Outlawz founder and member 2Pac Shakur is hailed throughout the world as the greatest rapper of all time. He is recognized as the highest selling rapper ever with over seventy five million albums sold worldwide. As with any pop culture icon, 2Pac has been imitated by many, but never successfully duplicated. However, his influence and legacy is well and truly alive today in the one group that actually spawned from him. And that group is, the Outlawz. The Lawz have stayed true to Pac’s lessons and have become masters at wearing poignant, hood-rich sagas of struggle, survival, respect and redemption. On the 13th of September, 2Pac left us for Thug Mansion and the Outlawz want Australia to help celebrate the anniversary of 2Pac Shakur’s death with a series of shows throughout the country. Joining the Outlawz on tour and celebrating Pac’s life is hip hop heavyweight John Payne, co-founder of Death Row Records.
Originally hand selected by 2Pac; EDI, Young Noble, Kastro, Hussein Fatal, Big Syke and Kadafi, The Outlawz are considered legends in the streets. While the group has experienced many ups and downs, failure for them has never been an option. The Outlawz have held it down for over a decade and have become leaders among their peers, social activists, dedicated fathers, and businessmen - yet through it all, the Lawz have remained family and kept it G for their adoring fans all over the world.
While there is definitely an undeniable connection to Pac, The Outlawz have expounded on their lyrical inheritance – proving that they can be successful on their own as emcees and music industry mainstays. With the essence of Shakur’s business acumen, now consisting of Young Noble, EDI and Kastro, featuring talented new emcee Stormey, the Outlawz have joined the forces of their independent label, 1 Nation Entertainment with Gold Dust Media to present their newest work; We Want In. Dubbed the Street LP, We Want In is a profound testament to their resilience and closed-mouth-don’t-get-fed attitude. Legions of Outlawz fans and the millions who still ride for Pac, will surely embrace their new Street LP, We Want In dropping August 2008.
This is the ultimate opportunity for fans to pay their respect to 2Pac along with his very own crew who will have everyone’s head nodding as they perform all the massive Tupac hits and of course tracks from their latest album “We Want In”. One minutes silence will be made in 2Pac’s honor at all shows.
Joining the Outlawz are some of the best up-and-coming local hip hop artists in support, and unsigned MC’s have the opportunity to prove their skills in a freestyle competition to be held on the night. The winner will be given the opportunity to work with the Outlawz and John Payne. See www.hiphoptvaustralia.com for further information. This is a show not to be missed!
Tour dates are:
Saturday September 13th –SYDNEY, Big Top Luna Park Tickets from Ticketek 13 28 49 www.ticketek.com.au
Thursday September 18th – MELBOURNE, The Forum Tickets from Ticketek 13 28 49 www.ticketek.com.au and www.marrinertheatres.com.au
Friday September 19th – ADELAIDE, Thebarton Theatre Tickets from www.venuetix.com.au and www.thebartontheatre.com.au
Sunday September 21st – BRISBANE, The Arena Tickets from Ticketek 13 28 49 www.ticketek.com.au and www.arenaonline.com.au
I’d probably say it was earlier this year, we did a show over in Perth, I think it was a festival. The show was completely sold out & at home we were able to have heaps of friends & family, don’t get me started on the size of the guest list, but the crowd was great. To be able to rock out to so many people from our home as well as the people we know & love it was just great & that’s the stand out for me.
Ideal Lineup? Well despite the impossibility of it I’d definitely say Nirvana. They are & were such an inspirational band of their time & even though they’re no longer around, I’d still love to see them as I missed out. Besides that, I’d love to see some bands from the 60’s & 70’s that are more melody based, such as The Beatles & The Rolling Stones, they really did great stuff & I feel the melody in music has really disappeared today. So to see bands like that play would be great.
Face artist you've seen at a Music Festival? One that really stands out to me still is a set I caught here in Perth by The Music. They were playing the Big Day Out in Perth & I was waiting for another band to come on, but went over to the stage they were on about 25 minutes early. The set by The Music was just amazing, the passion & technique the musicians put on was amazing & to see them up in like tracksuit jackets in summer really was cool & it was just a great set.
Tips for attending a music festival? Pretty much just sunscreen & water. As I mentioned, the place gets really hot in the afternoon & with heaps of people there, the amount of shade becomes a lot less. The water is basically just to stay cool & to survive the day & then besides that just have some booze & food if you need it & all is good.
My Festival Experience
