Muneshine
Muneshine | |
---|---|
In Transit LP released | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Rob Bakker |
Born | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | Underground hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, producer |
Years active | 2002–present |
Labels |
Scissor Records/Tommy Boy Entertainment Droppin' Science Productions Handcuts Mumbles Hip Hop Grindin Blunted Astronaut |
Associated acts | Twin Peaks, The Birthday Boys, Wolves, D-Sisive, The Residents, Phocus, Wax Reform, Lucky 7, Lightheaded |
Website | muneshine.com |
Rob Bakker, better known by his stage name Muneshine, is a contemporary Canadian MC, Producer, DJ and accomplished and accredited mix engineer and performer.
Muneshine has found great success outside of Canada. Since 2005, Muneshine has released 3 major label projects in Japan, and contributed production and vocal appearances on more. His sales in this territory exceed 30,000 units. His first release (Phocus – A Vision and a Plan) debuted on HMV Japan’s hip hop charts at #8. Since then, Muneshine has established a strong and loyal fan-base worldwide with official releases in the United States, Australia, Korea, The United Kingdom, Brazil and The Netherlands.
Muneshine has collaborated with a number of popular U.S. hip hop musicians, such as: Pete Rock, Sean Price, DJ Spinna, Buckwild (D.I.T.C.), Guilty Simpson, Rob Swift (of the Executioners) and many more.
Collaborations with D-Sisive
In the past few years, Muneshine has established an unstoppable working relationship with fellow-Canadian MC D-Sisive. The duo won SOCAN’s coveted Echo Songwriting award for the song “Nobody With A Notepad” taken from D-Sisive’s album Let The Children Die. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, and proven through repeat appearances on Canada’s college and community radio charts. D-Sisive’s single, Like This (produced by Muneshine) debuted at #1 when released in October, 2009. Not only popular with listeners, the song caught the attention of hip-hop connoisseurs and tastemakers around the globe such as DJ Premier, DJ Eclipse and many more. Since then they have released the album Jonestown, Jonestown 2, and Jonestown 3.
Juno Nominations
Four projects Muneshine has collaborated on with D-Sisive have been nominated for a Juno Award. In 2008, D-Sisive’s B.O.O.K., which was engineered by Muneshine, was nominated for Rap Album of the Year. D-Sisive’s 2010 release Vaudeville (engineered and featuring rap vocals by Muneshine) was nominated under the same category, and Jonestown 2, D-Sisive’s 2011 release received the same Juno nod and was produced and engineered by Muneshine. This year, D-Sisive’s video for “Friend Of Mine,” (prod. Muneshine) was nominated for Video Of The Year. Muneshine’s production on D-Sisive’s “Nobody With A Notepad,” was also chosen in The Huffington Post’s “100 Best Canadian Songs Ever” in 2014.[1]
There Is Only Today (2012)
In 2012, Muneshine released a solo project There Is Only Today, his first under the Droppin’ Science label. There Is Only Today not only showcases Muneshine’s growth (and strength) as an MC (and producer), but also delivered incredible production from DJ Spinna, Buckwild, !llmind, M-Phazes, Suff Daddy, Freddie Joachim, Bix, BoomBaptist, Jeff Spec, and Shinogo. While the sounds are familiar, this album saw Muneshine venturing in some exciting new, and more personal directions. He also brought along some of today’s strongest contemporary artists, such as: Emilio Rojas, D-Sisive, Ghettosocks and others.[2]
Bed Bugs (2013)
2013 saw the release of Muneshine’s limited edition 12” EP, Bed Bugs via Blunted Astronaut Records (UK). This release featured remixes from noted producers Herbaliser and Soundsci, as well as a rap feature from Canadian indie rap legend Moka Only.[3]
In Transit (2014)
On June 30, 2014, Muneshine released his fifth solo album, In Transit, on Toronto label Scissor Records & Tommy Boy Entertainment (NYC). This whole album was written “In Transit” – on a plane, train, bus, car, walking, biking – all of the above; the lyrics were penned on-the-move. In Transit has been coined “Muneshine’s gift to the world.” After years of back-end production, collaboration, touring, and composition – he has crafted a rap album, on his terms. Incorporating contemporary sounds and production, he has evolved future beats to a point where street-meets-classic. Both worlds collide. Production from Exile, Oddissee, Freddie Joachim, DJ Spinna and LAKIM (among others) instantly sets this album apart from today’s current hip-hop affairs.
Remixes & Future Beats
Leading up to this release, Muneshine premiered the single “Venus & Mars” (Freddie Joachim Remix) on Majestic Casual, gaining 400,000-plus plays on YouTube and 300,000-plus on Soundcloud. On the production side, Muneshine’s Portugal. The Man and Spandau Ballet flip also recently went official with over 300,000 plays.[4]
Although keeping hip hop close to his heart, Muneshine has been venturing into the world of future beats, third party production in a genre-less world, most recently with his smash bootleg of Portugal, The Man’s Purple, Yellow Red and Blue & Miguel’s How Many Drinks. Now, his forward thinking production is reaching all corners of the internet. Premieres on YouTube titan Majestic Casual, inclusion in Complexion’s Future Beats radio show, and official nods from PTM, Vibe Magazine, Hilly Dilly, Do Androids Dance, OkayPlayer and Noisey are proving that Muneshine’s hip-hop legacy is real, but the future is where its at.[5]
An ambassador for Canadian music, Muneshine has gained experience in both his own country and abroad. He has established himself as a respected artist, and continues to live his dream of creating and promoting honest and timeless music without compromise.
Discography
- Solo albums
- Opportunity Knocks (2005)
- A Walk in the Park (2007)
- Status Symbol (2008)
- There Is Only Today (2012)
- In Transit (2014)
- Collaboration albums
- A Vision and a Plan [EP] (2004) (with Raks One, as Phocus)
- A Vision and a Plan (2004) (Phocus)
- Open House (2010) (with Saint, as The Residents)
- The Perfect Strangers EP (2010) (with Ghettosocks, as Twin Peaks)
- Kissing Hands & Shaking Babies (2011) (Twin Peaks)
- Mount Crushmore EP (2012) (Twin Peaks & The Returners)
- Wolves (2013) (with Bix, D-Sisive, Ghettosocks & Timbuktu, as Wolves)
- Compilations
- Home Brewed Productions (2010)
- Train of Thought (2011) (with Ghettosocks & Timbuktu)
- Singles
- "Overdrive" (12") (2005)
- "Imagine That" (12") (2006)
- "Mark My Words" (12") (2007)
- "Kaboom!!!" (12") (2007) (Twin Peaks)
- "Bed Bugs" (12") (2013)
- Remixes
- Miguel Ft. Kendrick Lamar - How Many Drinks (Muneshine Remix)
- Portugal. The Man - Purple Yellow Red Blue (Muneshine Remix)
- Thrillers - Can't Get Enough (Muneshine Remix)
- Muneshine Ft. Grimm - Sunshine (Lcaw Remix)[6]
- Awards & Nominations
- 2014 Juno Nomination - Video of the Year: D-Sisive - "Friend Of Mine" (Produced by Muneshine)
- 2011 Juno Nomination - Rap Album Of The Year: D-Sisive - Jonestown 2 (Produced and Engineered by Muneshine)
- 2010 Juno Nomination - Rap Album Of The Year: D-Sisive - Vaudeville (Engineered by Muneshine, featuring Muneshine)
- 2008 Juno Nomination - Rap Album Of The Year: D-Sisive - B.O.O.K. (Engineered by Muneshine)
- Guest appearances
- Factor - "Walk Don't Run" from Con-Soul Confessions (2003)
- D-Sisive - "I See" from Let the Children Die (2009)
- Ghettosocks - "U Ain't This" from Treat of the Day (2009)
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/06/30/best-canadian-songs-ever_n_5538527.html#slide=3898524
- ↑ http://droppinscienceproductions.com/artists/muneshine/
- ↑ http://www.discogs.com/Muneshine-Bed-Bugs/release/4217924
- ↑ http://www.hiphopcanada.com/2014/07/muneshines-new-full-length-was-penned-completely-in-transit-news/
- ↑ http://www.muneshine.com
- ↑ Haven Sounds/MuchFACT [CC]