Pre-order Substantial's new album Adultish

Peace World. We are happy to announce that pre-orders are now available for my 5th solo studio album, Adultish. Details below.

Adultish explores the world of a self-described "grown-up with more growing to do" over soul/jazz sample-based production and live instrumentation. Guests include Shing02, Uyama Hiroto, Mega Ran, Marcus D, Stephanie Gayle, T.Lucas, Tamera Wellons, MLLN, Javier Starks, Malcolm Jackson, DJ RBI, DJ Jav, Matthew Shell, and Black Root.

Adultish drops exclusively on Bandcamp on July 14th, and everywhere else on July 28th.

You can also pick up exclusive Adultish merchandise now including 2LP Limited Edition vinyl, Digipak CD, USB, T-shirts, and Snapback hats.

Thanks for being a SUBporter!

[NEW MUSIC] Substantial - 1580 ft. DJ RBI and T.Lucas

SUBSTANTIAL REUNITES WITH DJ RBI & T.LUCAS ON “1580”, A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE STATION, AND PG COUNTY, MD.

Friday, March 17, 2023 (Alexandria, VA) — International Hip-Hop recording artist, Substantial is back with his latest single, “1580” which reunites him with “The New Balance (Live from The DMV)” collaborators T.Lucas and DJ RBI.

“1580” is a tribute to the late, shortlived Rap and Go-Go station, Flava 1580AM, and the ups and downs of growing up in Prince George's County, MD in the 90s. “P.G. County laid the foundation for the men we’d become and Flava 1580AM added fuel to the flames within us that pushed us to become the best MCs/artists we could be.” says Substantial. T.Lucas added “This song represents some of my fond childhood memories. One of my favorite pastimes was laying on the floor of my parent’s living room between 7 to 9 pm and listening to Flava 1580 on the AM dial. I remember hearing all the new and exciting hip-hop songs that were being released at that time in the golden era of hip-hop, the 90s. It reminds me of innocence and the simpler times”.

“1580” is from Substantial’s upcoming 5th solo album Adultish. It’s written and produced by Substantial, with additional writing from T.Lucas, cuts by DJ RBI, and synth by Tonedeff (QN5/QUINTIC), who also mixed and mastered the song and the upcoming album. “1580” drops today on all digital streaming platforms.

For more updates, tune in to Substantial Weekly live today at 12 PM ET.

[CAMPAIGN] Adultish - Substantial’s Next LP on Kickstarter

Peace World. It’s been a while since my last email blast. I’ve been hard at work performing, teaching, traveling, and working on completing my next album.

Today, I’m proud to announce the launch of my Kickstarter campaign for Adultish, my fifth solo album. Adultish is the sonic journey of a "grown-up" with more growing to do over jazz and soul samples, chopped breaks, with some live instrumentation. The six-week campaign ends on my birthday, January 7, 2023, at 11:59 pm. Perks include vinyl records, hoodies, hats, custom beats, executive producer credit, and MUCH more. Please note that you will not be charged until the campaign concludes which means that you can back the campaign today and pay later. The goal is to raise $10K (it’s more like $8.5K but we need to account for taxes, Kickstarter fees, and failed pledges). With your support, I have no doubt that we’ll reach our goal. For more information, click the links or banner above.

I have many things to be thankful for including people like you who take the time to read messages like this. I appreciate your continued support!

“I’ll see you soon but talk to you sooner.” - Substantial

[RELEASE DAY] Substantial - No Per Diem 2.0 ft. Mega Ran

(Alexandria, VA) — Northern Virginia-based Hip Hop artist and educator, Substantial releases his latest single “No Per Diem 2.0” featuring teacher/rapper/hero, Mega Ran. The single, No Per Diem 2.0 is a song dedicated to those who are recipients of unsolicited advice. Substantial provides a soulful feel-good banger, composed of chopped gospel keys and vocals over pounding drums, 808 bass, and synth. Lyrically, the two veteran MCs rhyme about their journey as artists, following their own path in spite of doubts, conflicting advice from loved ones, and choosing integrity over checks.

No Per Diem 2.0 is now available on all DSPs. Stream/Download now. This is the first single from Substantial’s fifth solo album, Adulitsh due in February 2023.

“I am honored to be a part of my bro Substantial’s new single. For anybody chasing a dream, keep on” says Mega Ran. 

Substantial will be performing live with Mega Ran, MC Frontalot others for their east coast run of  The Octoberpus Tour. Dates and details can be found below.

10/12/22 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery w/ Wreck the System
10/13/22 - Alexandria, VA @ The Garden w/ Black Liquid and Twisted Distilled

Full events calendar HERE.

About Substantial 
Substantial is a Virginia-based International Hip-Hop recording artist, educator, and author from Maryland. He debuted in 2000 collaborating with the late Japanese producer, Nujabes. Legendary rapper and activist, Chuck D of Public Enemy referred to Substantial as “One of the great MCs of our time.” His soulful, jazz-infused, introspective brand of Hip-Hop music and videos has been featured on MTV, BET, VH1, several video games such as PUBG Mobile and Arknights, and films including Kevin Hart's Laugh at My Pain. Substantial currently serves as an ambassador of Hip-Hop for the US State Department and Next Level Program.

About Mega Ran
Random, aka Mega Ran, aka RandomBeats is a Teacher, Rapper, Hero, and Guinness World Record Holder. A former middle school teacher, Mega Ran (formerly Random) blends education, hip-hop, and gaming in amazing new ways, penetrating the farthest reaches of the galaxy with his unique rhyme style and electric performances. Ran cut his teeth in the city of Philadelphia as a moonlighting emcee and producer, performing, freestyle rapping, producing, and later engineering at a studio. After relocating to Phoenix, competing in the Scribble Jam emcee battle championships, and taking an early exit, Ran almost quit before he was even started, when a creative lightning bolt struck, and a fire was lit. Video games, comic books, and pop culture, all such huge factors in Ran’s upbringing, would begin to seep their way into his musical output, and the results were stunning.

About Substantial Art & Music

Substantial Art & Music, LLC (SAM) is a multimedia organization focused on providing consulting services to the visual and performing arts community. SAM was founded in 2017, by husband and wife duo Stan “Substantial” Robinson and Rachelle Etienne-Robinson. Together they provide design and consulting services to emerging and established independent artists, entrepreneurs, and organizations. SAM provides professional advice and guidance through consultations, workshops, and webinars as well as provides additional services like graphic/web design. SAM has facilitated workshops at Amazon headquarters in Seattle, Washington, the Hawaii State Art Museum, Pratt Institute, and Otakon. In addition, Stan and Rachelle produce and host a biweekly podcast called ARTdustry: where art meets industry. SAM has produced special events that have been featured in several media outlets like WTOP, Washington Informer, and Fox 5 DC. In 2020, SAM was named Carib Biz Network Top 50 Influential Caribbean American Entrepreneurs & Freelancers.

[EARLY RELEASE] Substantial - No Per Diem 2.0 ft. Mega Ran (Bandcamp)

Substantial and Mega Ran team up for the new single No Per Diem 2.0, a song for the recipients of unsolicited advice. Sub provides a soulful feel-good banger of a beat comprised of chopped gospel keys and vocals over pounding drums, 808 bass, and synth. Lyrically, the two veteran, MCs rhyme about their journey as artists, following their own path in spite of doubts, conflicting advice from loved ones, and choosing integrity over checks.

For now, the song/maxi-single (including instrumental and acapella) is exclusively available on Bandcamp but No Per Diem 2.0 drops* on all DSPs on October 7th. Pre-save Now. This is the first single from Substantial’s fifth solo album Adulitsh due out in February 2023.

*Song only. The Instrumental and acapella are only available on Bandcamp.

Catch Substantial live with Mega Ran and MC Frontalot and others for their east coast run of The Octoberpus Tour. Dates and details are below.

10/12/22 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery w/ Wreck the System

10/13/22 - Alexandria, VA @ The Garden w/ Black Liquid and Twisted Distilled

[RELEASE DAY] Home Is Where The Art Is (10th Anniversary Edition) + New Merch and more!

Substantial Art & Music in conjunction with Mello Music Group is happy to announce the official release of the 10th Anniversary Edition of Home Is Where The Art Is on all digital streaming platforms! The new edition includes new cover art, bonus tracks, and the instrumental version of the LP, all of which were previously unavailable on DSPs. Along with the digital release, we have also dropped new HIWTAI merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, patches, and fanny packs exclusively in our store.

Lastly, don’t forget to join Substantial tonight at 8pm as celebrates the 10th anniversary of 'Home Is Where the Art Is' live on Youtube sharing song commentary, behind-the-scenes stories and more with special guest, Stephanie Gayle.

[NEW RELEASE] Substantial & KDFoxx - Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1

DOWNLOAD/STREAM: Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1

Animal Arithmetic (AA) is an end-times story in the form of manga, animation and Jazz-Hop. Animal Arithmetic’s creator and Queens, NY native, Kenya “KDFoxx” Danino is an illustrator, writer, and former mentee of acclaimed storytellers Peter De Seve, Terryl Whitlatch, Thomas Astruc, and Hiroyuki Asada. When the time came to produce the soundtrack for AA, KD teamed up with veteran Maryland native, MC/Producer, and 2x Hollywood Music in Media nominee, Substantial. The result is a soulful, mostly jazz and funk-infused Hip-Hop instrumental soundscape featuring live instrumentation by Jonathan Smalls, Malcolm Jackson, Marukabis, Marcus D, and Mason Lieberman. It also features vocal guest appearances from EyeQ, MLLN, and of course Substantial along with voice-over actors Ashley Christen, Binks, Daniel Acosta, Farah Naz Rishi, Hunter Scott, Noell Webber, and Rachelle Etienne-Robinson.

Official Animal Arithmetic WEBSITE + MERCH.

In case you missed it, watch the official Your Greatest Weapon (Music Video).

[MUSIC VIDEO] Substantial and KDFoxx - Your Greatest Weapon ft. MLLN and Malcolm Jackson

NEW MUSIC VIDEO ALERT! 'Your Greatest Weapon' by Substantial & KDFoxx (The Art of Kenya Danino) featuring MLLN & Malcolm Jackson. Watch. Enjoy. Share.

This song and video are the results of MONTHS and in some cases, YEARS of work! Thank you to our entire team who helped to make this happen and of course all of you for the continued support! Credits below.

VIDEO CREDITS
Executive Producers: Stan "Substantial" Robinson & Rachelle Etienne-Robinson of Substantial Art & Music
Directed by Rachelle Etienne-Robinson
Director of Photography: Nick Fullen
Additional Cameras: Richard Robinson a.k.a. W3alth of True Genius Creatives Entertainment, Daniel James Eiskant, and Justin Vasquez
Editor: Nick Fullen
Illustrations by Kenya Danino a.k.a. KDFoxx
Animation by Natalia Mercado, Tracy MacLauchlan, Alexis Xuconoxtli, Katherine Leiter, Chagok Yun, Rodrigo Veras, and Brady

SONG CREDITS
Writers: S. Robinson, K. Danino, M. Bhatt, M. Jackson
Produced by Substantial
Lead Vocals by Substantial and MLLN
Vibraphone by Malcolm Jackson
Voice-over acting by Hunter Scott (Br'er) | Written by KDFoxx

Download/Stream Your Greatest Weapon ft. MLLN & Malcolm Jackson

Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1 drops on February 4th on all platforms. Pre-order now!

[NEW MUSIC] Substantial and KDFoxx - Your Greatest Weapon ft. MLLN and Malcolm Jackson

Peace World. New music!

Download/Stream Your Greatest Weapon ft. MLLN & Malcolm Jackson

Maryland-born MC, producer, artist, and educator Substantial teams up with KD Foxx for one of the best collaborations you’ll hear this year. Speaking about the new release, Substantial shares, “Your Greatest Weapon is about self-empowerment and realizing that the most powerful weapon that we have is our voice.” 'YGW's' production is a chill midtempo groove, filled with smooth bass, rhythm guitar, chopped drum, and clarinet samples, and expertly-played vibraphone courtesy of Malcolm Jackson. MLLN's jazzy vocals are the icing on this delicious Jazz-Hop cake.

Pre-order Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1 on Bandcamp (Digital) or on the official Animal Arithmetic store (Vinyl).

Lastly, don’t forget to tune in to Substantial Weekly today for more music updates and live Q&A.

[FUNDRAISER] Animal Arithmetic 動物の算術: Beasts of Burden (Manga + Vinyl) by KD Foxx & Substantial

Where manga, animation, and jazz-hop meet in the middle to tell a unique end times story-a call to introspection!

Br'er Animation by KDFoxx and Natalia Mercado

It's a simple equation, you see...

In 2015, NYC Manga Artist Kenya Danino (otherwise known as KDFoxx) created and performed spoken word poetry from her Boston College thesis: Kingdom Animalia. The collection of poems highlighted the human nature of emotions - using animal imagery to convey the thoughts we keep in the dark for fear of being misunderstood.  As she pursued her artistic endeavors, she connected with and bonded over love of music, poetry, and anime with the legendary MC, Substantial- who in the past collaborated with the late Japanese producer, Nujabes. Together, they began to construct a poetic project that merged a 90's-esque dystopian fantasy manga with the raw energy of Hip-Hop and Jazz to tell a story with a fresh perspective on navigating difficult times.  

Thus now in the tumultuous year of 2021, they are thrilled to kick off the Animal Arithmetic: Beasts of Burden project; a powerful narrative about navigating life as if the days were numbered. We are humbled and excited to bring you an original manga and music project about the unique journies of those who feel deeply- and KNOW even deeper.

For more info: CLICK HERE.