From the early years of the Motown era, Detroit has always been a hotbed for great music. Multi-platinum recording star BIZARRE proves this holds true in 2010 by welcoming the newest and brightest stars from “The D” to join him on his third solo release, FRIDAY NIGHTS AT ST. ANDREWS that will be released on his new label home, AVJ Records, on May 18th.
“When it comes to unique creativity in music, Bizarre stands out. With his success with the multi platinum-selling group D12, we felt he would make an incredible addition to our growing roster here at AVJ,” states CEO Shannon Houchins.
BIZARRE, always ready to give back to his city, has worked with superlative talent from “The D” on FRIDAY NIGHT AT ST. ANDREWS. Guests include his D12 band mate Kuniva, King Gordy, 7 Da General, and Royce Da 5 9, Non-Detroit standouts include Nate Walka, Tech N9ne, Red Man, Nipsy Hussle, Yelawolf and Honorable C-Note.
FRIDAY NIGHTS AT ST. ANDREWS is a metaphor for Detroit’s liveliest spot for hip hop music: St. Andrews Hall. “When D12 was coming up, St. Andrews was the kind of place that people would literally walk miles to get to and be a part of. No lie. It’s so special that in a city that is as violent as Detroit is, you could go to St. Andrews and find peace and incredible music,” says a passionate Bizarre. “I’ve tried to bring that element to Friday Nights At St. Andrews.”
The first single to be released from FRIDAY NIGHTS AT ST. ANDREWS is “BELIEVER,” featuring Tech N9ne & Grammy nominated newcomer Nate Walka (co-wrote Jamie Foxx’s “Blame It On The Alcohol”) and produced by Honorable C-Note. “Believer” is a rock-tinged track of hope in dire times. The catchy hook harks “I want what I can’t see, just wanting to believe, make me a believer” BIZARRE goes on to paint a picture of his hometown. “Detroit, Michigan, home of the broke dreams, abandoned houses, known crack fiends… ain’t no salary, they done closed down the plants, I’m staying with my aunt, Who gon’ give me a ride, who gon’ take me to school, who gon’ help mama out when daddy acting a fool. The D, watching my people get slaughtered hurricane Katrina without the water…”
The video for “BELIEVER,” directed by A. Earnest Garth, is set in a grimy Detroit that is thick in content and performance and filled with shadowy images. While the NorthStarz-produced Street single “RAP’S FINEST,” featuring Kuniva, 7 Da General, Red Man and Royce Da 5 9 is a collection of Detroit’s illest MC’s on a track. The video for “Rap’s Finest” is also directed by A. Earnest Garth and is performance visual in its most raw form.
BIZARRE stormed on the scene in 2001 as a member of the multi-platinum rap group, D12. D12 debuted with their groundbreaking 4X platinum album Devil’s Night (“Purple Pills” & “Fight Night”). In 2004, the group put out a 2nd CD, the platinum-selling D12 World (“My Band”). As a solo artist, Bizarre has previously released two albums, Hannicap Circus in 2005 and Blue Cheese & Coney Island in 2007 making the 2010 release of FRIDAY NIGHTS AT ST. ANDREWS his third. Bizarre also is known for his appearance as a cast member on Celebrity Fit Club in 2005.
