88-Keys, the first of four acts on The Great Hangover Tour starring Asher Roth and Cleveland native Kid Cudi, casually jogged to the stage last Friday (7.17.09) to perform for a crowd that for the most part was unfamiliar with him. 88 noted in a post show interview, “Unfortunately, a lot of people still don’t know who I am, and what I’ve done, and what I have out. But I’ve been a pleasant surprise for everybody.” “Pleasant surprise” was a good choice of words. 88-Keys was warmly received by what can be an easily-bored, if not hostile Cleveland crowd, especially to lesser known opening acts. “Cleveland and everywhere else [except New York] has been like on volume ten…That makes me work harder at what I do and makes me way more entertaining than performing for a crowd who is too cool for school or too cool for a call and response.” Volume ten may be a bit of a stretch, but the audience did actively participate with hands up in the air as 88-Keys rolled through songs off of his debut album, ‘The Death of Adam,’ including standout track “Stay Up (Viagra),” during which he got the crowd singing the phrase “Stay Up.” ‘The Death of Adam’ is a brilliant concept album that needed to be played from start to finish for the crowd to fully grasp 88-Keys’ talents and the genius behind his debut record. Unfortunately, his allotted set time would not allow for that. Nonetheless, 88 certainly rounded up a good deal of new fans.
Although relatively new to the performance world, 88 has been in the biz for years working behind the scenes as a producer. He has produced top-notch artists including Talib Kweli, Macy Gray, and The Pharcyde among a handful of others. Most desiring to work in music have aspirations of fame and fortune, but at the beginning, 88-Keys was content staying in the background. “I knew where my talents lie. I was not a rapper. I just preferred to make the best music I could possibly make and quietly get those checks.” But after years of producing, 88 decided it was time to make an album of his own. “Now I have a family but the roles are kind of reversed. I am in the spotlight, trying to get more attention in the spotlight…because I see what it does for my career and my family’s well being. The more I’m in the spotlight, the more people that are out there supporting me, which equals more money for me.”
Perhaps what motivated 88 more than money was the chance to finally let his talents as a performer shine. Both the music and concept behind ‘The Death of Adam’ have been met with great critical acclaim. “Now that my album came out, people see what I’m capable of doing, or have been capable of doing all these years, it’s just no one really gave me a shot.”
Most artists never attempt the daunting task of recording a concept album, let alone on their debut release. The challenge of writing music meets the challenge of telling a story told by music. So what is the story behind ‘The Death of Adam’? “To me, the album has a strict story line about my friend Adam…who pretty much wakes up with a boner. So he decides he has to do something about it, and he meets a girl, and things kind of spin out of control from there. The thing with my album is that it is very relatable to everybody, not just men, but females who either know men who are like Adam, or who have dealt with men like Adam, or whose fathers are like Adam. It’s a fun album…it’s an awesome album, if I may so myself.“Recap: Adam gets boner. Adam pursues girls to take care of boner. Adam winds up dead. Perhaps 88 can sell the rights to this story for a Law & Order episode or a full-blown Broadway musical. Seriously.
Although he was the one recording the album, 88-Keys couldn’t stay away from the controls. He produced all tracks on the album save three, which he had co-production credits on. Once a producer, always a producer. ‘The Death of Adam’ was executively produced by 88’s best friend, the Godfather to his daughters, and perhaps the most prominent entertainer in the world right now, Kanye West. “I actually rapped on my album with Kanye’s suggestions, because he heard the raps that I made which were supposed to be made for stage show purposes only, but he was so impressed that he felt like I had to put it on the album. We argued about it for a few hours and then I finally gave in. I forgot I was arguing with Kanye. I wasn’t arguing with Kanye West, the #1 entertainer in the world right now. I totally disregarded that fact. I was like, you know what, he does seem to have the Midas touch, and does seem to know what he’s doing.” It’s never a bad thing to take direction from the best in the biz.
After long hard nights of putting together a concept album, will 88 take second stab at it? “I’m actually strongly considering that, I have a few ideas on the table, and I just have to figure out which one I’d like to run with…It’s slated to be a concept album.”
It takes a special artist to tell a story like ‘The Death of Adam’ through music and to put on a stage show worthy of winning over a tough Cleveland crowd. “I feel like people are starting to recognize my talent now. Better late than never.”
[7.25.09] 88-Keys is currently wrapping up his run on The Great Hangover Tour with Asher Roth and Kid Cudi. His debut concept album, 'The Death of Adam' is available on itunes and all the other usual outlets. [Tracks can be sampled and purchased below.] For the latest news, updates, and tour dates, check out MySpace.com/88Keys or www.eightyocho.com
88-Keys, the first of four acts on The Great Hangover Tour starring Asher Roth and Cleveland native Kid Cudi, casually jogged to the stage last Friday (7.17.09) to perform for a crowd that for the most part was unfamiliar with him. 88 noted in a post show interview, “Unfortunately, a lot of people still don’t know who I am, and what I’ve done, and what I have out. But I’ve been a pleasant surprise for everybody.” “Pleasant surprise” was a good choice of words. 88-Keys was warmly received by what can be an easily-bored, if not hostile Cleveland crowd, especially to lesser known opening acts. “Cleveland and everywhere else [except New York] has been like on volume ten…That makes me work harder at what I do and makes me way more entertaining than performing for a crowd who is too cool for school or too cool for a call and response.” Volume ten may be a bit of a stretch, but the audience did actively participate with hands up in the air as 88-Keys rolled through songs off of his debut album, ‘The Death of Adam,’ including standout track “Stay Up (Viagra),” during which he got the crowd singing the phrase “Stay Up.” ‘The Death of Adam’ is a brilliant concept album that needed to be played from start to finish for the crowd to fully grasp 88-Keys’ talents and the genius behind his debut record. Unfortunately, his allotted set time would not allow for that. Nonetheless, 88 certainly rounded up a good deal of new fans.
