In The Backyard (with Senz of Depth)
Music by Miles Senzaki / Lyrics by Nicholas Nyemah

“Relaxin’ is a means for sheddin’ stress and not for slackin’.
We less on the regression, more for gettin’ back in action.”

I haven’t had my own backyard since movin’ out my mama’s house. Here though, the backyard is a mind state, and can exist any place you decide to make it.

Miles Senzaki (Senz of Depth) came up with the title and the instrumental and I just ran with it.  I’ve always admired Miles for his extreme dedication, both to the music and to his family (those related by blood and those related just by love). Miles has paid his dues and constantly studies his craft. Dude gives mad respect to the greats that have preceded him, and their greatness clearly shows through in his work. It’s no surprise Miles named his studio after his grandmother, and the gems that have come out of Grandma’s Dojo are nothing short of amazing.

Whether he’s putting out his own dopeness (e.g., Senz of Depth – Boundary Waters) or blessing the creations of others (e.g., Alice Tong – please be brave before the lions they come) Miles comes correct.  And he’s still going strong to this day (My Hawaii).

Even more reason to dig this cat . . . at the pinnacle of its success as an LA mainstay, Miles was kind enough to let me join his band, Ill Again. Check ’em out on disc (Ill Again – Self Titled) and on video (Ill Again – Next).

IN THE BACKYARD:

Get the full album:
St. Nicodemus tha Lonestar
THE PEN, THE VIEW, THE ANGELS
Amazon | CD Baby | iTunes

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BONUS MATERIAL:

Shortly before band members pursued separate endeavors, unsubstantiated rumors surfaced that Ill Again was in Grandma’s Dojo working on an EP. Consider those rumors substantiated.

Infinite love to the Ill Again family: Miles Senzaki, Blue Kusaka, Daniel Ramirez, Jose Ramirez, Andrew Johnson, Randall Park, Ray Lai, Rickmond Wong, and Alice Tong.

Shouts to Miles Shrewsbery rockin’ tablas on Caravan and Melanie Nyema beltin’ vocals on Capitalism.

Inspiration for In The Backyard:

LL Cool J – Going Back to Cali
A Tribe Called Quest – Jazz (We’ve Got)
Ahmad – Back in the Day
Digable Planets – What Cool Breezes Do
Herbie Hancock – Watermelon Man
Digable Planets – Escapism (Gettin’ Free)
MC Breed – Ain’t No Future in Yo Frontin’
A Tribe Called Quest – Scenario
LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out
Mark Morrison – Return of the Mack
Run-DMC – It’s Like That
Tony! Toni! Toné! – Feels Good
Onyx – Bacdafucup