To further achieve our mission of empowering youth while producing great music by talented artists from the YEA family, YEA created HAMWAM Records (Hot & Awesome Music With A Message).
To date, HAMWAM has produced the debut albums of Eugene IV (Starving Artist), Venus 7 (Primer), and our first album of collected songs by YEA alumni (Roots & Branches Vol. 1). These albums exemplify our goals to create great music without resorting to the negative messages and glorification of the thug mentality that is found in much of the current popular music.
Starving Artist is a soulful hip-hop record combining the musicality of jazz and soul with the rhythms of hip-hop and the words of a poet. The album highlights the words and music of talented actor, singer, musician Eugene H. Russell, IV, and features a special appearance from Arrested Development’s Baba Oje. The twelve original tracks also include a powerhouse of musical talent from the vocal stylings of Julie Dexter to YEA alum Christine Horn and the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, as well as Atlanta-based musicians Takana Miyamoto, Khari Cabral Simmons and Divinity. Starving Artist was engineered by Grammy Nominee Alex Lowe who has also worked with OutKast, Sunny Emory and many others. Hear sample tracks or purchase the album today.
Venus 7 created PRIMER to put music out in the world that is finally “talking about something.” The 14 original tracks were born out of the life experiences of Dorothy and Ingrid. Whether the subjective justice of “Corners” or the truth of love in songs like “Sensitive,” the album is filled with a fusion of musical genres that help tell heartfelt short stories. “Venus Skies” and “ifu” are their way of encouraging the world to seize today’s opportunities and ask “why wait until you die to live your dreams.” PRIMER features contributions from YEA influenced artists Phace Oricalz, Justin Ellington and Eugene IV, as well as Khari Cabral Simmons (bassist for India.Arie), Lil’ John Roberts and more. PRIMER was recorded, engineered and mastered by Alex Lowe of Red Tuxedo, who has also worked with OutKast, Sunny Emory and many others. Additional recording was done at Fingertip Productions.