Conscious hip-hop artists Fashawn, Dom Kennedy, Cobe Obeah and Yancy Deron of AME will be performing at the Urban Arts Fest at UC Irvine tomorrow. These four artists will be bringing an eclectic spin of hip-hop to inspire youth and provide some great beats for the evening. Here's an introduction.
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himself through hardships in life. After dropping out of high school at
age 17, Fashawn began to work with MC Planet Asia to kick-start his hip-hop career. His album Boy Meets World
illustrates what he went through during his childhood and carries the
larger message of growing up and becoming an inspirational figure.
Hip-Hop Philosophy: Moving on, staying positive despite setbacks
and keeping the past in mind without having it take over your life.
It's also about being optimistic about the future by paving the path for
your own success.
Sample Lyrics: From “Freedom”: “Knowledge
increase it, college enroll/Captivity, leave it, keep dreamin', goals/power, money, spend it with control/God, life, mind, body and soul/reach
one, teach one, young to the old/History's a mystery and lies were
sold.”
age of 12 and owes much of
his musical influence to growing up in Leimert Park, Los
Angeles.
Hip-Hop Philosophy: Taking chances in different situations, working hard to make
ends meet, and having the confidence to step it up a notch and chase
love.
Lyrics: From “Locals Only”: “I got these ideas and I'm trying
to make some records/So when the train stops/This time Imma catch it/When the train stops/This time Imma catch it.”
LA and is
inspired by different genres of music ranging from hip-hop,
pop, rap to anything that has a good beat to it.
Hip-Hop Philosophy:
Embracing self-expression and coming up with different opinions and
thoughts about the world. It's all about living one's dream and
listening to the voice inside your head.
Lyrics: From “Be Yourself”: “As a
young teen, I was my own individual/Since middle school, haters would
always be critical/First day they hating and the next day they mimic
you.”
From “Song of the Stars”: “You are the star/So live your
dream/This is your life/And you can sing. The time has come for you and
me/To come. Grow/Now you are free.”
mix of hip-hop, two-step and new wave. His albums include “Sweet Sixteens”
and “The Underdogs”
Hip-Hop Philosophy: Taking risks and not paying
attention to disbelievers and learning to fend for yourself and be
passionate about what you're doing.
Lyrics: From “Taking Over”: “But Imma making music from my heart/and they can't stop me now/They can't stop me now.”
The Urban Arts Fest presented by Hip Hop
Congress, UCI and ASUCI will be held at UC
Irvine, W. Peltason and Campus Drive, Irvine. Wednesday, April 6, 6:30 p.m. Free. For more details, visit www.hhcatuci.blogspot.com or visit the Facebook page.
