Nobody puts hip-hop in the corner
by Kalani Wilhelm
Is Shwayze the name of the duo, the duo and the DJ or the laid-back rapper guy? Representing West Coast stoner chill pop music, Malibu rapper Shwayze has a lot he can brag about.
While 2008 marked the release of his self-titled debut album that spawned the summertime smash “Buzzin,’” Shwayze also had a popular MTV reality show documenting his summer rise to stardom, which further helped thrust the 22-year-old and his producer-sidekick Cisco Adler into the mainstream membranes of the pop music world.
On a night when you should be buzzing, Shwayze, Adler and DJ Skeet Skeet close out their remarkable year New Year’s Eve at Pipeline Cafe with Seattle-based hip-hop tandem Blue Scholars as special guests.
The up-and-coming artist is just getting started. Shwayze and his brand of hip-hop folk pop should continue to keep the buzz going well into 2009 and beyond.
Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., Wed 12/31, 9pm, presale $45, 18+, ticketmaster outlets, Times Supermarkets, Blaisdell box office, [bampprojects.com].
Yo yo yo
by Kalani Wilhelm
As far as the combination of singer and songwriter credits in the pop music world are concerned, it would be tough to match the early achievements of R&B crooner Ne-Yo.
Credited for bringing the smoother, softer side of R&B back to mainstream pop music, the 29-year old pop sensation first burst onto the scene first for his songwriter skills with 2004 smash hit “Let Me Love You” by Mario.
His career continued to escalate. It wasn’t until the release of debut album In My Own Words in 2006 that spurned number one hit “So Sick” that people began to take note of the singer’s pop potential. His second album Because Of You continued to solidify himself as a force to be reckoned with.
While his voice and dance moves often draw comparisons to pop king Michael Jackson, Jacko’s got nothing on this songwriting hitman who has penned number one hits like Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable,” and Rihanna’s “Unfaithful,” among a lengthy list of artists that includes Chris Brown, Celine Dion and Jennifer Hudson. OK, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration.
If things couldn’t get any better, his current album, Year of the Gentleman, produced one of the biggest hits of the year, “Closer,” and earned him six Grammy nominations including the coveted category of Album of the Year. Although Year of the Gentleman failed to hit number one like his previous two efforts, it may prove to be his best album to date, especially if it wins a Grammy.
Any way you slice it, that’s seven top-10 songs and two chart-topping albums and counting for this certified superstar.
Blaisdell Arena, 777 Ward Ave., Mon 1/5, 7:30pm, $35–55, [ticketmaster.com], 591-2211
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