Hailed by MTV as “the most melodic hip-hop group of all time,” Bone Thugs-n-Harmony return to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Friday evening. Best known for their fast-paced rapping style and harmonizing vocals, the band has sold more than 50 million records.
The original group comprised rappers Bizzy Bone, Wish Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone and Flesh-n-Bone. They earned their first Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1997 for their hit “Tha Crossroads,” which was dedicated to the memory of N.W.A’s Eazy-E. With songs like “Tha Crossroads” and “First of the Month,” the Bone Thugs’ album “East 1999 Eternal,” became the group’s best-selling recording, with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide.
“Rappers laying down tight verses, then mixing in a chorus with a melodic hook had already become standard when it came to arranging a great track, but we came on the scene and cut the seams out, showing everyone we could do both ourselves, and changed the sound of rap,” the group’s Flesh-n-Bone reported in an interview with The Marquee. “In the beginning, we hit with a style that was all our own.”
Their follow-up album, the double-disc “The Art of War,” included “Thug Luv” with Tupac Shakur, and the lead single, “Look into My Eyes,” was featured on the soundtrack of the film “Batman & Robin.”
In 2000, their album “BTNHResurrection” sold platinum in one month, while 2002’s “Thug World Order” attained gold status. Follow-up albums included “Strength & Loyalty,” which featured guest appearances by Mariah Carey, will.i.am, Akon, Twista, Bow Wow and Yolanda Adams. It debuted at No. 1 on iTunes and the Billboard urban music charts.
Last year it was announced that Bone Thugs-n-Harmony would release their final album in 2015. There would be only a single copy released, to be auctioned off, with bidding starting at $1 million.
Krayzie Bone announced in August that the first bid of at least $1 million had been received for the “E. 1999 Legends” album. The group was inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan’s idea to manufacture and sell a single copy of its recording “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin.”
“The reaction has been great,” Krayzie Bone told HipHopDX. “We received the first bidder. This is going to be like a domino effect and the one bidder came in like very, very interested. I’m just putting that out there.”
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It looks like it’s going to be another memorable ukulele festival on Sunday at the MACC’s A&B Amphitheater. The free 10th annual Maui Ukulele Festival features a stellar lineup of musicians including ukulele legends Ohta-San and Nando Suan, Richard Ho’opi’i, Paula Fuga, Aidan James, Taimane Gardner, Nelly & Daniel Baduria, Nick Acosta, the Hula Honeys, Da Ukulele Boyz and Kamakakehau Fernandez. There will also be performances by the Kalama Intermediate Ukulele Band, under the direction of Benny Uyetake, and the Seabury Hall Hawaiian Ensemble, led by Jon Toda, along with students from the previous day’s ukulele workshop. And local kupuna will show their skills with the Maui Ukulele Pops Band.
Among the participating artists putting out new music this year, Gardner released the innovative “We Are Made of Stars” in May, and 13-year-old James released the single “The Girl on the TV Screen,” as a followup to his Na Hoku-nominated EP, “Live Again.” He was the youngest musician to ever be nominated.
Renowned ukulele teacher Roy Sakuma will serve as emcee. Door prizes will be given away throughout the afternoon, including more than a dozen ukulele provided by Bounty Ukulele, Kamaka Ukulele, Koaloha Ukulele, Ko’olau/Pono Ukulele, Kanile’a/Islander Ukulele, Kala Ukulele and Mele Ukulele.
In conjunction with the festival, an ukulele workshop will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday in McCoy Studio Theater (with registration starting at 9 a.m.). Conducted by Roy and Kathy Sakuma, it’s open to all ages, and beginning to intermediate players. Students must be able hold C, F, and G7 chords and bring their own ukulele, notepaper and pencil. The attendees will participate in Sunday’s festival with a song learned in the workshop.
* The 10th annual Maui Ukulele Festival will be from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the A&B Amphitheater at the MACC. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.mauiarts.org.
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One of our most talented jazz musicians, Shiro Mori, is saying aloha to Maui, with one last performance Saturday at Wailuku Coffee Co. He is moving back to Japan after more than 30 years on Maui. A very talented keyboardist and guitarist, over the years he backed a number of jazz legends when they played our island. Mori will play with Gene Argel on the B3 organ and drummer Michael Buono as the Hand Jive Trio.
* The performance will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Wailuku Coffee Co. There is no cover charge. For more information, call 495-0259.
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For the first time in Hawaii, the Postmodern Jukebox show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15 at the MACC’s Castle Theater.
Postmodern Jukebox features a rotating group of musicians producing covers of pop songs in the styles of jazz, ragtime and swing. The group burst onto the public radar with their doo-wop cover of Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop,” featuring vocal group the Tee-Tones.
Founder Scott Bradlee creates retro versions of popular radio standards that run the gamut from Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” re-imagined as a flapper-inspired tune, to Kesha’s “Timber,” transformed into a doo-wop song.
Their weekly YouTube videos have received more than 200 million views and their tours attract a worldwide following.
Bradlee, who arranges and produces the music, told Parade Magazine: “I discovered some people were putting their musical experience on YouTube. I thought this was something I always wanted to do, putting modern music into ragtime, and the first video went viral and I’ve never looked back.”
PMJ just released a vintage 1940s version of the the Strokes’ “Someday,” featuring vocalist Cristina Gatti (who previously recorded a fabulous version of Sam Smith’s “Stay with Me”). Reviewing the video, Entertainment Weekly noted: “Postmodern Jukebox’s latest cover throws ‘pop music in a time machine.’ The big-band take presents a welcome spin on the single.”
Their latest album, “Swipe Right for Vintage,” includes covers of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl,” the Cardigans’ “Lovefool” and Imagine Dragons’ “Radioactive.”
* Tickets are $45, $55 and $65 (plus applicable fees) and are available at the MACC box office, by calling 242-7469 or by visiting www.mauiarts.org.
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To celebrate the 12th anniversary of George Kahumoku Jr.’s “Masters of Hawaiian Music” show, a concert on Wednesday at the Napili Kai Beach Resort will feature slack-key great Led Kaapana, falsetto legend Richard Ho’opi’i and Uncle George.
The show will also include guitarist Sterling Seaton and hula dancer Wainani Kealoha.
* The performance will be from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. General admission tickets cost $37.99 and can be purchased by calling 669-3858 or visiting www.slackkeyshow.
com. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $100 (plus applicable fees). VIP admission includes access to a private party from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m; a flower lei; complimentary pupu and wine; photo opportunities with the three headliners; a complimentary CD; and early admittance to the pavilion at 6:30 p.m.
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The Hula Grill in Kaanapali will present its 19th annual Maui Youth Ukulele Contest on Oct. 17. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by an ukulele workshop at 9:15 a.m. The contest begins at 10 a.m.
There are three solo divisions including 1st to 4th grade; 5th to 8th grade; and 9th to 12th grade. There’s also an open group division with a maximum of four members of any grade level. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided for all contestants, who will be judged on a brief introduction, ukulele performances (strumming, rhythm and picking), singing and stage presence, originality and keeping within the six-minute time limit. No electrical effect pedals or distortion boxes are allowed.
KoAloha Ukulele will donate custom ukuleles as prizes for the winners.
* For more information, call 667-6636 or go to www.hulagrill.com.
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