Politic live

Politic Live is a Canadian hip hop trio from Edmonton, Alberta.

The group's style is a blend of hip-hop, reggaeton, and R&B, and is also influenced by their West Indian roots. They are known for having performed on MuchMusic and CBC, as well as opening for the likes of Nas, The Game, and Snoop Dogg. They have also helped raise over 5000 pounds of food for the Edmonton Food Bank over the past six years by producing, organizing, and hosting Hip-Hop For Hunger.

Members

Politic Live consists of brothers Bigga Nolte, Dirt Gritie, and cousin Arlo Maverick aka DJ Young Mav. Arlo is the leader of the group, and also a long-time CJSR-FM 88.5 broadcaster on the Saturday night hip-hop/urban show, Urban Hang Suite. Both Bigga Nole (...Is Tommy Kay) and Dirt Gritie () have released solo projects, both released in June, 2004, on the Music For Mavericks label.

History
Origins
Bigga, Dirt, and Arlo all grew up together in the Edmonton, but are of Jamaican descent. Before they were known as Politic Live, they were the Juveniles, and then the Immaculate Straight Laced Comerade. In 1999, they were about to create their first website under the name StraightLaced.com, but it was already taken. Thus, they chose the name Politic Live, which, according to Arlo, means the balance of commerce and art, and, two years later, created their website PoliticLive.com.
Before Politic Live was considered by Dose magazine as one of Canada's most underrated hip-hop groups, they made a name for themselves through their live shows. Their ability to interact with the crowd, draw hype, and create energy is what has differentiated themselves from others.
Emergence
In addition to having opened for several major acts, appearing on nationwide television, and performing across Canada, Politic Live is the first Edmonton-based hip-hop group to perform at both Peg City Holla (2002) and Canadian Music Week (2004), and to shoot a music video on 35mm film. The video, for the song 'The Matinee', ended up spending 5 weeks on , peaking at #7.
Politic Live's hard work and success has not gone unnoticed, as they have received both federal and provincial funding, including a $5,000 Alberta Foundation for the Arts grant to fund future projects.
Notoriety
Politic Live released their first studio album, Notoriety, in February, 2003, through the Music For Mavericks label. The album features the club bangers "Slingshot" and "Big Tings", as well as sincere, honest tracks such as "Soul Merchant" and "June 17" that showcase their lyrical maturity. The album received positive reviews, and was praised for its "professional quality and production", "slick mixing, smooth beats, and killer delivery...equally presented on each of the sixteen tracks".
Performances and Touring
Since opening for Snoop Dogg in 2001, Politic Live has performed at a number of Festivals and Concerts. Highlights include the 2004 Junofest's Galaxie Urban Music Showcase in Edmonton, in Penticton, BC, and The 23rd, 24th, and 26th Annual Canadian Music Week in Toronto. Politic Live has also opened for such notable artists as K-Os (2002), 112 (2002 & 2006), Planet Asia (2005), Obie Trice (2006), Omarion (2007), Lloyd (2007), and Marques Houston (2007).

Adaptation
The group is currently promoting it's sophomore release, Adaptation, which was released in December 2006, and was partially funded by the grant they received from the Alberta Foundation of Arts. The album received greatly positive reviews, features a wide range of tracks with beats influenced by Reggae, Dancehall and Hip-Hop, quality production, and includes several guest spots. The album spent 10 weeks on Canada's National Campus Radio Hip-Hop Charts, peaking at #2. The album also charted in San Jose and Chicago, where it charted on Illinois Record Pool's Weekly Top 200 Urban Singles for 13 weeks, and peaked at #69.

Adaptation is available online as well as in a variety of stores in the Greater Edmonton Area.

Discography
Studio Albums
*2003 Notoriety (Music For Mavericks)
*2006 Adaptation (Music For Mavericks)
Videos
*2005: "The Matinee"
*2006: "Block O" (featuring Oozeela)
Awards
*Western Canada Music Awards
**2007, Outstanding Urban Recording (Adaptation) '
*Independent Music Awards
**2008, Favourite Urban Artist/Group or Duo of the Year '

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu