Tribe Eternal

The night before Pittsburgh neo-soul artist Clara Kent opened for Wyclef Jean at SXSW, she was in the emergency room suffering from an intense allergic reaction.

“I was on, like, six Benadryl and an EpiPen all night,” laughs Kent.

But rather than retreat or panic, the next day Kent poured herself into a charismatic performance.

“I like to have the audience rock with me, jam with me, loosen up,” explains Kent, dancing in her seat and bathed in the sunshine pouring in through the windows of Bantha Tea House, during an interview with City Paper.

It’s hard not to loosen up around Kent. Her smile and laugh are infectious, and creative energy hangs around her, attracting the notice of others.

If the words “powerful aura” are coming to mind, it’s only fitting. Kent released her debut record, A U R A, at the end of February. It’s a collection of incredibly intimate songs that are vibey, vulnerable, spiritual and soulful. The 11 tracks, produced and engineered by close friends and collaborators Yorel Tifsim and Bilal Abbey, are essentially a diary of several years of Kent’s life.

“I was literally writing A U R A in the mindframe of a journal. It was awkward at first, but it was a relief. Because for a long time in my life, I would hide certain feelings, because I was ashamed, or there was an expectation of how I had to be,” she explains. “But once I started embracing myself, and shedding the expectations and obligations, and started allowing myself to be, that’s where A U R A came from.”

“The album was a healing process, but I wanted others to experience it,” she says.

The track “Souled,” for example, is a heart-wrenching reflection on unsupportive and unhealthy relationships, while “Outside” deals with angst and frustration. On the other hand, songs like “Clarity,” “Navy Blue (Still I …) feat. Bilal” and “Rise” conclude with positive affirmations in spite of obstacles.

“It’s about embracing your shadows, so you can emerge your light. Sometimes, we run from the things we don’t want to embrace, but if you look at it and hug it, there’s a lesson in there and a message for you,” says Kent. “That’s how paintings are — you have to have the lights and darks to bring out the image so people can really see it.”

In addition to creating music, Kent is a visual artist under the name Bounce. She grew up surrounded by music and painting, as her mother painted wall-sized canvases, while playing records in her family’s apartment in Wilkinsburg. “One of my biggest influences growing up, and still, is Sade,” says Kent. “My mom knew I loved her so much, so she bought a VHS of all of Sade’s music videos from all her albums at the time. I watched it for hours until it wore out, and she had to buy me a new one.”

In addition to her mother’s influence, Kent’s grandmother took her to choir, where she learned to train her voice and play instruments.

“Those two taught me how to create, how to be influenced and how to take notes from others,” Kent says. “And my mom loved art as a hobby, but I loved it more than that. I always said I wouldn’t do anything else.”

When her mother became sick, Kent spent a lot of her time taking care of her family. After her mother died, she re-emerged and dove into development mode.

That creative fervor, bolstered by her fellow creatives in Tribe Eternal Music Group, led to A U R A and constantly incoming opportunities. In the coming weeks, she has more than half-a-dozen shows and events planned, as well as an impending EP and a rap record, with an art show planned for 2019.

“I want to have national and international reach in the next couple of years. I want to tour, I want to have a studio album,” says Kent. “I want 10,000 fans this year, like people that want to see me every chance they get.”

And Kent already has a pretty strong following. People have paid up to $50 just to purchase her record.

“My fans are my Bounce Babies. They’re so supportive,” she emphasizes. “The listening party at BOOM Concepts for A U R A — 70 people came, and I was expecting like 25.

“What I’m noticing with pursuing my purpose, [is] I feel like I’m getting so much confirmation from the universe,” Kent says. “It’s almost like a hug — all these opportunities feel like it’s saying, ‘See, you’re able.’” - Pittsburgh City Paper

It’s very hard to put Bilal Abbey, Clara Kent and Pharoah Lum in a box.

They are the core group of individuals that make up Tribe Eternal Music Group, a self-described “artist collective” that “aren’t just people rapping together; we’re a family, we’re friends, we really connect,” Abbey said.

While the Pittsburgh music scene currently is dominated by either “punk rock or trap music,” Kent said, Tribe Eternal affords artists of many genres and forms to perform at their events and on their albums.

The group, which has roughly 12 members in Pittsburgh, a management branch in Arizona and a graphic design outlet in Atlanta, began its signature event, Writings on the Wall, in February. Writings on the Wall 2 was held in April, Writings on the Wall 3 was held in June, and Writings on the Wall 4 will occur Aug. 5 at the Flow Lounge, 282 Morewood Ave. “The atmosphere is very genuine, very rich,” Kent told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview. “It feels like you’re going home, but you’re out at the same time. We get to introduce different people in the city that really don’t get exposure a lot.”


THE TALENT at the Writings on the Wall events is abundant.

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Writings on the Wall gives people that love art and music “to interact in a creative way,” Kent continued. “Most of the time people go to an event just observing, and they don’t get to participate. At this event, you get to participate and actually become an artist yourself – paint on the wall, write on another wall, either quotes, poems or whatever you want. And you get to see a lot of people doing their (talent).”

The core group of Tribe Eternal have known each other since 2008. Once under a different name, they settled on “Tribe Eternal” in 2016 and haven’t looked back. “The name encompasses that family element, but it also just talks about the simple fact that what were doing is based out of a familiar connection and not just for money. We are a collective that invests in each other in more ways than just monetary,” Abbey said.

“We really help build each other’s crafts, being there for emotional support, also expanding each other’s horizons. We like to take trips together and bond continuously, which is important if we’re going to have a business together,” Abbey added.

While the Tribe Eternal members pitch in for whatever the group may need, most have specific titles. Abbey, who holds a Bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s in teaching from Pitt, is an audio engineer, emcee, and handles the group’s grant writing. Kent, a Penn Hills High School graduate who attended the Columbia College of Chicago’s vocal jazz and radio broadcasting program, is a singer/songwriter, a visual artist, and is dabbling into rapping here and there. She said her single, “Outside,” is her biggest to date, released a few months ago.


CLARA KENT AND SYDNEY DAVIS

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So what’s “Outside” about?

“It’s like a jazzy, nice, polite way of telling someone off,” Kent said with a chuckle. “It’s like, if you wanted to tell someone off with jazz and Hip-Hop beat infused, that’s what it is.”

Other members of the group include Sydney Davis, a model and fashion designer who has been featured in many fashion shows, Kevin Howard out of Arizona, and A.K., the graphic designer in Atlanta.


BILAL ABBEY

Pre-sale tickets to Writings on the Wall 4 at Flow Lounge, Saturday, Aug. 5, are available for $5 with the purchase of a Tribe Eternal compilation CD, by visiting www.wotw4.eventbrite.com. Tickets are $10 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. For more details concerning the group, E-mail tribeeternalmusicgroup@gmail.com. Videos from the group can be viewed on YouTube, search “TribeEternalTV.”

At their Writings on the Wall events, one will see quality performers, Abbey said. “We really want to find artists who have taken the steps to take their careers serious. We want people that know, ‘This isn’t a hobby anymore, this is how I’m trying to feed myself for the rest of my life.’” - New Pittsburgh Courier Online

Hennessy Jones is a songwriter, recording artist and member of the Hip Hop group “The H&T (Heroes & Terrorists)” based out of Pittsburgh, PA. While listening to “Concepts” ft. Elluna and Kirsin, by Hennessy Jones, you may find yourself go through all kinds of emotions.

You go from being zoned out in chill mode to a state of serious thought-provoking moments and reevaluation of existence, to a series of uncontrollable head-nodding and high adrenaline bursts…all within the same song.

Hennessy Jones is able to deliver on all accounts with “Concepts” ably assisted by Elluna and Kirsin. His creativity level is at an all-time high, lyrically, sonically, and mentally. The song sounds like more than just a song, it’s an experience is carefully crafted and arranged to bring the full potential out of its laidback and spacey vibe.

Hennessy’s lyricism is brought to full potential throughout the track. His poetic writing style makes every word important. No word goes without purpose. He makes the type of music that is rarely heard, especially today in all genres of music, not just hip hop.

The controlled energy, lyrics, flow, delivery, and arrangement of the song are perfect. The production and engineering on “Concepts” is also top-notch material. It is so soulful and precise with the perfect use of light drum patterns, deep bass, and sweet synth sounds.

On “Concepts”, Hennessy proves he is just as lyrical and musically progressive as his more famous peers. It is clear that he is in a pivotal place in his career, and trying to break away from the mold of the conventional rapper.

He is steadily building his own foundation one track at a time, waiting patiently for his turn to strike, from the dim-lit corner of his studio set-up straight out of Pittsburgh. While Hennessy Jones remains true to his versatile blueprint, he reinvents the classic hip-hop recipe, allowing his flow to speak louder than the rumbling bass rolling out of the sound system on “Concepts” ft. Elluna and Kirsin. - Jamsphere

Songwriter/recording artist Hennessy Jones is hitting the net with a heavy dose of vibed out food for thought. His new record, Concepts, featuring the gorgeous vocals of Elluna and bars from fellow rapper Kirsen, is a wavy think-piece worth adding to this week’s playlist. A Member of the group The H&T (Heroes & Terrorists) — based out of Pittsburgh, PA — Hennessy himself is known for his versatile songwriting ability and unique voice. He’s become both a force and a maintain in the [regional] scene.

Concepts is just one flavour that Hennessy has to offer — he’s not afraid to mix his sound with different vibes. Not unlike the liquor he borrows his name from. Sit back, get familiar and explore the kid’s catalogue; you’ll be glad you did! - Above Average Hip Hop

Reebok will team up with Carnegie Mellon University tonight (May 7) for “KICKSBURGH: Relaced,” a celebration of sneaker culture put on by professors and students from the University’s acclaimed Sneakerology course. The event will include live music, fashion vendors, and contests with prizes donated by local vendors and sneaker industry insiders. The event aims to celebrate sneaker culture and share its history with community members in a fun, family-friendly environment.

Students joined forces with the University and local community members to plan the unique celebration and hope to encourage an innovate, creative and collaborative spirit in their community. - XXL Magazine

Ms Honey and Chan J. of Honey Addict sit down and chat with Bilal Abbey, Luxo, Hennessy Jones, and Alumni of the hip-hop group Heroes & Terrorists. In the interview they answer questions about opening up for Kevin Gates and Chevy Woods, moving to Los Angeles to pursue their music career and what artist influence them. - Honey Addicts

Hennessy Jones and Luxo hail from the "Heroes & Terrorists" collective, which is spread out from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, although five of the six crew members (including the two featured here) are Steel City natives. The name "Bamboozled" caught my attention immediately, as I thought it might be an attempt to expand upon the Spike Lee film of the same name, which although poorly reviewed and ultimately unprofitable was at least an attempt to both address and mock the exploitation of black artists in the entertainment industry. Thomas Dunwitty's speech about being "more black" than his black protege Pierre Delacroix is eerily reminiscent of an infamous backstage incident between "Freebird" Michael Hayes and "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry in WWE - but I digress.

Unfortunately I got the wrong idea about Henny Jones & Luxo from the jump. That's my own fault for assuming the album would in any way be related to a film few people have seen and even fewer have fond memories of. Luxo's rap on "Last Call" is in fact typical of most of what passes for mainstream hip-hop in 2015, embracing the values of YOLO without any hint of satire or mockery.

"I was bent before I got to the bar - straight up
I looked around and laid my eyes on a star - no make-up
Seen Henny with her friend, I might just have the hook-up
Like tryin to work my chest, I knew I had to push up...
Right? I approached her like a gentleman
Told her she was beautiful, and every other synonym
Damn! Her body is the meanest
I know I'm drunk talkin but, that just means I mean it
Ha! She fell for it and I caught her
Her smile make me feel like Cupid hit me with a chopper"



The flow's alright though. Luxo is a little high pitched, a little reminiscent of Wiz Khalifa mixed with Kendrick Lamar, and he's a suitable rapper to open the weed track "Chief" as a result. It's an unapologetic lift of TLC's "Creep" but given that song is now over 20 years old I have a feeling few listeners will notice. Henny's flow on the other hand is a nice counterpoint, a little reminiscent of early Mad Skillz but without the same amount of comical flair or punchlines. They are well suited to be a hip-hop tag team, distinctive enough that you can't confuse the two, having a natural chemistry and camraderie together when trading off verses.


There's nothing deep or profound about "Bamboozled." Let me be perfectly clear about that. "Party Party" is exactly the level this group is on - they're LMFAO with better lyrics and flow. Every now and then I'd look at a song title thinking "This is the one where Henny & Luxo are going to get serious" and then find out the song had no deeper meaning at all. "Shut It Down" featuring Alumni had that potential, but I made the mistake of thinking Public Enemy, much like I made the mistake of thinking the album's title meant Spike Lee. Thirty seconds into the track I already knew the "shut down" in question was turning off the higher functions over the brain due to the potentcy of the THC in the marijuana they smoke. "All these nuggets in my bed look like Dragonballs" is as deep as it gets.
I don't hate it at all. What tracks like "Thirst Trap" featuring Kyra and "Rent" lack in depth they make up for in thump (both produced by Cobannah) and would be suitable for any evening/weekend of getting turnt up. Luxo & Jones would fit seamlessly into a club mix with more well known artists like Jeezy and Juicy J without even missing a beat. With even the smallest bit of radio play or recognition I could see this duo taking off quickly, so their value as hip-hop artists is not to be profound, it's to help you have a good time. It's not going to change the world but "Bamboozled" might help you get your groove on. - Steve Flash Juon

The name Heroes & Terrorists represents the duality of life; the Yin and Yang that we all experience on our journey toward success. “Gov’ament Cheese” is part of an unreleased mixtape called “Gritz and Grenades”. The track discuses some of the violent realities in neighborhoods across America, and specifically in Pittsburgh, PA. The purpose of the song is to bring awareness to some of the harmful trends in our communities. Press play and let us know what you think of Heroes & Terrorists. - Spit fire Hip Hop