The sweet smell of wildfire smoke is in the air so it seems appropriate to say summer is officially here in the Northwest, hence the videos. Enjoy the following songs (not in this order on the videos) and get your groove on!
Aneel – Summer Time Beige By Beige – Summer Dreams Block Burners – Summertime (Dirty) Chicharones – Bring on the Summer Cin’atra – Sunny Dayz Crispy, Gabriel, Khingz, Nam – Summers Here Dirty Dozen – Summer Fling Duce – Summertime Gangsta Nutt – Summer Groove (ft. G-Nutt & Mr. Jonze) Grynch – Summertime Jake One – Summer Vacation (Infinite) Kid Sensation – Hot Summer Days Leezy Soprano x SIC ILL x DoughKain Summertime Epidemic EP Lil Weavah – Summer Time Chillin Litefoot – Summer Nights Maniac Lok, Top Notch – Summer Jam Mic T – Summertime ft Mack E Alexis Mo Digs – My Summers Mr. Chuko – 509 Summertime Nam Nice, Gabriel Teodros, Khingz – Society of Summer Nocturnal Rage – Summertime in Seattle Phatass Records Presents – Sunny Days Romaine – Summer Daze Featuring Elizabeth Romaine Scrooge – Summertime Sunshine Shyan Selah – Summer We Fell In Luv Stylez Major – Summer Love Ft Michelle Simmons Swift Tongues – Cool Summer ft Ms. Tootsie Turf Grindaz – Summertime In Tha Sea Featuring Overflow & Mario’so West Coast Nostra – Summertime
Abyssinian Creole – Summertime Balance – Summer Time prod Jake One Blayze One – Snowflake Summer feat. Young Dom Bullet – Summer Breeze Feat Eklipz & Kay Kay Cin’atra – Sunny Days Crazy 8’s – Find Myself A Sunny Spot Dip N DL – Summertime 2000 featuring Mr. Ivey DJO$EPH – Summer in the City Ese Lokote & Lil Chulo – Summertime Jam feat. Ese Lokote, Lil Chulo Genus Pro – Summer Nights II Real – Summertime in the 509 Karma – Sunny Nights ft. Sykotic and BSchuler Leezy Soprano – Summertime (Feat. Swaylow) Lil Blue – Summer Season Lite Foot – NDN Summer (ft. O.G.enius) Mak One – Summertimez MC Gigahertz – Summertime is Over ft OG Don Vito Miz – Summertime Now Mr. Anonymous – Summertime Mulatto – Summer Breeze No Nonsense – Summer Time Free Your Mind! Nonpareilyx – Summer Time Ripynt & Sinic – A Mid-Summers Day Drive ft Jazz Digga Royal T & Don G – Seatown Summer Jam Seward Park Playaz – Summer Madness Sons Of Vindication – Summertime Sunday – Sunny Days The Just Us Click – Sunny Dayz Weaz – Summertime Featuring Jay What The Hell – Summer Stylee
Before we dig in to this NW legend, enjoy this bio on Shao Sosa from Reverbnation: “Since the 5th grade, Shao Sosa’s passion has been for creating hip-hop. Heavily influenced by rap icons such as LL Cool J, Eric B. & Rakim, and the Beastie Boys; young Shao found himself well known in the Tri-Cities area for his wise words and determined delivery. Over the years, these things would never change. Then known as “Shaolin”, the skinny Vietnamese kid with the remarkable rhyme game took advantage of local talent shows and built a name for himself. By the age of 14, he found himself recording with his future mentor Kyle “Porky” Adams. Pork was the founder of Acropolis Records and spent a lot of time helping the young artist develop his craft. At 16, Shao was officially on the Northwest hip-hop circuit. This was highlighted by a performance in Yakima at a 1994 Lowrider Magazine show in front of a 15,000-person crowd. Early on, it seemed the youngster had the world in his hands.. But things weren’t going as smoothly as they may have seemed. Shao describes his younger self as a “knucklehead” who moved away from his parents early and began dabbling in mischief to make ends meet. In the winter following the Lowrider show, a series of poor decisions found him spending a couple years away from music. The time down would prove to be a blessing in disguise. As he prepared for his return to normal life, Shao became increasingly close with Adams and continued to hone his writing skills. Through Porky, Shao was able to release his first tracks on a variety of compilation records, increasing his buzz even from behind bars. His track “Broken” (released on the Acropolis Records compilation, Pork Presents: Side ‘n’ on You) even received praise from the notoriously conservative Tri-City Herald, which referred to the song as “a poignant message of regret”. When he touched back down, Shao was hungry and felt he had lost ground to make up. Smarter and more focused, he immediately went to work recording and releasing his first solo album, Baby Dragons and King Cobras. The album is considered locally as a Washington underground classic. Working to expand his network, Shao was opening for regional legends Yukmouth (of the Luniz), Digital Underground, Cool Nutz and Kid Frost before his 20th birthday. As so many young musicians learn, it’s all about your team. In 1999, Shao parted ways with Acropolis Records due to label issues and later joined up with Bullet and Eastside Records. His relationship with Cool Nutz grew and he soon found himself on mini tours alongside Nutz, Maniac Lok, Mr. D.O.G. and Mac Money. Under Eastside Records, Shao recorded songs with notable artists such as Jay Tee (of N2Deep) and the late Mac Dre. He also formed a strong bond with Portland-based R&B crooner Arjay, a friendship that lasts to this day. This time of his career was highlighted by appearances on a number of compilations and the eventual album with Bullet: Small Town Livin, Big City Game. For Shao, life only seemed great from the outside though. By this time he had moved to Tacoma but was constantly bouncing back and forth between his new home and the Tri-Cities. As his change of address list overtook the double digit mark, the stress became overwhelming. But one thing would remain constant: His ability to channel that pain into his art. It showed in the product, and the buzz in and out of the streets was growing rapidly. Disagreements with Bullet and a poor commercial response to their collaborative efforts lead to a split from Eastside Records. In 2003, he linked up with longtime friend Dustin Jordan who launched Street Money Entertainment/High Side Records Northwest. Working with producers like Tory Ward, Big Squeeze, Bosko, and Big Hollis, Shao’s work ethic in the booth only improved and he was able to record enough songs for two solo albums. But while planningthe record release, his partner Jordan was convicted on drug charges and the label would go into a state of permanent hiatus. Discouraged, let down, and crushed, Shao decided to hang up his mic in 2005. “Music is my first love… I can’t stay away.” – Shao Sosa
In 2008, Shao started recording again, and quietly rebuilt his fan-base. Life continued to throw boulders his way, taking close friend John Shue in 2008 and long time confidant Porky Adams in 2010. But hardened by his resolve and loss, he stayed focused. Reinventing himself under the handle of Shao Sosa, he launched his own label Razor Tongue Music in 2010 and is currently prepared to release his long-delayed sophomore album, The Gateway Drug. Asked about his sound, Shao responded, “I think I am most known for brutal honesty in my music, and vicious self-analysis coupled with a sharp pen. What you hear is all me. As an avid listener of hip hop and all music, you will hear that incorporated into my sound.” From a young boy to a grown man, Shao has seen his share of tragedy and learned his share of lessons. Yet somehow through it all, he’s never lost his passion for rap music. As driven now as he was as an 11 year old prodigy, Shao once again looks eagerly to the future… wondering what she holds for him.”
Shao Sosa, properly known as Nathan Hodge, hails from Pasco, Washington. One of three cities that compromises the Tri-Cities in central Washington. Arguably a mainstay in the NW hip hop scene, he’s been at it since the young age of 14. As you read on you’ll get a sense of all the artists he’s been able to work with, it’s an understatement to say he’s been blessed! With the cherry on top having the opportunity to put out an album with his son, Nobi (Young Nobi) as Wolf & Young Kub. Besides being an artist, he’s made a name for himself as the founder of Razor Tongue Radio, a popular radio show here in the Northwest. If you haven’t checked out some of his shows, I highly recommend it (I believe they’re all archived now). There’s some pretty cool material as they played nothing but the best NW hip hop!
There aren’t many artists still around that were dropping classics in the 90’s and still going strong to this day, but Shao is one of them. As you can see from his discography he just keeps on, keepin’ on! With his latest endeavor being an album with his son, Nobi (Never Obey Blind Individuals). They go by Lone Wolf & Kub. Their debut self-titled album dropped 8/8/18 through Razor Tongue Media. As a musician I imagine not much could top being able to record an album with your family, especially a father / son duo. If Shao Sosa wasn’t talented enough by himself, add his son to the mix and what we have is an album that is pure fire. I highly suggest you take a listen and even better, buy a copy (support local)!! Here’s a quick on-point review from Respect My Region. I definitely agree with “this album does a great job of sounding current while being rooted in vintage hip-hop”, that’s important to me since I’m an old head and trying to embrace ‘new rap’ is a struggle. So with that being said, it is BOMB! Get the album here or here.
One of the Northwest’s best hip-hop projects released this year came from an unlikely pairing. The father-son duo of Nobi and Shao Sosa combined to create Lone Wolf and Kub. The name identifies their standing in hip-hop as well as serving as the title of their debut album.
The 11-track album does a great job of sounding current while being rooted in vintage hip-hop. During this nearly 20-minute sit down we got to discuss many topics surrounding their most recent release.
We got to talk about such things as their influence, album credits and more. We even talked about how the relationship between father and son played out during the creation of the album.
If you’re a fan of Northwest hip-hop and good hip-hop in general, or just want to hear what a father and son sound like on a project together, then take a listen here.
In addition to the release of the LP, they have also released visuals for the standout tracks, “Bolo Yeung” and “Street Fighter” ft. Karma. Both of which are available for streaming online now. Watch Evan B Culture’s exclusive interview with Lone Wolf and Kub below via YouTube – Respect My Region.
Respect My Region interview with Lone Wolf & Kub
Lone Wolf & Kub – Vintage
Lone Wolf & Kub – Street Fighter
Personally, interviews are always my favorite. This is where you can get those small tid bits of info on other releases, the background on songs/albums, when they started, etc. It just answers a lot of those who, what, when, why questions that websites with only the artists music never tell us. So check out this interview by Tac Army Radio. Good stuff. It makes sense why he changed his name from Shaolin to Shao Sosa. You try googling Shaolin to find his old stuff!
Tac Army Radio interviews Shao Sosa
And I’m quite sure I’m not going to capture them all, but I’ll take my best shot. Besides the tracks on “Featuring Shao Sosa 2002-2016”, he was also featured on:
And finally, for those of you who might want to sell some copies of Shao’s music, I’ve got a few I’m looking for. Of course, Baby Dragons & King Cobras would be a holy grail. We used to listen to that all the time, but of course, you know how CD’s get jacked. That was one of them. Who knew it would be so hard to replace! Shao was also on a few mixtapes that are on my want list; Mighty Mixtape 2, 3&4. And even the first one since I only have the mp3s. There’s also another mixtape called Black Rhino Records – Trunk Pushers. I’ve only seen some of the tracks on their myspace page and all those songs look like must haves! Finally, any confirmation on if this is a legit CDS, because if it is I’d love to get my hands on it too! Other than that I’ve been fortunate enough to pick up most of Shao’s stuff over the years, even the albums he is featured on.
Pacific NW Hip Hop 