 Vinson: "The prisons and the graveyards are full of boys who wore the crown." Rap has always been a competitive sport. And like all sports everyone is looking to wear the crown. No matter how it happened or when it happened as Marlo put it so assertively, "Point is: they wore it." It's a respect that comes with it no matter how much you like or dislike the one who wears the crown. The sport of hip-hop is no exception. It's become a sport within itself where the winner takes all. And once you wear the crown you realize that there's always someone younger and hungrier looking to take it. The Tulsa hip-hop scene is an example of this. Tulsa has a rich history of royalty who wore the crown and have been celebrated during their time. But time is a funny thing, especially the past and the present. In a world of overthrows and takeovers the saying goes, " le mort saisit le vif" or "Long Live the King". Because many times the transfer of power comes at the demise of the former king, and makes way for the new king. But what would happen if both kings could exist? Both helping each other and championing the other? Now that would be an empire. That would be a land of kings. And with that Playya 1000, The Deeksta, and Steph Simon are proving it's possibe on their new record entitled "All Love". Many might not know this, but this isn't the first time all three kings shared the mic. Steph Simon brought Playya 1000 and The Deeksta out on stage for the Hip-Hop 918 concert last year. And if you were there you got to see why Playya 1000 and The Deeksta are kings. The crowd both young and old alike shared this energy and excitement. It was truly feelin like a Sunday Morning! I get to the bag, To really analyze this record you have to start from it's foundation. And this is where The Deeksta continues to shine. His legendary production has always been a staple sound for not only the duo but Tulsa in general. As the soulful samples and G-Funk feel good percussion has been his production calling card. He's set the stage for Playya 1000 to create and come up with some of the dopest punchlines that still continue to amaze hip-hop enthusiasts alike. All Love shows just this the dynamic duo doing what they do best, and yet there's more to the story. It's when you hear Steph Simon spit on the track that you realize what the song's really about. This is two generations saluting each other both past and present. But it doesn't stop there either. The cameo of St. Domonick shows as a salute to the future of Tulsa hip-hop. And if anyone has heard St. Domonick spit, then you know Tulsa hip-hop is in good hands. Verses used to go for the Gibbs price, For an MC, having a verse after Playya 1000 would be a death sentence. But for an artist like Steph Simon this was an opportunity to showcase why time and time again that no challenge is too great. And yet this time it's a little different. This is a passing of the baton or better yet an alley-oop to the rim. The influence of Playya 1000 has trickled down to Steph Simon as he has become an artist who spits lines that you have to research. While his mastery of the double entendre is one of the reasons why he is respected across the board, and why he can be featured on a legends track. His flow not only crosses genres but generations of music as young and old alike play his music. So if you still need a reason to listen to this track the thing to remember is that: AT THE END OF THE DAY. IT's ALL LOVE! Make sure to follow all three artists on Instagram: Playa1000: @playya1000 The Deeksta: @thedeeksta Steph Simon: @stephxsimon
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 Spark. Is a very complex concept. The perfect variables have to happen for such a relatively small thing to happen. Even more interesting is that spark can be both a negative and a positive. Spark a fire,and it means destruction, it means pain. But spark a mind and the light can be so bright that it can help heal the destruction caused by the former. OmaleyB's track "Kerosene" is the spark that has the power to change the history of a city. 
Travis Scott's AstroWorld Tour "Wish You Were Here Tour 2" will be in Tulsa on Feb. 8th. That's right Tulsa, Oklahoma will have a rap artist who is Grammy nominated headlining the BOK Center. For the many hip-hop lovers this is a dream come true. A dream that wouldn't have happened 5 years ago. Because at that time it was perceived that there wasn't a "Hip-Hop" audience here. Especially with artists like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga selling out the BOK Center each time they stopped by. But what the BOK and other venues that were not in-tuned with the scene there was a storm brewing and it's name was Hip-Hop.  Paige Howard. A movie that was written and shot by the Oklahoma City team Daily Devotion became more than just a movie. The Christmas Eve premiere was shown in a local theater room in Oklahoma City. And by the end of the movie it was clear that more was on the line than awards and accolades. There are still real life consequences. Consequently it was when you really stopped and looked around the room that you noticed the people who were genuinely happy to see each other, and genuinely proud of the team of people that had put so much into a project. As the movie ended and the applause from the audience began, it was nothing but love that filled the theater room. This was an important moment in time. This same feeling is most felt on the Paige Howard Soundtrack that became more than just a soundtrack. It became a celebration of the bridge that was built between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the perfect "Love Affair".
 BOBWS Steph Simon World Culture Music Production: Papa_74126, George Young, 2Peece, Deaneaux, John Mooreland, TK Nasa, Charity E. Vaughn   With 2 successful hip-hop music festivals, a critically acclaimed album, sold out music documentary screening, and the lists goes on. Steph Simon has continuously done what has never been done before. One would think is there any more "Upside" left for him to achieve. But for Steph Simon what he's already accomplished doesn't even compare to what he has planned for next. It's with this attitude that Steph Simon drops his latest video "Upside".  What you do it fo? This is the question Steph Simon has been asking himself as the time to the premiere of his Moviementary (movie documentary) “Live From the Tisdale” draws closer. A question that the movie tries to give insight into just how difficult an answer this is. The moviementary centers around Steph Simon’s live performance titled “Live From the Tisdale” which you can find my review here. Also accompaning Steph is his band The Rowlands, which the name of the band is a story within itself that is discussed a little in the moviementary.
A cymbal taps lightly as it blends smoothly into the background. A bass kick starts followed by a few light hits of a snare. That's how you let the beat build. The cymbal clashes as a piano comes in soo soulfully playing along with the drums. But this still doesn't feel like the main ingredient, not just yet. A funky electric guitar pierces through the beat. That's that main ingredient I was searching for. Now this feels right. This feels familiar. The crowd starts to cheer and clap. Then he starts to rap, "Check. I can see my old school, use to be a young Hawk. my girl was a Miller Driller, that's where it all started...' I start to sing along having heard this song before.  The only way to explain a Johnny Polygon show is to say that it's a Poly-Sided Experience. On one side you have the fans. Fans are what every artists needs, and I'm talking more than your grandma or your girl or the homies, I mean real fans. Within Tulsa there have only been a few select artists that have been able to develop a fan base quite like Johnny Polygon, and these aren't just your typical hip-hop fans...
 It's a little after 1AM and the Jabee concert had just wrapped up. The crowd had been standing on there feet for hours and it seemed like the night was over, but not quite yet. But like Jay-Z said "After the party, it's the after party", which the bouncers made sure that everybody was on 'THE LIST', of which I was surprised to be on (perks of the game)....
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