urban music and culture
Ready to blow: windchILL in Harrisburg. Photo by Leon Laing.
Self Medication
Fist Up Records
Eminem named his last two albums Relapse. On those gripping albums, Em highlights some of his obstacles, such as drug abuse. windchILL — also a white rapper — links his new album title to medicine, too. There is a difference, though. On windchILL’s Self Medication album, the Mechanicsburg-based backpack rapper uses music for a natural high. Continue reading ‘CD review’
Local R&B singer Sincere. Photo by Leon Laing
In the photo above, local R&B singer Sincere opens up for Trey Songz and Fabolous on Dec. 20. He and former group member Siano will perform in Hummelstown on Feb. 13 — just in time for Valentine’s Day. And Harrisburg-based artists Shaashawn Dial and Michelle G. were once part of the defunct SisterArt association. Now the two will be releasing individual CDs this month. See below for more info. Continue reading ‘Upcoming events’
Brockington drops his mixtape today. Photo by Mike Chin Productions.
Darien Brockington
“I was a church boy,” singer Darien Brockington says about his childhood. “Me listening to secular music—there was none of that.” Things have changed since then. In 2006, the North Carolina native released his praiseworthy debut Somebody to Love, a collection of heartfelt slow jams and up-tempo joints sprinkled with hip-hop beats. Brockington’s boy-next-door persona and quiet storm music is reminiscent of crooner Carl Thomas. Continue reading ‘Artist on the rise’
Kantana is a wordsmith from York. Photo from artist's archives.
Back in the day—20 years ago to be exact—celebrity rapper Kwamé Holland changed the game with his polka dot gear and radio-friendly debut album, Kwamé the Boy Genius Featuring a New Beginning. (Kwamé even performed at Harrisburg’s Forum back then.) Today, a local rapper with the same moniker is also making his own lane in the rap game. Kwame Kantana’s swagger is Mick Jagger. On top of that, the rapper, who reps York, dropped his bangin’ mixtape, I Just Wanna Be Heard in January 2009. Continue reading ‘Kwame Kantana’
R&B singer Alonda Rich. Photo by Michelle G.
So Provocative
Mantra Records
On November 28, 2008, Alonda Rich gave an impressive performance at Hollywood Casino in Grantville. The bashful singer, who moved from Williamsport to Harrisburg, was one of the opening acts for the Denm Inc.-promoted Jaguar Wright concert. During Rich’s performance, she sang her song “ So Amazing” and SWV’s “Weak.” Continue reading ‘CD review’
Emerald Serum by stainlessinsaness
Stainless Steele, a talented rhyme spitter/producer, represents the Lancaster area. Peep his instrumental mix CD titled Emerald Serum—Steele has always been on some surreal ish. Click here to download the CD. We’ll post more info on Steele in the near future.
Much Ado About Nothing: The Nothing will perform at Gettysburg’s Ragged Edge Coffee House at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28. Photo by Leon Laing.
Digital Villains
On 2008’s Closer, The Nothing crafted an eclectic album. The production ranges from jazzy horn loops to soulful grooves, which includes the somber instrumental from James Brown’s classic “King Heroin.” Influenced by the Soulquarians, such as Common, J Dilla, Mos Def and De La Soul, the group delivered witty, lighthearted lyrics and skits on Closer.
One year later, the Gettysburg-based collective returns with Digital Villains. On the previous album, the group preached on songs, such as “Invest.” The group continues to kick the truth to the young urban youth on Digital Villains. “Use your degree, go ahead, get a real profession,” Wally suggests on “Kick It.” Continue reading ‘CD review’
Undaunted by his recent split with Warner Bros. Records, Wiz Khalifa will drop his album Deal or No Deal on Nov. 24. Three days later, he’ll rock the house in Harrisburg, which is next door his hometown of Pittsburgh. Held by local promoters Big Shotz Entertainment, the concert takes place at the Gemini Entertainment Center on Cameron St. College junior William Steele and college senior Chima Soribe formed Big Shotz in summer 2009. Doors for the concert open at 7 p.m. Call Steele at 717.623.0956 or Soribe at 610.931.5665 for more info. Continue reading ‘Upcoming events’
Phene in a b-boy stance at the York-based High Off Life concert. Photo from Phene’s archives.
Rapper Phene relocated to the ATL, but he still reps for York, which is his hometown. Peep this video of Phene in the lab. He drops his next project called God On A Greyhound in the first quarter of 2010.
J. Bair at the local hip-hop awards last year. Photo by Leon Laing.
J. Bair and I go way back. In fact, he remembers when I was a teen, and I used to wallpaper my bedroom with photos from hip-hop mags. Bair’s mission to recall hip-hop’s past is what keeps him relevant. “I’m a fan first,” the local rapper says about his position in hip-hop. As Bair preps to drop his new album in January 2010, he explains his feelings about opening up for the legendary Rakim on Nov. 14 in Harrisburg. Continue reading ‘Local CD releases’
