Wikipedia

Homeboy Sandman

Angel Del Villar II[1](born September 24, 1980[2]), better known by his stage nameHomeboy Sandman,is an American rapper fromElmhurst, Queens,New York, United States.

Homeboy Sandman
Homeboy Sandman performing live in 2008
Background information
Birth nameAngel Del Villar II
Born(1980-09-24)September 24, 1980(age 44)
OriginQueens, New York,United States
GenresHip hop,alternative hip hop
OccupationRapper
Years active2007–present
LabelsStones Throw Records,Mello Music Group

Career

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Homeboy Sandman recorded and released his first EP,Nourishment,in March 2007. His debut album, entitledNourishment (Second Helpings),was released in August 2007.[3]In early 2008, Homeboy Sandman's work began to be featured on underground radio programs the Squeeze Radio Show on WKCR 89.9 FM and the Halftime Radio Program on WNYU 89.1 FM in New York. In June 2008, he was featured in Source Magazine's "Unsigned Hype" column.[4]

His second album,Actual Factual Pterodactylwas acclaimed upon its release in August 2008. The album received an entry inXXL'sChairman's Choicecolumn, which praised Homeboy Sandman's "sharp lyrics and irresistibly melodic flow, which, together, form an elastic instrument few MCs can match."[5]Actual Factual Pterodactyl received critical acclaim in a multitude of other print and online publications, including Blender Magazine, Beyond Race Magazine, Okayplayer.com and MSN.com.[6]At the end of 2008, Homeboy Sandman was named "Best Hip Hop Act in NYC 2008" by New York Press.[7]Recently his music has received rotation on NYC's Power 105.1 FM and Hot 97.1 FM, the city's #1 Hip Hop and R&B radio station, as well as airplay on Spitkicker Radio (Channel 65 on XM Satellite Radio), DJ Premier's "Live From HeadQCourterz" (Sirius Satellite Radio's #1 ranked Hip Hop show) and BBC 1Xtra's Hip Hop M1X (Hosted by DJ Sarah Love).

In addition to his studio releases, Homeboy Sandman has garnered attention for his live performances. From January 2008 to August 2009, Homeboy Sandman served as the host of “ALL THAT! Hip Hop, Poetry and Jazz” at theNuyorican Poets Café,New York City's longest running open mic session (originally hosted by Hip Hop iconBobbito García). He has performed at the biggest hip hop shows around the country, including theSouth by Southwest(SXSW) music festival inAustin, Texas,the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival in Brooklyn, New York, theRock the Bellship hop festival inLong Island, New York,the A3C Hip Hop Festival inAtlanta, Georgiaand New York City'sCMJ Music Marathon.Homeboy Sandman has recorded video interviews with other performers at his live shows, which are captured in his YouTube video series "Homeboy SandmanpresentsLive From... "[citation needed]

In addition to his own releases, Homeboy Sandman has appeared on records by other artists, frequently with members of the AOK Collective, with whom he is affiliated.[citation needed]He recently appeared on Fresh Daily's 2009 albumThe Gorgeous Killer: In Crimes of Passionand the 2008 albumFor Your Considerationreleased by P.SO (formerly P. Casso). Homeboy Sandman collaborated with both Fresh Daily and P.SO for the song "Get On Down," which is featured onSonic Smash,the album released in 2009 by music producerDJ Spinna.[8]Homeboy Sandman has also laid down tracks for a series of features with RIDES Magazine.[9]The track that Homeboy Sandman created for the Loud.com challenge, "Gun Control," was cited as one of the Top 25 Songs of 2009 by Hot 97 DJPeter Rosenberg.[10]

On June 1, 2010, Homeboy Sandman released his third album,The Good Sun,which features production from 2 Hungry Bros,Ski Beats,Thievin' Stephen, DJ Spinna, Psycho Les (The Beatnuts) and Core Rhythm, among others. The first single fromThe Good Sunwas "Angels with Dirty Faces," produced byJ57.[11]In September 2010, Homeboy Sandman released his first official video forThe Good Sunfor the track, "The Essence".[12]

In late 2010, Homeboy Sandman was featured as the coach in an episode of MTV'sMade,which premiered in October 2010.[13]

In August 2011, Homeboy Sandman signed withStones Throw Recordsand released his debut project,Subject: Matter EP,with the California-based record label on January 24, 2012. Homeboy Sandman released his second EP with Stones Throw Records, titledChimerain April 2012 and on September 18, 2012, released his debut full-length LP with Stones Throw entitledFirst of a Living Breed.The album featured production fromOddisee,J57, 6th Sense, RTNC and long-time production partners 2 Hungry Bros., along with label matesJonwayneandOh No,amongst others.[citation needed]

In 2014, Homeboy Sandman released the EP,White Sands,which was produced byPaul White.Nate Patrin ofPitchforkcommented that the producer and rapper had "a mutually beneficial set of styles" in a positive review.[14]In that year, Homeboy Sandman released the album,Hallways.[15]

In the wake of theDonald Sterling scandal,Homeboy Sandman wrote forGawkeran op-ed called "Black People are Cowards," which attracted more than 1.3 million views in the first seven days of its publication.[16]

In 2015, Homeboy Sandman released a collaborative EP withAesop Rock,titledLice.[17]In 2016, he released the album,Kindness for Weakness,which includedEdan-produced "Talking (Bleep)".[18]In that year, he released a collaborative EP with Aesop Rock, titledLice Two: Still Buggin'.[19]

In 2019, Homeboy Sandman announced he had signed a new deal with Mello Music Group[3][20]and released the new single "West Coast" produced by Aesop Rock to celebrate the new label signing.

Homeboy Sandman's first album on Mello Music Group, “Dusty,”was released on October 18, 2019.Productionwas handled entirely by Mono En Stereo.Dustygarnered positive reviews frommusic critics.AllMusicwriter Paul Simpson praised Mono En Stereo's soundscape of "laid-back, ambling jazz and funk grooves" for complimenting Sandman's "conversational, matter-of-fact rhymes" throughout the album, concluding that "Dustyis another winning set of pointed observations from Sandman, who effortlessly unloads his thoughts without seeming like a burden on the listener. "

Homeboy Sandman followed up “Dusty” with his 2020 album “Don’t Feed The Monster” produced by Quelle Chris. “Don’t Feed The Monster” was listed in NPR's top 50 albums of 2020.[21]Homeboy Sandman would later receive a pair of awards for music videos that accompanied the album. He received aUK Music Video awardfor “Monument” (directed by Pavel Buryak) in 2021 and later won Best Foreign Documentary at Rome Film Awards 2022 forDon’t Look DownVideo (directed by Robert Mayer aka Photo Rob).[22]

At the beginning of 2021, Aesop Rock and Homeboy Sandman released their single “Ask Anyone,” which was featured on FIFA 21 soundtrack.[23]Following the release Homeboy Sandman announced his EP Anjelitu which was produced entirely by Aesop Rock. Released in August 2021, Anjelitu marked Homeboy Sandman's third studio project on Mello Music Group.Okayplayerhighlighted Anjelitu as one of the best Hip-Hop projects of 2021.[24]Pete Rockwould later give praise to “Go Hard” from Anjelitu. At the end of 2021, Homeboy Sandman garnered unexpected attention afterDoja Catsaluted the emcee as “One of my favorite rappers” on Instagram live.[25]

Homeboy Sandman's tenth studio album,There in Spirit,was released on February 25, 2022.[26]That same year, he released the mixtapeI Can't Sell Thesefor free onBandcamp,due in part to an inability toclear the various samplesused in the music. Music criticRobert Christgausoon hailed it as "the finest album of one of hip-hop's most prolific careers", giving it an "A" grade.[27]

Homeboy Sandman revitalized his acclaimed Anjelitu EP, by releasing the Anjelitu Deluxe which included two new tracks as well as Aesop Rock's instrumentals from the project. In 2022, Rhymesayers released all three of Homeboy Sandman and Aesop Rock's Lice albums on digital streaming platforms. Homeboy Sandman's Deca-produced eleventh studio album “Still Champion” was released on November 11, 2022, following the pair's 19-stop co-headlining tour. “Still Champion” reached #24 on the iTunes Hip-Hop charts and Riff Magazine included the project in their top 20 Hip-Hop albums of 2022.[28]

Homeboy Sandman collaborated with Oakland-based nonprofit organizationOakstop Allianceon the album “Royalty Summit,” released on December 23, 2022.Royalty Summitis the debut release from Oakstop Alliance’sOakland Residentmusic initiative.[29]Homeboy Sandman was planning the west coast run for his There In Spirit Tour when longtime friend and Oakstop Alliance Executive Director Damon Johnson pitched him with the concept. The 12-track album was recorded over 3 days in Oakland as a residency collaboration between Homeboy Sandman, and over 20 Oakland musical artists and professionals.[30]On Christmas Day in 2022, Homeboy Sandman announced the debut full-length release for his label Dirty Looks, titled “12 Days of Christmas & Dia De Los Reyes.”[31]Homeboy Sandman rolled out one song from the project each day until the full album’s release on January 6, 2023.[32][33]

In August 2023, Homeboy Sandman connected with New York beatmaker Mono En Stereo–whom the emcee collaborated with on past albums Kool Herc: Fertile Crescent and Dusty–for his studio album “Rich” released via Dirty Looks.[34]The album garnered critical attention fromPitchfork,Vibe Magazine,HipHopDX,and more.[35][36][37]Homeboy Sandman later released "I Can't Sell These Either" in November 2023, continuing the "I Can't Sell These" mixtape series started in 2022.[38]At the2024 Summer Olympicsin Paris, Homeboy Sandman's song "The Carpenter" was used during the Women's Breaking Finals in the Japan vs. Netherlands battle.[39]

Personal life

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Del Villar's father and mother were born in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico respectively. His fatherboxedas aheavyweightbefore becoming an attorney.[40]

He graduated from theUniversity of Pennsylvaniawith aBachelor of Artsdegree and went on to accept a scholarship to attendlaw schoolbefore dropping out to focus on music.[40][41]

Discography

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Albums

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EPs

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  • Nourishment(2007)
  • Subject: Matter(2012)
  • Chimera EP(2012)
  • Kool Herc: Fertile Crescent(2013)(w/ El RTNC)
  • All That I Hold Dear(2013)(w/ M Slago)
  • White Sands(2014)(w/Paul White)
  • Homeboy Sandman Is the Sandman(2014)(w/Blu)
  • Lice(2015)(w/Aesop Rock)
  • Lice Two: Still Buggin'(2016)(w/ Aesop Rock)
  • Lice Three: Triple Fat Lice(2017)(w/ Aesop Rock)
  • Humble Pi(2018)(w/Edan)
  • Anjelitu(2021)(w/ Aesop Rock)
  • There in Spirit(2022)

Mixtapes

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  • There Is No Spoon(2008)(w/ DJ BabeyDrew)
  • Orphans(2013)(w/ DJ Jav)
  • Tour Tape(2015)
  • LoveLife(2017)
  • I Can't Sell These(2022)
  • I Can't Sell These Either(2023)

Compilations

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  • 12 Days of Christmas & Dia de Los Reyes(2023)

Singles

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  • "King of Kings" (2010)
  • "Therapy (Truth Hurts Remix)" (2023)

Guest appearances

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  • 2 Hungry Bros. - "Parallel Perpendicular" fromMy Crew's All Thinner(2009)
  • P. Casso - "Best in Show" fromFor Your Consideration(2009)
  • Fresh Daily - "Starter Pistol" fromThe Gorgeous Killer: In Crimes of Passion(2009)
  • DJ Spinna- "Thirst" (2009)
  • Mr. Beatz - "The Cipher" fromSpit Therapy(2010)
  • Ciph Diggy - "Synchronized Rhymin" fromUntitled Wave(2010)
  • Jonny October - "Brooklyn Bards" fromThe Wheelhouse(2010)
  • J-Live- "Fitness" fromUndivided Attention(2010)
  • DJ Spinna - "Get On Down" fromSonic Smash(2010)
  • Mick Boogie x Terry Urban - "Intro" fromLe Da Soul: 20 Years of De La Soul(2010)
  • J.J. Brown - "Up to No Good (Remix)" fromConnect the Dots(2010)
  • Paul White- "A Weird Day" fromRapping with Paul White(2011)
  • Mr. SOS – "O!" fromCassette Verité(2011)
  • Illus - "Free" fromFor Adam(2011)
  • Blu & Exile- "The Great Escape" fromGive Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them(2012)
  • Gensu Dean - "Ramesses" (2012)
  • Evitan - "Let the Horns Blow" fromSpeed of Life(2012)
  • Jaq - "Hear This" fromEscape from Radio Prison(2012)
  • Rabbi Darkside - "Clotheslines" fromProspect Avenue(2013)
  • Paper Tiger - "The Sting" fromLaptop Suntan(2013)
  • Paul White - "Find a Way" fromWatch the Ants(2013)
  • BluandNottz- "Crooks in Castles" fromGods in the Spirit(2013)
  • J-Live - "Hang On Tight" fromAround the Sun(2014)
  • L'Orange- "Mind vs. Matter" fromThe Orchid Days(2014)
  • L'Orange andJeremiah Jae- "Ignore the Man to Your Right" fromThe Night Took Us In Like Family(2015)
  • Until the Ribbon Breaks- "Perspective" fromA Lesson Unlearnt(2015)
  • Deacon the Villain - "Little Drummer Boy" fromPeace or Power(2015)
  • Finale - "Just Due" fromOdds & Ends(2015)
  • The Difference Machine - "Smoke" fromThe 4th Side of the Eternal Triangle(2016)
  • Dillon & Paten Locke - "Hamsammich" fromFood Chain(2016)
  • Sammus - "Weirdo" fromPieces in Space(2016)
  • Gensu Dean - "Where Is the Love" fromRAW (Refined Alkaline Water)(2016)
  • Onry Ozzborn - "Wine" fromDuo(2016)
  • Quelle Chris- "Pendulum Swing" fromBeing You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often(2017)
  • Billy Woods- "Wonderful" fromKnown Unknowns(2017)
  • Rob Sonic- "HORSE" fromLatrinalia(2021)
  • Aesop Rock&Blockhead- "All Day Breakfast" fromGarbology(2021)

References

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  1. ^Unterberger, Andrew (May 6, 2016)."Gimme Some Truth: Life Studies With Homeboy Sandman".Spin.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  2. ^"Homeboy Sandman - Overview".AllMusic.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  3. ^abHCamrone (February 8, 2022)."Homeboy Sandman – 'The Only Constant' [Review]".NOW Entertainment.
  4. ^"The Source - Unsigned Hype June 2008".Img685.imageshack.us.Archived fromthe original(JPG)on July 24, 2011.
  5. ^"XXL Magazine - Chairman's Choice Jan/Feb 2009".Img525.imageshack.us.Archived fromthe original(JPG)on July 17, 2011.
  6. ^"News, reviews, interviews and more for top artists and albums – MSN Music".Msn.com.
  7. ^"New York Press: Best Hip Hop Act in NYC 2008".Img710.imageshack.us.Archived fromthe original(JPG)on July 25, 2011.
  8. ^"DJ Spinna -" Get On Down "(Video) Ft. Fresh Daily, P.SO and Homeboy Sandman".Vimeo.com.
  9. ^"Rides Magazine | Custom Cars, Donks, Rims & Car Culture".Rides Magazine.
  10. ^"Homeboy Sandman -" Gun Control "(Hot 97 DJ Peter Rosenberg Top 25 of 2009)".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-12-31.
  11. ^"Audio: Homeboy Sandman" Angels with Dirty Faces "".Okayplayer.com.November 24, 2009.
  12. ^"The Essence".Hiphopdx.com. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-29.Retrieved2014-09-04.
  13. ^"MTV's MADE (Season 11) | Ep. 14 | Rapper (feat. Homeboy Sandman)".Mtv.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-05-26.
  14. ^Patrin, Nate (February 25, 2014)."Homeboy Sandman: White Sands".Pitchfork.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  15. ^Bowdon, Beware (July 27, 2014)."Homeboy Sandman Checks The U.S. On" America, The Beautiful "".Uproxx.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  16. ^Sandman, Homeboy (April 28, 2014)."Black People are Cowards".Gawker.Archived fromthe originalon April 29, 2014.RetrievedMay 4,2014.
  17. ^Baker, Soren (December 1, 2015)."Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman" Lice "Release Date, Cover Art, Tracklist, Download & EP Stream".HipHopDX.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  18. ^Hernandez, Victoria (March 22, 2016)."Homeboy Sandman Announces" Kindness For Weakness "Album".HipHopDX.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  19. ^Breihan, Tom (September 29, 2016)."Download Aesop Rock & Homeboy Sandman's Free EP Lice Two: Still Buggin'".Stereogum.RetrievedJanuary 2,2017.
  20. ^"Homeboy Sandman -" West Coast "(Prod. Aesop Rock)".Stereogum.com.May 29, 2019.
  21. ^N; P; R (2020-12-02)."The 50 Best Albums Of 2020".NPR.Retrieved2022-12-15.
  22. ^"music video genre – ukmva21".Retrieved2022-12-15.
  23. ^Arts, Electronic (2021-09-20)."FIFA 22 Soundtrack - Track List - EA SPORTS".Electronic Arts Inc.Retrieved2022-12-15.
  24. ^ago, Music-12 months (2022-01-03)."Mixtape Monday: Best of 2021 feat. Wiki, Terry Presume, Navy Blue, Eddie Kaine, Moor Mother, Pink Siifu + More".Okayplayer.Retrieved2022-12-15.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  25. ^"Doja Cat Salutes Homeboy Sandman: 'One Of My Favorite Rappers'".HipHopDX.2021-12-27.Retrieved2022-12-15.
  26. ^Major, Michael."Homeboy Sandman Announces New Album 'There In Spirit'".BroadwayWorld.com.Retrieved2022-02-19.
  27. ^Christgau, Robert(September 14, 2022)."Consumer Guide: September, 2022".And It Don't Stop.Substack.RetrievedSeptember 23,2022.
  28. ^"The 20 best hip-hop albums of 2022".RIFF Magazine.2022-12-12.Retrieved2022-12-15.
  29. ^"Oakland Resident Music Initiative".Oakstop Alliance.2022-10-06.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  30. ^"Oakstop Alliance & Homeboy Sandman Deliver New Album," Royalty Summit "".www.hotnewhiphop.com.2022-12-24.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  31. ^"12 Days of Christmas & Dia de Los Reyes, by Homeboy Sandman".Homeboy Sandman.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  32. ^"Homeboy Sandman Drops Ethereal Album," 12 Days Of Christmas & Día De Los Reyes "".www.hotnewhiphop.com.2023-01-07.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  33. ^"REVIEW: Homeboy Sandman still feels the joy with '12 Days of Christmas & Dia de Los Reyes'".RIFF Magazine.2023-01-02.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  34. ^"Rich, by Homeboy Sandman".Homeboy Sandman.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  35. ^"Homeboy Sandman: Rich".Pitchfork.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  36. ^Sadler, Preezy Brown,Armon; Brown, Preezy; Sadler, Armon (2023-08-04)."Doja Cat, Yo Gotti, Cordae, And More Fresh New Music Friday Releases".VIBE.com.Retrieved2023-09-15.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  37. ^"Homeboy Sandman Journeys Closer Toward God & Self Betterment On 'Rich'".HipHopDX.2023-08-10.Retrieved2023-09-15.
  38. ^"I Can't Sell These Either, by Homeboy Sandman".Homeboy Sandman.Retrieved2023-12-22.
  39. ^Garcia, Oskar."The Olympic breaking playlist: Eric B. & Rakim, Nas, Shaq and more".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2024-08-14.
  40. ^ab"Homeboy Sandman: A Rapper Leaves Law Behind".All Things Considered.National Public Radio.December 19, 2012.Retrieved17 August2022.
  41. ^Mason, June (June 11, 2014)."Talking Justice With Homeboy Sandman, The Rapper Who Called Black People 'Cowards'".www.wbur.org.WBUR-FM.Retrieved17 August2022.
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