K-Hill

Certainly it takes a lot of approval and good word for an artist to make it in the industry. K-Hill, a super-talented lyricist who can flip verbal acrobatics more than Cirque Du Soleil, has had to work twice as hard as most to gain approval in the rap game. And with his mixtape release Stamps of Approval, it’s the producers who participate in this project and his verbal gymnastics that will finally wake heads up to take a listen. The title track which is produced by Jah Freedom provides the canvas for his style to mature and flourish. It also doesn’t hurt that Khrysis provides beats for the highlights of this cd, “Heavenly Father” and “Walk In My Shoes” giving K-Hill a chance to not only flip his style over a smoothed out sample, but also allows him to get rather topical showing breadth in his work. There’s also the “Running From Lucifer” freestyle which would have been quite the treat except the sound is not so stellar as it’s a live performance.

Other songs that may strike the listener as showing K-Hill’s voice and versatility would be “Top Prospect” remixed by 9th Wonder and the self produced sure shots of “Legends “and “Pay Attention.” The letdown is “The Gripes”, which is K-Hill’s version of Kurtis Blow’s “The Breaks” so to speak. In addition there is “The Eulogy” which represents the death of his days getting approval from his peers, and “Pure Entertainment (Remix)” featuring Dan Johns which proclaims that regardless of the industry and the façade that comes with it, it’s just entertainment.

Any flaws in the disc are due solely to tracks such as the themed but not very thought out “K-Hill Meets Blackout” featuring the lackluster skills of Midaz, and a demo version of “Overcome” which sounds rusty at first, but with a little more post production time could turn into a different quality product. Another flaw comes in at the fact that at 58 minutes, it doesn’t seem like a bunch of rarities and worked on tracks could compile an entire mixtape. It may take a lot of adjusting for a new time listener of K-Hill, however for the fans of K-Hill currently; this should wet their appetite for the next release - http://www.okayplayer.com/reviews/old-reviews/k_hill-200601124369/

This month's most outstanding mixtape title undeniably goes to the distinguished and multi-talented artist K-Hill. Underground heads are familiar with K-Hill because of the extensive work he's done with Justus League and 9th Wonder. Make no mistake however, K-Hill has collaborated with the best in the hardcore rap business. From Nature, Big Daddy Kane and Jean Grae, he's built up a pretty solid resume for an upstart producer. The Durham, NC native with the inate faculty for both producing catchy, soul drenched beats and rhyming with the sharp wittyness of a true school veteran has opted to deliver to us fans a whole mixtape of his works completely free of charge. A meaningful gesture considering that he surely could sell his stuff...It unequivocally is the type of bona fide Hip-Hop material that underground junkies reavenously seek out and pay fifteen bucks for.

"The Return Of Monroe Hutchin" has all the right componants to be deemed memorable, if not classic. It's a consistent effort, which has purpose behind all of it's selections. Even the title has a meaning that is much more than your annoying and self-serving designation that you'll typically find on the front of most mixtapes these days. For all those that don't understand the significance of the name "Monroe Hutchin", it stems from the name of a fictional movie character that was played by Wesley snipes in the film he co-produced called "Undisputed", which was released sometime in 2002. Hutchin is an intelligent and low-key inmate in one of the highest security prisons in America. He' also is the undisputed heavyweight boxng champion of the prison ten years and running. Hutchin landed himself in jail by beating a man to death using his bare hands which as any fan of pugilism knows, are registered as lethal weapons. K-Hill takes on the role of the brillant, yet un-assuming Hutchin, as he also displays how his hands are lethal weapons when he writes rhymes and composes beats.

In the lyrical category we have K-Hill dispatching some of his best verses ever in his slight southern accent alongside a prime supporting cast, that includes the extremely complimentary services of emcee's like Torae, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Supastition, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Soulstice and the legendary Grand Daddy I.U.. In the production grouping we discover K-Hill has indeed not limited this tape's phonetic arrangement's to be provided by him alone. Assembling a cast of heavilly respected beatsmiths in Marco Polo, J Dilla and The Gyphted, he is sure to absorb any fan of good music with the array of head-nodding and grandly melodious sequences.

As far as the overall theme and tone of this tape goes, K-Hill delivers many an important message to his Hip-Hop peers while the dope composition's coincide. From learning how to let go of the past, dealing with the constant "indie" artist frustrations and understanding what really matters in this world of material things, this project is filled with silver-tongued moments and substansive attitudes. Not totally consumed by all the austere and reflective subjects that he's no doubt surrounded by, K-Hill is just as cagey with his production when it comes to the segments of the tape that take a less heavy approach. Supplying beats for tracks like "So High", "Ving Rhames" and "Back In The Day" K-Hill manifests a unique quality to model beats perfectly for the emcee's subject matter as well as shwing he can keep it light; a skill that has no doubt carried him to the buzz he's arrived at now and will continue to fuel his meteoric rise through the vast ranks of masterful underground producer's and emcee's.

-BIG D O


- Purehip-hop.blogspot.com

Can you talk about what the Hip Hop scene was like growing
up in Wilson, North Carolina?

The hip-hop scene in Wilson, believe or not, was just like Common describe it in “I used to love H.E.R.”. I remember a lot of days whenever I walked to the corner store. I would see graffiti everywhere, on store walls, trains, even on the sidewalk pavement. There was always someone outside with the huge boom box bumping Whodini or Cool J. I had a cousin who used to break dance everyday after school and girls would throw him money. We used to have this club called “The Orange Crush” where all the emcees would go and battle every weekend. I was too young to go then but this is where the deejays and emcees brought it to each other every week. There were a few dope emcees in Wilson during those times but only two really standout, this cat named M-Survive and this other cat named Iyatollah. They were like the Jay-Z and Nas of the late 80’s as well as my influences.

How did your Grandmother influence your music?

Good question. Up until last year, I was blessed with the honor of having two living grandmothers. They both influenced my writing in a special way. The grandmother that passed was actually a songwriter. I used to watch her write gospel songs at the kitchen table every night I lived with her. I thought it was something that she did as a pastime but ironically, during her funeral, I found out that she had actually cut a “45” record in her lifetime. That’s why I feel like I have a certain responsibility to further her unfinished dream. My other grandmother, who still lives, instilled all of the spiritual values in me that you will hear in a lot of my music.

When did you start rapping and what made you start?

I started rhyming at age 12. The first two albums I ever purchased were “The Greatest Entertainer” by Doug E. Fresh and “Long Live The Kane” by Big Daddy Kane. These albums made me want to rhyme. There was this local crew in my hometown called “Black Radio”. They recorded an entire demo over the “DJ Mark The 45 King” instrumental album. When I heard this I knew that this was what I wanted to do.

You met up with L.E.G.A.C.Y and then 9th Wonder, both of the Justus League, how did that come about and what happened?

Wow...To sum it up. I knew Leg for a few years before he inducted into the JL. We used to run in the same crew. When the crew fell out due to bullshit management and etc, we still kept in contact. When he joined the league, he introduced me to 9th Wonder. 9th gave me tips and lessons on my beat making tactics and he blessed me with a few tracks as well. I can honestly say that if it weren’t for L.E.G., I would’ve given this up a long time ago. His progress pushed my ambition.

You've opened up for a lot of acts, whats your most memorable performance?

Opening up for the Lost Boyz was the most memorable. It was my first major show. It was the first time I heard my voice and my tracks come through the speakers the correct way. It also marked the first time I witness how people attitudes switch once they suspect that you might have a chance at being successful.

You just released a 12", what's good with that?

Yeah, got a 12” entitled Da Instigator produced by Nick da 1da. This will be the first single from “The Definition” compilation by Neblina Records. I’m on side A. On side B- “The Rebirth” by Chapter 13 and “Dreams” by Medinah General and DJ Resident.

How did Neblina Records come about?

Ricardo, one of the label’s partners, hit me up one day and asked to use the song for a compilation. Me being game for any type of promotion, I agreed. I never thought in a million years that they would use it for the lead single. Plus, it’s not my usual format of songwriting but I still appreciate the recognition. Neblina is a young label that has a lot of grind, ambition, and brains behind them. If they put the same amount of energy in every release like they promoted this 12”, they are going to do well in the future no doubt.


What's your next move?

Next move is to feed off of the benefits of having a 12” on the scene. Fellow NC artist, Kaze and I recorded a track with Nature (Queensbridge) called “Move Ova”. The 12” for that is also coming soon. Next, release my project entitled “Memoirs of A Premature Legend”. More details at www.kick-a-verse.com

How can Heads cop the vinyl and get in touch with you?

As of right now you can pre-order the 12” at www.neblinarecords.com. You can get in touch with me at prematurelegend@yahoo.com .

Shout Outs:

Crazy shout out to hiphopgame.com for taking the time out for this interview.

All who looked out:
The Neblina Staff/Forum, Kaze/Soul Dojo, L.E.G, 9th Wonder/Khrysis, D.O.X, Mastamind, Dan Johns, K-Slack, Bumrush (not only did he give me a dope show but he didn’t mind paying my ass either!) Comanche, DJ Forge, Chela #1, A-Beats & Lynch, DJ K.O., DJ Resident, EA Floe and DJ Flash and all supporters.






email Brian Kayser - www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=khillitw

http://web.me.com/gradystudios/WZMB/Podc ast/Entries/2009/7/22_K-Hill.html - Matt Grady

K-Hill performs with live band and interviews with Jake Seaton in between sets.

http://durhamcounty.mync.com/site/durhamcounty/video/6330/ - NBC-17