Northpole to headline concert in Georgiana
Published 3:59 pm Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A really big show is coming to the little town of Georgiana this weekend.
A night filled with up-and-coming rap and hip-hop stars is slated for Hank Williams Sr. Park Saturday.
Headlining the concert will be DTP Def Jam’s Willie Northpole and Killer Mike. Others joining the roster include Greenville’s own Thigpen, Balyztyk, Ms. Venn, 520 Boyz and DL Johnson, along with Mr. Blue from Montgomery.
Northpole, who hails from Pheonix, Arizona, says the music was always in him.
“I didn’t choose a career in music because I believe God gives everyone a specific talent once they find it. I always wanted to be an mc from listening to Kool Moe Dee and Too Short,” Northpole said.
His rap style was influenced by Ice-Cube at a young age and Jay-Z in his current music.
“My neighborhood at Broadway and 24th is what inspired me and gave me stuff to talk about, everyday growing up in south Phoenix,” the rapper said.
The music industry is “strong and very competitive . . . but black men are definitely chasing the big dream.”
While the name “Northpole” was once a code to refer to crack cocaine, the performer has “flipped it to a cold MC coming out of a hot state, which is the stereotype of Arizona.”
Northpole made a brief visit to Alabama to visit radio stations for a promo run, but says he is excited about coming back.
“I hear the girls are crazy and the dudes are solid. I need someone to show me around to some southern hospitality . . . Bama, I see you!”
Killer Mike, a hip hop artist from Atlanta, is also a voice over artist and has had a single, “Akshon Yeah!” included on the popular EA Sports game Madden NFL. Noted artists such as Outkast, Big Boi, Ice Cube and Shawty Lo have collaborated with Killer Mike on singles. He is about to release his new album, “16 in the Kitchen.”
Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday night and the music kicks off at 6 p.m.
Tickets, which are $20 each, are now available at a number of outlets in Greenville (Hot Waxx, Robinson’s Beauty Supply, Professional Men’s Club and Uptown Cutz) and Georgiana (Barbara’s Beauty/Neil’s Barbershop and the Food Mart).