Hip-Hop Blowout stars promise hardcore rap

By Derek Paiva
Advertiser Staff Writer

California rapper Kurupt will talk the talk at the 2002 West Coast Hip Hop Blowout tonight at the World Cafe. Kurupt's gangster posturing and profanity-filled lyrics have intrigued fans for a decade. 2002 West Coast Hip Hop Blowout featuring Kurupt, The Liks, Tha Dogg Pound Gangstas, Nocturnal Sound Krew 8 p.m. today World Cafe $22.50 pre-sale 599-4450, 585-2877

After signing with Death Row Records in the early '90s, Kurupt made his first lyrical appearances on classic hip-hop discs like Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" (1992) and Snoop Dogg's debut "Doggystyle" (1993). In 1995, he teamed with Daz Dillinger to form Tha Dogg Pound, releasing the Billboard album chart topping "Dogg Food" in 1995.

With both Death Row and label owner Suge Knight in varying states of corporate and legal disarray near the end of the decade, Kurupt signed with major A&M and dropped his solo debut "Kuruption" on his own Antra record label in 1998. The discs "Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha" and "Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey" followed in 1999 and 2001, respectively.

Kurupt's lyrical style still clings tightly — perhaps too tightly — to the kind of hardcore posturing of former label Death Row's mid-'90s heyday. If you still like your hip-hop heavy with profanity-laden braggadocio touching on the gangsta life, ho bashing and the blessed availability of chronic, Kurupt's your man.

Formerly known as Tha Alkaholiks, the trio now known simply as Tha Liks appears to have lost its wino-friendly moniker but not its fondness for boozy lyrics. "The X.O. Experience," The Liks' 2001 sort-of reimagining, sadly has the group's once clever and humorous kegger-ready lyrics suddenly tasting a lot more Boone's Farm Strawberry than Courvoisier.

Still, for those interested in something a bit less, um, in-your-face than Kurupt's generally incendiary flow, The Liks tongue-in-cheek humor and party-ready vibes might just wind up being the highlight of the night.

Another Blowout highlight should come from Hawai'i's own 2001 International Turntablist Federation Champions Nocturnal Sound Krew. The wickedly talented DJ collective is slotted for some opening beat juggling before the Left Coast all-stars.

At press time, the only thing that was certain about Tha Dogg Pound Gangstas' appearance at the Blowout was Kurupt's onstage involvement. Also known as D.P.G., the group is a musical duo formed last year by a re-teamed Kurupt and Daz. On Tuesday, a spokesman for World Cafe was expecting, but could not confirm, an appearance by Daz.

And just so you know, Kurupt and Daz also occasionally perform together as Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta Clique. Confused yet?

Woof.