press

Sphere of Hip-Hop podcast #37 featuring the paradox track "let your life speak"

article/review of "called to mind" at aboveGround Magazine

review of "called to mind" at DaSouth.com

review of "called to mind" at Sphere of Hip-Hop

Sphere of Hip-Hop podcast #27 featuring the paradox track "bloodline"

Syntax Records TheSynCast podcast #51 featuring the paradox track "white noise"

review of "called to mind" at Jesusfreakhideout.com

blog entry by The Joe at HOPE (Hope Mission Youth Ministry Network)

review of "called to mind" at HolyCulture.net

review of "called to mind" at Bigsto's Weblog

podcast including four tracks from "called to mind" at Bigsto's Weblog

We Came From Beyond hosted by Mike Nardone - 11/16/2008 featuring the paradox track "life of an artist"

We Came From Beyond hosted by Mike Nardone - 12/07/2008 featuring the paradox track "snapshots"

The Underground Strikes Back - "60 Minute CD Series: Volume 12" featuring the paradox track "obstacles"

Can't Stop Fanatics - "Spread The Word: Volume 1" featuring the paradox track "life of an artist"

review of "called to mind" at The Phantom Tollbooth

review of "called to mind" for The Austin Chronicle

review of "called to mind" at RapReviews.com

When you buy a CD or download from End Of Earth Records, not only will you be buying some of the best hip-hop around, you'll also feed starving children and help free slaves all around the world (literally!). Proceeds from every album/song sold goes to: www.compassion.com, www.notforsalecampaign.org, www.dalitnetwork.org, and www.rzim.org.


Click on the iTunes button to buy a song!
or
Click on album cover to buy CD!!!

PARADOX – CALLED TO MIND	SEV STATIK - SHOTGUN	KWESTION – HUMAN BEING
INSUFFICIENT FUNDS – BLOWS OF THE ADVERSARY	PROPAGANDA – LISTEN WATCH FOCUS	SPOKEN NERD – 24 CARROT DREAMS
COMMON CHILD – THE PRETTY UGLY	SOUL THE INTERROGATOR - PRAWDUKT	SEV STATIK - SLIVER
JUSTME & CAS METAH ARE UNEMPLOYED	AFAAR – WRITE TO LIVE	I.N.O.V.I.A. - DREAMS
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH VOL. 4	7 GRAND – LIFE MUSIC VOL. 1	MELLOW DRUM ADDICT – FIRE ESCAPE ARTIST
MOTION PLUS – THE SOUND PROTEST	CAS METAH – PROVIDENCE ROAD	TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH - VOLUME 3
FORGOTTEN HEROES – FORGET WHAT YOU HEARD	CHANGE – SAME AS IT NEVER WAS	TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH - VOLUME 2
THE INSOMNIADDICTS – OFFICE SPACE	NICKELS – CRYING OUT LOUD	REALISTIKK – THE REAL
TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH - VOLUME 1	COMUNALIEN – CAMPUS EARTH	CAS METAH – DIMENSION TIDE
SCRIBBLING IDIOTS PRESENTS JUSTME & CAS METAH

what's up, good people?

i've got a new album dropping soon, "called to mind," on end of earth records and, in anticipation, a new website where you can sign up to an e-mail list, so that you'll receive all the latest paradox-related news. if you're interested, click by and enter your info:

paradox hip hop

as an added incentive, anyone who signs up for the e-mail list will receive the link to a website where you can currently listen to and download 27 paradox songs, including some collaborations from other people's albums and even some exclusive material.

just a quick note on my "top friends."  these are all the wonderful individuals who contributed, in one way or another, to my new album, "called to mind."  they're listed in order of appearance, so to speak, and i feel honored to have built with each and every one of them.  definitely check out their work.  i'm excited to get this new music into your ears.  i'll upload some previews in the next couple weeks.

what's up, good people?
i just got another run of shirts in, and they're FTD (fresh to death... trying to step up my abbreviation game for when my younger cousins text message me). you can order at the bottom and they are 12 bones each, which covers shipping and handling. plus, for a limited time (basically until i run out of something), every shirt order will come with a copy of my solo album, "hiatus," a copy of a burned CD with a bunch of collab tracks that aren't yet released (including everything currently up on my music player and several others) and a handful of the new paradox stickers (it's the design with the record crate at the top of my profile). i don't know much, but i do know that's a steal.

here's the image on the front. if you're looking at the shirt, it's on the left, chest high. when choosing a color, the "shirt" color shows through everywhere this picture is black and the "ink" color is everything that's white:


here's the image on the back (centered, high, and in the "ink" color you choose):


to order, hit me up directly, because sizes/colors are running real low.
peace be...

p.s. the shirts are all from a company that guarantees 100% sweat shop free labor, so you can feel good about your purchase, knowing that some small child in another country didn't sew it for pennies.

this is an old design and i don't have any left, check the newer blog.
thank you.
peace.

me and sentence are currently on tour and chronicling our misadventures here:

the albuquerque tour

keep checking back throughout this week.

peace, son.

my solo album, paradox - "hiatus," is now available at:

waterloo records in austin, tx (online or at the actual store)

iTunes

voicebox records website

CDbaby

best buy

tower records

circuit city

amazon

mile high music store

i'm going to start posting links or the full text to reviews for my album here as they come in:

hiphoplinguistics.com

..>..>

..> ..> * hip-hop album review Paradox - "Hiatus" Genre: Indie Hip-Hop Release Date: November, 2006 Website: Paradox Website Label: Voicebox Records Purchase: Hiatus..  Rating:  Comment on this review

..>..> ..>..> Review - "Hiatus": It seems to me that a large portion of mainstream society has little respect of or appreciation for the art of rhyme. And with good reason. A lot of mainstream hip-hop demonstrates elementary rhyme techniques and lyrical schemes. In the underground, however, you often find more talented MCs who possess the ability to skillfully manipulate beats with intelligent, quick-witted and difficultly precise flows. Paradox is one such MC. Using a combination of sarcastically staccato flow and hard-hitting intensely annunciated lyrics, Paradox boasts the ability of a truly talented rapper and poet. His production is uniquely eclectic and often classically influenced, with myriad instrumental sounds and a productive creativity seldom seen outside of high-quality underground hip-hop. And his flow is about as fast as you can get while maintaining a comprehensive direction and understanding. Within just a couple tracks, I could easily notice that this kid has some lyrical skill. A paradox is defined as a true statement that often leads to a contradiction or situation which defies intuition. In essence, a paradox is something that recognizes some kind of unstated assumption underlying a accepted truth. Using this definition and a modern day understanding of popular hip-hop music, the name Paradox fits this MC perfectly. If only the mainstream would hear talented MCs like Paradox, their appreciation for the art of rhyme would undoubtedly increase. The cover of Paradox's "Hiatus" includes drawings of mangroves, tropical trees with inpenetratable prop roots that play an important role in development purposes and land building, as well a wildlife habitats. In cases where mangroves have been removed, the coastline is subject to rapid erosion, and the wildlife is victim to strong winds and waves. I think this is representative of hip-hop, a culture that stands victim to criticism and negativity if its underground roots are removed. Paradox is an MC that represents the mangrove-esque roots of hip-hop, an example of an MC that is a paradox to those who view mainstream hip-hop as the real thing. If that's something you can appreciate, I highly recommend checking out his album.

sphereofhiphop.com

..>..>

Written by Ahnon Knomis

Thursday, 05 October 2006

Paradox - Hiatus (Indie) There's few times in an audiophiles life that something unexpected comes along that makes you stop and take a hard listen. The seemingly unknown artist that goes by the name Paradox was unexpectedly one of them. At first listen, Paradox's lyrical style and chosen soundscapes takes you into the underground with eclectic beats and quick lyrical jabs. His mid range vocal presence with Aesop Rock like delivery strikes consistently through-out the album at the bling and thug rap tactics of the mainstream. Paradox attempts to provide an alternative exposition through sarcasm to attack these fakes and mainstream images that have affected the last decade of the commercial hip-hop atmosphere. Even know he is not the first underground emcee to take this approach, and it can be daunting after awhile... It does seam like an underlining theme though-out the album which also caters to several thesis-like topics at the same time. According to the album description on his record label website, Paradox wrote this project after returning to the US from "a two-year reprieve amidst the heavy humanity of life in Belize". Having never heard of Paradox before, I'm actually surprised at how mature this artists delivery and rhyme structure actually is. It occurred to me that his name, Paradox, seamed like a good fit. For most, his unexpected maturity of delivery would indeed be paradoxical having never been featured on any notable releases prior to his own debut. Other than having this project put in my hands to review, I would have not even known it existed. Nor he for that matter. But as quoted from Paradox's label website, which I would have to agree accurately quantifies his steelo "... with this release he shows himself to be no rookie on the mic, spitting observational wisdom about the things he's seen and the people he's known like a true old soul." There are a few rough spots on the album that are a matter of opinion, but I felt could have been left off or replaced with better songs. Ones that seamed like filler tracks from earlier efforts in the creative process which where salvaged for this debut as most albums by new artists often do. Yet, that is to be expected as it does take time for a new artist to not only mature into their delivery and style (which as I mentioned, this artist has surprised me in being ahead of the curve on), but also having the help of producers and engineers that can assist you in comprising your best foot forward and encouraging you to not hold onto those B-sides for the sake of unwillingness to lose the effort put forth. Also, some of the mixes seamed to be off balanced as his vocals where over mixed a bit far above the music which hit weak at times or was seemingly overshadowed by the vocals on some songs in fear that they would be lost in the complex soundscapes. This is a common flaw among low budget underground artists with inexperienced engineers or those who are not too accustomed to hip-hop productions. There's a number of reasons for this but truth be told... its excusable for the most part and I've heard far worse to be too harshly critical. Just know that there is much room for improvement on the beat mixes and song mixes that should be noted for a follow-up release in the future. Key tracks include the heavy sitar and middle eastern sounds blended with boom bap breaks and smooth bass lines on "Oasis", as well as the acoustic guitar licks and subtle bongo's plus flute and sax live instrumentation that comes out well on "Sketched of Belize" which also gives fourth some deep mental visuals through storyteller rhymes. Overall, this is a solid project worthy of your ear play. Sadly this will probably get lost in the shuffle of new artists that must show themselves to be approved. But if you have the time and the few dollars to invest in giving a new artist a chance... This may be one you will want to give your investment towards. If your a fan of Old Dominion's scifi-esq experimental soundscape and Aesop Rock's intellectually complex and descriptive delivery... you'll likely enjoy this project. For fans of: Old Dominion, Aesop Rock, Listener, LMNO, Max One of Sackcloth Fashion of

cdreviews.com
Written by Libby Wait

After a life-changing journey to Belize, Paradox presents a passionate and poetic hip-hop album that will appeal to any rap fan.
(5/19/06)

I have this theory that rap and hip-hop are dying. Dying might be too harsh of a word; maybe degrading or maybe simply experiencing a transition period. No matter what word I use, rap music is changing in a negative way. Artists reuse the same bass-heavy beats and violent and sex-infused lyrics. It is not that this rap music is necessarily bad, its just that the music all sounds the same. It is almost as if rap music is inbreeding; there is so little variety that the genre is falling apart. The only people that seem to be keeping the genre in a healthy, functioning state are those underground rappers that are capable of producing creative and original music. When one of these rappers appears, it is truly refreshing to hear his (or her) unique sound. That is exactly how it feels to listen to Paradoxs album Hiatus: refreshed.

Matt Klassen a.k.a. Paradox released Hiatus, his first solo album, after returning from a two-year stint in Belize. Living in Belize obviously had a profound effect on Paradox. His approach to humanity, poverty, the United States, and many other aspects of life were all strongly impacted by his living in a foreign country. Hiatus seems to be dedicated to sharing and also discovering the new beliefs and sentiments that Paradox acquired from his two-year experience. Paradox uses his music not only as an outlet to express his more world-weary views, but also as a method of discovering his own feelings on music and life. Each song is laced with Paradoxs passionate views on one of the many problems that the world faces, or his realizations of the fact that the world has many problems to face. It Goes, for example, is an observation of the issues of race that face American culture while Bastard is an earnest statement about the poverty and abuse many children face.

Amazingly enough, Paradox is able to provide this commentary on heavy issues without sounding cheesy or cliché like many rappers do. This is primarily due to Paradoxs intelligent and original lyrics and wordplay. While at first his voice may sound a little awkward, this feeling will quickly disappear once the listener reaches the fourth track, Moonboots. This track demonstrates Paradoxs amazing skill for creating graceful, rhythmic, and coherent raps. Paradox is able to create lyrics that not only rhyme and flow, but also make perfect sense. It seems that many rappers become so concerned with making their rhymes flow with the beat that they do not realize when their lyrics no longer make sense. Paradox, on the other hand, possesses an uncanny ability to generate rhymes that sound more like poetry than the lyrics to a hip-hop song. If the listener is still skeptical of Paradoxs rapping ability, one listen to Peace, a track in which Paradox freestyles effortlessly, will no doubt cause a change in opinion.

Paradox teamed up with many of his fellow rappers on the Voice Box Records label to produce the beats on Hiatus. Paradox rotates through funky and upbeat music such as In Check and Drop the Drums, and very intense, orchestra-heavy music like From 49 to 50. The beats always mesh well with whatever subject Paradox is discussing. Sketches of Belize, Paradoxs tribute to the lessons he learned about himself and others while in Belize, features soft guitar, flute, and drums that together project an exotic sound which is very fitting for the song. The music, while not hugely original is one of the strongest aspects of the album. It is imaginative enough to attract fans of underground rap, but it is catchy enough to appeal to fans of mainstream music.

Between his well-constructed beats, humanitarian lyrics, and witty wordplay, Paradox has crafted a solid hip-hop album that will attract any rap fan. Hiatus is a sincere and poetic glimpse of the world through the eyes of a man who has had his life profoundly altered. This glance at the world is full of so much spirit and insight that it should not be missed. Paradox, as this album displays, possesses the passion and love of music that is capable of saving the rap music genre from its downfall (and/or musical inbreeding).

www.makeshiftgods.com

austin chronicle
BY ROBERT GABRIEL

Branching off from his rap roots in Denver, recent Austin transplant Paradox puts forth a solo album that may be a little too smart-alecky for its own good. While Hiatus (Voicebox Records) certainly produces its fair share of skillfully assembled cuts, a white dude imploring everyone else in hip-hop to get over race as an issue of distinction will surely fall on deaf ears.

you should pick up a copy of 49stories - "blind faith," it's the album i dropped with the group i used to be in. you can peep a review at: hiphophotspot hear clips at: cdbaby and, most importantly, cop it at: voicebox records best buy amazon among quite a few other places online. support the progression. peace. paraDOX