In association with MeanRed
Troy Ave
Roland Collins, better known as Troy Ave (the name of the block he grew up on in Brooklyn), has been buzzing in New York since 2006. Bringing heat in the form of hype songs with real lyrics, this high energy MC has made music by and for the streets. Never apologetic, Troy Ave’s attitude and demeanor are direct and effortless; he raps what he lives. He has dropped four mixtapes, which he sold over 70,000 copies of right out his car’s trunk. In November 2013, he released his first studio album, New York City: The Album, which debuted at number 47 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Last year, he was named part of the 2014 XXL Freshmen Class.
Phony Ppl
Since throwing warehouse shows around New York in 2011, Phony Ppl has tossed together vintage astral funk, colorful world music, and dusted-out hip-hop either from the future or the past. Co-founded by writer/arrangers Elbee Thrie and Aja Grant, the band flipped D.I.Y recordings into self-released hits like “I Wish I Was A Chair” and “End of the Night,” and tours with like-minded experimental elders Theophilus London, Erykah Badu and The Roots. Their latest effort, 2015’s “Yesterday’s Tomorrow” gained rotation on BBC1 and Odd Future Radio, and the L.A. Times applauded it’s “meteoric rise” via social media, peaking at #6 on iTunes. The band will be on the road with the record throughout the year.