Introduced by a mutual friend, Saladine T. Wilds, an aspiring electrician, joins forces with Salahadeen T. Wallace to form the creative partnership called Camp Lo. Immediately, they create and shop a demo of their music self-described as neo-soul in a hip hop setting. Eight months later, Profile Records signs them in 1995.
Believed to be kindred souls, the connection between these two young men was strong long before they ever met. Having variations of the same name, dating back to Muslim upbringings and carrying impressively, optimistic perspectives on life as well as an immense fascination with the fashion and lingo of the Blaxpoitation era- although they grew up in the typically survivalist vibe of Bronx, NY- this pair was meant to come together.
Profile Records signed them only to sell the label to Arista after ceasing to release hip hop music, all within the first year, which confined Camp Lo to the production of music other than their own. As a result, once their contract was up with Arista, Camp Lo jumped at the chance to produce the double-sided single, “Cookers” and “Trouble Man” on Stimulated/Loud Records. That enabled them to move forth into the realm of independently produced music of their own, as they had planned originally.
Released in the mid-nineties, Uptown Saturday Night, the debut album (named after the 1974 Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby comedy) included the hit, “Luchini” produced by Ski who made a name for himself through his work on Jay-Z’s album Reasonable Doubt. “Luchini” was a crossover success, breaking top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 and top 5 on the Hot Rap Singles Chart.
Naturally going against the grain in their daily lives as individuals, as a team, the lyrics of artists like Digable Planets and De La Soul, inspired them to do the same in their own music. Their passion for music extends far beyond them though and into classic, legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Marvin Gaye. Such a well-rounded background in music, film, fashion, and spirituality leads to the timelessly soulful sound of their tracks, a sound which clearly appeals to the masses.
In recent years, Camp Lo has been spending their time making their name known and solidifying their worldly fan base. Their tours have taken place around the States, in Germany, London, and Japan. They have proven themselves as artists through years of live and studio performance, collaboration and the tenacity to stick it through the rougher times. Their most recent work is the single “Limelighters,” on the new Aesop Rock album, Bazooka Tooth .
Their current endeavor is a new album produced by Pete Rock scheduled for release in the fall of 2010. They have yet to decide on a home for this album but this is soon to be another classic!
