Str8HipHip

Peace, I’m hoping to catch a tasteful ear with a (free) hip-hop creation, called The Petting Zoo by New York underground sensation StarPower, that I'm sure you'll get a kick out of listening to, which sounds different from most every rap project that came before it.

(free link to "The Petting Zoo" contains cover and all tracks-

http://www.zshare.net/download/755142891f6b3e)

Though many music heads know about British producer Bullion's
excellent Beach Boys/J. Dilla instrumental mash-up ( Pet Sounds: Songs
In The Key Of Dee ), I am pretty sure that StarPower’s the first (and only)
rapper to make songs out of his intrumentals. He rapped over the 12
instrumentals as is, even though none are over 2 and 1/2 minutes, and many
are just a minute and change. Meaning, The Petting Zoo is only 22
minutes long. It was a pleasant challenge for him to try to create complete
songs that run only half, or a third, the length of your average song.
Many fans of The Petting Zoo say that the length is perfect for
our attention deficit entertainment culture. You can actually listen
to the whole thing in one sitting; great for the iPod, especially
during subway rides (that's the New Yorker in me), but it also bangs
nicely in the car or mixed in during a house party.

The Petting Zoo contains a great range of songs. Some of the tracks
are almost uncomfortably autobiograpical. I recommend it for fans of Ghostface Killa, Eminem, or Outkast. StarPower covers the following topics: losing himself in conceit and
begging for reconcilitation; being unapologetic about occasional bouts
of erectile dysfunction; a creation story about the origins of
pimping; the different roles our wardrobes play in our lives; turning
a missed light-bill payment into a story which sees him fleeing the
gov't on a giant weed leaf; and your more standard braggadocio,
cockery, and introspective contradictions. Bullion's unpredictable
cuts, vocal snippets, and mixes also help to make The Petting Zoo a
unique animal in hip-hop's jungle.

As you can probably tell, I'm very excited about, and proud of, this
music project. StarPower made it available for free because he wants everyone to
have it; to get a taste of the crazy shit he’s been doing for some
years, and to broaden their perception of the kinds of rap music that
are being created in the real world, as opposed to the limitations
placed on industry rap. The response has been phenomenal and I feel
like he’s doing his part to help cause a shift in the type of hip-hop
that's available for folks to consume. He’s also started a correspondence
with the producer, who tells me him is honored that StarPower took the time to
create The Petting Zoo, and is a fan. Now that I've written you awaaay longer message than I intended to, I hope that The Petting Zoo is everything to you that I've described it to be. Peace.

-Marquis Collins, Co-Manager, Dugout Music and Entertainment
(free link to " The Petting Zoo" -

http://www.zshare.net/download/755142891f6b3e)

starpower@thedugoutmusic.com
www.myspace.com/starpowerhouse
thedugoutmusic.com