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Hi Def Emerges as Winner Joined by Just Cause to Advance to Semifinals
There's an emerging hip-hop band out of Orange County, influenced by R&B and rap, with a touch of reggae, worth keeping your eye on. Remember the name Hi Def. No doubt, you will hear it again. Like Coldplay, Hi Def isn't afraid to talk, walk, and express their views and opinions explaining the powerful political slant that has become their masterpiece; and like Santana, they aren't afraid of being upstaged by guest artists. Hi Def not only put on a great stage show of the evening with guest stars such as the lovely ladies Bliss and Life (No Choice Productions), Sabwarfaire (Intense Method), McSab, DJ Brian G on the turn tables, and music producer Nutty Biz (Intense Method and No Choice Productions), but they excelled victorious bringing in over 80 people as the midnight hour was approaching. In a competition such as Battle of the Fans, everyone performing is prescreened for quality, but the deciding factor of the night is turnout. When you have both traits, you know you're doing something right which earns Hi Def a spot for the Semifinals to be held November 10 and 11, 2003 at the Knitting Factory along with the wild card band of the night Just Cause.
The area in front of the stage was jammed, and the crowd was lively, enthusiastic, and dancing. Hi Def consists of Dre, lead vocals, Butter on guitar, Jeff plays bass, and Devon is featured on drums. Front-man Dre totally dedicates his life to this, and he basically does nothing else that will interfere with the dream. Some of the members work side jobs to help out with expenses, but nobody in this band is corporate, which is how their lifestyle can help them come up with such awesome lyrics. The powerful political lyrics on their outbreak song, "World Is Yours," which the crowd loved, also made the cut to be on the Wheat From Chaff 2003 CD. It's starts out with a catchy hip hop tune, and "Here's a little story I got to tell," but this is no little story as doesn't hold back with a lot to say in just three minutes, that challenges the system with, there are "Situations were politicians dis-educate.... strategy keeps you confused... got to speak up got to act... fight the system, fight the justice, talk to the people, let's discuss this... get with the pages change the chapter and let's find a happy ever after." Economics are put on the table with "Credit maxed out, checks they stack up, pay the backup... People used to call me paranoid, but now they feel the heat because they're unemployed." The primary chorus "Home of the Brave Land of the Free really don't apply to me," (alternates the don't with should), and the closing chorus, "If you don't like what's going down, you better do something about it," makes you want to hear the song over and over so you can absorb and meditate on it. Anyone that has suffered economically, done without, or worked any odd job or one they don't like to survive, can relate. When chatting with Hi Def, it was impressive how they could analyze issues.
The bravest and most noble performance of the night and probably the whole competition was by Aaron Cuadra. Front-man Cuadra had the guts to be first up, solo, when the rest of the members of Number 4 flaked out. While not many fans showed up for Number 4, the ones that did were not disappointed. Aaron performed on acoustic guitar with both rock and modern country songs, which shows how diverse he can be since the group usually plays a harder sound. This guy has the potential to make it as a soloist if things don't work out with Number 4. If things don't get better, it will be Number 4's lost, not Aaron's. Many people came early for other bands increasing Aaron's fan base, and they gave this front man a warm reception and remarked on how good he was.
Just Cause had many fans come out and support them enabling them to earn a wild card spot in the semifinals. This is a high-energy band that bounces and jams, with everyone in the audience dancing like crazy to keep up. The lead singer jumps up to the front and dances wildly on the speakers exciting the audience. They have a hard rock edgy sound, which kept the crowd going. Listen for their song "Burning Ash" which fans are calling and requesting to be on the radio.
World Wide Spies performed, their sound, hard rock with a slight touch of gothic, which resulted in an odd mix. The lead singer gave it his all, as he was singing at the top of his lungs so we could still hear him loud and clear over the instruments that were played on full volume. They didn't have the numbers, which drew them out of competition, but the crowd enjoyed their hard work and determination as they gave a good solid performance.
In the end, HI Def advances to the semi-finals. More information is available at Battle of the FANS (.com).
Article by: Laura Phillips
Submitted: November, 2003
Photos: BOTF Website
Artist Website: www.battleofthefans.com
Email: info@thelamusicscene.com
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