Extended X Play

EP

By : LaDessa Cobb
Ladessa@seaspotmediagroup.com

"I Dun Shed Tears" opens the four-track offering by Extended X Play as a story or better yet a telescope that allows you to see straight into the lives of all the lyricists who blessed the mic. As the artists spit bars concerning love, loss and pain, you are forced to reevaluate your current circumstances. These young people are funneling the energy of tragedy, forced lives of crime and mandatory adulthood over classical sounds that not only pull at your heartstrings, but also awaken your consciousness.

Tracks two and three, "Crooked C.E.O" and "Kick a Verse To Grow On" are proof that Extended X Play are not only talented but display well thought out rhyming skills. Much behind the scenes research must have been done before these artists decided upon pursuing a life in Hip-Hop. Judging by the wordplay chosen in the tracks, someone made it mandatory that these artists have a complete understanding about the music game. The art of rhyming is not only a skill but in its purest form this thing is "Big Business". And when dealing in big business you better be armored with the knowledge that the little man on the totem is nothing more than a step added to the spiral staircase in the CEO's mansion.

"Phamacopia", the last song of the set is an eerie sounding track that is very reminiscent to the sound of the group Queen but with a Dr. Dre revamped take. The opening line to the songs grabs you immediately, "Silence if the sorcery, sorcery of our time" the song continues its lesson when telling the listeners, "Its about living while dying, take control and never let go."

This "struggle" we all have fell in love with called life, picks its victims better known as characters at random. And for this reason Extended X Play have mastered their roles and are living them out through music and rhyme right before our very ears. Their quote says it all "Extended X Play, subsonic sounds from Seattle's young underground". "Expressing through Beats and Rhymes, the truth about life in these times."

- press release -
INNER CITY STUDENTS TURN HEADS WITH HIP-HOP RELEASE
EP packs a punch with anti-violence message. re-establishes Seattle's rap talent, vitality and future

SEATTLE - With a recording this powerful, no press release is required. Simply put the CD in your stereo and let Seattle's future do the talking.

Leave it to the youth to put Seattle back on the rap and hip-hop map. What started as a project to teach troubled urban youth to express themselves through art has blossomed into a shockingly talented and important hip-hop release for 2003.

Described as, "Subsonic sounds from Seattle's young underground expressing through beats and rhymes the truth about life in these times," the CD project, now available, started in the classroom with Make It Happen Productions, an extension of Seattle nonprofit program Arts Corps. After-school hip-hop instruction led students to craft their own tales of growing up poor and living with violence, backed up by fresh beats, live instruments, and smooth vocal hooks. They have taken their urgent message to the stage, performing most recently at Bumbershoot and the Seattle Art Museum among other events and appearances.

The EP is intended to whet the appetite for a planned full-length album release on B-SIDE Records in the fall. Early feedback suggests that the project will draw a strong media and fan response and reawaken Seattle's image as a vital contributor to the national rap and hip-hop consciousness. Cover art features a handgun tagged with a red X, a clear message that students are sick of the violence they see in the world around them.

"I'm impressed with the students' natural musical abilities and raw inspiration," said project director Aaron Straight. "Hip-hop is a powerful vehicle for students to express themselves and learn valuable skills they can apply to any aspect of life." Furthermore, Straight remarked that students not only show up prepared, they show up early. Program attendance is at 95%. "We are seeing students put newfound skills to use crossing neighborhood barriers and participating in making their community stronger."

About Make It Happen Productions
As an extension of Arts Corps' hip-hop program, Make It Happen takes kids off the streets to the studio to learn life and business skills while producing original professional quality hip-hop recordings. For more information visit www.artscorps.org. The project was originally made possible by generous support from Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard and Litho Studios.

100% of the proceeds from the recording go back into the program to make the same opportunities available to other emerging young artists. CDs can be purchased through Seattle's own B-SIDE Records at www.b-siderecords.com.