http://virb.com/substantial When Substantial was recording his debut album, …To This Union a Sun Was Born, he was driven by adversity. The Maryland native was struggling to balance school with a budding music career, was homeless at times and still reeling from having buried more than ten friends and family members.

The resulting album—produced by Nujabes and Monorisick of Hyde Out Productions and released in October, 2001—earned Substantial international critical acclaim and a particularly devoted following in Japan, where it was recorded and distributed. …To This Union was a top ten seller for two months at Virgin Megastores in Tokyo, Japan, and outsold artists such as Ja Rule, Jermaine Dupri, Faith Evans and Angie Stone in November. The album was dedicated to his late father and niece.

In the years that followed, Substantial—real name Stan B. Robinson—released a slew of singles and featured appearances, choosing to remain an independent artist to maintain creative freedom. In March of 2007, however, he officially joined the like-minded roster of independent hip-hop record label QN5 Music, whose artists are both close friends and frequent collaborators of his.

“I met Substantial through PackFM and Mecca during the final throes of the NYC underground scene’s heyday,” says QN5 founder and artist Tonedeff. “They were all in a group together called Dominion and I had seen them. Immediately, I was blown away by his wordplay and delivery.” Tonedeff, Substantial, PackFM and Session would go on to form the group Extended Famm and release the critically acclaimed 2002 album Happy F*ck You Songs.

On January 8, 2007, the man The Source Magazine called “a lyrical problem” will release Sacrifice, the long-anticipated follow-up to—and first official American offering since—…To This Union A Sun Was Born.

Despite being bred from much the same place as …To This Union, Sacrifice is decidedly more optimistic. Comprising sixteen tracks of smart lyricism and breezy beats, the disc evokes the dwindling sense of fun that once permeated the culture and plays seamlessly as a collective nod to the genuine feel-good hip-hop of yesteryear. Perhaps best characterizing this is “Resurrection of the House Party,” the album’s energetic first single, released in September 2007 with an accompanying video, or “My Favorite Things,” an ode to hip-hop culture which Substantial calls one of his favorite songs on the album. Sacrifice features production by Kno (CunninLynguists), Tonedeff, Algorythm & Burns and a guest appearance by QN5 labelmates Extended Famm.

“The album is made of everything that makes me me: Six years of writing, mixing, soul-searching, love, hate, strife, life and death,” says Substantial. “I found myself while making this album, which surprised me, considering how much I lost.”

The cover art—photographed by fellow Maryland native Eddie Tombs IV—is a tribute to martial arts, which Substantial has practiced for years.

“We thought that mimicking a samurai performing Seppuku with a microphone would be a powerful statement,” says Substantial. “I honestly couldn’t think of any better way to illustrate Sacrifice than with this image. As artists, we often push ourselves to the edge and beyond in pursuit of our dreams, often sacrificing for our family, friends and fans. It’s a difficult journey.”
]]> Virb 2.0 (@substantial) en http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/6037101 @Scott211@Substizzle is one of, if not, the best artists this year. He's been constantly releasing music at a consistently great quality.]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:37:58 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/6037101 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/6035506 http://bit.ly/2eHRfm]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:36:37 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/6035506 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/6035505 http://bit.ly/2sbeBm]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:36:36 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/6035505 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5994921 http://substantial.ning.com/ and it’s invite only. So if you’re seriously interested in joining... http://bit.ly/2GBCBZ]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:48:39 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5994921 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5971519 http://bit.ly/3R0FmI]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:37:50 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5971519 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5970734 @MarcusJMoore Yo fam, b sure 2 research & folo @substizzle, whose been dope since Suitland High. He's got some treats comin 4 yall. < Thx]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:43:07 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5970734 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5970733 http://bit.ly/1bw0Ml]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:43:07 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5970733 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5970732 http://bit.ly/1hcgJ8]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:43:07 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5970732 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5958349 http://bit.ly/4gMjUc]]> Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:03:45 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5958349 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5939997 http://bit.ly/36Dv4o]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:19:39 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5939997 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5932033 http://bit.ly/Xyo1L]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:48:31 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5932033 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5914630 @2dopeboyz CunninLynguists – Imperial f. Freddie Gibbs http://bit.ly/3C02re < Support my @QN5 fam. Peep & comment.]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:24:13 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5914630 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5914628 @GodsIlla Also @ Bohemian tonight @substizzle @RatheMC @Godsilla ("Got Ya'll" vid shoot) & many more. Come on through and enjoy yourself.]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:24:12 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5914628 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5914627 @djflipflop @substizzle is a beast. he records like Flash Gordon. THANKS AGAIN Stan! < No prob fam. Yall B sure 2 cop his new CD on tour.]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:24:12 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5914627 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5911787 http://bit.ly/1GAngS]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:28:38 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5911787 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5907232 http://bit.ly/WMMXT]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:45:36 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5907232 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5906399 @ClaudetteMonet The Pre-Lease is serious. @Godsilla went IN on that EP. Features include @joedmusic, @substizzle, @koyaki]]> Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:50:09 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5906399 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5890293 http://bit.ly/pZaHK]]> Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:29:58 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5890293 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5864814 @seshie did you know that at least 85% of @kokayi production is sample free]]> Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:03:25 -0800 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5864814 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5832015 http://bit.ly/Q0COD]]> Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:35:51 -0700 http://virb.com/substantial/posts/status/5832015