WELCOME TO BLONDE GANG
By naturally respecting originality and grasping the importance of being yourself, BlondeGang’s fight for embracing creativity without restraint nor consequence brews through their meaning for being. False perceptions and stipulations undyingly mangle everything they truly represent as a people, as a group, and as a positive forceful movement. From the attention-grabbing array of colorful hairstyles to the hyper, extreme, and enthusiastic stage performances, BlondeGang is more than music. It’s a movement growing by the day, by the minute, by the mindset.
While most people find comfort in social normality, BlondeGang offers peace of mind through tranquility by providing a home for those known as social “opposites” or “misfits”. BlondeGang perceives individuality, creativity, and self-fulfillment as a way of life, which constructs and forms a foundation for all of it’s members. People all over the world faithfully accept, love, and dedicate their creative well-being to the new futuristic phenomenon.
Entangling people in a universe of pure authentic creativity, every member views the world in a radical, calm, and enticing way that has captured the emotions and likings of people from Africa, Canada, and Europe. With thousands of followers from the US to other parts of the world, the Philadelphia natives gracefully acknowledge and accept that they are the masterminds behind a new and improved form of social acceptance. Although it was the music that began the movement, it’s the movement which moves the music.
Amidst a rampaged style with eclectic harmonies accompanied by amusingly witty lyrics; completed with, none-the-less, energy, BlondeGang offers pure musical differentiation. Lyve, Kidd Sweeny, Bok Nero, Plane Walker, Shy the Social Misfit, Jamiil, and Sik all bring together a mixture of sounds and genres that please the musical fancies of anyone anywhere. Hype and creatively outspoken, accompanied by tremendous personality and charisma, BlondeGang unceasingly delivers.
Officially branded in February of 2011, BlondeGang’s melodic exploration began a few years back starting with Lyve, Kidd Sweeny, and Jamiil who would later on call themselves 787. From 2004 to 2006 the trio were members of Cratestack, which was a label featuring six upcoming artists around the city of Philadelphia. At the age of six-teen both Lyve and Kidd Sweeny found themselves wrapped up in an organization that would eventually fall apart due to the lack of communication and individual power. While Cratestack was slowly but surely loosing it’s credentials, Kidd Sweeny decided to take a break from music for the remainder of 2006. During that time, Lyve and Mil continued to write and record music while Kidd Sweeny remained supportive by being their occasional hype man.
Publicly recognized, yet thoroughly discreet, Jamiil Hankins has watched BlondeGang blossom since day one. A BlondeGang rapper and artist himself, Mil’s passion is managing the sometimes chaotic group of seven. Focusing on the business aspect of the group, Jamiil has re-identified what it means to take the lead by being the go-to guy for any and all matters relating to BlondeGang.
As cousins, Kidd Sweeny and Lyve spent the majority of their lives together chasing he same dreams. In 2007 Kidd Sweeny returned to music and he and Lyve formed the group 787. The pair released their first single “Akshun Jacket.” Rock influenced and completely separate from the Philly norm, “Akshun Jacket” immediately drew in listeners that were eager for change. For the next few years, 787 became one hundred percent dedicated by giving up life changing opportunities and even dropping out of school to peruse their dreams. For the next three years Lyve, Kidd Sweeny, and Jamiil worked on building themselves as artists as well as people with the intention that they would eventually be larger beyond current acknowledgment. And without the slightest bit of doubt, they began doing just that by expanding their mentalities along with accepting other artists into their circle.
Labeled as the camps ambassador and one hell of a videographer, Shy The Social Misfit has elevated BlondeGang’s exposure over the past year to an unbelievable level. Traveling to the East and West coasts of the states carrying simplistic BlondeGang merchandise, Shy soulfully advocated BlondeGang as a way of life, which immediately drew in curious on- lookers. Granted with an amazing ability to indulge, Shy directs and operates BlondeGangs media outlet, which continues to strengthen in numbers by the day.
Sik labeled as the camps ultimate visual creator, has taken BlondeGang’s image way past impossible by including extreme boldness with graphic creations of such an exquisite kind. Quite known as an incredible photographer and graphic designer, Sik creatively fell into place by introducing serenity with passion and personal expression through his work. Shy and Sik were both introduced to 787 by Rob Gibson in the spring of 2008. Later on they both became artists as well.
Bok Nero and 787 were introduced to each other in the beginning of 2010. Instantly drawn to his music and personality, Lyve and Bok immediately wanted to work together despite Kidd Sweeny’s want to remain a duo. Bok who was a fashion marketing major at the Art Institute, was also instantaneously drawn to 787′s style and choice of music.
Stepping a few years back, Bok struggled with musical placement and found himself dipping and dabbing in different genres looking for comfort. Finally at the end of 2009, Bok effortlessly gravitated towards more conscious and commercial lyricism with the help of a producer by the name of Milian. Milian then introduced Bok to Faust, a studio owner and producer who then introduced Bok to 787. While Bok’s single “Candy Camera” caught Lyve’s attention, Kidd Sweeny had doubts.
In 2010 Bok released Zone To Mars, which was a collection of songs reflecting his new profound outlook on music and life. Sidelined with questions of not knowing which path to take, Bok converted his frustrations and unanswered questions in to a four-teen track mix-tape that would fortunately label him as a lyricist amongst his peers.
In the late summer of 2010 Bok and Lyve both bought one-way tickets to Los Angeles California to link up with Shy who had moved to LA earlier that year. “When we made that trip we past impossible because coming from our background’s there’s no way we should’ve experienced that” Bok says. Exuberated with appreciation and gratitude, they both returned to Philadelphia with new perspectives and attitudes towards their music careers. According to Lyve, “It was a breathe of fresh air. Being from Philadelphia where you are judged on your appearance, being out there you’re more accepted and applauded for your creativity. Not only that, just the air, the beach water and the scenery brought me to another world.”
After returning from LA Bok and Lyve were now more determined then ever. Reconnecting with Kidd Sweeny and the rest of the BlondeGang camp, the group began going to work on new music, new looks, and an overall a new goal. By the end of 2010 BlondeGang had established a substantial following and started performing in shows all over the city. By this time BlondeGang consisted of Lyve, Kidd Sweeny, Bok Nero, Shy The Social Misfit, Jamiil, and Sik. For the remainder of 2010 BlondeGang worked on establishing themselves as artists, branding the BlondeGang logo, and making music.
Lyve and Bok’s musical chemistry triggered the making of Past Impossible, which was released April 27, 2011. Both simultaneously going back and forth to prove lyrical unision, Past Impossible rendered both artists as lyrically capable. Past Impossible included features from Plane Walker, Mil, Shy, Ty Ultra, Frenchie, Beano, Soda Can Man, and Kidd Sweeny. On May 29, 2011 The Past Impossible show had really projected BlondeGangs drive to be more than average by delivering somewhat of a culture shock to their peers who hadn’t really emerged themselves into different genres of music.
That same month Plane Walker was introduced as the newest member of BlondeGang. Solely focused on the marketing aspect of the business, Plane Walker was primarily introduced to the group by Sik. However, intelligently suave with an ability to market and promote, BlondeGang invited him in with open arms knowing he would be highly beneficial. Not only was he an asset for the marketing department of BlondeGang, music was also a passion of his.
Within a matter of months BlondeGang had formulated a strong and pivotal formation, which would eventually create well-deserved lyrical notification. And because of such, followers scrambled to get their hands on “The Red CD”, which was a mix-tape released in June 2011. As the summer simmered down, BlondeGang hosted Blondpalooza, which was a show inviting some of Philadelphia’s most highly recognized up and coming.
Right after that, the “Yellow CD” was released, which was also an overview of BlondeGang, its members and the groups musical capabilities. Reinvent Authenticity emerged in November right before their biggest show to date, N2R2 (November 2 Remember 2). N2R2 was held at the Theatre of Living Arts (TLA) on black Friday better known as Blonde Friday. Six-hundred fans filled the venue and BlondeGang give them exactly what they’ve been yearning for, a musical movement.
Embarked on new beginnings as predicted futuristic destinies, BlondeGang has un-stopping-ly shattered the true meaning of hard work. Long nights and never ending days of hectic preparation has rapidly ran laps through each of their minds alongside those realistic boundaries of life itself. Conquering the ultimate and unforgettable, they all possess certain fortunes that will now and forever indulge totality. A surprisingly fit unison has emerged from individuals who spark and prevail creativeness at its best. Music, photography, graphics, videos are just the sweetest of sugar coated words which lightly comprehend what they truly have to offer. A mastermind of missions united as one. BlondeGang.
by Brianna Lopez