PAIROFDICE(PARADISE)

This southern hip hop supergroup was formed by Hunter (Kyron Hunter) and J. Mayes (Johnny Mayes) in late 2000. Coming from Houston and New Orleans, respectively, the band members absorbed everything from jazz to blues to rock to reggae and other international influences. This duo’s lyrical expressions can be distinguished by their cohesive combination of cool, classy, and catchy wordplay with genuine offerings of real life experiences. Concurrently, the group also displays a natural ability to create commercially appealing music without losing their creative freedom and expression. Embassi's primary production sound combines heavy bass lines beneath melodic overtones, due to two gifted southern producers Dayz and Machete. As individuals and as a group numerous recordings have been recorded on instrumental music of different genres. With the combination of high quality productions and masterful lyrical tone, content, and delivery Embassi is sure to become a dominant force in a new and revived direction of hip hop.

The word "embassy", ending with a "y", can be defined by Webster's Dictionary as “the office of a country’s diplomatic representative’s in the capital city of a foreign country.” The individual in charge of the “embassy” is known as the Ambassador. Hunter explains, "By our definition and spelling of the word; Embassi signifies an organization that monopolizes and we are ambassadors of change." J.Mayes, the cofounding member of the group, was met by Hunter through a mutual friend during which time both were attending Dillard University in New Orleans, LA. Their common interest in music and life joined them together establishing what would become the musical monument called Embassi. Later, while attending Dillard University, member J. Mayes earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications and Computer Science, with a specific interest of Audio Engineering. Being featured on several mix tapes around the city of New Orleans and following their many performances at venues such as The Blue Nile, The Dragons Den, The legendary Café Brasil, and the legendary Bottom Line amongst others , they decided to release their own mix disc cleverly titled "Kingdom Of The Kool". It was created in efforts to promote their debut singles appropriately tagged "Pandemonium" and “Pair Of Dice(pronounced Paradise)”. Both of which help to highlight the group’s refreshing approach to a genre that has as of recent been starving for something fresh and new.

These songs are expected to be underground anthems with thier suave southern feels over cool-groove bass lines, acoustic guitar, and soulful R&B hooks. The singles, as well as the album, averts from today’s now flashy gangster monomania for more profoundly insightful reflections of not only Black culture but also American culture. Its harks back to the classic era of rap epitomized by Outkast and A Tribe Called Quest. Some of Embassi's targeted fan base are, as Hunter says, “realistically our sound is being appreciated and liked by audiences ages 6 to 66.” Unfortunately before Embassi could launch its first musical campaign, the city of New Orleans was devastated by hurricane Katrina. Hunter sought refuge in Houston, home of J. Mayes who had returned after graduation only several months before the storm. Transforming a moment of grief and despair into fuel for their creativity, they recorded a mix disc titled “Da Answer”. This too was a promotional tool for the still unreleased “Tidals Of Soundwaves”, an album that was completed with Elevated Minds Music Group, and to no ones surprise “Da Answer” has been highly accepted by the many individuals who own it and provided constructive criticism. “We are giving it away and we only ask that people listen to it and give us constructive criticism”, J. Mayes commented when questioned about the small ” hood level” success received by that project. Since then, the up and coming supergroup has been traveling the country while continuing to record adding to their now extensive catalog of original works. Currently Embassi is under new management and continues to perform collaborating with artists such as New Orleans own DJ Black Pearl of GNO Sounds, Mystah Beeze of Westbank Records, Dapa of The Rap Pack, local radio DJ Mike Swift, and many others. The group ultimately aspires the goal of landing a realistic opportunity to transform their everyday ambitions into a highly cultivated success in the music industry.


EMBASSI