Contact <press@gnawledge.com> for reviews/interviews.

Elemental Zazen

“Zazen’s flow sets a fearlessly tight example for countless indie rhymers”
Hip Hop Connection

“Zazen is…a top caliber lyricist, a rare treat in a genre where being thoughtful and insightful is often treated like a sinful vice instead of a saintly virtue.”
RapReviews.com

“Electrifying…Clean as a surgical scalpel and just as sharp...(The Glass Should Be Full) is what a nervous system would sound like if it were plugged into an amp.” The Weekly Dig

“Given the pain that moved his pen at such agonizing angst-addled angles, his sophomore release is as hardcore an opus as Tupac’s Me Against the World… certifies that honesty, vulnerability, and introspection make for better hip-hop than masked insecurity and bullshit”
Boston Phoenix

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Gnotes

The Weekly Dig – October 9, 2007

The Boston Herald - February 18, 2008

The Weekly Dig published a glowing review of Gnotes’ new record, which Chris Faraone describes as “a local should-have for all imaginative hip-hop fans who repel cornball rap with the same zeal that they loathe the bling boys.”  Read the full review.

“Gnotes mixes different styles, delivers masterpiece with Rhymes and Beats… Gnotes blends lush production and thoughtful lyrics to form some of the best hip-hop in the world.”
– Ben Conant @ The Equinox

“Rhymes and Beats is a series of songs that exposes the diligent work of a man that raps like he’s been waiting for this album his whole life… Few are shining brighter than gNotes right now.”
– PM Masterson @ Audiversity

“Musically it is innovative and pleasing, [with] care and effort put into virtually every bar in every verse, in each and every song – you can tell that Gnotes burns with a passion to be the best that he can be”
– Jesal ‘Jay Soul’ Padania @ RapReviews

“With flowing lyrics that mirror Beck, and drumbeats that parallel Quest Love, Gnotes brings together revolutionary ideas and a revolutionary feel to his music.” 
– Matt Fulone @ Le Provocateur

“When bohemian indie rapper Gnotes album Rhymes and Beats drops Oct. 9, it will unleash his unique style and sound that won’t be found anywhere in the mainstream rap world.”
– Evan Tanguy @ Scottsdale College Campus News

“The strong guitar riffs and enjoyable trumpets on ‘Samba Tryst’ make the track stand out as one of my favorites…  gNotes is an acquired taste, but Rhymes and Beats is one of the more unique albums I’ve heard recently. ”
– Justin Pacheco @ University of Rhode Island

“It’s not quite like any other hip hop record I’ve heard before. The instrumentals are more vibrant and alive than a lot of albums these days. There are clearly a wide range of musical influences at play here, and it makes for a unique sound.”
– Adam Snider at Ink Slinger

“His flow is controlled but with a certain, appealing looseness, his lyrics are informed, bordering on the didactic, and his beats are well constructed and melodic, easy to follow without being boring, proving that he’s able to keep up with any of the bigger indie names out there.”
– Marisa Brown @ All Music Guide

Re: CD release show: “Not only did gNotes dazzle the crowd with his lyrical prowess, but he showed his diverse musical talents rocking the guitar with Elemental Zazen. All in all, gNotes proved himself to be a multi-talented, multi-faceted musician worth leaving your house on a crappy-ass rainy night.”
– Jess Pye @ Planetary Group.

“Gnotes seems to be truly interested in expanding the art, so check for this one for something a little different.”
– Jonah Flicker @ Lost at Sea

“It’s all a mix of samples and live instrumentation, which blend seamlessly and force neck muscles to contract and heads to bob.”
– What It Is @ TreeBeats

“His Northwest roots are evident throughout the album, from the underlying political message in his lyrics (not unlike Seattle’s Blue Scholars) to the beats, often built around guitar samples, that he produces.”
– Fresh @ 33Jones

“Gnotes – also known as Sean Dwyer – has matured into a fine emcee and producer of cerebral, melodious hip-hop.”
– Michael O’Brien @ The Heights (Boston College)

“In his third solo outing, Rhymes and Beats, the enlightened rapper also known as Sean Dwyer reaches beyond poetic rap and backpack boundaries… Don’t just buy the new gNotes disc. Watch Boston rap’s new intellectual pride kick it live.” 80108 Media

“Similar to Immortal Technique and Sage Francis [...] something to spice up the indie scene.”
– Shastud @ Ear It Now

“It’s got a classic sound — on-point rhymes, punchy flows, and hints of vinyl dust and well-worn samples amidst tasteful live licks.”
– Wayne Marshall @ Wayne and Wax
*full disclosure: wayne = gnawledge bredren

“gNotes’ combination of lyrics and real instrumentation places him amongst the bohemian MCs like Mos Def, Madvillan, or RJD2.”
– AJ Meyer @ HipHoosier

…plus even more Rhymes and Beats at Soul Bounce, Dumpin, and Contrastream.

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AFRO DZ AK

“You ever heard of an emcee you can also play the trumpet? Me neither… Lyrically, Afro DZ ak doesn’t slack on the mic as he weaves through different topics with ease and an uncanny ability to connect with the listener… The sweet singing in the hook and instrumentation reminds me of vintage ATCQ” Rap Reviews

“It sounds as though the music could be coming from a Miles Davis record, not a hip-hop album.” Tufts Daily

“This record is one that should fly off the shelves, making strides to bring people together through positive songs.” Rider News

“Not often does one come across a musical hybrid like the rapping and trumpet-playing Afro DZ ak… The album fails to disappoint with its combination of conscious, intelligent lyrics and skillfully played music.” NYU News

“Elevation will turn heads as the album is defiantly booming with inspiration and successfully manages to separate itself from the stereotypical sound in hip-hop.” Buffalo Spectrum

“The winning ingredient in this eclectic hip hop stew is the music. DZ ak colorfully loops soulful horns, organs, and other jazzy tidbits over beats that leave even the most discriminating of listeners susceptible to head bobbing. ” The Noise

“Uplifting and thought-provoking” Lost at Sea

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DJ CANYON

Interview published in CARMEN, a magazine based Spain.