Doomtree
Encyclopedia
Doomtree is a hip hop
collective based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
. Members of Doomtree bring various bases of knowledge and musical backgrounds together to create alternative-influenced rap and hip-hop music. Nearly as prominent as the influence of hip-hop in their music is that of punk
, and their lyrics are frequently introspective. They often do shows with fellow Minnesota hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment
. Emcees perform solo or with one another, each contributing a different approach to their music. Doomtree's self-released, self-titled debut album as a group was released on July 29, 2008.
alumni followed. Mike Mictlan, having also attended high school with P.O.S, became an official member when he moved back to Minneapolis from Los Angeles. Dessa
joined after having a chance encounter with P.O.S, who was living down the street from her at the time along with Sims, Turbo Nemesis and MK Larada.
2010 saw the first "Doomtree Snowout," an additional "Blowout" show at First Avenue due to the bad weather.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
collective based in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. Members of Doomtree bring various bases of knowledge and musical backgrounds together to create alternative-influenced rap and hip-hop music. Nearly as prominent as the influence of hip-hop in their music is that of punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, and their lyrics are frequently introspective. They often do shows with fellow Minnesota hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment
Rhymesayers Entertainment
Rhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
. Emcees perform solo or with one another, each contributing a different approach to their music. Doomtree's self-released, self-titled debut album as a group was released on July 29, 2008.
History
Members of Doomtree have described the group's formation as a gradual process. The initial lineup saw P.O.S and MK Larada, friends from high school, making songs with other local artists such as Cecil Otter and Beautiful Bobby Gorgeous; soon enough Sims and Lazerbeak, fellow Hopkins High SchoolHopkins High School
Hopkins High School is a public high school located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a southwestern suburb of Minneapolis. It offers classes for grades 10, 11, and 12. Hopkins High School is part of the Hopkins School District 270 and draws students from the city of Hopkins, central and eastern parts of...
alumni followed. Mike Mictlan, having also attended high school with P.O.S, became an official member when he moved back to Minneapolis from Los Angeles. Dessa
Dessa
Dessa is a spoken word artist, author, and MC from Minneapolis, MN. She is best known as a member of the Doomtree Hip-Hop Collective.-Education:...
joined after having a chance encounter with P.O.S, who was living down the street from her at the time along with Sims, Turbo Nemesis and MK Larada.
Emcees
- P.O.S (Stefon Alexander) has released three albums under the Rhymesayers record label in conjunction with the Doomtree label. His first album, Ipecac NeatIpecac Neat-Track listing:#"Gimme Gimme Gunshots" – 4:04#"Meth-head vs. McNugget" – 3:48#"Hunger Pains Three" – 3:42#"That One" – 4:30#"Sarah Silverman" – 1:46#"Music for Shoplifting" – 3:21#"Kicking Knowledge in the Face" – 4:38#"Ants" – 3:53#"Kidney Thief" – 4:13...
, was originally released in 2003, and made its Rhymesayers debut in 2004, winning The Minneapolis Star-Tribunes "Best local album of the year". In 2006, he repeated this feat with his critically acclaimed AuditionAudition (album)Audition is the second album from Minneapolis hip hop artist P.O.S, following his first album Ipecac Neat, and is likewise heavily punk-inspired...
. He also performs with the punk rock group "Building Better Bombs". His third album, Never BetterNever Better (album)Never Better is the third full-length album from Minneapolis punk-inspired hip hop artist P.O.S The first single, "Goodbye" was released in Mid-December, 2008. The second single, "Drumroll " was released Mid-January on iTunes and Amazon.com...
, was released on February 3, 2009. In the past, P.O.S has used the pseudonymPseudonymA pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
"Emily Bloodmobile" for production work. For the time being, P.O.S. has retired that nickname. He is currently working on his next solo album. - SimsSIMS- Last name :* Andrew Sims, American rapper, member of the Doomtree collective* Ashton Sims, Australian rugby league footballer* Charles Sims , British painter* Christopher A. Sims, American economist* Ernie Sims, NFL linebacker...
(Andrew Sims) released his first full-length album in July 2005; titled Lights out Paris, it received 4.5 out of 5 stars in URB Magazine (2005) and 4 out of 5 stars at okayplayer.com (2005). He has appeared on the P.O.S. is Ruining My Life tour 2006, the 2007 Vans Warped Tour, as well as at SXSW in 2008. His new album, Bad Time Zoo, was released February 15, 2011. - DessaDessaDessa is a spoken word artist, author, and MC from Minneapolis, MN. She is best known as a member of the Doomtree Hip-Hop Collective.-Education:...
(Maggie Wander) released one of Doomtree's several False HopesFalse Hopes (dessa album)False Hopes is the debut from Minneapolis crew Doomtree member Dessa.-Track listing:...
albums and often performs live with violinist Jessy Greene, who is featured on P.O.S's Audition. She is an accomplished spoken word poet. In 2009, she released a book of creative fiction, Spiral Bound, Doomtree's first print offering. Her debut LP, A Badly Broken Code, was released on January 19, 2010. - Mike Mictlan (Mike Marquez) has released Doomtree False Hopes albums Deity for hire and Deity for Re-hire. Mictlan released a collaboration album, Hand Over Fist, with Doomtree producer Lazerbeak on September 23, 2008. Mike is currently working on his next solo album which does not yet have a title.
- Cecil Otter (Kyle Smith) released Hung Over-seas, a Doomtree False Hopes album in 2003. He was also a finalist in a national spoken word competition inspired by the 2004 presidential electionUnited States presidential election, 2004The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
. He released another album, Cecil Otter's False HopesCecil Otter's False HopesCecil Otter's False Hopes is one of the several False Hopes albums released by the Doomtree crew.-Track listing:...
, in 2005. In late 2006 Cecil Otter released a limited edition version of his follow-up album, Rebel YellowRebel YellowRebel Yellow is the first official release by Minneapolis Hip-Hop artist Cecil Otter of the Doomtree crew. It was first available as an advance version at the second Doomtree blowout. The Official version was released August 2008. It will be re-released by Strange Famous records in 2009.-Track...
, at the second Doomtree Blowout. A remixed and expanded version of Rebel Yellow was released on August 26, 2008. He was signed to Sage Francis's record label, Strange Famous, as of January 2009. He is currently working towards his follow-up album, Porcelain Revolver. He is also working on a collaborative album with Lazerbeak on which Cecil Otter will rap on Lazerbeak's beats, and Lazerbeak will sing on Cecil's beats, its title is "The Eupheus Pitch".
Producers/DJs
- Paper TigerPaper tigerPaper tiger is a literal English translation of the Chinese phrase zhǐlǎohǔ , meaning something that seems as threatening as a tiger, but is really harmless. This Chinese colloquialism is similar to the English phrase "its bark is worse than its bite"....
(John Samels) has producedHip hop productionHip hop production is the creation of hip hop music. Though the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music, it's most commonly used to refer to the instrumental, non-lyrical aspects of hip hop. This means that hip hop producers are the instrumentalists involved in a work...
for Doomtree emcees and quite often spins records for Doomtree performances. He also provides graphic design for various flyers and other Doomtree visuals. His False Hopes album was released at the 3rd Annual Doomtree Blowout. Paper Tiger released his first full-length solo album titled "Made Like Us" on July 27, 2010. - Lazerbeak (Aaron Mader) has produced many tracks for Doomtree emcees as well as several other Minneapolis hip-hop artists, including Toki Wright. He is also the guitarist of Minnesota indie band The Plastic ConstellationsThe Plastic ConstellationsThe Plastic Constellations were a Minneapolis-based band. Formed in 1995 when they met as students at Hopkins High School, they played their first shows in 1996 at the well-known First Avenue venue when they were just 15 years old...
. He released an album entitled Hand Over Fist with emcee Mictlan. He also produced a track on Mac Lethal'sMac LethalMac Lethal is a rapper from Kansas City, MO of Irish descent.-Biography:Mac Lethal was born David McCleary Sheldon on July 25, 1981....
album on Rhymesayers, 11:1111:11 (Mac Lethal album)-Track listing:#"Backward"#"Calm Down Baby"#"Rotten Apple Pie"#"Make Out Bandit"#"Pound That Beer"#"Jihad!"#"Crazy "#"Know It All"#"Sledgehammer"#"Die Slow"#"Lithium Lips"#"Tell Me Goodbye"#"Sun Storm"#"11 Out of 10"...
. Lazerbeak's first full-length solo album "Legend Recognize Legend" was released on September 28, 2010. He produced Sims' new album "Bad Time Zoo" which was released on February 15, 2011, He is also working on a collaborative album with Cecil Otter on which Cecil Otter will rap on Lazerbeak's beats, and Lazerbeak will sing on Cecil's beats, its title is "The Eupheus Pitch".
Affiliated artists
- Tom Servo has produced tracks for Dessa and Sims.
- Violinist Jessy GreeneJessy GreeneJessy Greene is a violin, cello, and vocal musician from Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA. She has released two albums, Blue Sky , and A Demon & Her Lovers . She was a former member of Geraldine Fibbers and The Jayhawks. Jessy has also played with a number of artists including Wilco, Atmosphere,...
often contributes to Doomtree projects. - DJ Plain Ole Bill has been behind the turntables for P.O.S on the majority of his tour dates throughout 2009, including the Never Better Tour, Pac Tour, and Warped Tour.
- Rapper AstronautalisAstronautalisAstronautalis is an American hip hop artist based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.After gaining some renown in local circles in Jacksonville and competing at Scribble Jam, Astronautalis self-released his debut album, You and Yer Good Ideas, in 2003...
Performances
Doomtree artists are highly active in the Twin Cities hip-hop community, with at least one emcee performing a show somewhere in the metro area at least every 3–4 weeks; in addition, every December, the entire crew takes the stage at First Avenue for their annual "Doomtree Blowout".2010 saw the first "Doomtree Snowout," an additional "Blowout" show at First Avenue due to the bad weather.
Studio Albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Sales/certification | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
CA Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
AUS ARIA Charts The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June... |
NZ New Zealand New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga... |
UK United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
IRE Ireland Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth... |
ITA Italy Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and... |
GER Germany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate... |
BRA Brazil Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people... |
DEN Denmark Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark... |
SWE Sweden Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... |
SPA Spain Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula... |
NOR Norway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... |
EU Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... |
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| 2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
False Hopes False Hopes (Doomtree album) False Hopes is a series of albums produced by Minneapolis Hip hop collective Doomtree. These are released in between "official" releases and the content often reappears on the official releases in a reworked fashion. This is the only False Hopes to date with content from every member of the...
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| 2008 2008 in music 2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such... |
Doomtree Doomtree (Album) Doomtree is the first official full-crew release from Minneapolis hip-hop group Doomtree. After putting of a series of False Hopes mixtapes, the crew decided it was finally time to release a true album.-Track listing:-Album chart positions:... Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , Digital Download Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
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| 2011 | 13 Chambers (Wugazi)
Music download A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment... |
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| 2011 | No Kings No Kings (Doomtree album) No Kings is the third full-length album from Minneapolis based hip-hop collective Doomtree. It was released on November 22nd 2011.The track 'The Grand Experiment' is currently available to stream from their official website.-Track listing:... Compact Disc The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,... , Vinyl Vinyl A vinyl compound is any organic compound that contains a vinyl group ,which are derivatives of ethene, CH2=CH2, with one hydrogen atom replaced with some other group... |
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External links
- Doomtree.net
- Doomtree's Myspace
- Doomtree Interview
- P.O.S. Interview Style43, October 2009
- Sims' Bad Time Zoo review