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Hip hop review and events by King Pin the villain of vinyl

This year has seen a whole bunch of great music drop. Most of you probably haven’t heard it yet because radio has that mind control thing down to a science. No worries though. 2007 has seen Common, Redman, Chrisette Michelle, Carl Thomas, and Talib Kweli release stellar albums, UGK and Young Buck drop classics, Andre’ 3000 and R. Kelly come back strong, Young Jeezy and Trill Entertainment release their crews, and by no means is it slowing down. This time around the big boys 50 Cent and Kanye West (record company favorites) are about to have a third go round at the ever-changing throne of Hip Hop. Some say money should decide, others say respect is what should matter, but quality is the factor that has to be the most pertinent; not how one looks or off-camera antics, but how the music sounds. I must say, September 11, 2007 will be a day of great mourning (R.I.P WTC), but definitely a day of great rejoicing (CD’s will be sold).

CURRENT LISTENS

1) WC- Guilty By Affiliation (BANGER!!!) Lench Mob Records 2) Ledisi- Lost & Found Verve Music Group 3) Cornel West- Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations 4) Four Brothers –Motion Picture Soundtrack Motown 5) Zuri Wilson- Parallel Worlds (Be sure to check her out…myspace.com/zurisparallelworlds and support South Carolina) Militant Muzic Group REVIEW

If you are a fan of hip hop, September 11, should be a good day for you. Kanye West (of Jesus Walk & Goldigger fame) will release Graduation (Rocafella/DefJam), an album ushered from start to finish by the beats. Kanye does not come from the lineage of say Big Daddy Kane or Kool Moe Dee, but he definitely has his L.L. influence on full blast. Songs for the women, fellas, and all in between, Kanye has been able to successfully please most who’ve purchased his music. Not as wishy washy as L.L.’s albums, Graduation is a great buy for a Kanye fan, not one for those just hearing him for the first time.

50 Cent, on the other hand, is banging from Intro to Touch the Sky. Curtis (Aftermanth/Shady/G-unit/Interscope) is pumped up with the sound that has made the G-Unit brand so feared and respected within the same breath. Beats (Dr. Dre, Jake One, Apex, Havoc, etc.) are absurd, powerful guest appearances, and 50 as his cocksure, fire breathing self. Based on his track record (selling close to 40 million records since 2003), 50 is sure to have a great 2007. Definitely from the Kool G. Rap sound of Queens, 50 Cent makes music strictly for those with ears that listen and heads that nod. I’ll put my money on this one!

EVENTS

September 15 will be the first time South Carolina State University and The University of South Carolina play a game of pigskin. If you got an extra ticket, keep it for nostalgia or if that hustler in you comes out, sell it to me. The list of events are sick. Check your email, listen to your favorite station or ask a friend, as the possibilities are endless. I’ll be spinning at Hush (Vista) that night so come thru and say whattup! Shouts to everyone who came out and supported Non Stop Hip Hop Live on Sept. 1. Much love goes to MarvLust (Columbia, SC) who took home the title at NSHHL Freestyle Battle for Supremacy.

WORDS OF WISDOM

The sun will always set if you sit around and look at it all day. Get up, get out, and get something. For any kudos, concerns, comments, or banter please email me at kingpinvillianofvinyl@gmail.com. For all music reviews, send me an mp3 (same email address as above) or mail your Tape/CD/Vinyl to
NON-STOP HIP HOP LIVE KINGPIN P.O. BOX 212603 COLUMBIA, SC 29221 –Be sure you include contact information (working) with your package. If I can’t contact you, I won’t review your music. –Check my blog at myspace.com/kingpinsshl for any updates, bulletins, and dire concerns. KEEP GOD FIRST!!! KINGPIN-VILLIAN of VINYL