Wisdom
Wisdom was born into a family of musicians and poets. He was first exposed to hip hop culture at the Ernest Ingold Boys Club in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, after moving there with his mother at age 6.
Wisdom found refuge in writing and performing his first songs at an early age. Rooted in life experience, his diverse style incorporates lyrics that are streetwise with a political edge. He explains: “world issues and human suffering were common topics of discussion in our household, as well as exposure to many types of music and cultures. My music is a natural extension of this.”
After launching a successful clothing line called Wisdom Creations, he was invited to perform with Cyber Octave/Virgin Records recording artists Medicine Drum on their 2002album release “Original Face” and toured the world with them for two years. Returning from tour, Wisdom felt that his lyrical content was evolving to reflect his hopes of inspiring social change on a global level. In his words, “if we believe, we can achieve anything. It’s all possible.”
After producing a new studio album, Wisdom’s natural next step was to assemble a group of musicians, which was soon dubbed the Wisdom Creations Band, and now includes bass prodigy and son of Tito Garcia (former lead singer of Santana), Luis Garcia; keyboardist Matt Berkeley; award winning gospel drummer Thomas McCree; world-renowned percussionist Mingo Lewis, Jr.; Chicago underground lyricist and spoken word artist Seasunz, and the newest edition, DJ Cocheze from KRS-One’s Temple of Hip Hop.
Wisdom’s unique blend of conscious lyrics with live hip-hop and reggae continues to gain attention nationwide. He won the category of “Best Hip Hop/Rap” in both the 2005 and 2006 North Bay Music Awards and was labeled “one of Nor Cal’s favorites” by URB Magazine (Massv Global Get down, Dec 2004). He also appeared in the 2006 documentary film “The Indigo Evolution” alongside philosophical greats Ram Dass and Don Miguel Ruiz sharing his views on the potential of gifted children to change the world. Chris Deckker, founder of EarthDance International Festival (www.earthdance.org), affirmed that Wisdom is “one of the most progressive and conscious bands to emerge from the hip-hop culture. “Truly an electrifying performance!”, said Carol Bruno, lead producer of the legendary Reggae on the River festival (www.reggaeontheriver.com), agreed. She beamed: “Wisdom is conscious and a lyrical, cutting edge hip-hop laced with reggae dancehall beats… Look out for these guys!”
His music can be sampled and purchased at http://www.wisdomcreations.com. In 2006, the band released the highly anticipated album, “Growth and Elevation,” which was recorded both in Prairie Sun Studios in Northern California and Moodswing Records in Hollywood, CA. It features Jamaica’s own VP recording artist Warrior King as well as female vocalists Jemini and Nasambu, and was produced in part by former engineer for Baby Face, BigChris Flores. As a result of an artistic transformation which followed the recent deaths of both his mother and grandmother, the new album transcends any previous musical production Wisdom has released.
An updated list of Wisdom’s upcoming tour dates and Wisdom Creations music and clothing can be found at http://www.wisdomcreations.com. For booking, email maria@mariamatiasmusic.com. For publicity information, email hunterpromotions@gmail.com
Wisdom won the category of “Best Hip Hop/Rap” in the 2005 North Bay Music Awards
Labeled “one of Nor Cal’s favorites” by
Urb Magazine (Massv Global Get down, Dec 2004).
“Wisdom was the closest thing to a dancehall artist on the Ragga Muffins bill”
Eric K. Arnold, San Francsico Chronicle February, 2007
“I have been waiting 20 years for a group like Wisdom to emerge from Hip Hop culture”. “Wisdom is the future of Hip Hop”.
KRS-ONE
Wisdom was featured in the documentary film
The Indigo Evolution
Also Featured were philosophical greats
Ram Dass & Don Miguel Ruiz
Growth and Elevation
Features Jamaica’s own VP recording artist Warrior King
Produced in part by former engineer for Baby Face, Big Chris Flores.
Festivals:
Reggae Rising Performed and hosted 2007-2008 (15,000+ attendees) EarthDance 2007-2008 Performed (5,000 + attendees) Reggae on the River Performed 2004-06 Hosted in 2005 & 2006(8,000+ attendees)
Earth Dance International Festival 2003-06 Headlined (7,000+ attendees)
Cow Palace 2004 (10,000+ attendies)