge the EDM and Hip-hop genres in hopes of creating and discovering a a new and special sound with a positive, empowering vibe. Spoiler alert, they’ve done just that.
HERE’S WHAT WE DUG MOST…
The collision of the genres is immediately apparent in the album’s opener, Stay Strong, which features an acid-trip of sound, including layers of laser-style synth, vocal harmonies, keys, and numerous tempo changes, as well as an encouraging and hopeful message of strength and perseverance. Vigil’s flow is also solid out the gate.
Only A Matter Of Time sounds like something banging in the clubs in Acapulco. (Yes, I’m speaking from experience.) I especially dig the bass & kick throughout.
Chasing Stars has a dreamy, celestial feel. Layers of ambient electronic tones follow yet another textbook club beat to create a cathartic and inspiring piece.
Fatal Attraction is immediately hypnotic. Stellar production in this piece which sounds like something off of the Blade soundtrack.
OUR FAVORITE TRACK…
Lyrical substance meets flawless production and execution in The Last Lullaby…
“Our soul’s are just visiting, learning how to live again
Feeling insignificant, that’s government conditioning
Take back the control, don’t be scared to break the mold
Go against what you were told—for your soul…”
—The Last Lulullaby
More club-ready, etheric melodies drop in Move Past U and Soul Surfin. Half way through the album, these ultra-refined and textured grooves are certainly becoming a theme.
“Don’t depend on other people for your freedom
Don’t bend them rules for them other people, don’t need’em…”
—Steeze
A close second favorite of ours, and arguably Panda’s strongest flow of the album, check out, Waitin. Peep the switch at 3:15, where the track goes from groove to dub, and back again. Very cool.
User-friendly dub-step drops in, Forever Lov3. If you fear the dub (which I admittedly have at times)—fear not—with great dynamics, killer vocals, this stuff straight bangs—no bullshit.
A rolling piano and a choice bit of auto-tuned harmonies create yet another surreal experience in, But Nothing Is Forever.
IN CONCLUSION…
Seriously. Crazy. Production.
Considering Rave Panda’s self-titled debut project is essentially an 18-track mega-album—dropped in the age of the single—to have done this while managing to avoid one single throw-away track is quite an accomplishment.
Track after track sees wildly vast and complex melodies and compositions being laced with Vigil’s nuggets of rhymedom, (rhyme+wisdom), to create a sound that is both physiologically stimulating and mentally & spiritually cathartic. At the very least, Rave Panda has created a marvelous dance album. At the very most, they’ve done their part in creating a new genre.
WHOSE LOVECHILD…?
Logic meets Flo Rida with a dash of Lozo Ball… - The Ark Of Music
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Rave Panda, merging the EDM and Hip-hop genres in hopes of creating and discovering a new and special sound with a positive, empowering vibe!
The path of a musician is rarely a straight line without hurdles and sidetracks. As much as we all love music there will always be the draw of an “ordinary” life. We all need to pay the bills while striving for our dreams. It is sad that this has derailed many artists. Rave Panda has been on a long strange trip but still working hard to achieve musical goals.
The story of the transformation into the Rave Panda begins on an adventure on the slopes of a snow-covered Mt. Shasta. Amidst the psychedelic search for meaning in this mad world that surrounds us, an idea blossomed into existence that is now the sole goal of the artist.
The latest result is the self-titled debut Album titled Rave Panda. The 18 track record features dynamic storytelling abilities preaching truth and inspiration, bringing Hip Hop and EDM together to create a unique sound and a genre all their own. There are multiple layers to focus on here that would be helped along with some help in a pill form.
Considering Rave Panda’s self-titled debut project is essentially an 18-track mega-album—dropped in the age of the single—to have done this while managing to avoid one single throw-away track is quite an accomplishment.
Track after track sees wildly vast and complex melodies and compositions being laced with Vigil’s nuggets of rhymedom, (rhyme+wisdom), to create a sound that is both physiologically stimulating and mentally & spiritually cathartic. At the very least, Rave Panda has created a marvelous dance album. At the very most, they’ve done their part in creating a new genre.
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