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Invincible + Waajeed - Detroit Summer/Emergence

Video directed by El-Iqaa
Produced by EMERGENCE

Buy the "Detroit Summer/Emergence" 7" single (free download included).
Digital single also available through iTunes, Emusic, Amazon, WaxPoetics, and more.

After several months of anticipation, two of Detroit's most visionary hip-hop figures, Invincible and Waajeed, are finally releasing their single, Detroit Summer/Emergence. The passionate two-song project is not only being put out digitally and in limited edition 7” vinyl format but it's also being launched with a powerful double music video as well.

This stunning visual representation of the songs was shot on-site during the historic Allied Media Conference and United States Social Forum this past June in Detroit. The video also documents the Detroit Summer Live Arts Media Project youth program, in which Invincible is heavily involved.

This is far bigger than just Hip-Hop. “Detroit Summer” is not just a season, and its not just about a youth-focused organization in Detroit – the song is about a feeling and a movement. “Emergence” isn't just the b-side, and it's not about Invincible's media company of the same name, but rather the dawning of a new era.

Invincible is already highly regarded as a lyricist, and Waajeed as a producer, but they are collectively ascending to new levels of on both songs. Together, the duo worked to show the resilience of their communities and refute the negative national image of Detroit. As Invincible's lyrics proclaim, "You call Motown a ghost-town, but the city's vibrant!"

Detroit Summer/Emergence is a prequel to the full length album Invincible + Waajeed are dropping in 2011. For this single, they did a limited edition run of 1,000 7-inch records (all of which come with a digital download code) and once they're gone, they're gone.

More info on the organization Detroit Summer.

Invincible + Waajeed - The Making of the Detroit Summer Video

Video directed by Waajeed.
Buy the "Detroit Summer" 7"

As anticipation boils over for the release of Detroit Summer/Emergence, the collaborative 7” project by Invincible + Waajeed dropping on August 10, the duo have once again created more video work to accompany the release.

The full music video for Detroit Summer/Emergence by EMERGENCE in-house director, El Iqaa, is coming next week. In the meantime, check out exclusive behind the scenes footage shot, directed, and edited entirely by Waajeed himself. The forthcoming music video is on the serious side, lyrically and visually showcasing the vibrancy of Detroit that most people don't see. But Waajeed's behind-the-scenes footage balances that out with plenty of humor and hijinks, and also shows the process of what it is like to make a video in Detroit.

“I think I was able to capture the obstacles that we went through just making the video,” Waajeed says, “from being harassed by the cops, almost drowning in a boat, etc., but despite the adversities – just like the city of Detroit itself – regardless of what we face, we keep going.”

The behind-the-scenes video is also the first time we get to see video guru El-Iqaa on the other side of the camera. Once the "Detroit Summer/Emergence" music video is released next week, his directorial skills should get the nationwide attention they deserve. Keep this in mind: Invincible + Waajeed decided to make one powerful video for the single's title track "Detroit Summer" and the B-side single, “Emergence.” That's not an easy task, but Iqaa collected iconic images of Detroit in the summertime – in the midst of the historic Allied Media Conference and U.S. Social Forum – and then pieced together critical cameos from Detroit activists and music figures to create a video that truly is Hip-Hop art.

And stay tuned for the full music video and Detroit Summer/Emergence in both limited edition 7" vinyl and digital format dropping August 10. All vinyl purchases come with a digital download code as well.

Detroit Summer/Emergence is a prequel to the full length album from Invincible + Waajeed dropping in 2011. Neither of these songs will be on that album so get yours now. Stay plugged in to EMERGENCEmedia.org for updates and to pre-order the 7″.

Support the work of the organization DetroitSummer.org featured in the video.

Invincible + Waajeed Unveil the Manufacturing Process Behind their new “Detroit Summer” 7-Inch

Video directed by el-iqaa
Produced by EMERGENCE
Pre-order the "Detroit Summer" 7"

It's no longer a secret that two of Detroit's most respected hip-hop figures, Invincible + Waajeed, are in the process of releasing a collaborative album together in 2011. The leak of their brand new single, “Detroit Summer,” has gotten lots of love on music blogs all month as tastemakers continue to appreciate the duo's blend of vivid lyricism and soul-stirring production.

The two-song “Detroit Summer” single will drop digitally and as a 7” vinyl, August 10 on Invincible's EMERGENCE imprint. Invincible + Waajeed toured the legendary Archer Record Pressing plant in Detroit where the vinyl is being pressed and made short video of the tour. Watch as Invincible and Waajeed get a lesson in how vinyl records are made.

Both artists were adamant that in terms of manufacturing, the project should be 100% local to Detroit. Archer has pressed up some of the most noteworthy underground vinyl in Detroit's storied music history including records from Jay Dee, Proof, Moodyman, Waajeed, Underground Resistance, The Funk Brothers, and many more.

When asked if independent artists have a responsibility to indie record stores and vinyl pressing plants, Waajeed + Invincible responded affirmatively: “We're part of an interdependent network of people who still care about making quality music in direct relationship with listeners.”

Pre-Order: Invincible + Waajeed "Detroit Summer" 7"

You can now pre-order the Invincible + Waajeed "Detroit Summer" 7". These are limited to 1,000 pressed so pre-order to guarantee one for your collection. Each 7" comes in a custom hand screenprinted sleeve and includes a free digital download of the two-song single. The vinyl is now being pressed and we estimate August 10, 2010 as the shipping date for pre-orders.

BONUS: Pre-order the 7" and get a FREE Invincible + Waajeed sticker pack with die-cut images that match the cover. Use the stickers and customize your 7" sleeve!

We are in the midst of redesigning our onine store, so the deal for now:

GO HERE TO PRE-ORDER THE 7".

GO HERE TO BUY OTHER EMERGENCE PRODUCTS AT THE OLD STORE.

Invincible & Waajeed to Drop "Detroit Summer" Single

One of Detroit’s most hard-working and respected emcees, Invincible, has teamed up with one of Hip-Hop’s most versatile and respected producers, Waajeed, to release Detroit Summer, a two-song 7” and digital single due out later this summer. Detroit Summer is the most profound collaboration yet between the two artists and is sure to whet the appetite of listeners awaiting Invincible & Waajeed’s full-length album due to drop in 2011.

The title track of the new single is a sequel to the earlier Invincible & Waajeed collaboration, "Detroit Winter," off the renown Platinum Pied Pipers Triple P album. “Detroit Summer,” premiered on Peter Rosenberg’s Hot 97 radio show last week.

The single’s B-side “Emergence,” shares the same name as Invincible’s media company, which is releasing the single. “Emergence” is technically the record’s B-side, but it doesn’t play second fiddle to anything. As always, Invincible’s lyrics on both songs are vivid, hard hitting, and invoke images of the future as poignant as an Octavia Butler novel. Meanwhile, Waajeed, who was born and raised in Detroit, uses his experience to provide the perfect sonic texture to both tracks painting an audio portrait of "The D."

Invincible and Waajeed premiered “Detroit Summer” and “Emergence” live at last month’s Allied Media Conference and U.S. Social Forum in Detroit to thousands of supporters.

Stay plugged in to www.EMERGENCEmedia.org for updates on release dates for the single and opportunities to pre-order the 7”.