Soundset '09 Is Almost Here

Folks are getting amped for this year's Soundset '09. It's just days away in Minnesota. Sunday, May 24, 2009. The lineup is stellar. And the all day festival is recession-friendly at $30.

Check out my previous post on Soundset '09.

Brother Ali has been talking it up on Facebook and I'm chattin it up here. Just don't want you hip hoppers to say that you didn't know. Check for the viral videos on Sunday. kfox.

Soundset '09

You will be happy to know that Soundset '09 is not until Sunday, May 24, 2009. And I know that you had not planned on traveling to Minnesota, but now, you have good reason to be there.

The line up for this year's Soundset is beastly! It's a blessing that this all day festival is on Sunday because you will need the next day and then some to recover. The ticket prices are reasonable too ... starting at $30 for general admission.

Now to the lineup:
Atmosphere
The Pharcyde
Brother Ali
MF Doom
POS
Freeway & Jake One
Immortal Technique
Eyedea & Abilities
Sage Francis w/B. Dolan
El P w/Mr. Dibbs & TMQ
Prince Paul
Heiruspecs
Blueprint w/dj Rare Groove
Buck 65
dj Numark
Abstract Rude
Aceyalone & Myka 9 = Haiku d'etat
Blue Scholars
Sims of Doomtree
Cunninlynguists
I Self Devine
One Be Lo
Awolone
Unknown Prophets
Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak
Toki Wright
Grieves
Little Buddy Mclain
Kristoff Krane

When you can get all of these heads in one place, it is creative chaos. You don't want to miss it. Only I am the exception since I work on Sundays. I know, crazy, right?

So hip hoppers, make it happen and be where the action is. kfox.

It's New, It's P.O.S., It's "Never Better"

"Never Better" is the first project from P.O.S. since 2006's "Audition". I am a huge fan of "Audition" so I was anxious to hear something new from P.O.S.

His punchy/angry delivery is still ever present. He viciously attacks his lyrics. The punk rock edge from previous albums ... it's there. And you know what? I like the punk edge. I like my beats and one some tracks there are beats and on others there is other instrumentation to work around. But the punk edge, yeah, I can do that. The only track where the punk rock influence was not my most enjoyable was "Drum Roll". But I think I'll give it another listen.

On "Goodbye", there's a catchy hook and it's just a likable track. Kind of a motivating too. Another track that stood out for me was "The Basics". It reminded me of "Half-Cocked Concepts" and "Stand Up" from "Audition". It has a crazy humming chorus and heavy drums.

There are 15 tracks on this one ... and worth the three year wait ... I'd say so.

I'd also bet that P.O.S. will be performing at Soundset '09 - a huge outdoor hip hop festival. Of course he'll be there - it's in his home town of Minneapolis, oh, and it's hosted by Rhymesayers. Mark you calendars for Memorial Day Weekend. But if you can't wait that long, then you won't have to as P.O.S. is set to tour starting at the beginning of February. Catch him at Skully's Music Diner in Columbus or The Grog Shop in Cleveland.

• P.O.S. "Never Better" promo video
• Behind the scenes of P.O.S.'s "Drum Roll" video
• P.O.S. on Imeem

P.O.S.'s "Never Better" is just that, but you'll never know hip hoppers if you don't check it out. kfox.

NOTE: Thanks to the folks at Spectre for letting me get a peak at this before the release date.