JEDI MIND TRICKS TO RELEASE FIFTH ALBUM, SERVANTS IN HEAVEN, KINGS IN
HELL, SEPTEMBER 19TH ON BABYGRANDE RECORDS
Album marks return of indie hip-hop favorites with guest appearances
by ILL Bill, Sean Price, R.A. The Rugged Man and more as well as
pioneering indie rock collaborative efforts including Sufjan Stevens
vocalist Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond
Babygrande Records is proud to announce the September 19th release of
Jedi Mind Tricks’ fifth album, Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell. The
album reflects another benchmark in the evolution of a group that has
continuously pushed the boundaries of indie hip-hop. For the past ten
years, Jedi Mind Tricks has been making uncompromising music without
regard to an industry that often resembles an exclusively hit-hungry
country club. Jedi’s renowned status as one of the most revered and
reviled groups in independent music is a testament to their unwavering
commitment to a unique aesthetic.
Jedi Mind Tricks is comprised of Philadelphia’s own Vinnie Paz and the
mysterious maestro Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind. The group has
continuously cooked up a witch’s brew of sonic decadence comprised of
Vinnie’s politically-charged firebrand lyricism, a dose of battle rap
braggadocio, and Stoupe’s punishing production. While most rap
producers are content to employ one, perhaps two, repetitious loops,
Stoupe continues to redefine the role of rap producer by incorporating
upwards of fifty tracks inclusive of samples, live instrumentation,
and other such sound effects, effectively pushing the limits of his
own signature style while further solidifying his deserved reputation
as one of rap’s most celebrated composers since Wu-Tang Clan’s The RZA.
Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell also serves as a stepping stone in
the lyrical maturation of frontman Vinnie Paz, as he strikes a balance
between the ferocious battle raps that have become synonymous with
Jedi Mind Tricks and much more introspective offerings in the form of
tracks like “Razorblade Salvation,” a manifesto to struggling with
suicidal thoughts. The track features Stoupe’s stunning
reinterpretation of Sufjan Stevens’ “Dumb I Sound” and is hallmarked
by a hauntingly beautiful vocal performance by indie rock’s Diamond
Girl a/k/a Shara Worden, renowned back-up vocalist for Sufjan Stevens
as well as frontwoman of My Brightest Diamond. Early critics are
drawing rave comparisons to Eminem’s “Stan.”
The lead single, “Heavy Metal Kings” (which has also been made into a
dynamic video live and viewable at: www.jedi-mind-tricks.com),
features Vinnie Paz’s brother-in-arms, ILL Bill of the now defunct Non-
Phixion, and is currently available on iTunes. A blue 12” limited
edition vinyl personally signed by Vinnie is also available for
purchase while supplies last at www.jedi-mind-tricks.com.
To further reward their rabidly loyal fan base, Jedi will be issuing a
Transworld chain (Coconuts, FYE, Sam Goody) exclusive version of
Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell, replete with bonus content,
including a “Heavy Metal Kings” bonus track remixed and performed by
buzzing West Coast hardcore metal group TERROR and a bonus DVD.
Servants In Heaven, Kings In Hell is Jedi Mind Tricks’ most mature and
diverse offering of their ten year career. Their trademark mosh-pit
anthems and battle raps coexist with some of the most intricate and
poignant songwriting found in independent music, let alone indie hip-
hop, today.
Look for Jedi Mind Tricks on tour throughout the fall. Routing as
follows:
9/19/2006 - New York, NY - SOB's
9/20/2006 - Northampton, MA - Pearl Street
9/21/2006 - Cambridge, MA - The Middle East
9/22/2006 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
9/23/2006 – Montreal, QC – TBA
9/24/2006 – Toronto, ON - TBA
9/26/2006 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
9/29/2006 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep
10/1/2006 - Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
10/2/2006 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
10/3/2006 - Salt Lake City, UT - Avalon Theatre
10/6/2006 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
10/7/2006 - Vancouver, BC - Richards on Richards
10/8/2006 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
10/10/2006 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
10/11/2006 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Downtown Brewing Company
10/12/2006 - Los Angeles, CA - The Troubadour
10/13/2006 - Orange County, CA - Russell's Palace
10/14/2006 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
10/15/2006 - Phoenix, AZ - Clubhouse
10/16/2006 - Tucson, AZ - Rialto Theatre
10/19/2006 - Austin, TX - Emo's
10/20/2006 - New Orleans, LA - The Parish @ House of Blues
10/22/2006 - Orlando, FL - TBA
10/23/2006 - Miami, FL - TBA
10/26/2006 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
10/27/2006 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero Theatre
10/28/2006 - Washington, D.C. - 9:30 Club
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