Hip Hop Lovers Are In For A Treat With Planet Asia Performing Live In Nairobi
Since 2013, Nairobi Rapsody has created a platform for hip hop fans to come together and experience real hip hop culture. Nairobi Rapsody is not only a space for Nairobi's hip hop community to converge once a month and enjoy the best of hip hop, but also, a platform for local artists to interact and connect with international artists. Having had hip hop heavyweights such as Talib Kweli and Mosdef perform in the past, Nairobi Rapsody is back this Saturday with yet another legendary act, Planet Asia with Nairobi's very own Wakadinali as the opening act.
The hip hop scene, both locally and internationally, has evolved quite a bit, to say the least, since hip hop culture came on to the scene in the early 1970s. While each generation of artists has brought about their own style and iteration to rap music, we always have to pay homage to the culture's legends that perpetuated it to new heights; the likes of the Wu Tang Clan and N.W.A. Such artists paved the way for the vibrant hip hop scene we see today. However, when it comes to the culture, we do have some unsung heroes that were just as pivotal to the emergence and growth of the culture and only true hip hop heads understand the magnitude of the necessity of bestowing these artists with legendary status.
Planet Asia is one such artist. Hailing from Fresno, Carlifornia the hip hop lyricist came onto the scene in 1998 when he moved to San Francisco Bay Area where he started working with local producer, Fanatik. Between 1997 and 2001 he released several 12” singles, including “Definition of Ill” (Stones Throw) and “Place of Birth” (ABB Records).
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Definition of Ill
Planet Asia
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Place of Birth
Planet Asia
Planet Asia together with fellow rapper Rasco recorded the album How the West Was One under the group name Cali Agents and the album saw them win a couple of awards. The Source awarded them the First Round Draft Pick and Independent Album of the Year awards for How the West Was One in 2001 and later awarded Planet Asia the Independent Album of the Year in 2004 for the The Grand Opening album. How the West Was One earned the grammy nominated artist a record deal with Interscope but unfortunately during his time with the label, he was not promoted much and stayed without releasing an album. He left Interscope and joined Avatar records in 2003 and in 2004 he released his debut album, The Grand Opening. In 2002, he was nominated for a Grammy for his work on W by Mystic and his record “G’s & Soldiers” featuring Kurupt was prominently featured in John Travolta’s 2005 film Be Cool released by MGM.
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W ft. Planet Asia
Mystic
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G's & Soldiers ft. Kurupt
Planet Asia
Soon after leaving Avatar Planet Asia started his own record label, Gold Chain Music, with Walt Liquor. Currently one-half of the now reunited Cali Agents and a member of the Gold Chain Military and Durag Dynasty, Planet Asia is still making waves in the hip hop scene. This weekend, all roads lead to Encore Nairobi as the city's hip hop lovers are in for a treat! Get your tickets here and watch Planet Asia perform live in Nairobi thanks to Nairobi Rapsody!