I don’t know how I missed this, but I did. As they say, better late than never. Jneiro Jarel and Khujo Goodie (Goodie Mob) are Willie Isz.  A left-field hip hop duo who will be releasing a long overdue release Georgiavania on Lex Records in the first part of 2009. (via Dutty Artz)

Together, the two are called Willie Isz. “My dad’s name is Willie Gilyard, and his dad’s name is Willie Knighton. And they’re both from Georgia,” explains Jneiro. Meanwhile, the “Isz” comes from the 90s MTV cartoon The Maxx, where little carnivorous monsters called the Isz plague the titular superhero. It’s inspired by Khujo’s trademark growl: “Khujo’s got a monstrous type of approach where you’ve got to take him seriously.” They both hail from Georgia, but Jneiro currently calls Philadelphia, Pennsylvania home. It’s their mix of sensibilities – Jneiro’s urban futurism and wildly unique vocals alongside Khujo’s classic Southern rap — that powers Willie Isz’s Georgiavania.

Similar to another Georgian ‘odd couple’ Gnarls Barkley, they are about to take hip hop to a new creative high and redefine what hip hop can be.  The album will feature fellow Georgian Big Boi, TV On The Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe.

Willie Isz – “In The Red”

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Willie Isz – “Georgiavania”

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Grab the Willie Isz Mixtape (courtesy of Urb Magazine)

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tracklist:
Jneiro Jarel – Lock Down
Outkast Feat Khujo Goodie and Cee lo – Reset
Jneiro Jarel – Big Bounce Theory Remix
Goodie Mob – Cell Therapy
Shape of Broad Minds – Changes
Jneiro Jarel F. Shape of Broad Minds – Electric/Computer Blue
Outkast Featuring Khujo Goodie – Gasoline
Goodie Mob – Soul Food
NSM F. Jneiro Jarel aka Dr. Who Dat? – Mumbo Jum
Jneiro Jarel – Black Cinderella
Jneiro Jarel – Stranger They Come
Goodie Mob – They Don’t Dance No Mo’
Goodie Mob – Fly Away
Shape of Broad Minds – Buddafly Away
Jneiro Jarel – NASA
Shape of Broad MInds Featuring Khujo Goodie – OPR8R
Shape of Broad MInds Featuring Khujo Goodie – OPR8R (Collipark Mix)

Jniero Jarel best know for his other  persona has released a mixtape fill of goodies called Return of The Shoegaze you can grab it over here. There is music from Cocteau Twins, My Bloody Valentine, Apollo Heights, TV On The Radio, and more.

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