We do Nerd Sh*t. Like scan down sheet music and post it up for the World to learn.
Once again, Music Nerdery and The Black Opera sit to talk about New Music, New Single ‘Balcony,’ and Mello Music Group.
So once I heard that TBO was working on a new project, I sent in a request for an interview right away. I was lucky enough to get their first real interview a few months back… giving us insight on the group, who they were behind the masks and what their plans were for future. That was before Libretto: of Legend King was completed, and right before they signed with everyones new favorite label, Mello Music Group. Other things also popped up along the way, like new music, performances with Deepak Chopra and collaborations with 14KT – things I was dying to get more information on. Sure enough, I was lucky to score this second interview with The Black Opera Collective and was able to ask a few questions about where they’ve been, what they’ve been up to… and their new album. Enjoy below.
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Music Nerdery: All Operatives of The Black Opera: Please name/identify yourself for the readers, if you are willing.
The Black Opera Collective:
i am Sensu, which means w a r in our language.
i am Nokbai, that means p e a c e.
i am Kensah, l o v e.
we are representatives of the lineage of Nyame Dua, who is also known as the incredible King Legend. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
Music Nerdery: I love that theme. So since the last time we spoke with each other, TBO has made some major strides within music. It appears as if one of my new favorite labels, Mello Music Group, has picked up on your talent and decided to help you on your mission. Can you speak on how Mello Music Group and TBO crossed paths? Talk a bit about the new album if you want to.
The Black Opera Collective:
i had been in talks with the chief at Mello Music Group for quite a while before The Black Opera movement surfaced. once TBO took shape and started moving forward, we noticed the similarities in our intentions. the union with MMG was a unanimous decision that happened right on time with our level of progress. -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
it’s really an honor to be affiliated with such a highly respected establishment. the greatness in this partnership is that the respect is mutual. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
it’s important to know that our third installment and debut with Mello Music Group; Libretto: of King Legend, is in stores now. that is the most important news we have today. it’s a must that our followers support this release so we can continue to move in the name of art and oneness. -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
Music Nerdery: You also were a part of an amazing performance ensemble formed by the legendary Deepak Chopra for his “Symposium 2012″ presentation. Had to be an exciting moment in the movement. If you can, please feel free to get into what that experience was like for you guys.
The Black Opera Collective:
i was shocked that we even got an invite. we had an amazing time. Deepak is brilliant. we consider him family now. the accommodations were definitely el presidente. very elegant and kingly. -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
it’s truly humbling when someone of Deepak’s stature is a fan of your music. Deepak is cool with people like Oprah and Obama. this trip let us know that our movement was actually moving. -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
we learned a lot about how extensive and powerful the mind is and we have applied some of what we learned into our collective. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
Music Nerdery: Congratulations on that win. Speaking of live shows, It appears as if you have started to perform live shows/demonstrations throughout select areas of America. You’ve also put together a live band called The Black Operation (AWESOME) that performs your work in live format. Can you tell me a bit on how performing your music in a live setting is going, what its like having a live band, maybe information on expanding the tour?
The Black Opera Collective:
our live show is high energy and extremely creative. our show is more of a performing arts presentation than an average boring rap show. these days your favorite is just a great studio rapper. he/she records perfect but doesn’t know how to perform to save his/her life. its sad that artists have forgotten about the art of performance, entertaining theatrics and musicianship. -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
we aim to have no weakness in any area. we are the best vocalists. we are the best performers in hip hop/rap or whatever genre you want to call it. we aim for a complete greatness. -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
our shows have been amazing. the crowd’s feedback has been very genuine. the looks on their faces when we do costume changes are priceless. we practice to be the greatest for them. we recently put on a display in Atlanta at the annual A3C Festival along with our fellow Mello Music Group cohorts. we would like to thank A3C for having us. there were a few sound and timing issues on the festivals part but our show was a success. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
Music Nerdery: The last time we spoke, there was an surprising discovery… there is a Woman operative (#061181) within The Black Opera. If I could just ask…. I was wondering what your role in The Black Opera is. I have yet to hear a distinctive female voice on TBO tracks, except for the lovely work done on verses and hooks. Can you speak more about your contributions to TBO?
The Black Opera Collective:
greetings, Ericka. i am Kensah, the symbol of l o v e within The Black Opera, and an interpreter of the language of “Opian”, the TBO native tongue. my role in TBO is to magnify the artistic vision. i am the photographer; i’m usually behind the camera if i’m not in the picture. i do a lot of the visual artwork. i initiate the fashion curves. i am Grace Jones. i am Zora Neele Hurston. i am Yoko Ono. i am Claire Huxtable. i represent the queens. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
Music Nerdery: Ha. Claire Huxtable is the prototype. So are there any new members to TBO?
The Black Opera Collective:
the newest addition to our clan is the The Black Operation, our live demonstration instrumentalists. we’re also training a new breed of producers to help paint our musical canvas. -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
we are everevolving. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
Music Nerdery: Speaking of additions, I would love to know more about each individual operatives role within TBO. Is there an operative who specifically does beats for the group or is that a group effort? Perhaps the roles are fluid within TBO and adapt to whatever situation you’re in… would you care to speak on the structure of TBO and who does what just a little bit?
The Black Opera Collective:
only a select few are chosen to speak on behalf of TBO, such as situations like this. the voice of TBO is portrayed by three individuals. we are the trinity that has been called and chosen as descendants of King Legend and carry the lineage of The Black Opera. -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
within our cooperative we all share responsibility. we write. we orchestrate our audio and video demonstrations from start to finish. we enter:act through digital channels. we strategize. we enlist new ADVANCED BLACK OPS (ABOs). we create visual magic. we reach the people. we change perceptions -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
Music Nerdery: We already know you have worked with some wonderful musicians in the past, and for your upcoming project. So who are some of the artist that The Black Opera are working with right now, and who are some of the artists that you would like to work with in the future?
The Black Opera Collective:
we’ll be honored to begin and continue to work with members of the Mello Music Group family, such as yU the 87er, Oddisee, and Apollo Brown (who recently provided an audio remix to “Monsters & Robots” from our EnterMission. album). -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
we also have our sights set on working with other extremely talented composers such as 14KT, and JBizness, both of which have contributed to the TBO catalogue. in addition, we are in talks with producer Lee Bannon, among other potential musical co:operatives. -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
we would like to keep some of our less obvious future collaborations a secret until the time is right to reveal. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
Music Nerdery: You just released an amazing new single called Opera Hands that also came with the Teleport b-side; Its one of my favorite releases from you thus far. So what was the message you were trying to convey with Opera Hands? Tell me more about how you found this amazing beat and the amazing TallBlackGuy?
The Black Opera Collective:
the message in “Opera Hands” is that not everything needs a message and that fun is acceptable. get what you get from “Opera Hands” and conduct your own outcome. we maintain a close ear to producers we respect and relate to and a TallBlackGuy collab made perfect sense. plus he’s tall and he’s black so we could relate to that too. it was divine timing and creative opportunity working with that brotha. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
as you come to know TBO, you will find that our music takes on new shapes and sounds. our music is t r i b a l l, it’s dark comedy, it’s w e a l t h y, it’s voodoo. -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
Music Nerdery: So I know today is the release of your first project with Mello Music Group. You also just released an amazing new single (free download here), Balcony. I put the brand new video for the single right below for everyone to watch. So why dont you tell us a bit about the project.
The Black Opera Collective:
our debut release with Mello Music Group is titled Libretto: of King Legend. it’s the story of our origins & a hint to where we are headed. -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
sonically, it’s the evolution that follows Overture and EnterMission. and the completion of the three part Endtroduction of TBO; THE BLACK OP: ERA I. it’s entirely composed by one of our most amazing sound producers: Astronote. Libretto: of King Legend will be the greatest album of the year and beyond. -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
Music Nerdery: One last nerdy question for you… What does TBO listen to for inspiration? Who are the musicians and the eras of music you find yourself listening to at this moment?
The Black Opera Collective:
Fela Kuti, Outkast, Steely Dan, James Brown, 2Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Gaslamp Killer, to name a few. -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
Soil&Pimp, Kim Burrell, Morcheeba, Ladysmith Black Mbazo, Ras G, Sarah Vaughan, Air, Charles Mingus and on and on. -Kensah, [TBOG #061181]
Donny Hathaway, Prince, Chief Keef, N.E.R.D., Passion Pit, The Step Kids, Nina Simone, Miike Snow & Gunplay are who i’m listening to right now -Nokbai, [TBOG #120279]
we listen to just about everything. we must stay aware and prepared. -Sensu, [TBOG #041380]
Music Nerdery: Thank you for your time, as always
The Black Opera Collective:
WE Thank YOU. WE are ONE. WE are GREAT.
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Libretto: of King Legend is out TODAY. Make sure you pick it up in whatever format your into… just make sure you buy that, and support great music.
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/
CD: http://www.undergroundhiphop.
Vinyl: http://www.undergroundhiphop.
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