Artist: Field Mob

Biography:
It’s still real with the Field y’all, two slept-on albums, too many bad record deals and one still-going rumor about them splitting up, Shawn Jay and Smoke still need you to know that, feel that, and see that with the release of Field Mob’s third album Light Poles and Pine Trees on Disturbing Tha Peace/Geffen Records.

Shawn Jay and Smoke have always thought the third time would be the charm. Now they’re banking on it with the release of their 3rd CD, Light Poles and Pine Trees on Disturbing Tha Peace/Geffen Records. Featuring sure-fire hits, all-star collaborations and too-true lyrics, the group’s release illustrates why Field Mob’s Smoke (Darion Crawford) and Shawn Jay (Shawn Johnson) are credited for adding fuel to the current Southern Hip-Hop explosion. Look no further than Ludacris, Bun B, Bone Crusher, Bobby Valentino and Jazze Pha as just a few of the heavyweights cosigning for these Albany, Georgia natives. The rappers formerly known as Boondox and Kalage are back – delivering more ghetto tales and good times!

It should come as no surprise that Field Mob’s highly anticipated third album is stacked with so many celebs. Their debut, 613: From Ashy to Classy, was hailed by hip-hop critics as one of the best albums of 2001. The follow-up, From Tha Roota To Tha Toota, includes the breakout hit “Sick of Being Lonely,” which struck a chord with hip-hop heads from the east to the west and all in between.

Field Mob’s underground classic, “Georgia” has created a buzz at radio comparable to the din of a million gnats in your ear. “Georgia,” powered by the hook from another great Georgia native, Ray Charles, is a historical collaboration with their new Disturbing Tha Peace family member, Ludacris. "We've been trying to do 'Georgia' since our first CD," Shawn Jay points out. "But we could never get the beat for it. We never had the means to actually put it together. Now, years later, after all we've been through, we ended up getting with the one person that could make it happen, Ludacris."

On the heels of “Georgia,” Field Mob dropped their first official single "Friday Night," a swirling, funky roller skating jam crafted by one of their main beat-makers, producer Kenjo. "Oh, we have fun," Shawn Jay assures. "Me and Smoke have been through what we've been through, and done our dirt. But everything's got a place. And we still like to have a good time. Besides, people don't want to see you just trying to be hard all the time, mean mugging. I really want to ask some of these millionaires why they are on TV mean mugging and mad. And they're millionaires!"

"There's nothing really deep about ‘Friday Night,’” continues Smoke, a.k.a. Chevy Pendergrass. “It's just about hanging out and having a good time, and that leads to our other song, 'D.U.I.'” On this particular rumbling 808 specialty, Field Mob and guest Bun B guzzle shots as well as Ernest Hemingway. Everybody in the club is getting tipsy, and as you might expect, when they hit the road, they sweeerrrve to the left and then sweeerrrve to the right.

After all, as Smoke likes to put it, they don't drink. They drown. "Get this straight though," Shawn Jay is quick to clarify. "We're not trying to influence people to get DUIs, or say that DUIs are cool. But it is something that people do. A situation people get in. And we put it out there."
Shawn Jay and Smoke are the poster boys for putting it out there. Just like they do on "Blacker the Berry," Smoke lays his soul bare in this skin tale. "It's basically a story about when I was young and the things I went through being dark skinned and picked on. And it came out black and beautiful." On “Deep Tonight,” the duo reintroduces the Mob side of Field Mob while ATL’s finest, Bone Crusher, lays a smack down on this track. "Again, true stories," Smoke begins. "I was coming to the club all by myself. But it got to the point when I came by myself, them folks tried to beat me up. I didn't haaaave any back-up. I was vulnerable. But I had something for them the next time, like 'Yeah I came in here by myself, but this weekend I'm coming deeper than a skinny girl's coochie. This weekend, don't try me."

There are more heaters to come out the barrel by producer Kenjo such as the roll-out smash “My Wheels,” adding just the right sound to an already phenomenal CD. “We’re talking about cars, partying, rims, trucks and just the whole Southern lifestyle,” Shawn J relays. “Again, where I’m from in Albany, Georgia, we put truck wheels on old school Chevy’s. We really wanted to show people that side.”

After producing the 2002 "Sick of Being Lonely,” Jazze Pha returns to bless the duo with "So What" which includes Ciara, the Princess of Crunk and R&B. “Pistol Grip,” on the other hand, includes another Disturbing Tha Peace family member, Bobby Valentino who smoothes things out on "Sorry Baby." "Every rapper's got this girl that wants to lock him down. Keep him down. Keep him home," Smoke squirms. "But you know, we've got places to go, people to see, things to do and you can't lock me down... Of course, Bobby makes it all go down a little easier.”

After listening to their album and getting to know the Mob and where they’re from, the album title becomes a no-brainer. "The name of the album is Light Poles and Pine Trees because there ain’t no skyline where we're from," states Shawn J. "There's no arch like in St. Louis or palm trees like California," continues Smoke. "You look up and that's what you see in Albany." That’s Albany, Geor-giaaa.

Looking to redirect the Southern spotlight their way, Field Mob is certain they’re delivering the hits to do just that. Having paid just as many dues and shown just as much heart as other Southern rap stars, Smoke and Shawn J reaffirm their status as pioneers of the Southern sound with Light Poles and Pine Trees. "I feel like we're the most posturpedic group in the industry right now," declares Shawn J. "Meaning, we're the most slept-on artists. Other artists know that if we finally get a little bit of light, it’s over.”

Watch and listen: Field Mob is about to shine Light Poles and Pine Trees shine!



Websites:
» www.fieldmob.com - (http://www.fieldmob.com)


Videos:
» So What


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