It’s not every day (or month) that we are featuring what is now called old school rap, but today gives us special reason to do so as we introduce the debut single from flexile and positive-vibed Brooklyn rapper Aly G. Titled ‘Build It Up’, this initial offering only points to a bright future as she does what she loves and spreads her ideas through the power of word.
Aly G dishes out upbeat rap with a social conscience, this time focusing on the gentrification of and development in Brooklyn, but with a twist. Rather than trashing the changes that have been taking place, as many have done before her, she reminds us that, even though we may not be able to control the way neighborhoods physically change, we still have the power to build up our own ideas and imagination, and we still have a great power with our own voices and find inspiration all around us.
Aly G shines from start to finish, grooving throughout and leaving us with an uplifting feeling. This is what music was made to do. With ‘Build It Up’ showcasing a lively NYC vibe, as well as her whip-smart vocab, sly comedic observances, and rapid-fire delivery, it seems we have much to look forward to.
“I’m constantly inspired by the people, the places, and the vibrant energy of Brooklyn. ‘Build It Up’ represents what Brooklyn is within me: the fire to keep creating, building, growing, and connecting. The external parts of the neighborhoods might change, but the artistic communities and the people of Brooklyn will keep creating and bringing fresh ideas to the world no matter what. I feel lucky to be a part of the energy, resilience, and community,” says Aly G.
Aly G is the neon hip hop doppelganger of musician, producer, choreographer and singer-songwriter Alyson Greenfield, spitting rapid-fire rhymes with equal parts fun, feminism and fierceness, slaying the mic with quirky, clever raps about gentrification, misogyny, superpowers and ovaries.
An Ohio native, Alyson started freestyling while at college in Wisconsin, the rhymes spontaneously popping into her head. With her MFA in creative writing, she moved to NYC and built up a following as a singer-songwriter until one night at a hip hop club, a spark ignited that birthed the artist, who evolved into Aly G. Incorporating beatboxing into her performances, along with covers of her fave 90s rap classics, she gained attention from The New Yorker and HuffPost for her innovative genre-blending and high energy performances. She has also recorded her own renditions of LL Cool J’s ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’ and Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’.
Inspired by Lauryn Hill, Saul Williams, Santigold, and Salt-N-Pepa, she began writing material that personified the fun-loving, colorful swagger of Aly G, including the hilarious true story about a friend’s unfortunate celeb experience ‘Michael Cera C*ckblocked Me at SXSW‘. Twice featured at The American Beatboxing Championships (earning props from Rahzel from The Roots), she has performed alongside artist /actress Awkwafina and visionary emcee Jean Grae.
Earning praise from NYC’s The Deli, she was one of the first five artists chosen to record at Converse’s Rubber Tracks studio in Brooklyn, Alyson Greenfield is also one half of POLYVOX, a duo with Joe McGinty (Psychedelic Furs), creator and curator of NYC’s famed Loser’s Lounge.
Alyson’s music and original compositions have been featured on Fox, Lifetime, AOL, WNYC, and in TV/films including ‘Conception’, ‘Super Sleuths’, ‘Creatures of Comfort’, ‘Dance Moms’ and ‘The American Templars’. She also founded NYC’s Tinderbox Music Festival, showcasing over 100 emerging female musicians from around the world in its four-year run, garnering press from The New York Times, Time Out New York, Billboard, Glamour and more.
‘Build It Up’ is now available from fine digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Aly G is currently working on new collabs with producers JON BLOK and Grammy-nominated producer Baby Paul (Nas, J Dilla, Monie Love, Kanye West).
CREDITS
Lyrics written by Aly G
Music written by Aly G and Jon Blok
Performed by Aly G and Jon Blok
Production, mixing & mastering by Jon Blok
Recorded in Bushwick / Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Video directed by Alyson Greenfield
Video produced by Alyson Greenfield & Tiina Teal
Cinematography by Brian Fitzgibbons
Video edited by Brian Fitzgibbons & Adam Holz
Stylist: Pance Pony
MUA & Hair: Francisco Valera
PA: Jacqueline Tatiana Velasco & Pance Pony
Artist photos by Brian Fitzgibbons
Enter the funky and fun world of Aly G
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