Tha Chill (Compton’s Most Wanted), Gangsta and other rap veterans form supergroup, ‘1st Generation,’ play first show on July 23

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

For fans, one of the greatest windfalls of the rap industry’s decentralization and sales decline has been the ad hoc supergroups that have formed. From Kurupt & DJ Quik to Slaughterhouse to Black Hippy, groups can record quickly, cheaply, and distribute their music with practically no overhead or real cost. Put something on iTunes, play a few shows, and keep it moving.

The latest freshly formed supergroup is one that could have been spawned only by someone who had followed Nate Dogg’s advice to smoke weed every day. Indeed, it’s an idea as weird as it is awesome. Meet 1st Generation, a group comprising West Coast veteran rappers, producers and DJs: Kurupt, MC Eiht, Jayo Felony, Tha Chill (Compton’s Most Wanted), Gangsta, King T, Sir Jinx (Low Profile) and Battlecat.

Slated to be the first release from newly formed label Uneek Music, an imprint founded by industry veteran and community activist Eugene ‘Big U’ Henley, 1st Generation trace its genesis to Tha Chill (Compton’s Most Wanted) and Gangsta (Tha Comrads), who basically called up every West Coast legend in their cellphones and wrangled commitments.

‘We wanted to do something massive for the coast,’ Chill said in a prepared statement, ‘so we had to figure out which attitudes and talent could mix and make the group work, and once we got off the phone with the homies, we met at Kurupt’s house and made the first song, and all the professional creative ideas meshed and we knew we were on the right track.’

Battlecat will handle most of the beats, and one can hope that everything sounds vaguely similar to ‘We Can Freak It.’

‘Everyone in this group is going to drop something so spectacular every time it drops that its ridiculous’ said Kurupt in the same statement. ‘Everyone on this team has perfected their craft and that’s what makes us the first generation of this game. We all have made an imprint on this game and helped to make the west coast rap scene what it is today.’

The group’s first show is slated for July 23 at Club Nokia and is being presented by K-Day (93.5 FM). Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door. No dress code is suggested, but khaki pants and Chuck Taylors are advised.

ALSO:

Jay Rock reveals single ‘Hood Gone Love It’

Hip-hop Loving Hipsters celebrate one-year anniversary, premiere exclusive Pop & Hiss mix

Album review: Shabazz Palaces’ ‘Black Up’

— Jeff Weiss