PLYMOUTH- The long awaited information has finally come down from on high; there will be three artists performing for Spring Fling. Talib Kweli, Black Violin and Rahzel.
Talib Kweli is a native of Brooklyn, New York and is an influential force in the world of underground hip-hop. He has made appearances on “Chappelle’s Show” and rhymed on tracks with Kanye West, Mos Def and The Black Eyed Peas. Kweli and Mos Def are former high school classmates and have collaborated on several albums, even forming a group together called Black Star.
Kweli has released several successful albums; Black Star, Reflection Eternal, Quality and his 2004 album, The Beautiful Struggle.
Jamin Warren of pitchforkmedia.com in a review of The Beautiful Struggle, said “[Kweli]’s adaptive veteran flow serves as an unusually smart counterpoint to the glossy proclivities of his beatmakers…Kweli continually re-proves his aggressive conviction and reaffirms his title as hip-hop’s cerebral emcee.”
Black Violin may be one of the most interesting and unique bands to hit the hip-hop scene with its combination of hip-hop music, rap lyrics and classical violin playing. The band draws its inspiration from bands like Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, Talib Kweli, Ludacris, Herbie Hancock, Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Nat King Cole, Mos Def, Tupac Shakur and many more.
The bands two members, Kev Marcus and Wil B, both attended Dillard High School of Performing Arts and participated in the music program there. They have performed individually and as a group with orchestras all over the country and are the 2005 Showtime at the Apollo champions.
Black Violin has performed with artists like 50 cent, Aerosmith and Linkin Park to name a few. They bring an exciting and powerful performance to the stage.
Rahzel is an old pro here at Plymouth State, having performed here several times over the past few years. Rahzel is a native of the Bronx and is mostly widely known as a member of The Roots. He specializes in what is known as “beatboxing”, making beats and rythms with your voice. Rahzel is also know as “The Godfather of Noyze” and his music has appeared on several albums including his own Make the Music and Rahzel’s Greatest Knockouts. He has also been featured on tracks with Bjork, and The Crystal Method. His influences range from groups like the Furious Five and Grandmaster Flash. He is a self proclaimed “vocal percussionist”.
The Spring Fling concerts will be fantastic A fourth group is currently being considered.