Uptown Lokolz, one of the pioneer Bangladeshi hip-hop bands, launched their second studio album VIP Access Vol. 1 on August 8 through a musically power packed programme at Russian Cultural Centre, Dhanmondi in the capital. The album has been produced by Wreck Records, a sub label of Incursion Music.
The event not only consisted of a concert but also was a medium for the fans to grab a copy of the newly launched album. Uptown Lokolz came up with a unique idea to sell the album not in CD format but in a memory card.
Mohammed Abdullah aka ABD, the CEO of Wreck records explained, ‘The artists of Uptown Lokolz came up with the innovative idea to release the album in memory card format and this is first time in Asia that an artist adapted this method to release an album. The memory card not only contains the songs of the album but also exclusive interviews and videos.’
Asif Ifteza, aka Bigg Spade of Uptown Lokolz, said, ‘At present, almost everybody has a cell phone which supports memory card and that is the market we want to target. Furthermore, we are providing a class 10 memory card whereas class 8 memory cards are widely used here in Bangladesh’. He further added, ‘We have released only the first volume of the album, the full volume will be out during Eid-ul-Azha. We are also planning to do a music video for the title track VIP and all I can say is that it is going to be different.’ The album can also be obtained through Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon MP3 etc.
The opening acts of the show were A.Khan, Golam, Nizam Rabby, Bishal Karim, G.Sifz and Shib-Z. Then ABD and David Browne from Chicago were welcomed with a roar from the crowd as they took the stage for a special appearance. Uptown Lokolz took stage and increased the hype to the next level. They ended their segment with their song ‘Ai Mama Ai’. The show concluded with a free style session by the rappers present.
About Bangladeshi hip-hop and hip-hip in general, Asiful Islam Sohan, aka Black Zang of Uptown lokolz, said, ‘People here usually do not appreciate hip-hop music because they claim it to be dirty but if you take a look at the reality we live in, it is dirty as well. So we are just being true to the reality and this art form. Furthermore, I do believe that hip-hop is going to take over the world. Every chart topping song you see now a days features a rapper.’ Asif Ifteza further added, ‘We recently performed a rap song on the much awaited Eid drama Vitamin – T and people all over Bangladesh saw it. So yes we have successfully injected hip-hop in the mainstream media of Bangladesh.’
Akib Azmine Amer, a BBA student of North South University, attended the event. He said ‘I am a big fan of Uptown Lokolz and I feel lucky to have witnessed these amazing rappers perform live. The beat boxing was amazing as well. When they started performing Ai Mama Ai I rapped the whole verse along with them. They are doing a great job to enhance the hip-hop scenario of our country.’
-With New Age input
