Hip-Hop Musicians to Gather at Festival
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
World-class hip-hop musicians will perform together with local rappers and DJs at ``Sensation Festival 2008'' next month.
For the upcoming festival, American hip-hop musician Nas who has a strong presence in the American hip-hop scene along with Jay-Z; DJ Premier ― a producer renowned for numerous hits; and Sugar Hill Gang acclaimed for its ``Rappers Delight'' ― the first hip-hop single to be a top ten hit, will groove the local music fans.
According to the Sugarhigh Music, a local organizer, the festival is the first and largest hip-hop event ever held in Korea for its running time and its unique format.
The festival will be held for more than 11 hours and offer snacks and beverages inside the festival hall during the dance party with music by the local top DJs.
The audience will experience DJ-ing, play extreme games, and purchase various albums at the venues.
The festival's headliner, Nas, who was born in 1973, made his debut with ``Illmatic'' in 1994, immediately shooting to stardom.
His second album, ``It Was Written'' ranked first on Billboard album charts. His song, ``I Can'' was also widely popular among Korean fans.
His 2006 album, ``Hip Hop Is Dead'' also topped the Billboard album charts with its poignant lyrics criticizing the present hip-hop scene for being commercially motivated.
Another big hip-hop musician, DJ Premier, is known as a hit maker who has collaborated with renowned musicians such as Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera and Black Eyed Peas.
Christina Aguilera's ``Ain't No Other Man'' and Janet Jackson's ``All for You'' were produced by DJ Premier.
Also, Sugar Hill Gang released ``Rapper's Delight,'' the first rap single of its kind in 1979, selling about 500,000 copies of the single.
Along with the world-renowned musicians, local hip-hop singers such as Dynamic Duo, Mighty Mouse, JJK and Simon Dominic will join the festival, along with DJ Bay, DJ Seiki and DJ Aki. Korean B-boy teams will also perform together with hip-hop musicians.
The festival will be held at Daegu Exco on May 30 and move to AT Center in southern Seoul on May 31.
Tickets cost from 55,000 to 154,000 won. For more information, call (02) 707-1250 or www.sensationfestival.com.