F.Stokes Music

F. Stokes w/ Chali 2na

2011-01-28T14:53:00.000-08:00

Art On Bricks 1/21/11

2011-01-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

The Honors Program, In A Word Fab, & CreativeControl.tv Present

Art On Bricks

An exclusive Meeting of The Minds of New Jersey!

Hosted by Peter Hadar, InaWordFab & Certified

Music by Ezrakh

Featuring a live performance by special guest F. Stokes!

Friday January 21, 2011

Russell Aldo Murray "RAM" Gallery

460 Washington Street, Newark NJ 07102

8pm - 12pm

RSVP: ArtOnBricks@gmail.com

RSVPs necessary for ALL attendees! (you & your guests)

NO Entry w/o RSVP

Visions.18 Holidays.Art Exhibition from Je Ne Sais Quoi Films, LLC on Vimeo.

F. Stokes w/ Chali 2na

2011-01-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

Stokes will be performing with Chali 2na in France. Check back soon for more dates.

3.2.11 la Bellevilloise - Paris, France (w/ Chali 2na)

3.6.11 La Dynamo - Toulouse, France (w/ Chali 2na)

F. Stokes - Soul Clap (live)

2011-01-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

F. Stokes - Soul Clap (live) from Jordan Liebowitz on Vimeo.

F. Stokes 3rd Annual Day After Christmas Celebration

2011-01-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

Mezzic summarizes

Ashy Radio feature: Pretty Shit

2010-12-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

Ashy Radio places Pretty Shit in their top songs of 2010!

Check the spot here

30-Minute Music Hour features F. Stokes

2010-12-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

"An intimate set of passion, fury, and love from the gifted F. Stokes."

Props and thanks to PBS for the support

Watch the full episode. See more 30-Minute Music Hour.

Super Sprowtz !

2010-11-25T18:48:00.000-08:00

"Who would of ever thought F Stokes would be doing a promo video for Disney? This is a very great look for the Chicago Native. Super Sprowtz is a new educational childrens show that teaches kids about the importance of eating healthy. The Super Sprowtz website is supposed to launch tomorrow according to their twitter and the show should be airing sometime next week. So far everything looks great especially this video below, press play." - junglegymmagazine.com

SUPER SPROWTZ RAP SONG FEAT. F.STOKES from Super Sprowtz on Vimeo.

On the Road + Super Sprowtz !!

2010-11-22T09:38:00.000-08:00

" The real treat of the evening came when F. Stokes picked up the microphone and poured out his thoughts. With no DJ and no one manning his computer/tables/audio, Stokes included some humorous stories about his run-in with hip-hop diva Rihanna, some anecdotes on there being only three other black men in the whole venue, and even a comment that the only person to challenge him to a dance off was one of them.

Joking aside, the guy ripped the microphone to pieces without any backup. On more than two songs, it was his voice that resonated and held the half packed house at attention, not any beats. And when an artist can a cappella his way through songs and garner cheers midway for his powerful lyrics, it's a sign that someone is heading in the right direction.

F. Stokes is heading in the right direction and as odd as it may be that he is on the "Keep It Irish Tour," he is keeping true to his roots and staying true to himself. Stokes hails from Chicago, but calls New York home for now, and in his own words, "it's all a part of the journey." -Denver Westword

F. Stokes was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Humble, intellectual, polite, and very approachable. He is an amazing artist who puts on an amazing show." - comment by Utah fan

F. Stokes raps about the Super Sprowtz in an exclusive music video featuring the Super Sprowtz themselves.

SUPER SPROWTZ RAP SONG FEAT. F.STOKES from Super Sprowtz on Vimeo.

Remnants of a Broken Soul

2010-11-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

Buy it now!!

Majestic show review + photos

2010-10-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

"You see. A F.Stokes set is more than hip-hop, but a blend of showmanship and realism interwoven with a passion and comfort few attain on stage. Showmanship in the sense he works the crowd with his innate sense of how we’re feeling, where we want to go, and exactly how he’ll take us there." - Mezzic

For a full report of the show and great pictures head to Mezzic
props to John Brunner for the dope photos

F. Stokes at B&B

2010-10-23T17:25:00.000-07:00

Benz & Backpack give props

"Captivate the crowd. Capture their hearts but free their bodies. Challenge their ears, their minds; make their souls clap."

"Stokes’ recordings hint at his dynamism in concert, but they couldn’t ever prepare you fully for the amount of charisma he exudes."

"He’s on the rise, about to embark on a tour with Mac Lethal. Keep an eye out for Stokes in a city near you. You’ll be glad you did."

check the full piece here

F. Stokes with Mac Lethal

2010-10-19T16:28:00.000-07:00

Stokes assists Mac Lethal on his Keep It Irish Tour

MAC LETHAL

KEEP IT IRISH TOUR

w/ F. Stokes

11/3 Aces Lounge - Austin, TX
11/4 The Meridian - Houston, TX
11/5 Andy's - Denton, TX
11/6 Jake's Sports Cafe - Lubbock, TX
11/7 Warehouse 508 - Albuquerque, NM
11/8 910 Live - Phoenix, AZ
11/10 Kava Lounge - San Diego, CA
11/11 72 North - Pasadena, CA
11/12 Half Moon Bay (bay area) - TBA
11/13 Roxy's Vets Club - Mount Shasta, CA
11/14 Dante's - Portland, OR
11/16 Nectar - Seattle, WA
11/17 Reef - Boise, ID
11/18 Kilby Court - Salt Lake City, UT
11/18 Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
11/19 Black Sheep - Colorado Springs, CO
11/20 Marquis Theater - Denver, CO
11/22 Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
11/24 The Aquarium - Fargo, ND
Sioux Fall, ND - TBA
11/26 Riot Room - Kansas City, MO
11/27 Chesterfield - Sioux City, IA
11/29 Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA
11/30 Blue Moose Tap House - Iowa City, IA
12/1 Warehouse - La Crosse, WI
12/2 What's Up Lounge - Mankato, MN
12/3 The Rex - Duluth, MN
12/4 Fine Line - Minneapolis, MN
12/6 Reptile Lounge - Oshkosh, WI
12/7 Mad Planet - Milwaukee, WI
12/8 Madison, WI - TBA
12/9 Abbey Pub - Chicago, IL
12/10 Rhino's - Bloomington, IN
12/11 Columbus, OH - TBA

F. Stokes at Majestic Theatre + press

2010-10-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

Stokes will be at the Majestic in Madison WI on oct 15th. Also performing are Ice Mantis, Stink Tank, and JDante, PLUS DJ Vinnie Toma & DJ Radish

"From the first moment F.Stokes opened his mouth I was captivated, and as I stood in front of him as he dripped sweat and spat lyrics, I couldn't help but draw the comparison with a baptism by this prophet of positivity." - Natalie S Dane 101

Also, interview with AV Club and Mezzic

F. Stokes EPK

2010-09-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Scope the new F. Stokes EPK; smashin

F.Stokes EPK from fdotstokes on Vimeo.

F. Stokes "Wait a Minute"

2010-08-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

"Wait a Minute" featured on HipHopDX

Hittin the blogs

2010-07-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

"Last Wednesday, JSD got a chance to catch up with F.Stokes before he took the stage at the Break’N Through concert series benefiting VH1’s Save the Music Foundation at the Red Bull Space. Stokes was one of the top five unsigned artists chosen to be featured in Season Two of the series in front of a live audience. He found it humbling to support an organization that restores instrumental music education in America’s public schools as music was one of the entities that has saved his own life.

Rodney Lucas or better known to hip hop fans as F Dot Stokes, is on the cusp of something big. Stokes has already penned an album, shared the stage with the likes of Ghostface Killah and Twista and has been on several tours. It’s been an incredible journey as he has seen far more in his 28 years than most of us ever have to fathom in a lifetime. Born on the South Side of Chicago, he grew up in a single-mother household becoming a father figure at a young age to his five brothers and sisters after their father was sentenced to life in jail for murder. Stokes lived the harsh reality of poverty and was at one point homeless and had sold drugs.

Stokes was able to find solace in music and laid the foundation for his hip hop career in Madison, Wisconsin. He built a steady cult following by performing wherever he could. Later he moved to New York with next to nothing, worked menial jobs, eventually finding his way into the music industry by working with G-Unit and Def Jam.

In 2009, he released his first album, Death of a Handsome Bride, in collaboration with Lazerbeak who he credits for pulling him back from the brink and for restoring his love for music. To say that the album packs a punch would be an understatement. He’s raw and he’s real as he gives each word its due. Stokes has a sense of self, knows where he’s been and where he’s going. With so much sensationalism that now plagues hip hop, F.Stokes has come to reclaim the genre."

- John Simon Daily

"I wish this brother every success and shit I might have only known him for a second but I’m a fan for a lifetime…"
- gurn

"There are some people that make an impact on you quickly and somehow maintain a degree of longevity in your field of vision. Rodney Lucas, aka F. Stokes, is one such person."
- alexchristou

hit the links for more. PEACE to John Simon Daily, gurn, and Alex Christou

YRB TV x F. Stokes

2010-07-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

A true Unsigned Hype, Stokes has shared the stage with everyone from Ghostface Killah to the Cool Kids to fellow Chicagoan, Twista, hustling CDs after his shows to catch a Greyhound to the next. He sat down with YRB to tell us his story about growing up homeless, the often neglected importance of the live show and opening up for The Clipse overseas.

YRB TV x F. Stokes

F. Stokes featured BREAK'N THROUGH

2010-07-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

The cooks have been in the kitchen and dinner is now served.

After months of hardcore international touring, F. Stokes will explode
on stage here in New York July 21st for the BREAK’N THROUGH SEASON 2
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES to benefit VH1 SAVE THE MUSIC FOUNDATION.

He’s on his way people…the tide is high and Stokes is riding the wave.
About BREAK’N THROUGH
The search for the top up-and-coming artists starts July 14th at Red
Bull Space in SoHo. The BREAK’N THROUGH Summer Concert Series
highlights the most talented unsigned artists in the music industry.

Each concert features performances by 5 of the top unsigned artists
and a HEADLINE PERFORMANCE by a major label’s debut artist. These shows
will be filmed in HD as part of a soon to be released reality series.

Sponsored by THE CUTTING ROOM STUDIOS, EMBRACE MEDIA, PORTA DECOR,
BONG VODKA, MOODSWING360, GREENHOUSE NY and PIONEER

For more info e-mail us at: Info@JungleGymMagazine.com

Jungle Gym Magazine

Imaginary Friends Capital Advisers present..

2010-07-05T18:59:00.000-07:00

Click to download!!

F. Stokes does France

2010-05-12T14:59:00.001-07:00

02/05/10 Majestic Theatre, Dirty Disco presented by Dirty Disco Kidz and F. Stokes

2010-02-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

02/02/10 Majestic Theatre F. Stokes W/ Zion I and A.N.T.

2010-02-15T11:11:00.000-08:00

Doomtree, F. Stokes, Dirty Disco Kidz, NYE 09

2010-01-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

Check out the rest of these great photos!! http://picasaweb.google.com/predainaj/NYE#

F. Stokes & Dirty Disco Kidz in Iceland!

2010-01-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

The 2nd Annual Day After Christmas Show

2009-12-03T19:14:00.001-08:00

Madison!

2009-11-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

Your support and love has truly been a blessing and as we continue to expand our live show globally please do know that words can never justify our appreciation...So instead of talking, we work. We practice. We write. We spin. We produce. We direct. We execute.

This show consist of the usual suspects: DJ ...Vinnie Toma on the 1's and 2's, Legendary Jackson displaying what made their hit song "Swagger like Barack Obama" part of the Onion's A.V. Club gift package to our leader (EFFING AMAZING!) and Special Op's, who captures our musical journey cinematically - stretching the realms of the common live show experience. These fellas collectively also make up the Dirty Disco Kidz.

THIS WILL BE OUR LAST SHOW IN MADISON BEFORE TOURING ABROAD.

In the words of Katjusa Cisar of The Capital Times:

" The only performer who walked away from the entire show absolutely shining was the first opener, F. Stokes, a Madison- and Chicago-bred rapper now based out of New York. He and his DJ Vinnie Toma owned the stage for a full 45 minutes -- no flab, no hangers-on. Stokes' style is sincere but impish, and intensely personal without closing in on itself. If more rappers took his lead with their live shows, maybe more people would come out to hip-hop shows."

Friday, December 4th, the Annex, nuff said.

Madison, we love you more.

Stokes

AV Club "On Repeat" : F. Stokes' Death Of A Handsome Bride: "Trapped inside these raggedy-ass tattoos"

2009-10-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

On this year's Death Of A Handsome Bride, rapper F. Stokes--collaborating with producer Lazerbeak of Minneapolis' Doomtree crew--carries on the refreshing blend of street reporting and raw intellect that propelled artists like Gang Starr and Nas to stardom in the early '90s. The short album's nine tracks bounce from cautionary memoirs of coke abuse and poverty in Chicago to criticisms of hip-hop culture and destructive relationships. However, it's also tinged with the perspective that comes with overcoming a rough past and putting together a better life. That's a timely vibe for Stokes, who recently put out both Death and its remix companion F.I.L.M. (or Forever I Love Madison, featuring production from Madison DJ crew Dirty Disco Kidz), and returns yet again to his onetime hometown to open for Ghostface Killah at the Barrymore Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

On Death’s closing cut, “Too,” Stokes hits the listener a cappella with a sharp blast of poetic imagery, gathering momentum with lyrics like, “Run through plush hotels and leave with the condiments / You know, soaps and shampoos / Trapped inside these raggedy-ass tattoos / Too skinny, too fat, too black, but ain’t black enough for the black dudes.” He clicks best with Lazerbeak on the album's finest jam, "Jeremiah," spitting out couplets about the hopelessness of impoverished street life over wobbling synthesizer, warped piano, and vintage soul samples. “Fresh out the womb we got penitentiary memberships / But we just shy babies trapped in our mama’s belly / Watchin’ the world through the windows of they navels,” Stokes pleads as Lazerbeak’s witty production thumps underneath.

Over the brilliant horn-driven sampling of “Hang On,” Stokes channels Jay-Z in his prime: “Who’d ever thunk it? The kid who sold crack for dope kicks would get his opportunity and punch it through the ceiling.” But he's not keeping too tight a chokehold on the King Of Hip-Hop, considering how intensely "Sparse Parts" vents his annoyance with the hip-hop world’s obsession with superficial street cred. “If I listen to Rick Ross and Murs, can I still speak on how my dawg was left on the curb? / Or would the underground write me off as a typecast?” Stokes asks, before fuming out an answer: “Fuck y’all, I don’t gotta sell my soul for one listen.”

Stokes also knows how to hit from left field, for good and for ill. Some of the lyrics can be brutally discomforting in their realism--"So Into You" reflects on “Babies born preemies out of rotten cunts/ Spoiled milk in they bottles/ as uncles finger-fuck they nieces while they drunk.” On the other hand, Stokes launches into the first verse of "Soul Clap" with the line “I be fresh as breast milk from Oprah," which is either embarrassing and absurd or just really fucking funny. Though the tracks on Death and F.I.LM. jump all over the place in a pretty short time, Stokes’ sincere and self-conscious lyrical flow keeps him high in the ranks of Wisconsin-connected rappers. Here’s hoping he can charm a potentially tough crowd of Ghostface Killah fans at the Barrymore next Tuesday.

by Joel Shanahan for AV Club. Article Here

Tickets for Ghostface Killah w/ F. Stokes HERE

Download FILM (FOREVER I LOVE MADISON) for free here

Listen to Death Of A Handsome Bride in its entirety here

F. Stokes In The Press

2009-10-13T10:43:00.000-07:00

Midwest Broadcast

http://midwestbroadcast.blogspot.com/2009/09/f-stokes-dirty-disco-kidz-film-death-of.html

http://midwestbroadcast.blogspot.com/2009/05/f-stokes-lazerbeak-death-of-handsome.html

"It’s clear from the EP’s opening song that F. Stokes is unabashedly honest in his songwriting."

"Nonetheless, Death of a Handsome Bride is a testament to the determined, “do it yourself” mentality in underground hip-hop. F. Stokes deserves praise for his introspective and forthright, yet still evocative lyricism, and Lazerbeak once again validated himself as the one of the best producers in hip-hop that no one knows about. Death of a Handsome Bride shows that listenable, thought-provoking hip-hop is out there, it just might take a little extra work to discover."

Flawless Hustle

http://www.flawlesshustle.com/music/f-stokes-dirty-disco-kidz-present-forever-i-love-madison-f-i-l-m-free-download/

"Don’t be confused y’all, this project is real serious."

OG Hip Hop

http://oghiphop.com/2009/09/artist-spotlight-f-stokes/

"I saw this dude live in the Lower East Side and the man can build up a crowd and tear a stage down. I would highly recommend giving a few of his tracks some spins."

MUCH LOVE to Midwest Broadcast, Flawless Hustle and OG Hip Hop

Download F.I.L.M. for FREE and hear for yourself.
FILM=FOREVER I LOVE MADISON

Checkout the official F.Stokes YouTube channel where you can watch music videos, live performances AND hear the Death Of A Handsome Bride EP in its entirety.
F. Stokes Official YouTube

Moments from FILM

2009-10-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

F. Stokes with Ghostface Killah at Barrymore Theatre in Madison

2009-09-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

F.Stokes & Dirty Disco Kidz Present F.I.L.M.

2009-09-24T23:58:00.000-07:00

With great honor we present to you.. F.I.L.M.

Click Here To Download F.I.L.M.

Track Listing:

1. F.I.L.M. Intro (Produced by Mr Physix)
2. Sparse Parts Remix (Produced by Mr Physix)
3. Soul Clap Remix (Produced by Mr Physix & Vinnie Toma)
4. Pretty Shit Remix (Produced by Dahnamics & Mr Physix)
5. Hang On Remix (Produced by Mr Physix)
6. So Into You Remix (Produced by Dahnamics & Mr Physix)
7. Blessings Remix (Produced by Mr Physix, Dahnamics, Vinnie Toma & Special Ops)
8. Jeremiah Remix (Produced by Mr Physix)
9. Go (Produced by Dahnamics)

Bonus Track:

Tickle me vs. Cossa Frenzy (Mr Physix Mash up & Re edit)

All Scratches by: Mr. Vinnie Toma

Mixed & Mastered by: Chris Miedaner

Myspace.com/fstokesmusic

Dirtydiscokidz.blogspot.com

Myspace.com/dirtydiscokidz

F.I.L.M. = Forever I Love Madison

2009-09-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

F.I.L.M.= FOREVER I LOVE MADISON

Madison,

This pass year has been incredible. The support we've received from this small town that sits on a isthmus has not only eclipse my initial expectations, but rejuvenated the city's hope and belief in a legitimate hip hop artist. We are yours to claim. F.Stokes to Madison is what Murs is to LA. What Brother Ali is to Minneapolis. What Common is to Chicago. Madison, I'm yours.

About once a month the good folks at the Doomtree compound in Minneapolis send me a nice check to account for cd's sold etc. A shit load of these albums are being sent to Wisconsin, so to thank you guys I've teamed with the Dirty Disco Kidz (Mr Physix, Dahnamics, Vinnie Toma and Special Ops) to produce F.I.L.M., a remix of my EP Death Of A Handsome Bride. This remix was made specifically to show my appreciation and gratitude for Madison and its free. Its a gift. Enjoy.

Vinnie Toma is the fucking truth. Number one DJ in Madison (soon to be the world...Denmark in a few months baby!) Vinnie is the motor that keeps the F.Stokes show going. Period.

Dirty Disco Kidz (Mr. Physix, Vinnie Toma, Dahnamics, Special Ops) Will Make your ears bleed (in a good way) and has been described as Electro/ Hip Hop and there children. These guys are guaranteed to throw down a progressive set with benefits.

Also performing at this show is Legendary Jackson, these cats are a phenomenal live act who combine superb production with sick flows. Serious.

And Rambunxious, my brethren from another. In just a matter of months Ram has turned Madison upside down with mic prowess and golden stage presence. So proud of you my dude.

F.I.L.M. will be available at the show ONLY so get there early as supplies will not last. Don't front, all you late comers will still be able to download this puppy for free the night of the show, and knowing my giving spirit, I will probably have a few more tucked away for even the late.

THE ANNEX! THURSDAY OCTOBER 1ST!

Peace sign high,
F.Stokes and Vinnie Toma