Pyramid Vritra
+ Category:21st-century American male rappers
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{{Short description|American rapper and record producer (born 1991)}} |
{{Short description|American rapper and record producer (born 1991)}} |
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{{BLP sources|date=March 2020}} |
{{BLP sources|date=March 2020}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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| name = Pyramid Vritra |
| name = Pyramid Vritra |
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===2013-2015: Stones Throw Records and The Jellyfish Mentality=== |
===2013-2015: Stones Throw Records and The Jellyfish Mentality=== |
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In 2013, Williams and Martians released “The Jellyfish Mentality”. The mixtape featured more Odd Future members and collaborators such as [[Earl Sweatshirt]], [[Mac Miller]], Casey Veggies, Mike G Hodgy, Vince Staples, [[Domo Genesis]], and Kilo Kish.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4597900-The-Jet-Age-Of-Tomorrow-The-Jellyfish-Mentality-LP/|title=The Jet Age Of Tomorrow The Jellyfish Mentality LP|website=Discogs}} Williams did not work as closely with Martians on the project as during their previous albums, since the duo did not sequence the tracklist together in person. |
In 2013, Williams and Martians released “The Jellyfish Mentality”. The mixtape featured more Odd Future members and collaborators such as [[Earl Sweatshirt]], [[Mac Miller]], Casey Veggies, Mike G Hodgy, Vince Staples, [[Domo Genesis]], and Kilo Kish.{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4597900-The-Jet-Age-Of-Tomorrow-The-Jellyfish-Mentality-LP/|title=The Jet Age Of Tomorrow The Jellyfish Mentality LP|website=Discogs}} Williams did not work as closely with Martians on the project as during their previous albums, since the duo did not sequence the tracklist together in person. |
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Williams self-released a music video for the bonus track “Delta” on the NRK Youtube channel. |
Williams self-released a music video for the bonus track “Delta” on the NRK Youtube channel. |
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While working on Pyramid in 2012, still vying for the attention of major record labels, Wilson suggested that Williams contact Stones Throw Records. Williams emailed Christopher Manak, known as Peanut Butter Wolf, the label's founder, a 6-track project called Kimberly. Williams did not hear a response for nearly half a year before being invited to meet with Manak, who later signed them to the label. |
While working on Pyramid in 2012, still vying for the attention of major record labels, Wilson suggested that Williams contact Stones Throw Records. Williams emailed Christopher Manak, known as Peanut Butter Wolf, the label's founder, a 6-track project called Kimberly. Williams did not hear a response for nearly half a year before being invited to meet with Manak, who later signed them to the label. |
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Williams then released the EP Palace, marking the first in a series of smaller scale, more rap-centric extended plays. Stones Throw also promoted the album with music videos for the title track and the song "224". The EP entered the UK Official Singles Chart, peaking at #96.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-12 |title=PALACE |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/pyramid-vritra-palace/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Official Charts |language=en}} |
Williams then released the EP Palace, marking the first in a series of smaller scale, more rap-centric extended plays. Stones Throw also promoted the album with music videos for the title track and the song "224". The EP entered the UK Official Singles Chart, peaking at #96.{{Cite web |date=2014-09-12 |title=PALACE |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/pyramid-vritra-palace/ |access-date=2025-04-06 |website=Official Charts |language=en}} |
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Stones Throw later released a video for the song "Like Summer" from the project's sequel PV2, which compiled footage of Williams on the label's 2014 Asia tour in Hong Kong and Japan. |
Stones Throw later released a video for the song "Like Summer" from the project's sequel PV2, which compiled footage of Williams on the label's 2014 Asia tour in Hong Kong and Japan. |
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Williams later announced their third studio album ‘Dānu’, named after the Hindu primordial goddess described as the mother of Vritra in the [[Rigveda 1.32|''Rigveda'' (I.32.9)]]. Williams said they made stylistic choices on the album with their mother's musical taste in mind. |
Williams later announced their third studio album ‘Dānu’, named after the Hindu primordial goddess described as the mother of Vritra in the [[Rigveda 1.32|''Rigveda'' (I.32.9)]]. Williams said they made stylistic choices on the album with their mother's musical taste in mind. |
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However, by 2015 Williams was no longer signed to Stones Throw, and had to rely on their own NRK social media pages to promote the project. |
However, by 2015 Williams was no longer signed to Stones Throw, and had to rely on their own NRK social media pages to promote the project. |
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After Kevin Moo, known by his stage name Daddy Kev, head of Los Angeles based record label Alpha Pup Records, watched a performance of Williams' with the rest of NRK at Low End Theory, he signed the group to the label's rap division called The Order. Now, Williams could properly distribute and promote Dānu as well as later projects.{{cite web|url=https://www.ravelinmagazine.com/posts/in-conversation-vritra-on-yellowing-new-beginnings-growing-up/|title=In Conversation: Vritra on Yellowing, New Beginnings, Growing Up|work=Ravelin|date=2016|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Uszerowicz|first=Monica}} |
After Kevin Moo, known by his stage name Daddy Kev, head of Los Angeles based record label Alpha Pup Records, watched a performance of Williams' with the rest of NRK at Low End Theory, he signed the group to the label's rap division called The Order. Now, Williams could properly distribute and promote Dānu as well as later projects.{{cite web|url=https://www.ravelinmagazine.com/posts/in-conversation-vritra-on-yellowing-new-beginnings-growing-up/|title=In Conversation: Vritra on Yellowing, New Beginnings, Growing Up|work=Ravelin|date=2016|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Uszerowicz|first=Monica}} |
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Williams later released singles with independently-produced music videos for the tracks “58 (Heavy)”, “IDLI2TSNM (I Don't Look In 2 Tha Sky No Mo)” and “V” to promote the album. |
Williams later released singles with independently-produced music videos for the tracks “58 (Heavy)”, “IDLI2TSNM (I Don't Look In 2 Tha Sky No Mo)” and “V” to promote the album. |
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===2016-2018: VRITRA, Yellowing, and The Jet Age of Tomorrow reunion=== |
===2016-2018: VRITRA, Yellowing, and The Jet Age of Tomorrow reunion=== |
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In 2016, Williams released the album Yellowing, and said it signaled change in both their musical career and personal life. |
In 2016, Williams released the album Yellowing, and said it signaled change in both their musical career and personal life. |
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In a statement to Hypebeast magazine, Williams said “Yellowing represents a change in my production style and subject matter. The entire project is about getting older, and yellowing as plastic does and pictures do when they age.” The album featured the track “Wings," dedicated to William’s then newly born son, Ivan.{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/7/vritra-yellowing-album-stream |
In a statement to Hypebeast magazine, Williams said “Yellowing represents a change in my production style and subject matter. The entire project is about getting older, and yellowing as plastic does and pictures do when they age.” The album featured the track “Wings," dedicated to William’s then newly born son, Ivan.{{cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2018/7/vritra-yellowing-album-stream |
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|title=Stream Vritra's Debut Album, 'Yellowing'|work=HypeBeast|date=July 22, 2016|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Uszerowicz|first=Monica}} |
|title=Stream Vritra's Debut Album, 'Yellowing'|work=HypeBeast|date=July 22, 2016|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Uszerowicz|first=Monica}} |
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The album was the first of William’s solo efforts to be released under the Alias “VRITRA”, rather than “Pyramid Vritra”.{{cite web|url=https://www.ravelinmagazine.com/posts/in-conversation-vritra-on-yellowing-new-beginnings-growing-up/|title=In Conversation: Vritra on Yellowing, New Beginnings, Growing Up|work=Ravelin|date=2016|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Uszerowicz|first=Monica}} |
The album was the first of William’s solo efforts to be released under the Alias “VRITRA”, rather than “Pyramid Vritra”.{{cite web|url=https://www.ravelinmagazine.com/posts/in-conversation-vritra-on-yellowing-new-beginnings-growing-up/|title=In Conversation: Vritra on Yellowing, New Beginnings, Growing Up|work=Ravelin|date=2016|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Uszerowicz|first=Monica}} |
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Around this time other NRK members also removed the Pyramid motif from their stage names, with Pyramid Quince and Pyramid Murdock rebranding to Coodie Breeze and Mayhem Murdock respectively. |
Around this time other NRK members also removed the Pyramid motif from their stage names, with Pyramid Quince and Pyramid Murdock rebranding to Coodie Breeze and Mayhem Murdock respectively. |
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|title=Pyramid VRITRA – 2019|work=We Are Gorillas|date=January 16, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Flowers|first=Big}} |
|title=Pyramid VRITRA – 2019|work=We Are Gorillas|date=January 16, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2023|last=Flowers|first=Big}} |
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With the momentum of Wilma Vritra on Bad Taste records, Williams would release their seventh studio album “SONAR” on the in 2020. The album, much like 2019’s “Burd”, did not feature production from Williams themself, and was produced by Leon Sylvers IV, son of [[Leon Sylvers III]] of the R&B family band [[The Sylvers]]. Sylvers was a longtime affiliate on other NRK projects with and without Williams as well. |
With the momentum of Wilma Vritra on Bad Taste records, Williams would release their seventh studio album “SONAR” on the in 2020. The album, much like 2019’s “Burd”, did not feature production from Williams themself, and was produced by Leon Sylvers IV, son of [[Leon Sylvers III]] of the R&B family band [[The Sylvers]]. Sylvers was a longtime affiliate on other NRK projects with and without Williams as well. |
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The album was a primarily jazz rap focused work, differing from William’s, self proclaimed, “alternative dance [music], just from a more hip-hop perspective”. {{cite web|url=https://i-d.co/article/vritra-music-interview-jet-age-of-tomorrow-odd-future-sonar-album/|title=10 things you need to know about OG Odd Future kid turned innovator, Vritra|work=Vice|date=March 10, 2020|access-date=December 29, 2023|last=Dunn|first=Frankie|archive-date=December 30, 2023 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230014858/https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/jgx9mg/vritra-music-interview-jet-age-of-tomorrow-odd-future-sonar-album}} The album was preceded by the Extended Play, “FLOATERS”, also produced by Sylvers entirely. “SONAR” spawned two music videos released via Bad Taste records’ YouTube channel “Air Raid”, and “What’s That”, with a third, self-directed video released via Williams' YouTube channel for “Closer To God” |
The album was a primarily jazz rap focused work, differing from William’s, self proclaimed, “alternative dance [music], just from a more hip-hop perspective”. {{cite web|url=https://i-d.co/article/vritra-music-interview-jet-age-of-tomorrow-odd-future-sonar-album/|title=10 things you need to know about OG Odd Future kid turned innovator, Vritra|work=Vice|date=March 10, 2020|access-date=December 29, 2023|last=Dunn|first=Frankie|archive-date=December 30, 2023 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230014858/https://i-d.vice.com/en/article/jgx9mg/vritra-music-interview-jet-age-of-tomorrow-odd-future-sonar-album}} The album was preceded by the Extended Play, “FLOATERS”, also produced by Sylvers entirely. “SONAR” spawned two music videos released via Bad Taste records’ YouTube channel “Air Raid”, and “What’s That”, with a third, self-directed video released via Williams' YouTube channel for “Closer To God” |
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== WDYSWYEC and other ventures == |
== WDYSWYEC and other ventures == |
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In 2019, Williams created a design firm specializing in product design, visual conceptualization, fashion and textiles called WDYSWYEC (What Do You See When Your Eyes Close). Williams said the company uses an abstract approach to cover artwork and clothing design, and is currently directing a film.{{cite web|url=https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-hal-williams-wdyswyec-inglewood/|title=2020Meet Hal Williams of WDYSWYEC in Inglewood|work=Voyagela|date=March 23, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2023}} |
In 2019, Williams created a design firm specializing in product design, visual conceptualization, fashion and textiles called WDYSWYEC (What Do You See When Your Eyes Close). Williams said the company uses an abstract approach to cover artwork and clothing design, and is currently directing a film.{{cite web|url=https://voyagela.com/interview/meet-hal-williams-wdyswyec-inglewood/|title=2020Meet Hal Williams of WDYSWYEC in Inglewood|work=Voyagela|date=March 23, 2020|accessdate=December 29, 2023}} |
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Williams released a music video titled "BOIL" on their YouTube channel to promote the fashion oriented side of the organization. |
Williams released a music video titled "BOIL" on their YouTube channel to promote the fashion oriented side of the organization. |
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In 2020 Williams released more projects via Bandcamp to promote the company such as an EP "RANDO," which was later re-released as "FREE RANDO," and a DJ mix compilation titled "We Need Electrcity." |
In 2020 Williams released more projects via Bandcamp to promote the company such as an EP "RANDO," which was later re-released as "FREE RANDO," and a DJ mix compilation titled "We Need Electrcity." |
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On April 17, 2021, Williams published an activity book titled ''Tunneling: An Introspective Journal''. The book was available as an [[e-book]] via [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle]], and promoted as a self discovery method. |
On April 17, 2021, Williams published an activity book titled ''Tunneling: An Introspective Journal''. The book was available as an [[e-book]] via [[Amazon Kindle|Kindle]], and promoted as a self discovery method. |
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In 2022, Williams began a podcast of the same name (stylized as [TUNNELING]), hosted on their YouTube channel. Williams said the project is "a video podcast with creatives, musicians and artists about Love, perception and mental health."{{cite web|url=https://www.wdyswyec.com/tunneling|title=Holes in YOUR MIND|work=wdyswyec|accessdate=December 29, 2023}} |
In 2022, Williams began a podcast of the same name (stylized as [TUNNELING]), hosted on their YouTube channel. Williams said the project is "a video podcast with creatives, musicians and artists about Love, perception and mental health."{{cite web|url=https://www.wdyswyec.com/tunneling|title=Holes in YOUR MIND|work=wdyswyec|accessdate=December 29, 2023}} |
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[[Category:1991 births]] |
[[Category:1991 births]] |
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[[Category:21st-century American rappers]] |
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]] |
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[[Category:21st-century American male rappers]] |
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