Audio Imagery
Audio Imagery | |
|---|---|
 Snapshot of the Artist Audio Imagery from Dec 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | A.I., A.I. Inc. |
| Origin | State College, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop, Rap, Contemporary R&B, dance-pop, pop, Rock |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | Indie |
| Website | audioimagery.net |
Audio Imagery is an unsigned, award winning Pop/Hip-Hop group from State College, Pennsylvania. The group originally consisted of three members: Agress, Cos, and LP. Each brought their own regional influence to the group: Philadelphia, Virginia, and Jamaica, respectively, though at present Agress is the only active MC. Audio Imagery is currently working on two new albums, but the release dates for these albums have not yet been announced.
History[edit]
2003–2007: Band Formation[edit]
In early 2003 the group of three formed and quickly adapted the name Audio Imagery. The group set themselves apart from other hip-hop groups by incorporating live instrumentation into their recordings and into their live show. In 2007, Audio Imagery consisted of eight members: The three emcees previously mentioned, Javan "Q-Keys" Mason on keys, Andy "Tangible" Mackey on turntables, Ian Callanan on bass guitar and Michael Keller on drums. As stated on CollegeDJ.net, "[Audio Imagery's] most impressive attribute is the fact that they do everything themselves. From writing to mixing, from production to recording, these guys do it all."[1]
First breaking into the college scene in early 2004, A.I. has performed with the likes of Fall Out Boy, Rusted Root, Ill Niño, Oleander, Sponge, The X-ecutioners, Freeway, Bowling for Soup, Black Thought, Zion I, Rupee, Ness, Clipse, and Blackalicious. [2] As the group's popularity grew Audio Imagery entered and won a number of major music competitions. The first was a major music competition put on by Epic Records's Music Nation website. Out of thousands of artists the group made it to the quarterfinals in the hip-hop category.[3]
2007–2009: Awards, Hush & Electric Ladyland[edit]
Additionally, Audio Imagery has been a regular finalist in multiple categories on OurStage in the Summer of 2008: R&B/Soul in June 2007, Jazz in June 2007, Hard Rock in June 2007, R&B/Soul in July 2007, and Experimental August 2007. Audio Imagery has also been a part of OurStage's "Winner's Circle Showcase" which was held at the Paradise Lounge in Boston, Mass, had a feature spot on their URB/OurStage Microsite and has been interviewed by the OurStage staff.[4] OurStage allows artists to upload their music and video to compete against one another in a democratic voting process.[5]
Most Impressively, in October 2007, Audio Imagery was invited to the first round of the Bodog Battle of the Bands.[6] The Bodog Battle allows bands from across the globe to battle for the chance to not only be on the reality TV show portion of the competition, but to also fight for a 1 million dollar contract. After the group took one of six winning spots in the round,[7] the group went on to take first place in the second competition held December 10, 2007. Bodog is quoted as saying, "Audio Imagery took the first place spot of the night. This group bought the house down. The rappers had a killer backing band and their DJ was cutting it up like a Ginsu knife. The crowd went B-A-N-A-N-A-S!"[8] On January 26, 2008, Audio Imagery again took the first place spot in three round (Semi-Finals) of the Bodog Battle.[9] They moved on to the finals which were held in New York City on March 5, 2008 at the famous Fillmore East in Manhattan, New York. A win in New York would have secured their spot on the televised portion of the competition, however they went home taking second place.
2009–2012: Controversy and Band Restructuring[edit]
In 2009, Audio Imagery wrote, recorded and released the controversial song "Find Tomorrow" for the Penn State Panhellenic Dance Marathon known as THON.[10] The song was released on the local radio station B94.5 and was sold online. All proceeds went to THON and its associated organizations. Audio Imagery stated, "Over the years we have received a great deal of support from the borough of State College and Penn State and now we would like to give something back to the community."[11] Despite Audio Imagery's good intentions and despite local support, most notably Phillip "PJ" Mullen, program director and host of B94.5's radio show "The Morning Zoo", official affiliation with THON was restricted. These restrictions reduced the visibility of the song's marketing and resulted in less than expected donations.
Late 2009, most of the members left the group due to creative differences. Jason Browne (Agress) and Ian Callanan are currently the sole members of Audio Imagery. Since 2010, Audio Imagery has continued to win a number of contests and awards. In 2010 and 2011 Audio Imagery has won a number of contests through the site Indaba Music. These include the Jelli competition (September & August),[12][13] YouNow Hottest MC competition,[14] and the Banshee Football Anthem competition.[15] In 2011, Audio Imagery was also successful on the site uPlaya.com where they won the Mobile Recording Studio Contest [16] and the Home Recording Studio Contest.
Music career[edit]
HUSH[edit]
Audio Imagery's third full-length album Hush was released on May 11, 2007. There are twenty tracks on this 73-minute album with special guest performances from Blac & Tann, Phantasm, Everything Ends, & Mattie Leon. The album was distributed digitally and otherwise though many online outlets, including iTunes and CD Baby.
Associated with Hush's release, Audio Imagery released a remix of an unreleased Michael Jackson song, "No Friend of Mine (Gangsta)."
Electric Ladyland[edit]
Audio Imagery's fourth full-length album "Electric Ladyland" was released digitally on April 16, 2009. There are 13 tracks on this 40-minute album and Audio Imagery states the reason for the album name being the same as Jimi Hendrix's album from 1968 is that, "Mr. Hendrix was at the pinnacle of his career when he created the ground breaking album that many consider one the most influential rock albums to date... Audio Imagery is at their peak... Audio Imagery's Electric Ladyland is the future of Hip-Hop/Pop"[19]
Audio Imagery produced the entire album except for "Angel," "Supagirl," and "Karma," which were co-produced by Don Debiase of Studio D Productions.
Coinciding with the release of the album, Audio Imagery released a remix to Kanye West's "Say you Will," Lil Wayne's "Prom Queen," Lady Gaga's song "Poker Face" and has released a rock version of Lady Gaga's song "Love Game." These songs have all been released digitally.
References[edit]
- ↑ Relly, DJ Kid (2007-09-06), College DJ: Audio Imagery, retrieved 2008-04-28
- ↑ McElwee, Steve (2007-12-07), "A BAND'S BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY", Centre Daily Times
- ↑ Music Nation standings, hip-hop category, retrieved September 7, 2007
- ↑ Audio Imagery Fan Club, retrieved January 25, 2008
- ↑ Our Stage music competition, retrieved January 25, 2008
- ↑ Battle, Bodog (2007-10-13), Bodog Battle: Home, retrieved 2008-01-25
- ↑ Battle, Bodog (2007-10-13), Bodog Battle: Shows, retrieved 2008-01-25
- ↑ Battle, Bodog (2007-12-10), Philadelphia Showed Some Brotherly Love To The Bodog Battle, retrieved 2008-01-25
- ↑ Battle, Bodog (2007-12-10), Philadelphia Showed Some Brotherly Love To The Bodog Battle, retrieved 2008-01-28
- ↑ Celebrity THON tweets worry local, 2011-11-01, retrieved 2013-01-26
- ↑ Celebrity THON tweets worry local, 2010-02-02, retrieved 2013-01-26
- ↑ Music, Indaba, Jelli September Contest Winners, retrieved 2013-01-26
- ↑ Music, Indaba, Jelli August Contest Winners, retrieved 2013-01-26
- ↑ Music, Indaba, YouNow Hottest MC Contest Winners, retrieved 2013-01-26
- ↑ Music, Indaba, Banshee Football Anthem Contest Winners, retrieved 2013-01-26
- ↑ uPlaya Mobile Recording Studio Contest Winners, 2011-12-01, retrieved 2013-01-26
- ↑ McElwee, Steve (2007-12-07), "A BAND'S BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY", Centre Daily Times, pp. 1, 8–9
- ↑ Chandler, Amber (2007-12-06), "Local hip-hop group Audio Imagery aims to win national Battle of the Bands", The Daily Collegian, pp. 1, 14–15
- ↑ Imagery, Audio (2007), Audio Imagery, retrieved 2009-04-30
External links[edit]
- Official Website
- "Hip-hop band plays for the locals" from the Penn State Daily Collegian
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