The producer of hip-hop music from Indiana known as Maja 7th has released his latest official LP record, “Get Familiar.” The full-length album comprises 14 original tracks for an approximate listening time of a full hour. Widely varied, absolutely packed with back beats and bass, and showcasing some of the best rappers and urban poets from the American Midwest, “Get Familiar” from Maja 7th is one of the best reasons for fans of rap music to acquaint themselves with this secret legend of the hip-hop studio now.
Another of excellent reason is the bevy of distinguished performers assembled by Maja 7th for “Get Familiar.” In addition to his own already considerable skills, the new LP features the talents of such popular artists of the hip-hop underground as (in order of appearance) Freddie Gibbs, Mikkey Halstead, Ill Brown, Waterr, Bubby B & $auce, Starrs & Murph, Re@l Talk, Sulaiman, Vic Spencer, Simeon, Mathien, Griffen, KYM, L.E.P. Bogus Boys, Pill, Scheme, Add-2, Mike Schpitz, Neak, Dave Coresh, and Dominique LaRue.
Maja 7th himself cites as artistic influences Outkast, the Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Scarface and Common.
“I think Organized Noize is absolutely brilliant, too,” notes the producer. “They have influenced me a lot.”
Maja 7th started in hip hop at his home digital audio workstation as an independent music artist. His new “Get Familiar” LP keeps this tradition by being likewise published outside the control of the corporate music industry. This allows him leeway to exercise his palpably unique style, which derives much of its kaleidoscopic groove from greats in other genres, such as B.B. King, Al Green and James Brown. He credits his mother for his passion for jazz, too, the creative textures of which find their way into many of the best tracks on “Get Familiar.”
Speaking of the record’s perfectly apropos title and overall theme, Maja 7th writes that the record is “really just to get people familiar with who I am. I wanted to highlight some of the things I’ve done to get to this point and also release some new material.”
Maja 7th’s direct manner of communication, smoothed by humility and heaps of IQ, is indicative of the general tone of “Get Familiar.” The record stands out for its straight-up speech, unstoppable flow, and a whole lot of class.
“New people I meet always ask me, ‘What have you done?’” writes Maja 7th. “So I thought it would be a good idea to show them.”
Maja 7th was a key producer for Wu-Tang affiliate Killah Priest’s “Almighty: Original S.I.N.” album, which featured M-Eighty, Bronze Nazereth, Son One, C-Rayz Walz, and 5 Star. His first solo project is still highly acclaimed: “The Breakout,” a record which helped bring to the public eye many of Chicago’s best-loved underground rappers of today. These include Freddie Gibbs, Mikkey Halsted, Pill, the L.E.P Bogus Boys, GLC, YP and others, many of whom appear also on this latest release of “Get Familiar.” Maja 7th’s official music video for “On My Own,” featuring Freddie Gibbs and Mikkey Halsted, appeared on MTV JAMS in 2010.
“Get Familiar” by Maja 7th is available online worldwide. Get in early, hip-hop fans around the world. Very early.
