Japanese Cartoon (band)

Japanese Cartoon is an American rock band that was formed in 2008 by rapper Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, otherwise known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco.^[1][2] The band consists of Jaco (Vocals) who can be heard singing in an Mockney accent for some songs, Graham Burris (Bass), Matt Nelson (Keyboard), and Le Messie (Production).^[3] Their album In The Jaws of The Lords of Death was released July 16, 2010 as a free online download from their website.

History

Wasalu Jaco (Lupe Fiasco) and Le Messie first became friends in 2004, and have collaborated on many art and independent fashion projects since. Messie has also produced for Lupe Fiasco on the track Fighter (featuring Matthew Santos) on his four-time Grammy-nominated album The Cool. Other musicians who collaborated on the album include Chris Gelbuda (Matthew Santos Band), Jonathan Marks (Hey Champ), Robert Tucker (Matthew Santos Band), Wolfie, Ian Astbury, Erik Hammer, and Bam Alexander.^[4]

The Prodigy, an electronic dance music group, worked with Japanese Cartoon to create "Invaders Must Die x Shinobi", a mash-up.^[5] In January 2009, their song "Army" was featured on the One by One Soundtrack exclusively in Japan. This was their first major release.^[6] The music video was later released in April 2009, titled ARMY, featuring Wasalu Jaco (Lupe Fiasco) himself.^[7] During the American leg of Lupe Fiasco's Steppin Lasers Tour, he performed the Japanese Cartoon track "All Sabotage" live at various venues.^[8]

Their debut album, In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death, was mentioned in an online interview by Pharrell Williams & N.E.R.D.^[9] It also includes a collaboration with The Cult frontman Ian Astbury.^[10] Japanese Cartoon band members Graham Burris, Chris Gelbuda, and Matt Nelson are also notable band members of The Matthew Santos Band. "In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death" includes creative input and art works by Nathan Cabrera,^[11] Shohei Otomo ^[12] & Le Messie.^[4][13]

On July 17, 2010, Le Messie reported via his Twitter account that the band was currently working on their sophomore album.^[3] Less than a week later, Lupe Fiasco spoke about Japanese Cartoon in an interview with Dj Semtex on BBC 1Xtra.^[14] On July 28, 2010, MTV.com referred to Japanese Cartoon as being Lupe Fiasco's new project in an interview about his album, Lasers.

On January 25, 2015, the band's Facebook page announced they are working on their next album, "M.I.L.K. Is For Pussies."

In the Jaws of the Lords of Death

Discography

Studio Albums

• 2010: "In the Jaws of the Lords of Death"

Singles

• 2009: "ARMY"
• 2010: "Heirplanes"

References

• MTV.Com reports of Lupe's new body of work "Japanese Cartoon" ^[15]
• Kanye West supports Japanese Cartoon.^[16]
• Write-up on JC: In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death by Highsnobiety.com.^[17]
• In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death Album Launch reported by Hypebeast.com & Independently hosted on Hypetrak.^[18]
• HipHopSite.com report on Japanese Cartoon: ITJOTLOD.^[19]
• PigeonsAndPlanes.com report on "In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death" Album Launch.^[20]
• The Couch Sessions report on "Japanese Cartoon — Album Launch".^[21]
• Lupe Fiasco, Japanese Cartoon Release New Album.^[22]
• SlamXHype.com write-up on Japanese Cartoon's In The Jaws Of The Lords Of Death.^[23]
• Japanese Cartoon Official Band Website.^[24]
• MTV article on Japanese Cartoon.^[25]
• NME article on Japanese Cartoon.^[26]
• Billboard.com mentions Ian Astbury of The Cult's collaborative effort with Lupe Fiasco on Japanese Cartoon.^[10]

Footnotes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Japanese Cartoon.

• Official website