ill Holiday, Albert Paul Spaulding Jr. & Big Braille all of DaFilled
Starting a musical journey from the back roads of Indiana, a powerful sound was born to turn the music industry upside down, using only catchy hooks and melodious rhyme patterns that are surprisingly provocative, yet positive. Music lovers and the hip hop industry Give It Up For--- DaFilled. Their story begins like most artists with a tale of struggle to change the way music is made and heard. DaFilled started the journey by staying true to their vision of making soulful, thought provoking and lyrically genius music.
DaFilled originated out of an eight member crew called Homeless. After a year-long stint of performing throughout the Midwest, the crew separated. Three members kept in contact and soon discovered that each possessed the same drive for success. The group reunited iLL, ALPIL Jr. & Braille to form DaFilled in December 2000 with a mission to fill their listener's souls with meaningful music.
To understand DaFilled's music and dedication to their craft, you only have to look to its members.
iLL Holiday's passion comes from his response to growing up in a broken home. Though he was surrounded by drugs, violence and crime, he remained determined on becoming what he couldn't find around him. Music became a refuge for the emcee at the age of 14 and he joined DaFilled at eighteen. Though barely an adult at the time, his unique style and tenacious drive crowned him the most insistent of the group. "DaFilled hopes to bring back the day when people can party to music that Upgrades instead of Degrades".
Albert Paul Spaulding Jr. aka ALPIL of DaFilled first found his creative talent in art. Artistic talent runs in the Spaulding family. Albert is the nephew of Indianapolis natives John Spaulding (sculptor), and the great jazz musician James Spaulding, who has played with greats like Freddie Hubbard. Spaulding adds a new dimension to the hip hop and music culture. His songs come in a variety of styles, so he knows how to meet the needs of his audiences in order to keep them satisfied. His upbeat attitude and passionate phrases are more than intriguing, they're addictive! Spaulding constantly bombards the normalcy of hip-hop with his eclectic vibes, high energy, free spirit and soulful nature.
"Most rappers focus on bragging on what they have, but Braille has something that most emcees want, a smooth flow and lyrical superiority. Anyone who knows DaFilled, knows Braille uses crazy wordplay to get his point across. "Since we started we always had a unique knack for dropping knowledge and hot new flavors at the same time. If it's boring, it's not DaFilled." Mostly known for his street upbringing, this lyricist usually concentrates on explaining the hope that he now has since his life changed from a quest of running the streets to a quest to run the charts.
Matt Gonzalez of Intake Weekly asks "they've got the talent and drive. But how long will Indy's vibrant hip-hop scene have to wait to be seen?" And the answer is no more. Indiana's native sons are making moves. The trio have been donned the nations Most Promising Unsigned Rap Group, 2004. and nominated for the fourth time as Best Midwest Artist contender at the Underground Music Awards (HipHopPalace.com and Urban Threshold, August 2007), a shout out to Indiana as they are the first group to receive the honor. The trio have performed at the legendary Apollo, Indiana State Fair, SOB's in New York City, The Coca-Cola Circle City Classic, Indiana Black Expo, Indiana Historical Society, IMC/Indy's Music Channel (Radio One TV Station), Nuyourican Cafe' (NY) The Guvernment (NY) Club Downtime (NY) Rock Lobster (IN) Club Mecca (IN) Club Lotus (IN) The Patio (IN) Birdies (IN). Their college tour was a success. DaFilled has been profiled on Sucka Free Latino and in publications Amps, Intake, Star, MTV TR3, and New York's most enterprising Dj, Power 105.1's, Chuck Dogg. Performance highlights include being finalist on Bobby Jones GospelQuest 2004, the single Stop Dreamin (featured on Indy Mp3 Project), was included in major motion picture 'Reel Paradise' in 2005 and DaFilled winning the 1st round of Battle of the Bands.
DaFilled's music can be heard in New York and Philadelphia. They have shared the stage with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including: Adel Givens, Mike Epps, Shucky Ducky, TP Hern, China, Mike Jones, Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang, KRS One, Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Cross Movement, Virtue and Tonex and toured with the UniverSoul Circus. The Dafilled discography includes, Mista Witness 1999, United We Stand {EP} 2000, Unreleased Freedom 2003, Unreleased Freedom-Special Edition, 2004 Unreleased Freedom DVD 2004, DaFillinstation pre-release 2006
