Source of Labor: Difference between revisions
→Albums, EPs, and Singles: This release was a CD format, not a 12" format |
→History: remove duplicate punctuation |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|American hip hop group}} | {{short description|American hip hop group}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} | {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} | ||
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | {{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> | ||
| name = Source of Labor | | name = Source of Labor | ||
| Line 10: | Line 9: | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| alias = | | alias = | ||
| origin = [[ | | origin = [[Atlanta, Georgia]] | ||
| genre = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->[[hip hop music|hip hop]], [[rap]] | | genre = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->[[hip hop music|hip hop]], [[rap]] | ||
| years_active = | | years_active = 1990–2004 | ||
| label = {{hlist|[[Sub Verse Music]]|Jasiri Music Group}} | | label = {{hlist|[[Sub Verse Music]]|Jasiri Music Group}} | ||
| website = | | website = | ||
| current_members = | | current_members = | ||
| past_members = | | past_members = | ||
* [[Jonathan Moore (musician)|Wordsayer]] | * [[Jonathan Moore (musician)|Wordsayer]] 1990-2004 | ||
* Upendo Tookas (a.k.a. Negus I) | * Upendo Tookas (a.k.a. Negus I) 1990-2004 | ||
* DJ Kamikaze | * Joel Lozano (a.k.a. DJ Kamikaze) 1990-1997 | ||
* | * Igbnifa Fadoyamin (a.k.a. Blahzey Blah) 1993-1996 | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Source of Labor''' was a [[hip hop music|rap]] band formed in | |||
'''Source of Labor''' was a [[hip hop music|rap]] band formed in 1990 in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]], and included [[Jonathan Moore (musician)|Wordsayer]], Negus I, Blahzey Blah, and DJ Kamikaze.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/a-source-for-seattle-hiphop/Content?oid=16952|title=A Source for Seattle Hiphop|last=Mudede|first=Charles|website=The Stranger|access-date=2017-04-15}}</ref> | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
Wordsayer and Negus I | Upendo "Negus I" Tookas went to high school in Seattle, and graduated in 1988. He was accepted to [[Morehouse College]] in Atlanta, and entered as a Freshman in the fall of 1988. Jonathan "Wordsayer" Moore became friends with Negus I in Seattle in the summer of 1989, then Negus I returned to Morehouse for his Sophomore year. Near the end of 1989, Wordsayer moved to Atlanta. Beginning in 1990, Wordsayer attended [[Atlanta Metropolitan State College]]. Wordsayer and Negus I met Joel "DJ Kamikaze" Lozano in Atlanta and, as Wordsayer told writer Ifé Thomas for Urban Agenda newspaper, "We got together in 1990 in Atlanta."<ref name="Ifé Thomas 1995, page 6">"Straight From The Source", by Ifé Thomas, ''The Urban Agenda'' newspaper, Spring 1995, page 6</ref> Wordsayer was accepted to Morehouse in January 1992 and attended one semester there as a Sophomore. | ||
The three members of Source Of Labor moved from Atlanta to Seattle in late 1992. According to Wordsayer in Urban Agenda, "We really decided in the summer of '92 to head back to Seattle, and we all got back that fall in October."<ref name="Ifé Thomas 1995, page 6"/> They soon began performing at [[Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center]] in Seattle's [[Central District, Seattle|Central District]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattlemet.com/articles/2011/5/20/local-hip-hop-scene-seattle-june-2011|title=Let's Start the Show {{!}} Seattle Met|website=www.seattlemet.com|access-date=2017-04-15}}</ref> Source of Labor began a collective that evolved into a record label called Jasiri Media Group. Igbnifa "Blahzey Blah" Fadoyamin joined Source Of Labor during this time. Their first show in downtown Seattle was in 1993 at the Crocodile Cafe.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/03/10/25016258/a-brief-hiphop-history-of-the-now-late-great-jonathan-moore|title=A Brief Hiphop History of The (Now) Late, Great Jonathan Moore|work=The Stranger|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en}}</ref> | |||
Source of Labor was loosely associated with the female rap act [[Beyond Reality (group)|Beyond Reality]], whose lead, MC Kylea, was Wordsayer's partner and mother of his first child.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kuow.org/post/making-seattle-beats-he-was-8-years-old|title=Making Seattle Beats Since He Was 8 Years Old|last=Charles|first=DioMari|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en}}</ref> Both performed at the all-day Rap Festival (featuring 30 or more of the top regional rap/hip-hop acts of that time). The event, much like [[Lollapolooza]], was strictly Rap and was called "Phunky Phat 95." It took place at the [[Evergreen State College]] during the summer of 1995. Source of Labor performed at Seattle's arts festival, Bumbershoot, and inspired [[Macklemore]] to become a rapper.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2013/03/5-classic-hip-hop-albums-according-macklemore-and-ryan-lewis/|title=5 Classic Hip-Hop Albums… According to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis|date=2013-03-20|website=Vibe|access-date=2017-04-15}}</ref> Wordsayer later gave Macklemore his first show at age 15.<ref name=":1"/> Source of Labor has been an inspiration to many other artists like [[Nardwuar the Human Serviette]], [[Ryan Lewis]], Strath Shepard, and [[Thee Satisfaction]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/07/01/137395930/grind-and-shine-shabazz-palaces-and-theesatisfaction|title=Grind And Shine: Shabazz Palaces And THEESatisfaction|work=NPR.org|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/nardwuar-our-man-in-canada/Content?oid=17825498|title=Nardwuar: Our Man in Canada|last=Erdman|first=Derek|website=The Stranger|access-date=2017-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestranger.com/music/2017/02/01/24836598/why-should-i-give-a-fuck-about-the-ghetto-chilldren|title=Why Should I Give a Fuck About the Ghetto Chilldren?|work=The Stranger|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en}}</ref> | Source of Labor was loosely associated with the female rap act [[Beyond Reality (group)|Beyond Reality]], whose lead, MC Kylea, was Wordsayer's partner and mother of his first child.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kuow.org/post/making-seattle-beats-he-was-8-years-old|title=Making Seattle Beats Since He Was 8 Years Old|last=Charles|first=DioMari|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en}}</ref> Both performed at the all-day Rap Festival (featuring 30 or more of the top regional rap/hip-hop acts of that time). The event, much like [[Lollapolooza]], was strictly Rap and was called "Phunky Phat 95." It took place at the [[Evergreen State College]] during the summer of 1995. Source of Labor performed at Seattle's arts festival, Bumbershoot, and inspired [[Macklemore]] to become a rapper.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2013/03/5-classic-hip-hop-albums-according-macklemore-and-ryan-lewis/|title=5 Classic Hip-Hop Albums… According to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis|date=2013-03-20|website=Vibe|access-date=2017-04-15}}</ref> Wordsayer later gave Macklemore his first show at age 15.<ref name=":1"/> Source of Labor has been an inspiration to many other artists like [[Nardwuar the Human Serviette]], [[Ryan Lewis]], Strath Shepard, and [[Thee Satisfaction]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2011/07/01/137395930/grind-and-shine-shabazz-palaces-and-theesatisfaction|title=Grind And Shine: Shabazz Palaces And THEESatisfaction|work=NPR.org|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/nardwuar-our-man-in-canada/Content?oid=17825498|title=Nardwuar: Our Man in Canada|last=Erdman|first=Derek|website=The Stranger|access-date=2017-04-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestranger.com/music/2017/02/01/24836598/why-should-i-give-a-fuck-about-the-ghetto-chilldren|title=Why Should I Give a Fuck About the Ghetto Chilldren?|work=The Stranger|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en}}</ref> | ||
Source of Labor's contributions to [[Northwest hip hop]] were extremely influential in shaping post-Nastmix hip-hop. They were part of Seattle's second hip hop movement, the first wave centering around Nastymix recording artist [[Sir Mix-a-Lot|Sir-Mix-a-Lot]]. Some credit the group's front man, [[Jonathan Moore (musician)|Wordsayer]], with personally moving hip-hop out of Seattle's Central District and into the rest of the city. In | Source of Labor's contributions to [[Northwest hip hop]] were extremely influential in shaping post-Nastmix hip-hop. They were part of Seattle's second hip hop movement, the first wave centering around Nastymix recording artist [[Sir Mix-a-Lot|Sir-Mix-a-Lot]]. Some credit the group's front man, [[Jonathan Moore (musician)|Wordsayer]], with personally moving hip-hop out of Seattle's Central District and into the rest of the city. | ||
In 1996, Blahzey Blah left Source Of Labor and joined Jungle Creations.<ref>"Stylin' Gets Serious" Cynthia Rose, [[The Seattle Times]], Jan 29, 1997</ref> In 1997 DJ Kamikaze also left the group.<ref name=":0" /> DJ Vitamin D from Tribal Music Inc. often DJed for the group's live performances, and also produced some beats for the group, but never became a member of Source Of Labor. In a 2020 interview on YouTube titled "Cake Talk Ep. 3 Ft. Vitamin D", he categorically stated that he was never a member of Source Of Labor.<ref>"Cake Talk Ep. 3 Ft. Vitamin D" YouTube, April 8, 2020, at approximately 43 minute 20 second mark, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9AYni9josk</ref> | |||
Source of Labor disbanded in 2004 and the artists went on to focus on their individual projects. Wordsayer continued producing and taught poetry at Franklin High School. Vitamin D continued his rapping and production career.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/download-this-vitamin-ds-funk-on-sight-mix/|title=Download this: Vitamin D's "Funk on Sight" mix|date=2010-11-24|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en-US}}</ref> | Source of Labor disbanded in 2004 and the artists went on to focus on their individual projects. Wordsayer continued producing and taught poetry at Franklin High School. Vitamin D continued his rapping and production career.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/download-this-vitamin-ds-funk-on-sight-mix/|title=Download this: Vitamin D's "Funk on Sight" mix|date=2010-11-24|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2017-04-15|language=en-US}}</ref> DJ Kamikaze changed his name to Jahnya after leaving the group. | ||
Wordsayer, born Johnny Lee Moore II, died of kidney failure in March 2017.<ref name=":1" /> | Wordsayer, born Johnny Lee Moore II, died of kidney failure in March 2017.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
Latest revision as of 22:57, 24 November 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Source of Labor was a rap band formed in 1990 in Atlanta, Georgia, and included Wordsayer, Negus I, Blahzey Blah, and DJ Kamikaze.[1]
History
Upendo "Negus I" Tookas went to high school in Seattle, and graduated in 1988. He was accepted to Morehouse College in Atlanta, and entered as a Freshman in the fall of 1988. Jonathan "Wordsayer" Moore became friends with Negus I in Seattle in the summer of 1989, then Negus I returned to Morehouse for his Sophomore year. Near the end of 1989, Wordsayer moved to Atlanta. Beginning in 1990, Wordsayer attended Atlanta Metropolitan State College. Wordsayer and Negus I met Joel "DJ Kamikaze" Lozano in Atlanta and, as Wordsayer told writer Ifé Thomas for Urban Agenda newspaper, "We got together in 1990 in Atlanta."[2] Wordsayer was accepted to Morehouse in January 1992 and attended one semester there as a Sophomore.
The three members of Source Of Labor moved from Atlanta to Seattle in late 1992. According to Wordsayer in Urban Agenda, "We really decided in the summer of '92 to head back to Seattle, and we all got back that fall in October."[2] They soon began performing at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center in Seattle's Central District.[3] Source of Labor began a collective that evolved into a record label called Jasiri Media Group. Igbnifa "Blahzey Blah" Fadoyamin joined Source Of Labor during this time. Their first show in downtown Seattle was in 1993 at the Crocodile Cafe.[4]
Source of Labor was loosely associated with the female rap act Beyond Reality, whose lead, MC Kylea, was Wordsayer's partner and mother of his first child.[5] Both performed at the all-day Rap Festival (featuring 30 or more of the top regional rap/hip-hop acts of that time). The event, much like Lollapolooza, was strictly Rap and was called "Phunky Phat 95." It took place at the Evergreen State College during the summer of 1995. Source of Labor performed at Seattle's arts festival, Bumbershoot, and inspired Macklemore to become a rapper.[6] Wordsayer later gave Macklemore his first show at age 15.[4] Source of Labor has been an inspiration to many other artists like Nardwuar the Human Serviette, Ryan Lewis, Strath Shepard, and Thee Satisfaction.[7][6][8][9]
Source of Labor's contributions to Northwest hip hop were extremely influential in shaping post-Nastmix hip-hop. They were part of Seattle's second hip hop movement, the first wave centering around Nastymix recording artist Sir-Mix-a-Lot. Some credit the group's front man, Wordsayer, with personally moving hip-hop out of Seattle's Central District and into the rest of the city.
In 1996, Blahzey Blah left Source Of Labor and joined Jungle Creations.[10] In 1997 DJ Kamikaze also left the group.[1] DJ Vitamin D from Tribal Music Inc. often DJed for the group's live performances, and also produced some beats for the group, but never became a member of Source Of Labor. In a 2020 interview on YouTube titled "Cake Talk Ep. 3 Ft. Vitamin D", he categorically stated that he was never a member of Source Of Labor.[11]
Source of Labor disbanded in 2004 and the artists went on to focus on their individual projects. Wordsayer continued producing and taught poetry at Franklin High School. Vitamin D continued his rapping and production career.[1][12] DJ Kamikaze changed his name to Jahnya after leaving the group.
Wordsayer, born Johnny Lee Moore II, died of kidney failure in March 2017.[4]
Discography
Albums, EPs, and Singles
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Stolen Lives | Subversemusic |
| Year | EP | Label |
| 2001 | Full Circle EP | Subversemusic |
| 1995 | Sureshot Singles EP | Jasiri Media Group |
| 1995 | Source Of Labor (Cassette) | Jasiri Media Group |
| Year | Single | Label |
| 1999 | Wetlands 12" | Jasiri Media Group |
| 1997 | Overstandings 12" | Jasiri Media Group |
| 1996 | Balance CD | Jasiri Media Group |
Guest Appearances, Compilations, and B-Sides
| Year | Album | Artist | Label | Song |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Table Manners 2 | Vitamin D | Tribal Music Inc. | (freestyle) |
| 1998 | Classic Elements | Various Artists | K Records | Aunt Anna |
| 1997 | Word Sound Power | Various Artists | Jasiri Media Group | (8 tracks) |
| 1996 | Do the Math | Various Artists | Tribal Music Inc | The Shining |
| 1996 | 14 Fathoms Deep | Various Artists | Loosegroove Records | Cornbread |
| Year | 12" | Artist | Label | Song |
| 1999 | I Reality | Beyond Reality | Jasiri Media Group | Raindrops |
External links
- Source of Labor at AllMusic
- MTVScript error: No such module "Unsubst".Template:Cbignore
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b "Straight From The Source", by Ifé Thomas, The Urban Agenda newspaper, Spring 1995, page 6
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ "Stylin' Gets Serious" Cynthia Rose, The Seattle Times, Jan 29, 1997
- ↑ "Cake Talk Ep. 3 Ft. Vitamin D" YouTube, April 8, 2020, at approximately 43 minute 20 second mark, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9AYni9josk
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Authority control".