W4RP Trio+ LiKWUiD
Sermon of the MatriarK
W4RP Trio is a revolutionary ensemble that transcends musical boundaries with their eclectic fusion of classical, jazz, hip hop, country, funk, and many other musical languages. Their collaboration with the barbed and poetic lyricism of rapper LiKWUiD, Sermon of the MatriarK is a towering conceptual work strives to, as W4RP put it, "honor the strength and resilience of women across the Black diaspora."
W4RP and LiKWUiD construct a propulsive and ominous sound that evokes Stravinsky-esque theatricality, fire and brimstone gospel music, rhythms from the worlds of contemporary minimalism and jazz, and grandiose hip-hop production.
W4RP Trio + LiKWUiD Podcast
Exploring Boundaries: W4RP Trio and LiKWUiD Discuss 'Sermon of the Matriark'
In this episode of the Phenotypic Recordings Podcast, Sarah Cahill converses with W4RP Trio- Josh Henderson, Mikhael Darmanie, J.Y. Lee, Rick Martinez - and rapper LiKWiD about their newly released album 'Sermon of the Matriark.' The group delves into the integration of classical training with diverse musical styles, thematic inspirations behind the album, and the details of their creative process. The album draws from historical references and contemporary social issues, showcasing a mix of classical, hip hop, and acoustic genres. Key tracks discussed include 'Up' and 'Gimme Dat,' highlighting their ability to narrate powerful stories through experimental and collaborative music-making.
SINGLE: Devil Went Down to Cackalacky
W4RP Trio + LiKWUiD
SINGLE Sermon of the Matriark: i. Prelude
W4RP Trio + LiKWUiD
W4RP Trio
W4RP Trio’s collaborative partners range from orchestras to hip hop, jazz and pop artists and beyond. They have performed mind-blowing original orchestral programs with the Des Moines and Louisville Orchestras, as well as the Chesapeake Orchestra, Palaver Strings, and New York City’s Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra. In popular music, W4RP has long standing collaborations with spoken-word artist LiKWUiD as well as vocalists including Mirah, Raina Sokolov-Gonzalez, Claire Wellin (of San Fermin), and Rich; W4RP recently opened for Icelandic jazz-pop sensation Laufey at the Caroga Lake Music Festival.
w4rpmusic.com
“Unafraid of confrontation, unbothered by opposition, and unwilling to compromise the truth, the group’s message was elegiac, prophetic, and a call-to-action… Beyond their excellent artistry, Warp Trio has an important message to bring to audiences.” ~ Classical Voice North Carolina
Described as a “talented group that exemplifies the genre-obliterating direction of contemporary classical music” (Columbia Free Times), W4RP Trio is an internationally touring cross-genre chamber music experience. Reflecting the combination of Juilliard trained members juxtaposed with members steeped in rock and jazz styles, the one-of-a-kind ensemble can be seen performing classical works in prestigious halls on the same tour where they headline a standing room only show at a rock venue. In addition to their electrifying public performances, they have gained a reputation for their innovative educational workshops with students from grade school through university level. Their groundbreaking original compositions and collaborative works explore myriad musical traditions and styles, as well as important social issues.
Maintaining a busy performance schedule, W4RP has performed hundreds of concerts all across the United States, in addition to touring throughout the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Africa, and the Caribbean. Highlights of recent seasons include headlining at Barcelona’s LEM Festival for Experimental Music and the Omaha Under the Radar Festival; being featured artists at the MASA Jazz Festival in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the Moab Music Festival’s Winterlude, and the Vancouver Island Music Festival; and launching the world premiere of their original work for the ensemble, narrator and full orchestra, “Brother Yasuke: The True Story of the Afro-Samurai”.
LiKWUiD
DJ LiKWUiD, born Faybeo’n LaShanna A Mickens, is an award-winning hip hop fusion artivist, DJ, songwriter, music supervisor and educator. As an avid lover of the African American diaspora of music, LiKWUiD’s style of DJing is based around blending beats together as one tapestry of sound. Her signature “traphrobeats” genre-bending style, blends house music, hip hop and afrobeats ~ three of her loves representing her Gullah ancestry, Harlem influence and southern upbringing. She is a Cultural Ambassador to the United States and Voting Member of the Recording Academy.
www.iamlikwuid.com
Album Information
TITLE: Sermon of the MatriarK
ARTISTS: W4RP Trio + LiKWUiD
COMPOSERS: Josh Henderson, Mikael Darmanie, Ju Young Lee, Rick Martinez, Faybeo’n Mickens
SUMMARY:
CREDITS:
Produced by Stephen Prutsman
Recorded by Ryan Streber at Oktaven Audio, Mt. Vernon, NY; Additional recording by Daniel Edmond, Spaniel Studio, Astoria, NY; Mixed and edited by Mike Tierney, Fieldnotes Studio, Brooklyn, NY; Additional editing by Gary Mankin, Studio Ajea, San Francisco, CA; Mastering by Alan Silverman
Album art and graphic design by BaronArts, Inc.; Photos by Titilayo Ayangade; Text editing by Jennifer Gersten; Illustrations by Edythe Vassall used by permission
MUSIC WITH A MISSION: Phenotypic Recordings will donate all its proceeds to non-profit organizations advocating for Black women and girls
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1. Sermon of the MatriarK
i: Prelude
ii: Testify
iii: After the Rainbow
4. Up
5. The Devil Went Down to Cackalacky
6. Gimme Dat
i: gambit
ii: in motion
iii: throwback
iv: transe
v: wake up
vi: they tweakin
vii: caps
viii: 4th wall
14. Here’s One
15. MatriarK ReduX
16. Southern Belle
17. To My Momma
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Sermon of the MatriarK began as an exploration of folkloric material from the African diaspora with powerful female protagonists. As we sought to understand these characters, we became increasingly aware of their real-life counterparts ~ the heroines who shape our daily lives. We connected the dots from the legendary African warrior princess Yennenga to Black freedom fighters Harriet Tubman and Assata Shakur, all the way to our mothers, aunties, sisters, and friends fighting to
protect and uplift themselves, their families, and their communities.
Try as we might, instrumental music alone can only go so far in communicating the details of these stories. We are thus forever indebted to a longtime friend of the band, the amazing lyricist and human Faybeo’n Mickens (LiKWUiD), for taking our rough concepts and lyrically running a marathon with them. By helping us articulate these complex ideas, LiKWUiD helped us create a project that evokes the deep roots of matriarchal Afro-diasporic folklore and celebrates women’s rise and empowerment. We hope this album will instill in the listener a sense of these powerful figures’ legacies and honor the strength and resilience of women across the Black diaspora.
~ W4RP Trio
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Link to Artist Notes on Tracks
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Phenotypic Recordings is honored to present Sermon of the MatriarK by W4RP Trio, a collaboration with LiKWUiD, with guest artists Rich and Emergence Collective. Our mission is to bring to light innovative new music, especially those addressing important issues, and this album is one of our most exciting projects.
W4RP Trio is a revolutionary ensemble that transcends musical boundaries with their eclectic fusion of classical, jazz, hip hop, country, funk, and many other musical languages. United by their passion for creativity and evoking larger social themes through music, they craft vibrant soundscapes that reflect a rich tapestry of musical and
cultural influences. Each performance is a celebration of their unique backgrounds, inviting audiences to experience a sonic journey that
challenges conventions and ignites conversations.
Artists that form the foundations of music as we know it today ~ Beethoven, Duke Ellington and Dolly Parton to name a few ~ were all pioneers that shattered the boundaries they were born into. W4RP is a modern-day heir to this inquisitive spirit. They approach music with unfettered curiosity and fearless experimentation, all the while applying their seriousness, depth, and skill, but with openness, enthusiasm and a sense of fun.
W4RP members wield a formidable, and perhaps unparalleled, artistic toolset that draws from classical training at the highest level, a long history in popular music, multifaceted cultural heritages (W4RP members have Black- , Caribbean- , Korean- , Latin- , and Anglo- American roots), and broad-ranging musical and societal awareness that spans the world. Their mastery wielding this broad palette allows them to create artistic statements of manifold dimensions, which we believe can broaden the discourse on what is possible in music and in our society.
As W4RP brought their multifaceted lens to an exploration of powerful women from the African Diaspora (both of legend and their personal lives), LiKWUiD (Fay) was the perfect partner. A longtime friend of the band, she is also an artist with unfathomable dimensions, including as hip-hop fusion artist, DJ, song writer, activist, educator, and entrepreneur. The music they have created together ~ deeply personal and poignant, powerful, raw and unflinching ~ highlights the achievements, and plight of these strong Matriarchs, and critiques the myriad ways we still have yet to improve as a society.
Phenotypic Recordings will donate its streaming proceeds from this album to non-profit organizations advocating on behalf of black women and girls.
~ Phenotypic Recordings
Sermon of the MatriarK evokes the deep roots of matriarchal Afro-diasporic folklore and celebrates women’s rise and empowerment.
We hope this album will instill in the listener a sense of these powerful figures’ legacies and honor the strength and resilience of women across the Black diaspora. We hope this album will instill in the listener a sense of the powerful figures’ legacies and honor the strength and resilience of women across the Black diaspora.
—W4RP Trio
MUSIC WITH A MISSION
Phenotypic Recordings will donate all its streaming and digital download proceeds from this album to non-profit organizations advocating for Black women and girls.
