The Chicago Sun-Times has described Animate Objects as "a live band whose music oozes an almost Philadelphia soul sound with layered grooves punctuated by rhymed lyrics about a world where hope exists alongside darkness, and women are seen as complete human beings." Winners of both the Judges’ and Vox Populi voting for Best Rap/Hip-Hop Song in the 2008 Independent Music Awards for their hit single "El Dorado," Animate Objects has been featured in Billboard Magazine and other major publication throughout the country. By integrating eMCees, a DJ and live instrumentation, the band embodies the spirit and soul of the new generation of hip-hop music.
Hailing from the Musical Mecca of the Midwest, Chicago, Animate Objects is a clear leader in the Midwest's vibrant and rapidly emerging live Hip-Hop scene. Led by eMCee CZAR Absolute, the band mixes melodious keyboard harmonies and kinetic guitar riffs with sophisticated percussion rhythms and deep-pocketed basslines to form a sound as diverse as its cultural background. Priding itself on a healthy knowledgebase and professionalism, the band has won the praise of peers and critics while performing at some of Chicago's most historic and legendary venues such as Metro, Millennium Park, the Double Door, Elbo Room, Hot House and Subterranean. Defining itself by staying true to the origins of Hip-Hop while daringly forging the future of a musical generation, Animate Objects is sure to fuse its organic sound with your soul.
Formed in Champaign-Urbana in 2003, Animate Objects is an amalgam of Chicago's finest Hip-Hop players and songwriters. Merely two weeks after forming the Objects won the Triangle Battle of the Bands, sending them on their way to the top of the local music scene. Animate Objects served as a champion contributor to the local music scene, helping lay the foundation of the first student run record label in the Big Ten, Green Street Records. They helped usher the record label to acclaim as its historic story was brought to the eyes of the nation in Billboard Magazine (March 23, 2004).
The band has received critical accolades from independent music aficionados and novice listeners alike while opening for national acts such as Digable Planets, Soul Position, Jneiro Jarel aka Dr. Who Dat, Illogic/DJ Przm, and European super-group VOO VOO.
Animate Objects' debut album, "Riding in Fast Cars With Your Momma," has received positive media reviews from the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune and has paved the way for numerous awards, such as the 2005 WPGU/Buzz Local Music Award for Best Hip Hop Band, the Metromix/Chicago Tribune 2007 Rock N' Vote Champion and the 2007 iGo Audio Emissions debut CD contest.
