As their name suggests, Duo Live (note the capitals) are a Brooklyn, New York, USA-based rap & hip-hop pair.
For Duo Live the premise was inconceivable. How does an uncompromising hip-hop act from Brooklyn, New York go from garnering hood infamy from their legendary mixtape CDs and stage shows to being lauded throughout the music industry by the likes of superstars Jay-Z and Alicia Keys? How is it possible that the street-praised tandem of respected lyricist Fre and prolific DJ/producer Sid V release their critically acclaimed official debut 2004 album 1st H.I.M.pressions and attract mainstream acclaim from such publications as Billboard Magazine, The Source, King, and Vibe all without the backing of a major label? Its that same brand of straight-no-chaser hip-hop and two-fisted ambition that drives much of Duo Lives buzz-heavy follow-up, The Color Of Money.
The Redemption Music Group release, distributed by Mediaworld/Lightyear/WEA, finds the duo once again in its stripped-down element, creating a potent work that goes beyond its monetary-driven connotations. "The title just fits with Duo Live because we are hustlers in this music game," Fre says, referring to the group's reputation as pioneers in the mixtape CD street market. "The Color Of Money is a social-economic syllabus on how to be a real hustler and understand the power of money because it's easy to get trapped in this paper chase. If you just look at the trends in hip-hop right now everybody is really caught up in the hustle game. We all want to get money because we affiliate it with a certain level of happiness and success. But there's a meaning behind money and how it directly applies to all of our issues in the 'hood today; the good, the bad, and the ugly."
The Color Of Money once again displays Duo Live's skill for bridging the gap between heartfelt socially conscious statements and street-nigga anthems as Fre relentlessly wields his commanding lyrical prowess over Sid's hardboiled production. The album's warm sound is a product of its mix of dirty B-Boy inspired beats and live instrumentation. "We wanted to do something that was 'hood-based," Sid explains of his studio work. "But at the same time we wanted to take the production to another level by incorporating live musicians. There's a balance, but the music is always going to be gritty."
The album's infectious first street single, "U Know", has hit the ground running with radio play across the country and is backed by the realistic track "Ghetto Children", showcasing Duo's versatility with a dirty South meets Brooklyn vibe. The Color Of Money's first official single will be "Princess" featuring Fabolous, a ode to women everywhere backed by "Brooklyn Men" , a anthem for the groups hometown. The follow up single "Caught Up" featuring Talib Kweli is sure to wow fans of good music everywhere. Other tracks to listen for include "Summer Stacks" featuring neo-soul queen Angie Stone which is an instant classic with it's airy lyrics combined with wonderful memories, "Truth Be Told" featuring Boyz N Da Hood alum Jody Breeze, "Whealth" featuring Dead Prez and "Money World" featuring Jimmy Cozier and Billionz.
"I feel like this album is our defined work," says a proud Fre. "We want the 'hood to feel this album because we are talking about their struggle. At the same time we want people that don't even like hip hop anymore to see a little glimmer of hope with this album." Adds Sid, "A lot of the artists we listen to offer the best of both worlds: the artistry and the streets. When we go into the studio we try to follow that path of greatness that people like NWA, and Jay-Z set."
The journey of Duo Live begins in the late '80s crack era in Brooklyn. After meeting up through a mutual friend at Brooklyn Tech high school, the future rap duo soon discovered they shared an obsession for hip-hop. Fre studied the lyrical genius of rhyme icons Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One and Rakim while Sid V., a local DJ, was enamored by the groundbreaking production prowess of influential beatminers Large Professor, Dr. Dre and DJ Premier. Eventually, Fre and Sid would form their own group. By 1996, Duo Live had released their fist single "Ghetto Games" on Redemption Music Group, an independent label established by the two artists that same year. College radio soon took notice of the duo's brazen grassroots sound.
Three more releases (1997's "Maintain," 1998's "Bedsty To Bedsty" and 2000's ("Mharch Mhadness") would follow, garnering Duo Live glowing write-ups in CMJ Magazine. But, it was the group's now legendary underground mix-tape CD's We Invented The Freestyle (2002) and Midnight Oil (2003) that fully cemented the Duo Live's status as 'hood royalty (Together, the underground releases sold an astounding 20, 000 copies). Soon after being recruited to work on music for J Records' Alicia Keys and Jimmy Cozier, Duo Live caught the attention of Angie Stone, who was impressed by the group's understated yet urgent chemistry. The fruits of their collaboration, the heartfelt "Faith," received airplay support by New York radio queen and VH1 personality Wendy Williams, who gave the song immense support on New York's legendary WBLS. To date, Duo Live have sold a combined 160, 000 albums including their now classic 2004-2005 underground CD series Free Lunch Vol. 1 & Vol. 2.--a remarkable number for an independent outfit.
www.myspace.com/duolive