BaseHead
Playing a cut-and-paste combination of rap, R&B, reggae and funk, Basehead, aka dcBasehead, from Maryland, Washington, USA, comprises Michael Ivey (b. 5 February 1968, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; vocals, guitar, writer, producer), joined, originally for touring purposes only, by DJ Unique (b. Paul Howard), guitarist Keith Lofton (b. 9 May 1967, Washington, USA), drummer Brian Hendrix (b. 29 July 1968, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA) and bass player Bill Conway (b. 29 November 1967, Washington, USA). Ivey's sound has been loosely categorized as both "slacker rap" and "intelligent hip-hop'. A student of film at Howard University, Ivey recorded Basehead's debut album on his basic home set-up with minimal help from Hendrix and Howard. Originally released by small independent concern Emigre in 1991, Play With Toys" highly inventive grooves and stoned charm attracted strong reviews and extensive airplay, with Ivey fted as one of hip-hop's most imaginative talents. "There are hip-hop elements in there, but if a hardcore hip-hop fan bought it, they might be disappointed", was his frank description of the album. The follow-up Not In Kansas Anymore was equally enthralling, and featured Ivey's full touring band on several tracks. In 1994, Ivey put together the B.Y.O.B collective, with shared songwriting and vocal contributions. He reassembled Basehead in 1996, releasing the spiritually inclined Faith.
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Albums
- (1992) Play With Toys
Top Tracks
- 2000 Bc
- Not Over You
- Ode to My Favorite Beer
- Brand New Day
- I Try
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