Josef Piere who’s alias name is Defy Convention, has always cultivated an air of unorthodoxy and distinction with his music. Josef’s musical background is atypical; classical training in trombone, a mother who traveled across the world singing contemporary Christian music, a background in rap which became prominent during Josef’s time being the front-man of a 1990’s hard rock tribute group, Raptors in the Rafters. He is following up his 2010 solo debut EP, Distant, w...
Josef Piere who’s alias name is Defy Convention, has always cultivated an air of unorthodoxy and distinction with his music. Josef’s musical background is atypical; classical training in trombone, a mother who traveled across the world singing contemporary Christian music, a background in rap which became prominent during Josef’s time being the front-man of a 1990’s hard rock tribute group, Raptors in the Rafters. He is following up his 2010 solo debut EP, Distant, with This House Is Not A Home, an album highlighting his songwriting and production, to be released on February 1,2012. This House is Not a Home is miles away from what you might expect out of an up and coming hip-hop artist in terms of production and lyrical content. It is this kind of versatility that makes him such a brilliant and talented artist.
Stetson Leon Rhodes, who grew up in the culturally enriched city of Houston has always had music flowing through his veins. Stetson pulls musical inspiration from a wide range of sources; The Spice Girls, Earth, Wind & Fire, Frankie Beverly, Mary J. Blige, Luther Vandross, and Morris Day when crafting his adult musical persona. But perhaps none have influenced Stetson so personally and thoroughly as the late couturier, Yves Saint Laurent, from whom Stetson derives his musical alias--YSL, an abbreviation for Young Stetson Leon as well as Youth Soul Love. The designer’s work resonates with Stetson not just from the perspective of fashion but on an intellectual level. From Yves Saint Laurent, Stetson feels he’s learned a lot about pleasing women but most importantly that living a lavish lifestyle is mental rather than material. You’ll find this concept throughout his music and you’ll hear dark emotions and grime blended with soul and beauty to create something unique, provocative, and lavish.
Yobi, originally from the South East side of Houston Texas, has always had music running through his veins. Influenced by 2pac, Biggie Smalls, Michael Jackson, and Aretha Franklin Yobi aspired to become great. One of the biggest influences of Yobi's youth and musical discovery came from his father and his MC Hammer CD's. His discovery of the art of free styling manifested from “middle school free styling battles” in the mornings before school. Though free styling was hard for him to grasp initially, he eventually got the hang of it and in the 7th grade he began writing his own songs as well as starting to DJ. Yobi's DJ musical influences are DJ Premier, DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Screw. Yobi describes his sound as both versatile and fearless; there is no style he can't match, though true to what started it all, he still prefers hip hop and sampled beats.
Houstonian William John Gadd II has always had an unmatched love for music. From an early age his mother and grandmother introduced him to a wide array of genres from Oldies to Hip-Hop. After relocating in '99, his interest in the genre grew to new heights as he discovered it's different branches. He began Free styling at his middle school and his lyrical skills began to sharpen. Naturally, being a resident of Houston, a love for the Down-South Hip Hop arose. Mainstream artists, like Ludacris, and local artists, like Chamillioniare, influenced his own sound as well. William’s sound has been described as versatile, with a heavy southern influence. There are no grounds that can't be paired with his perspective, lyrics, and voice complexion. This, combined with a stage presence that demands your attention, William can be best described as simply, an Entertainer.
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