9TH Wonder “Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)”

9^th Wonder says, “Hip-Hop is the voice of at least 2 generations. At one time, it was the POSITIVE voice. Chuck D was the black history teacher I never had, along with countless other black Americans my age. It can be that again, but with the right voices and the right players. As the late Curtis Mayfield said, “We must educate and Well as Entertain.” I agree. Over the years some hip hop artists have become so negative. There aren’t that many positive hip hop artist that are being played on the on-air radio stations. 9th Wonder’s given name is Patrick Denard Douthit, he was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on January 15, 1975. 9th Wonder’s started listening to hip hop when he was seven years old. He absorbed the music, culture of the art form while in middle and high school, gaining experience in music theory. He decided to pursue a music career while attending North Carolina Central University. 9^th Wonder is a master beat maker and sampler. He has sampled some great music from one of my favorite artists who was politically conscious of his times, the late great Curtis Mayfield. Al Green was also one of his big influences. The heavy bass lines in his songs were due to the production of J Dilla, Pete Rock and DJ Premier. 9^th Wonder has been sought after by some well-known artists like, Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Jay-Z, Murs, Drake, Buckshot, Chris Brown, Destiny's Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, David Banner, and Lecrae to name a few. 9^th Wonder has a new solo project out “Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)”. This album is a chill out album it has a soulful vibe it has my heading bobbing to the beat of the songs. My favorites are “WindyJamSoul”, “WhenLoveIsNew”, “ImABeastSoul!!!!”, “Fredathump” and “JustMyThoughtsSoul”. Don’t miss out on this album.

 You can listen to this album on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Anthena365, Live365 and MyGen365.

Actual Proof “Black Boy Radio”

What can I say about the duo Actual Proof? Outstanding and Talented! This Duo grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their music is a combination hip hop, classic soul, funk and jazz. Sundown and Enigma, the name of its members are both emcees. Actual proof came about when Enigma had the intelligence to enroll in the North Carolina Central University. Enigma took a class that 9^th Wonder, a Grammy Award Winning Producer, DJ, College Lecturer, and Social Activist, was teaching. The class was hip hop and context. 9^th Wonder invited Enigma and Sundown to his studio and the rest is history. Actual Proof’s album “Black Boy Radio” is about a young black boy growing up on the streets of Raleigh, North Carolina. I think the best song on this album is the cover title “Black Boy Radio” it has that jazzy, funky feel and the lyrics are incredible. It tells a story about a boy growing up in the 1960’s racial North Carolina.  I also like "I Got You", a song about offering support to someone going through personal trials and tribulations. 

I think "Black Boy Radio" is a talented, educated duo from the South that has something decent to rap about. Streetwise Radio is playing “Black Boy Radio”. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.

LM

http://www.last.fm/music/Actual+Proof/+wiki