If hip-hop were a sport, the Arsonists would have been considered all-stars years ago. The crew, which began 13 members strong in Bushwick, Brooklyn back in 1993, has since been reduced to Q-Unique, Jise One and Swel Boogie. No longer the size of a football team, but pared down to a compact three-man group, the trio has developed a signature mode of expression that has earned them a loyal international following. In September, their eagerly awaited second album drops on the public. [...]

News
03/01/02 — From Jise: “What up Arsonists fans? It's been awhile since getting some kind of update on the Matador website. It's not that we've been neglecting our duties as a Matador based band, it's just been alot of hard work going into new songs and ventures. We're not sure when the next album is due, but we assure that we will work our hardest to get it out there along with the Matador staff. As far as rumors of any sorts regarding the relationship between Matador and The Arsonists? I've heard some crazy ones, but regardless of our relationship, good, bad, fair or none, IT'S MUSIC! Sit back and enjoy what we're here for, which is not scandalous rumors of beef that are'nt really there. We are working towards blessing ya'll with an improved sound everytime we hit ya'll so just listen. AND, no there is'nt any beef between any old Arsonists memebers, We wish everyone that has contributed to the Arsonists the best of success for the simple fact that it's a reflection of what we started out of the nieghborhood and no fallouts can changed what we've created as a foundation. PEACE YA'LL............. Jise/ARSONISTS”

09/07/01 — ‘Date Of Birth,’ one of 2001’s most eagerly awaited new albums will be released this Tuesday, coinciding with an instore performance and signing session at Fat Beats the same day. A new 12" of “What You Want” is shipping to DJs as we speak/write/talk. The group will be hitting the road in mid-October, co-headlining northeastern dates with DJ Swamp, DMC champion circa 1996. Following that jaunt, the Arsonists will be back on the road with DJ Logic and Ninja Tune recording artist Kid Koala, whom some of you might’ve seen supporting Radiohead earlier in the year. If you’re gonna be in NYC during the CMJ Music Marathon, don’t miss the Arsonists at BB Kings (237 W. 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues), appearing with the Smut Peddlers, DJ Swamp, Mixmaster Mike, X-ecutioners, DJ Swamp, Rock Steady Crew, Afu Ra and Pep Love. There will be 700 tickets available for those without CMJ credentials.

“What You Want” and “We Be About” from ‘Date Of Birth’ are now available for free download from our MP3 section.

07/19/01 — ‘Date Of Birth’ on the way, along with a new single
Q-Unique, Jise One and Swell Boogie aka the ARSONISTS have just completed a grueling nationwide tour in support of the Beatnuts, previewing material from the September 2001 CD/double LP ‘Date Of Birth.’ You can hear an MP3 of the album’s current single “We Be About” starting July 24. A new 12" of “What You Want” b/w “Millionaire” will be hitting radio stations sometime next month.

06/12/01 — Upcoming instore events
Arsonists are hitting the entire U.S. during the journey in support of the Beatnuts, previewing material from the upcoming Arsonists CD / LP ‘Date Of Birth.’

You can catch the following instore appearances:

LOS ANGELES: Saturday, June 23rd at 3PM
Fat Beats LA, 7600 Melrose, Los Angeles, CA 90036
323-655-8997 ** This is a freestyle / signing event

AUSTIN: Sunday, July 1st at 3PM
33 Degrees, 4017 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78751
512-302-5233 ** This is a freestyle / signing event

ATLANTA: Saturday, July 7th at 3PM
Criminal Records, 466 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
404-215-9511 ** This is a performance / signing event

In addition, we’re still waiting for the details, but we’re told that Q-Unique will be featured in a series of upcoming radio commercials for Nike.

05/10/01
As we prepare for the long awaited 'Date Of Birth' full-length, we receive news that the group will be featured in an upcoming Coca Cola advertising campaign. You'd think someone would hook us up with a Coke machine in the office, but those are the breaks. Hopefully we'll have news & dates for the first single from 'Date Of Birth' along with Arsonists live dates in an upcoming update.

03/07/01 — The waiting is nearly over
(just as soon as we’re done waiting)
The hotly anticipated follow-up to ’As The World Burns,’ ’Date Of Birth’ is coming later this year and marks the arrival of a newly aggressive, super-focused Arsonists trio. More news to come concerning singles, live dates and other activity in future editions of the update.

09/11/00 — Arsonists — beyond fabulous, no matter what magazine you read.
Q- Unique writes: “we are almost completed on the new LP, and i must say that we are extremely happy with this one... jise-one, swel boogie and myself have definitely found a good chemistry together and the results are great...so far features are: "kinetic energy," "great scott" and some production from DJ Doom. Also, we came out in the Sept. 18th issue of Newsweek in an article entitled "beyond ghetto fabulous: faces of a hip hop nation".... we also started a softball team called... "the arsonists" for the snow flake leagues that play throughout the fall and winter... unfortunately we lost our first 2 games but I’m quite confident that we’ll pick up the pace.... aside from that everything else is cool... peace and may the force be with you.”

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