Tag: chicago

Far from Simple as the name implies is anything but this guy. Having the pleasure of networking with a man of many names we met, Chris Kramer for Facebook purposes is more commonly known as Simple X. An ambitious man, taking matters into his own hands by pushing his beats. He has a few projects under his belt and is a L3GACI well in the works. Working with Herma Puma and Tensei we’ll take a moment to look at both in this feature.

Herma PumaA duo like no other, connecting from Chicago and across the seas to UK, having nothing but let say…“Dope Beats” This two man team is composed of Simple X and Pimpernel Jones , a Dj/Producer as well. Pull up their sound cloud or play one of their vinyls and imagine yourself relaxing on a Saturday night with your crew. They have a unique way of infusing jazzy, moving beats, all while keeping a strong sense of hip-hop culture. Just press play and a smooth infectious sound where you won’t want to hit the pause button will flow.


Making moves they have been recently picked up by a UK indie label called First Word Records They released their first LP this past August, The Herma Puma LP, a 7” vinyl for Pysch/Disposable Rappers that can be picked up online or at your local record shop. The world wind of sounds produced of this record is worth the purchase or one can listen to for free off their site. Hermapuma.com. Not to forget “Synchromystic” their full-length debut album is up for grabs online.

Truly a L3GACI in the making is well on its way to reshaping the music industry. Not settling on typical “main stream” beats, they offer a fresh sound that has long been forgotten. Take a seat, turn on their sounds and enjoy their L3GACI.
Check out Herma Puma ft. Rider Shafique — Rider is a UK based MC.
Rider can be found on Twitter or facebook here as well.

This single hit top 50 in France and was in rotation on Radio Nova (Jan ’11) NovaPlanet (biggest indie radio in france)

For his other project, Tensei, another mind-blowing music adventure, is on the other end of the spectrum. Having Japanese characters meaning “Heaving Star” this duo comes hailing from Chicago. Again, “Simple X”, Chris Kramer pairs up with producer Midas Wells to produce sounds unlike any other.

Falling out of touch for a few years, my ears are happy they decided to collaborate. Both had their fair shares of working with sample based music and decided to try their luck in blending different tunes. The best way to describe it… I’ll use his words of “Tensei =Electro Fusion”. Simply, because it is the easiest way to describe this hard to pin duo, mixing elements in music not typically used together.

Unfortunately not signed to a label yet, they’re working on it. Lining up established signing talent in the future and currently competing in contest, however not yet winning, we’re baffled as they are as to why not, their still placing on top. After selecting their sound cloud for my pre game Saturday night, it truly will be a mystery to not see them take off. With remixes and instrumentals that leave listeners swaying back and forth, truly embarking on a musical story.
Music by Tensei shows what a L3GACI in the making truly is, not afraid to push boundaries in hip hop pulling inspiration from where only a L3GACI could.

A man of many names, Simple X, is truly a simple L3GACI. A proud resident of Chicago is letting his music take him all over the world. An ambitious man at that, who loves to expose listeners to a forgotten genre. Hopefully opening the ears to listeners of the non-mainstream musical talent. We leave you with a few of his words and can’t wait to see what this L3GACI has to offer in the future.
John Legend and The Roots, Shine Tensei remix

L3 -What do you hope to accomplish with your music?
Simple X- I would like to make music that people across the world can feel without having to be stuck inside the current “mainstream” box. To me music is very powerful, it can make a bad day better, it can heal, also it can help relate a message, or tell a story. My goal is to make music that can encompass all of those aspects. (one song at a time).

L3 -So far what journey has your music taken you on?
Simple X I started out making music in 1995. At first I tried my hand at MC’ing, which I honestly was not very good at. Around 1999 I met a friend who got me into making beats. I started off with 10 second sampler, a Karaoke machine, and samples. i’d overdub sounds over drum loops etc… For many years I felt my music was not ready to show to the world, I have been honing my craft for a while and in 2008 I started to get into
beat battles around Chicago, I didnt actually get 1st place in any of them but I was a runner up a few times. In mid 2009, First Word Records picked up my Herma Puma Project, which we released in August 2010. My music has taken me to Europe for a short period of time, and in the future along with Europe again, I hope to share my music with
the entire world.

L3- If there is one thing you want your listeners to learn, experience,
gain from your music, what would that be?
Simple X- I would want them to know that there is more to music than just whats played on the FM Radio and MTV. At some point I feel music got lost in the paper chase and I would like to help guide listeners back to appreciating good art rather than the typical watered down music that we hear blasted on the airwaves everyday.

Make sure you stop by on twitter and follow all the happenings for Simple X and his projects..

Connect with Simple X on twitter…
Simple X
Hermapuma
Tensei

For Facebook….
Simple X on Facebook
Herma Puma on Facebook
Tensei on Facebook

Download, Buy, Share!
Herma Puma on Soundcloud
Herma Puma on Bandcamp
Tensei on Soundcloud

Check out his friends side projects as well!
Cutz on Cutz (Featured on Scion Radio by Rob Swift Jan ’11)
(DJ Moppy, Shazam Bangles, and Rice the Sound Transmitter)

Cutz on Cuts on Ustream(Every Wednesday 4pm – 8pm CST)

Cutz on Cuts on Twitter

Cutz on Cuts on Facebook