Urban music at SOBS
200 VARICK ST.
NEW YORK, N.Y 10014

L. Gold/ Creative Director
JOHN "PAPA JUBE"ALTINO/ DIRECTOR OF URBAN MUSIC
212-243-4940 EXT 145

KRS ONE AND A LEGENDARY LINEUP SMASH THE FILLMORE NY @ IRVING PLAZA:

On Sunday May 20th, S.O.B.’s presented one of the most legendary hip hop concerts NYC has seen this decade.  Headlined by KRS-ONE and Marley Marl at The Fillmore NY @ Irving Plaza, the show was billed as part of the Hip Hop Lives tour, in support of KRS and Marley’s new album together, more than 20 years after their Queens/Bronx beef rocked the foundation of the hip hop world.  In the wake of all the media attacks on hip hop and petty beefs between rappers that have been circulating through the industry of late, KRS and Marley Marl performing together would have been enough of an experience.  When the night unfolded, however, the show became much more.
 
When KRS-ONE took the stage, he controlled the room with his usual presence.  But this time was a little different; at any given time during his performance, there were 50 people on stage behind him.  At least half of those people were legends. What followed was one of the dopest freestyle ciphers ever to take place live on stage.  The crowd was in awe as the mic was passed around between the like of Fat Joe, Grandmaster Caz, the Ultramagnetic Mcs, Joell Ortiz, Ice-T, and of course, the Teacher, KRS-ONE.  When Ultramagnetic spit, they called out G-Unit as being the “bitch n**gas of the game” and also told 50 Cent to “stop snitching”. Ice-T was in the building with Coco, dressed in a full suit, looking pimped out as ever.  KRS eventually called him back on stage and the two performed together. Also on the stage were DJ Premier, DJ Red Alert and, of course, Marley Marl. 
 
Perhaps the hottest part of the night was when KRS and Fat Joe hopped off the stage into the crowd to perform “Sound of the Police”.  Fat Joe acted as KRS’ sideman the whole night, calling himself “the richest hype man in the world”.  When the two jumped into the crowd, the place went nuts.  They had no security, just Fat Joe holding back the mob that surrounded him and KRS and they shouted “Whoop, Whoop…that’s the sound of the police”!!  KRS finished the night with “Step into a World” and him and Marley Marl linked arms and showed a unified front to the sold out crowd at Irving Plaza; they showed a unified front to the world of hip hop.  More importantly, they proved, without a doubt, that Hip Hop Lives… MAY 31st-R&B SUPERSTAR T-PAIN PERFORMS AT S.O.B.'s:S.O.B.’s continues its legacy of presenting the hottest and freshest artists in urban music with the Rappa Ternt Sanga T-Pain.  Known for his vocal effects and classy singles like “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)”, “Buy U a Drank” and “Bartender”, T-Pain has quickly risen to star status and become one of the most endeared R&B singers in industry.  The first artist signed to Akon’s Konvict Music, T-Pain’s rapper swagger mixed with his charming vocals and provocative song titles and concepts have popularized him amongst males and females alike.

At a time when image is considered just as important as vocal capability, 20-year-old T-Pain is introducing music fans to a new sound as well as a brand new look for R&B singers.  Starting his music career as a rapper, T-Pain became disenchanted with the R&B he was hearing on the radio and flipped the script and started recording his own brand, called Hard & B.  He got his break when Akon discovered T-Pain’s “Fucked Up”, a cleverly titled remix to his own, “Locked Up.”  Akon quickly signed the dreadlocked songster and released his debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga.  T –Pain burst into the public eye with the single, “I’m Sprung” and became a fan favorite with the overtly honest ballad, “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)”.

A year later in 2007, T-Pain has stepped his game up and raised his visibility even more with his sophomore album, Epiphany, and the single “Buy U a Drank”, that’s been in heavy radio rotation along with his collaboration with R. Kelly on “Flirt”.  While conquering the R&B world, T-Pain has remained rooted in his hip hop past, having already recorded with prominent rappers like TI, Too Short, Jim Jones and E-40.  S.O.B.’s has long since been a leader in live R&B and hip hop in NYC, and on May 31st, platinum artist T-Pain bridges the gap and brings both to the stage.