Somobe

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Somobe

Multi-talented multi-instrumentalists: Meet Somobe (pronounced “So-Moby.”) With a name lifted from a swing era phrase signifying “So Cool,” the Las Vegas-based performing, producing and songwriting team -- Jonathan “Jon D” Owens and Roland "Bob-J" Llapitan -- are introducing an uplifting, vibrant brand of hip-hop that bonds beats to vocabulary; imagination to intellect. With their forthcoming CD, The Great Communication, the duo is poised to deliver their first full-length release under the auspices of their company, Get'em Productions. With one new song already nominated for Hip-Hop Song of the Year by the Independent Music Awards, placement in The ASCAP “I Create Music Expo” promo reel and a subsequent invitation for Somobe to attend the society’s exclusive Rhythm & Soul Awards in Beverly Hills -- plus the track’s inclusion in an upcoming indie film -- there is a formidable buzz about the duo in their early twenties who have been rocking houses for almost eight years. “Most hip-hop guys just jump into it,” says Bob-J, “but it’s a huge part of our lives.” Jonathan Owens delivers agile word play; lyrics enriched by a captivating narrative, a pronounced point of view and a sly sense of humor. His messages may be positive but they are not sanitized. There is street smart cool, but without misogyny, violence or negativity. These words float over a compelling musical tapestry of hip-hop emboldened by a solid jolt of jazz. Owens, who also plays sax, says, “A lot of underground hip-hop samples bebop, Charlie Parker. Our stuff doesn’t sound like that; it’s influenced by smooth jazz.” The duo doesn’t use samples, preferring instead to create loops and grooves with the illusion of history. Originally Somobe was a larger aggregation, a group who opened shows for P. Diddy, JaRule, Master P, plus old school R&B stars like War and Cameo. All of these experiences were valuable lessons in the fine art of big time show business. “The hip-hop guys were onstage, off stage and gone,” says Owens. “ But the old school acts would see these young guys playing music and they’d acknowledge us.” Over time, Owens and Bob-J concentrated their energies as a duo.