FEATURED ARTIST: CODE BLUE
So they have been making a serious buzz through the country, predominantly in the South & the West coast. But who knew these brothers where from the North? Im talking Toronto, Canada to be precise! Latinos stand Up! Thats right! Our featured artist this month is Code Blue. These fellaz been in the rap game for a strong minute and have been the pioneers of latin urban music in Canada. They have been the Canadian voice to Latinos in hip hop and have received the full out support from predominant figures in the industry. Straightbarrio had the pleasure & opportunity to catch up with Code Blue at a concert out here at the Key Club on Sunset Blvd (Los Angeles, CA). Code Blue where the second headline to Cypress Hill.
SB: So the Canadians are definitely in the house. How does it feel to get a such a great welcoming and positive response to Los Angeles?
Dinero: It feels great. We are very appreciative for the support and its been a long time coming. We have always had nothing but love and respect for Los Angeles. The history of hip hop behind this city is incredible and the sound born out of here has been very influential to our careers.
Most: Most definitely. We feel very overwhelmed and humbled to be out here representing.
SB: Must feel great to have a change in weather.
Most: (haha) It's definatly beautiful out here, but we can't hate on the cold weather. We Canadian, haha.
SB: So you have been receiving alot of support out here in the United States, has the support been mutual throughout other countries?
Most: Definitely! Canada is an established nation throughout the world. Places like Colombia, Chile, Argentina all the way to Spain, Germany and Japan view Canadian music; specifically hip hop as an established artform. Code Blue has managed to tap into the international hip hop level.
William Dinero: The love has been overwhelming. It's amazing to see our music spread far beyond North America.
SB: How did Code Blue manage to establish a name throughout these countries with limited marketing and no major label push?
William Dinero: Well, we been very fortunate to have the internet and technology, the media advancements on ours side. Like, in the 90's it was very hands on strategies with postering, stickers and music sample cassettes and cds. Nowadays, you can achieve the same results over the internet with the push of a few buttons. Not to mention the popular social networking sites that make it easy for us to target anyone in the world. We still give away music in cd format, but Mp3's have made it much more easier to reach audiences and different demographics
Most: For example, Youtube has been a great tool for our group. Its very surprising that while we are in Canada, a fan base is building a lot of times without our knowing. A youtube video pops up with one of tracks from a fan somewhere out here and next thing you know, its gone viral to all his networks. It cuts the legwork in half.
SB: I really enjoyed the production on the album and noticed a lot of variety. It was a contrast from your previous album. Is the man behind the production still Dinero and why the sudden change in sound?
William Dinero: Im still the man behind the production. The sudden change in sound was because we felt very comfortable and confident to showcase something new. A different side to Code Blue. As you can tell, this album has more variety. Different sounds. I felt that as a producer and group, we had matured and grown musically. I thought it was really important to share that growth with our developing fan base. It was risky, because we had catered to a certain niche and didn't know how they would accept the new sounds and experimenting of the group. We very grateful that our people liked it and continue to follow us. Big shout outs to Smokey for the production on Costa Rica. That was all him, haha.
SB: What can we expect from Code Blue in the next couple of years?
Most: Well, when we released our first album, every track was in english. We would like to go back to those roots and make our future projects predominantly in English. We received overwhelming love from our Spanish audience, but its time to crossover and put more focus to the English side of the sport.
Dinero: Its all about the transition. Our latest album is pretty much 70% English and 30% Spanish. The next album might be entirely in English again but the latino side of me might have to sprinkle a little bit of spanish spices in there. I also would like to take our music to another level by reaching out to other markets. We have a few unreleased songs that have a rock and metel feel to them as well.
SB: Are you hinting a rock album in the works?
Most: Nah, haha. We love hip hop too much but also like Willy said, theres growth in the process. Evolution. New experiences. Code Blue is constantly learning and growing.
William Dinero: Code Blue can't ever be put in a box. We free spirits. But like my brother said, We love hip hop. It is our foundation and backbone.
SB: So I know you guys have a busy schedule ahead of yourselves. I appreciate you guys taking some time to be with us here at Straightbarrio. We wish you success and can't wait to hear more from Code Blue. Is there any last words or shout outs?
Most: Go cop the album. Premature Ahead of the Times available at Cdbaby and Itunes. Shout outs to all our fans, family, supporters, friends & the third world entertainment family. Shout outs to Straightbarrio for keeping hip hop alive in the latin communities across the world. Peace!
Dinero: Visit us at thirdworldentertainment.com , therealcodeblue.com and follow us on Facebook: code blue and on twitter: therealcodeblue. Peace.
You can check out CODE BLUE AT:
http://www.thirdworldentertainment.com http://www.therealcodeblue.com http://www.williamdinero.com
SB: So the Canadians are definitely in the house. How does it feel to get a such a great welcoming and positive response to Los Angeles?
Dinero: It feels great. We are very appreciative for the support and its been a long time coming. We have always had nothing but love and respect for Los Angeles. The history of hip hop behind this city is incredible and the sound born out of here has been very influential to our careers.
Most: Most definitely. We feel very overwhelmed and humbled to be out here representing.
SB: Must feel great to have a change in weather.
Most: (haha) It's definatly beautiful out here, but we can't hate on the cold weather. We Canadian, haha.
SB: So you have been receiving alot of support out here in the United States, has the support been mutual throughout other countries?
Most: Definitely! Canada is an established nation throughout the world. Places like Colombia, Chile, Argentina all the way to Spain, Germany and Japan view Canadian music; specifically hip hop as an established artform. Code Blue has managed to tap into the international hip hop level.
William Dinero: The love has been overwhelming. It's amazing to see our music spread far beyond North America.
SB: How did Code Blue manage to establish a name throughout these countries with limited marketing and no major label push?
William Dinero: Well, we been very fortunate to have the internet and technology, the media advancements on ours side. Like, in the 90's it was very hands on strategies with postering, stickers and music sample cassettes and cds. Nowadays, you can achieve the same results over the internet with the push of a few buttons. Not to mention the popular social networking sites that make it easy for us to target anyone in the world. We still give away music in cd format, but Mp3's have made it much more easier to reach audiences and different demographics
Most: For example, Youtube has been a great tool for our group. Its very surprising that while we are in Canada, a fan base is building a lot of times without our knowing. A youtube video pops up with one of tracks from a fan somewhere out here and next thing you know, its gone viral to all his networks. It cuts the legwork in half.
SB: I really enjoyed the production on the album and noticed a lot of variety. It was a contrast from your previous album. Is the man behind the production still Dinero and why the sudden change in sound?
William Dinero: Im still the man behind the production. The sudden change in sound was because we felt very comfortable and confident to showcase something new. A different side to Code Blue. As you can tell, this album has more variety. Different sounds. I felt that as a producer and group, we had matured and grown musically. I thought it was really important to share that growth with our developing fan base. It was risky, because we had catered to a certain niche and didn't know how they would accept the new sounds and experimenting of the group. We very grateful that our people liked it and continue to follow us. Big shout outs to Smokey for the production on Costa Rica. That was all him, haha.
SB: What can we expect from Code Blue in the next couple of years?
Most: Well, when we released our first album, every track was in english. We would like to go back to those roots and make our future projects predominantly in English. We received overwhelming love from our Spanish audience, but its time to crossover and put more focus to the English side of the sport.
Dinero: Its all about the transition. Our latest album is pretty much 70% English and 30% Spanish. The next album might be entirely in English again but the latino side of me might have to sprinkle a little bit of spanish spices in there. I also would like to take our music to another level by reaching out to other markets. We have a few unreleased songs that have a rock and metel feel to them as well.
SB: Are you hinting a rock album in the works?
Most: Nah, haha. We love hip hop too much but also like Willy said, theres growth in the process. Evolution. New experiences. Code Blue is constantly learning and growing.
William Dinero: Code Blue can't ever be put in a box. We free spirits. But like my brother said, We love hip hop. It is our foundation and backbone.
SB: So I know you guys have a busy schedule ahead of yourselves. I appreciate you guys taking some time to be with us here at Straightbarrio. We wish you success and can't wait to hear more from Code Blue. Is there any last words or shout outs?
Most: Go cop the album. Premature Ahead of the Times available at Cdbaby and Itunes. Shout outs to all our fans, family, supporters, friends & the third world entertainment family. Shout outs to Straightbarrio for keeping hip hop alive in the latin communities across the world. Peace!
Dinero: Visit us at thirdworldentertainment.com , therealcodeblue.com and follow us on Facebook: code blue and on twitter: therealcodeblue. Peace.
You can check out CODE BLUE AT:
http://www.thirdworldentertainment.com http://www.therealcodeblue.com http://www.williamdinero.com