VARIOUS ARTIST: Young Gangstas Incorporated Vol.1 Gritty and compelling, the STR 8 OUTTA CHARLOTTE DVD and soundtrack are worthy of your purchase. Chronicling the lives of Hoover and Vedo, two rappers on the YGI record label, the viewer gets an in depth view of the struggle of troubled youth trying to make it in the rap game. Full of freestyles and original music by the talented rappers and footage that astounds, this is a must watch. As you observe the progression of these young boys to young men, you experience their life from their point of view, along with music made from their hearts. Music that talks about their struggle. I was amazed by their ability to express themselves in a thought provoking way. Hard to believe that this documentary starts off with them talking about gang life. STR8 OUTTA CHARLOTTE has several different levels intermingling seamlessly and narrated brilliantly through wordplay by Hoover and Vedo. With profound and head nodding songs like Struggle, Story of a Gangsta, Sleepwalking, and Pistol Pete in their arsenal, the depth of how they feel is easily expressed in their music. As you begin to understand their passion, their facades fade away and their true potential can be seen. They really have something to say and their message is something that can enlighten others to the gaping wound that festers in our ghettos. Although they make knuckle headed mistakes, as most young men do, you are able to bond with them and you begin to understand their pain. Their message, although sometimes agonizing, is one that plays out in the neighborhoods of America everyday. STR8 OUTTA CHARLOTTE documents this vividly with pulsating music and interesting characters. As the story goes on, one of our stars faces the reality of gang violence when he gets shot. When his best friend begins to tell you how it happened, the insanity of violence is stripped bare. This dvd also documents the growth and sometimes the decline of the friendship between these two best friends. With several different concepts, this dvd is complex and entertaining. I had to step back for a minute or two and shake my head as I listened to the confidence of these artist. Still I must admit that as the dvd progressed, they made a believer out of me and gained a fan. They have proven to me that dreams are well within reach and people have the talent to do everything that they desire. I know they can convince you for themselves. There is so much more that can be said about Hoover and Vedo, about the dangers they face everyday, their hunger, their skill,their growth. I will say this, however, This is not the scripted, manicured, and manipulated version of life that can be found on prime time TV “reality” shows. This is reality with no compromises told in such a way that it quickly grasps your attention and holds it till the journey is over. I hope you enjoy the ride. HOOVER Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hoover represents the QC to the fullest. His rap style is diverse and can’t be put in a box whether he is freestylin on a hot track, rapping his own lyrics or battling another mc. Hoover is always on point and consistently bringing his game to a another level. When asked what is his purpose in the rap game he simply replies, "to teach people his truth about life, survival, and to be heard. For Hoover, life ain’t been no crystal stair; he lived with his family in a tractor trailer when he was younger and he never got his diploma from high school. He was kicked out for possession of marijuana and he never went back because he knew that he was going to make it in this rap game and he felt a diploma wasn’t necessary to reach his goal. On top of dropping out of school, Hoover started running with gangs. At first he felt obligated and was involved with criminal activity, but now he is not an "active" member, but still continues to chill with his "folk." A lot of things in Hoovers life has changed, including his name. Growing up, people called him Romeo, because all the ladies loved him. He shortened it to Rome and used it as his rap name, but there was other cats in the game with similar names so he decided to be known by his last name, Hoover. Inspired by rappers like Tupac Shakur, Hoover wants to bring joy, pain, and hope to peoples lives. At 18, Hoover has completed two c.d.’s and has been heard from Charlotte to ATL. And now that he is affiliated with YOWD Group Inc., the only way to go is up. By: Ricci Pullum riccipullum@hotmail.com YOUNG VEDO When you hear the name Vedo, know that he’s not your average rapper. He is a talented 19 year old money making machine. Whether it’s hustling at his day job at Wal-Mart or taking classes at Central Piedmont Community College, he has a plan a, b, and c if rapping doesn’t justify his end. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina as Brandon Lee Russell III, Vedo raps mostly about southern life, southern depression, and the southern drought. You gotta love it! If it don’t pertain to him, he don’t rap about it. So you won’t hear about 24 inch chrome rims, icy chains, or candy painted hoopties; at least not yet. Vedo’s style comes from the real-life situations he has dealt with. No, he hasn’t been shot multiple times like the late Tupac Shakur and he hasn’t got a rap sheet as long as T.I., but he says "that’s not what makes you real." "A real ni**a don’t have charges and hasn’t been locked up, that means you were smooth and didn’t get caught doing dirt." With his rap skills, Vedo plans to put Charlotte on the map. This won’t be an easy task seeing that Charlotte seems to have a lack of support for some of their own. That just means that him and the rest of the Y.O.W.D. Group will have to bring it and bring it hard. For someone who has been rapping for less than 5 years, he already has one formula down on how to write his lyrics. When he gets pissed off, he uses a pen to express himself. Although he free styles, he prefers to put his mind on paper and next thing you know, he has a complete song. His music is something you can feel and relate to, but don’t take his word for it. Put his c.d. in and just bump his sh*t. When you’re an artist who is inspired by other artist like Kurt Cobain, a little Linkin Park, Pastor Troy, and Project Pat, you can’t help but to be nice. By: Ricci Pullum riccipullum@hotmail.com