Giant Panda (group)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Giant Panda


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Genre = underground hip hop
Years_active = 2002–present
Label = Tres Records
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Current_members = Newman
Maanumental Chikaramanga
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Giant Panda are an underground hip hop group from Los Angeles, California.

History

During fourth grade Maanumental and Newman became childhood friends while growing up together. Newman, then moved to California to go to college where he met Chikaramanga and Superbrush 427. Maanumental and his brother Sir Kado begin collaborating and making music in Seattle, Washington. Eventually both parties decided to join together and form Giant Panda in California.

The group started to collaborate with Thes One of People Under the Stairs, and he produced "For Example" a track on their first 12" single titled "'88 Remix" which was released on Ukenjam Records on December 1, 2002. Eventually People Under the Stairs took them out on tour with them. During this time the group self-released "Fresh Donuts" also released on Ukenjam Records which was a sampler consisting of 15 tracks which they sold on tour.

Fly School Reunion

The band released their first official full-length album titled "Fly School Reunion" on Tres Records, which was started by Chikaramanga, Sausen, and Thes One. During this album cycle both Superbrush 427 and Sir Kado began to pursue other opportunities. Despite this both members still made contributions to the album. The album was initially released in Japan on May 21, 2005 and then eventually saw a release in the United States on June 21, 2005. The album was also re-released a few months later with a better distribution deal which made their album available in most major retailers.

The album has received great reviews and was immediately embraced by their fans as a classic album. There has also been a lot of publicity for the album as they received 4 and a half stars out of 5 in the July 2005 issue of URB Magazine.

Giant Panda, has also released "With It", "Super Fly", and "T.K.O." as 12" singles from their album on Tres Records. Also a 7" single of "Just Cause" was released in Japan also on Tres Records.

Electric Laser

Due for release on 19/05/08 "Electric Laser" will be Giant Panda's second album. Released by Tres Records the album is said to have a more electro sound than their debut, as suggested by its title. A review of the album can be found at Plug One Mag. [http://www.plugonemag.com/2008/03/27/giant-panda-triggers-electric-laser]

Members

*Newman (Alex Newman)
*Maanumental (Jamaan Mclaren)
*Chikaramanga (Chikara Kurahashi)

Additional Members

*Superbrush 427
*Sir Kado

Discography

Promos

*"Fresh Donuts" (2002)

Albums

*"Fly School Reunion" (2005)
*"Electric Laser" (2008)

7" Singles

*"Just Cause" (2001)

12" Singles

*"'88 Remix" (2002)
*"With It" (2005)
*"Super Fly" (2005)
*"T.K.O." (2005)
*"Speakers Pop" (2008)

Collaborations

*"Bloquera" (2004) (Newman, Maanumental, Sir Kado, and Superbrush 427)

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/giantpanda Myspace Page] - Currently their "official" site.
* [http://www.tresrecords.com/artists/giant_panda.php Tres Records Artist Page]
* [http://www.tresrecords.com/ Tres Records Official Site]
* [http://www.putsonline.co.uk PUTS Online] - The "official" unofficial fan site of People Under The Stairs. Also has up to date information on Giant Panda.