For the past year, Northside Records (and Guinness Stout) have showcased the metro area hip-hop scene at State of the Union. State of the Union has been notorious for a plethora of diverse musical events, and over the past few years, their ability to caters to the Hip Hop scene has strengthened. The Northside Records Hip Hop Showcase however, has taken it to a completely other level.

Every second Saturday, of every month for the last 12 months, local artists have been given the opportunity to bless the mic. This event is unlike other hip hop showcases, or open mic's in that we, the true, unadulterated heads can shine, elevate, and rock the crowd in one place, with peace and love being the common denominators: No this is not overly esoteric. THIS IS THE REAL HIP HOP.

Our culture originated with love, peace and happiness at the core of its foundation. And this showcase proved that. Most times, when you get a lot of cats in a small room, particularly cats that rhyme, there is going to be some type of friction or static. Dynamic forces filled the spot, and all those present came with the unified mind, and all intentions to rock.

Heads came from all parts of the east coast to show out. The Coalition of Baltimore, 85 Live, based in New Jersey. The doors open at 7. Of course, at that hour, most of us are still napping, preparing for the events later in the evening (or morning for that matter). A crowd steadily developed close to the stage as the evening progressed. Is it Nat Turner and Friends, reborn and chillin at State of the U, or is it the local headz who thirst and thrive off of independent hip-hop and freestyle fornication.

The Coalition began their set with a nyabinghi, acappella chant, starting off slow, soft and steady, and rapidly increasing to a raunchy, hard-core pace. Waxing politico, "Why do cops wanna cuff me?" quickly within the chorus, reminding us of ourselves as the hip-hop masses, and also just the plain underprivileged, and disenfranchised. "We so ugly...hungry" Not ugly in the esoteric sense. But in the true sense of hip hop hunger. The hunger to provide the effective flows, and feed the masses with them. Which is exactly what they did...truly ones to watch (and respect).

85 Live blew up the spot with a different kind of vibe. As opposed to the Coalition, 85 Live had a subtle effect, although just has deliberately hard-core, there was an added element to balance their set; enter feline energy. Roslyn, combined the high strung verbal antics of the rest of her crew with her own brand of honesty, quickly noting the fact that "Hoes will be hoes"; this is a priceless, yet simple statement often unheard in the current mire of overt female sexuality and women who are no longer offended by the term "hoe" and somehow relish in the overly used verbiage. Derrick Mingo, Founder & CEO of Kengosha Entertainment, home of 85 Live, expressed that all members of the group also intend to go dolo. That is a testiment to an artist's ability. The strength and stamina displayed by 85 live instigated raw excitement and synergy with the audience. New Jeru has held it down again.

Another added bonus...just when you thought it couldn't get better. Videos of the tapes are available from Northside Records, and over the next few weeks, digital footage will be present at capitolvibes.com

THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LAST DOUBLE MIXcd ( this is from the UK )

KENGOSHA ENTERTAINMENT Presents THE UNSIGNED ARTISTS MIX CD VOLUME 1

What can I say! I recieved the Mix CD from Ming about 2 weeks ago and it hasn't been out of my stereo for long since!

The question is why are any of us listening to signed artists who are getting payed a fortune when a lot of them aren't even half as good as some of the unsigned ones on this CD.

This Double CD Mix contains a diverse selection of hip hop styles and beats, so theres a bit of something for any hiphop fan on there. Having said that i think all coniseurs can appreciate the vast majority of joints that have been selected to feature by Kengosha Entertainment. There isn't a second rate artist on there and all productions are first class! The whole edition has a chilled old skool gangster ambience, gritty and raw without feeling cheap at any point. A hard task to acheive considering the amount of artists on boards. The few RnB tunes help create a break between the hiphop beats and stop the CD's being to heavy to listen to in one sitting, mixed with a few ragga joints and some lively beats the tempo varies keep you interested in each tune! And YES!! For all Brits there are some of our very own one there as well - Mr 45 & Honey. (Along with an impressive cast of featuring Artists: Ms. Jade, Elephant Man, Doo Wop, Young Buck, Freeway, and Flashy).

Lets get to the artists that are definatley worth looking out for and the tracks that made me crunk my stereo up and piss off the neighbours!

"Gossip" feat Kilogram - this guy is destined for big things he's lyrically formidable and this is a lively beat to make this not just a tune but an anthem!
"Professional Standards" feat Internal Aphairs - another strong anthem from a talented group im interested to see what other joints they have to offer. http://www.soundclick.com/interalaphairs
"Roc Star" feat All Live - heavy heavy beat, matched by a sick flow.
"Holla My Name" feat Da Saprano's - this is my personal favourite, and get this they have a female MC that can actually spit! everyone who dropped 16 bars to this dropped awsome ones.
"I Am" feat Mr 45 and Honey - you know it, it's british, it's bad and it's a real quality joint mix all 8 mins 39 secs of it!
"Spliff" feat Itana - it's a tune all about chronic and it made me build up a blunt and its gangsta!
I would recommend that any artists looking to showcase there production contact King Daddy Ming and try to get on Volume 2!

CHECK IT!!