1773 BIOGRAPHY:

Multitasking as MCs, singers, producers, & instrumentalists, 1773 [Pronounced Seventeen Seventy-Three] originated in 2004 as an occasional venture between Just J & Moral One (respectively, lead MC and drummer of the live Hip-Hop band Berto Ramon) and their longtime friend Wisdm O.N.E.. But in two short years the group evolved into a full-fledged endeavor and a highly regarded live performance act. Recently DJ Itch13 replaced Moral One as the official 1773 DJ but in some shape or form they’ve shared stages with: Wiz Khalifa, Little Brother, Rhymefest, The Cool Kids, Dead Prez, Lyrics Born, Blackalicious, Pigeon John, L.A. Symphony, Tanya Morgan, Ohmega Watts, Othello, Blu & Exile.

But 1773 would have remained a side project if crisis hadn’t presented opportunity.

In the early 00’s, Berto Ramon’s 5 year grind on the regional and national circuits culminated in their winning of the 2006 Emergenza Midwest competition (placing 4th nationally) and the International Music World Series in 2007, which brought them to the attention of high-powered entertainment lawyer David Rappaport. Offers from Universal, Columbia, and Atlantic Records soon followed but negotiations stalled as internal strife reared its ugly head. With a major label deal nearly in their grasp, the Chicago natives Wisdm O.N.E., Just J, and Moral One regrouped and refocused their creativity towards 1773 and in Summer 2006 the group was a featured Lollapalooza performer alongside Ohmega Watts. Maintaining momentum post-festival season, their Self Titled debut was released via Japan’s River City Music Entertainment coupled with extensive touring across the U.S. and Japan.

Coming full circle with a renewed passion, 1773 recruited 3 ex-Berto Ramon members to comprise their live band and released their sophomore effort Return of the New in Japan (March 2009), continuing their partnership with River City Music Entertainment. A month-long tour of Japan followed and upon their return stateside, the US release of Return of the New (October 2009) was picked up by respected indie Hip-Hop label Soulspazm Records (Marco Polo, Grand Agent, Torae).

As collectors of sight and sound, they’ve brought together a string of instrumental beats on their first full length release for 2010 titled Sound Soulstice. Produced entirely by Australian producer ARKiV, Sound Soulstice will be 1773’s third project on River City Music Entertainment.  Songstress Natalie Oliveri, and MCs Othello (of Lightheaded) & Ezekiel38 (Vertual Vertigo) all lend their palettes to the album’s sonic portrait…

“The earthly solstice deals with day and night, so we wanted to capture the universality of that concept both lyrically and emotionally” states Wisdm O.N.E.

Their talent exudes in studio and on stage. Their performance stands louder nowhere else than within the arenas of charisma and great sound replication. The members of 1773 are disciples of music, Chicago and her cultural stock. Through the sweltering thick of this city’s talent, emerged a group that calls upon the cadences of hip-hop’s truest and congruent times…

Sound Soulstice will be available June 2th, 2010 on River City Music Entertainment.

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