Sango | The Music Ninja

[Hip-Hop] Azad – “Enough of You” (Karnaval Blues Remix)

Posted by Hank - August 14, 2017

Azad
Enough of You (Karnaval Blues Remix)

“Enough Of You” is Sango, Atu and Dpat all producing under the smooth flow of LA-based rapper, Azad. As if that couldn’t get any better, it was just flipped brilliantly by the indie producer Karnaval Blues. With names like this on the original saying the bar is set high would be an understatement. But with Karnaval Blues’ washed-out take on the production and mixing of Azad’s rap it surpasses expectation. Thanks to this epic flip, we’ve got a new up-and-comer we’ll be certainly keeping an eye on. Give it a listen above.

[Event Review] Sango Returns to the Comfort of San Francisco

Posted by Dominic Powell - February 15, 2017

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Sango at Regency Ballroom, Friday February 3, 2017

“In the Comfort Of” Tour w/ Monte Booker

Sango has been pulling double duty for a few years now, touring at a constant pace while also releasing full length works consistently through the year. Following the release of his Dave B. collaborative album Tomorrow in 2016 which we covered here, a nationwide tour kept the Seattle native busy well through the winter months. Shortly after the end of the Waldo/Sango tour, fans were gifted news that the star producer has been hard at work in the studio, a new release titled In the Comfort Of. While the latest project has not yet been circulated, Sango revealed the first single titled “Dance for Blessings” on the night of his Bay Area performance. Hoping to catch some of his new music as well as the evolution of his live performance since his October show, the Ninja team set out to the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco to evaluate.

Unsurprisingly, Sango did not disappoint. With an advanced set up comprised of multiple CDJs as well as the ever-challenging Novation Launchpad at his disposal, Sango took a distinctly different turn from previous performances. Mashing some of the Brazilian percussion-based elements made popular in his Da Rocinha album series, Sango sampled a healthy dose of hip hop and R&B tracks that were staples to our collective millenial childhoods. Starting with a reimagined version of UGK’s 2007 “Int’l Players Anthem”, Sango had the crowd engaged from Bar 1. Leaving a mark with his remixes of Justin Timberlake, Craig David, Missy Elliot and many more, Sango wrapped up the show with a satisfying Stwo remix to his most impressive song, “Middle of Things”.

’Sango ft. SPZRKT
Middle Of Things, Beautiful Wife (Stwo Remix)’

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Listen to “Dance for Blessings” on Spotify here , on Soundcloud here, or if you prefer on Tidal. Continue reading →

[Hip-Hop] Waldo – Closer Feat. Sango & SAVON

Posted by Dominic Powell - October 4, 2016

Waldo
Closer (prod. Savon & Sango)

Soundcloud

As music enthusiasts first and foremost, one question in particular always makes the cut when we at The Music Ninja interview artists: “Which musicians are you into lately?”

In creating his widely-praised dark comedy Atlanta, Donald Glover eagerly gives us the answers by injecting tunes of his choosing throughout the first season. Case in point, the soundtrack to Atlanta is so well-regarded that multiple articles have been written praising its eclectic nature and quality, and a highly circulated Spotify playlist updates each week with new songs from the show. For one artist in particular, making the cut on Atlanta may bring about an infusion of mainstream recognition to propel his career even further.

Grand Rapids repping rapper Waldo, one of the most talented and underrated lyricists in the genre, has been releasing notable projects for years. Since making waves as early as 2013 with “Kobe’s Room” – to a pair of major declarations of his arrival with EP releases Tuebor and Until Then – we have kept close tabs on his journey. Partnered with fellow Michigan natives and longtime friends SAVON and Sango, Waldo released his latest hit this past week, titled “Closer”.

With a hauntingly bass-heavy rhythm throughout, the lyrics and instrumentals form a symbiotic bond, painting the gritty picture depicted in his up-tempo cadence. Beyond the prodigal beat-making talents of Sango and Savon, and beyond the vocal characterization of Waldo, the biggest draw to his sound lies in its pure authenticity.

Fans in California will have a few chances to see him live this month: he’ll be in San Diego at the Soda Bar with Jimmy Javier on October 25^th and in Oakland at The New Parish with Sango on October 27^th. Listeners can join the AGO movement by following along with the Soundcloud pages of both the collective and Waldo for all releases.

[Podcast] Music Ninja Radio – Episode 46 (Recap)

Posted by Dominic Powell - August 1, 2016

Music Ninja Radio
Episode 46

Soundcloud

Music Ninja Radio is a weekly podcast broadcast live on San Francisco’s BFF.fm — Best Frequencies Forever. You can tune in here every Friday from 4-6PM PT / 7-9ET.

Last Friday’s show marks the one year anniversary since we took our talents to the airwaves of BFF in San Francisco’s best kept secret(alley). From deep in the Mission District, through the port of a pirate ship, we’ve been bringing the best of the best to your ears – Best Frequencies Forever wasn’t voted ‘Best Radio Station‘ in the Bay Area for nothing!

With that in mind, now seems as good a time as any to start providing our fellow Ninja readers with a weekly recap of our show, Music Ninja Radio aka Dojo by the Bay. Curating the best releases each week, themed shows coinciding with specific artist releases, and a fair amount of throwbacks sprinkled throughout, Music Ninja Radio has something for everyone.

The full show’s playlist can be found on the website’s archive here.

[Album Review] Sango & Dave B – Tomorrow

Posted by Dominic Powell - July 22, 2016

For the readers out there who regularly tune in to our podcast, Music Ninja Radio, it is common knowledge that Kai Wright (aka Sango) is one of our most played and beloved producers. Since first bursting onto the scene via his remix album More Balloons and solidifying the fanbase with his debut LP North – an album that I still refer to as the greatest collection of music since its Summer 2013 release – Sango has truly spearheaded a sonic movement. Working with the influential Soulection crew, as well as the Grand Rapids/Seattle collective Astronaut Gang (AGO), Sango has pushed the boundaries of experimental trap & instrumental hip-hop well past would-be contemporaries everywhere.

Continue reading →

[Festival Preview] Noise Pop Festival 2016–SF, 2/19-2/28

Posted by Dominic Powell - February 18, 2016

Noise Pop 2016 is quickly approaching, beginning this week, February 19^th, and ending nine days later on February 28^th. Following San Francisco’s anointment as Super Bowl City on January 30^th, the city was the center of the American sports world for nearly 2 weeks. Now, as those ceremonies are winding down, excitement regarding a more local-grown type of entertainment will be ratcheting up. Noise Pop has outdone itself in 2016, bringing one of the boldest and most impressive lineups in its prestigious history.

We were lucky enough to chat with Chad Heimann, the sole talent buyer for Noise Pop, so you’ll find some of what he had to say sprinkled through out this preview. Badges are still available for purchase here.

Continue reading →

[R&B/Soul] Ta-ku – Love Again (Feat. JMSN & Sango)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - April 23, 2015

Ta-ku
Love Again feat. JMSN & Sango

Soundcloud

Ta-ku fans rejoice! The adept Australian has returned with a brilliant new single, as he learns to “Love Again” with Sango and JMSN. The trio join together to create a heartfelt piano ballad that finds JMSN crooning about the rekindling of a relationship. “Love Again” is the lead single from Ta-ku’s upcoming album, Songs To Make Up To, which serves as a spiritual successor to his excellent Songs To Break Up To project from 2013. Stream the new track above, and pre-order a copy of the album for yourself through iTunes before it drops on June 12th.