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A genre is defined in Grove Music Online as "A class, type or category, sanctioned by convention"^[1] A music genre is a conventional category that identifies pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions. It is to be distinguished from musical form and musical style, although in practice these terms are sometimes used interchangeably.

Music can be divided into different genres in several ways. The artistic nature of music means that these classifications are often arbitrary and controversial, and some genres may overlap. Some^[who?] do not believe that generic classification of music is possible in any logically consistent way. They argue that doing so sets limitations and boundaries that hinder the development of music. It is possible to note similarities between musical pieces, but it is difficult to do so in a systematic and universal manner.

There are several academic approaches to genres. In his book Form in Tonal Music, Douglass M. Green lists madrigal, motet, canzona, ricercar, and dance as examples of genres from the Renaissance period. According to Green, "Beethoven's Op. 61 and Mendelssohn's Op. 64 are identical in genre – both are violin concertos – but different in form. However, Mozart's Rondo for Piano, K. 511, and the Agnus Dei from his Mass, K. 317 are quite different in genre but happen to be similar in form."^[2] Some, like Peter van der Merwe, treat the terms genre and style as the same, saying that genre should be defined as pieces of music that share a certain style or "basic musical language".^[3] Others, such as Allan F. Moore, state that genre and style are two separate terms, and that secondary characteristics such as subject matter can also differentiate between genres.^[4] A music genre or sub-genre may be defined by the musical techniques, the styles, the context, and content and spirit of the themes. Geographical origin is sometimes used to identify a music genre, though a single geographical category will often include a wide variety of sub-genres.

Kembrew McLeod has suggested that, in electronic music, "the naming of new subgenres can be linked to a variety of influences, such as the rapidly evolving nature of the music, accelerated consumer culture, and the synergy created by record company marketing strategies and music magazine hype. The appropriation of the musics of minorities by straight, middle and upper-middle-class Whites in the United States and Great Britain plays a part, and the rapid and ongoing naming process within electronic/dance music subcultures acts as a gate-keeping mechanism, as well."^[5]

Among the criteria often used to classify musical genres are:^{[citation needed]} the trichotomy of art, popular and traditional; time period; regional and national origins; technique and instrumentation; fusional origins; and social function.

The art/popular/traditional distinction[link]

Musicologists have sometimes classified music according to a trichotomic distinction such as Philip Tagg's "axiomatic triangle consisting of 'folk', 'art' and 'popular' musics".^[6] He explains that each of these three is distinguishable from the others according to certain criteria.^[6]

Art music[link]

The term art music refers primarily to classical traditions, including both contemporary and historical classical music forms. Art music exists in many parts of the world. It emphasizes formal styles that invite technical and detailed deconstruction^[7] and criticism, and demand focused attention from the listener. In western practice, art music is considered primarily a written musical tradition,^[8] preserved in some form of music notation rather than being transmitted orally, by rote, or in recordings, as popular and traditional music usually are.^[8][9] Historically, most western art music has been written down using the standard forms of music notation that evolved in Europe, beginning well before the Renaissance and reaching its maturity in the Romantic period. The identity of a "work" or "piece" of art music is usually defined by the notated version rather than by a particular performance. This is so particularly in the case of western classical music. Art music may include certain forms of jazz, even though jazz is primarily a form of popular music.

Popular music[link]

The term popular music refers to any musical style accessible to the general public and disseminated by the mass media. Musicologist and popular music specialist Philip Tagg defined the notion in the light of sociocultural and economical aspects:

"Popular music, unlike art music, is (1) conceived for mass distribution to large and often socioculturally heterogeneous groups of listeners, (2) stored and distributed in non-written form, (3) only possible in an industrial monetary economy where it becomes a commodity and (4) in capitalist societies, subject to the laws of 'free' enterprise ... it should ideally sell as much as possible." ^[6]

Popular music is found on most commercial radio stations, in most commercial music retailers and department stores, and in movie and television soundtracks. It is noted on the Billboard charts and, in addition to singer-songwriters and composers, it involves music producers more than other genres do.

The distinction between classical and popular music has sometimes been blurred in marginal areas^[10] such as minimalist music and light classics. In this respect music is like fiction, which likewise draws a distinction between classics and popular fiction that is not always precise.

Traditional music[link]

Traditional music is a modern name for what has been called "folk music", excluding the expansion of the term folk music to include much non-traditional material. The defining characteristics of traditional music are:

• Oral transmission: The music is handed down and learned through singing, listening, and sometimes dancing;
• Cultural basis: The music derives from and is part of the traditions of a particular region or culture.

Critics of the axiomatic triangle[link]

Musicologist and popular music specialist Richard Middleton has discussed the blurred nature of these distinctions:

Neat divisions between 'folk' and 'popular', and 'popular' and 'art', are impossible to find ... arbitrary criteria [are used] to define the complement of 'popular'. 'Art' music, for example, is generally regarded as by nature complex, difficult, demanding; 'popular' music then has to be defined as 'simple', 'accessible', 'facile'. But many pieces commonly thought of as 'art' (Handel's 'Hallelujah Chorus', many Schubert songs, many Verdi arias) have qualities of simplicity; conversely, it is by no means obvious that the Sex Pistols' records were 'accessible', Frank Zappa's work 'simple', or Billie Holiday's 'facile'.^[11]

Automatic categorization[link]

Automatic methods of musical similarity detection based on data mining and co-occurrence analysis have been developed in order to classify music titles into genres, for electronic music distribution. ^[12]

Other criteria for categorization[link]

This section requires expansion.

Time period[link]

Music is sometimes categorized by its era of origin or greatest popularity, for example '50s rock, 17th-century music, or music from the Romantic era.

Regional and national music[link]

It is possible to categorize music geographically. For example, Australian music includes Australian rock music, Australian traditional music in the European style (such as "Waltzing Matilda"), Aboriginal Australian music, Australian classical music, and Australian jazz.

Technique and instrumentation[link]

Music can also be categorized by some technical aspect such as the instruments used. For example rock music revolves around the electric guitar, and club music is typically accompanied by synthesizers, drum machines, or both.

Fusional origins[link]

A genre can be labelled to express its origin as a fusion of other genres, like blues rock and latin jazz. Some names refer to fusion without identifying both styles. Examples are crossover and jazz fusion.

Social function[link]

Music genres can be identified by their social function. Trivial examples are wedding music and Christmas music.

Emergence of new genres and subgenres[link]

New genres can arise by the development of new forms and styles of music and also simply by creating a new categorization. Although it is conceivable to create a musical style with no relation to existing genres, new styles usually appear under the influence of preexisting genres. The genealogy of musical genres expresses, often in the form of a written chart, the way in which new genres have developed under the influence of older ones.^{[citation needed]} If two or more existing genres influence the emergence of a new one, a fusion between them can be said to have taken place.

New genres by fusion[link]

This section may contain original research. Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding references. Statements consisting only of original research may be removed. More details may be available on the talk page. (September 2007)

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In the West, nearly all music except traditional music arises from fusion.^{[dubious – discuss]}

A fusion genre is a music genre that combines two or more genres. For example, rock and roll originally developed as a fusion of blues, gospel music and country music. The main characteristics of fusion genres are variations in tempo and rhythm, and sometimes the use of long musical "journeys"^{[clarification needed]} that can be divided into smaller parts, each with their own dynamics, style and tempo.^{[attribution needed]}

Artists who work in fusion genres are often difficult to categorise within non-fusion styles. Most styles of fusion music are influenced by various musical genres.^{[clarification needed (tautology?)]} While there are many reasons for this, the main is that most genres evolved out of other genres. When the new genre is finally recognised as separate, musicians may find themselves in a large gray area. These artists generally consider themselves part of both genres. A musician who plays music that is predominantly blues but is influenced by rock, for example, is often labelled a blues-rock musician. The first genre is the one from which the new one evolved. The second is the newer and less dominant component genre in the artist's music. An example of a group that combined blues with the popular music of the time, rock, was Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble.

The originality of new genres and subgenres[link]

This section requires expansion.

What constitutes a genuine fusion between genres and what is merely the influence of one genre on another is debatable, as is the level of originality needed to create a completely new genre. But some genres, such as rock music, are certainly distinct from their predecessors. In some cases, many subgenres appear, and their originality and distinctness are dubious.^{[citation needed]}

When a certain level of individuality has been reached, especially when new styles diverge from more established forms, expressions like alternative rock and alternative country have been used. Such styles are often referred to simply as "alternative".

See also[link]

• List of music styles
• List of popular music genres
• List of radio formats

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Holt, Fabian (2007). Genre in Popular Music. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. 
• Negus, Keith (1999). Music Genres and Corporate Cultures. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-17399-X. 
• Larry Starr; Christopher Alan Waterman (2010). American popular music from minstrelsy to MP3. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-539630-0. 

Blake Shelton
Shelton in April 2010
Background information
Birth name	Blake Tollison Shelton
Born	(1976-06-18) June 18, 1976 (age 36)[1] Ada, Oklahoma, United States
Genres	Country
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2001–present
Labels	Giant, Warner Bros. Nashville, Reprise Nashville
Associated acts	Bobby Braddock, Miranda Lambert, Trace Adkins, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green
Website	blakeshelton.com

Blake Tollison Shelton (born June 18, 1976) is an American country music artist. In 2001, he made his debut with the single "Austin". Released as the lead-off single from his self-titled debut album, "Austin" went on to spend five weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. This song was the first single from his gold-certified debut album, which also produced two more Top 20 hits. Although the album was released on Giant Records Nashville, Shelton was transferred to Warner Bros. Records Nashville after Giant closed in late 2001.

His second and third albums, 2003's The Dreamer (his first for Warner Bros. proper) and 2004's Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill, were each certified gold as well. Shelton's fourth album, Pure BS, was issued in 2007, and re-issued in 2008 with a cover of Michael Bublé's pop hit "Home" as one of the bonus tracks. This cover was also that album's third single. A fifth album, Startin' Fires, was released in November 2008. It was followed by the extended plays Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight in 2010, and the album Red River Blue in 2011. He is currently a vocal coach on the NBC reality talent show The Voice with Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Cee Lo Green.

Overall, Shelton has charted 17 singles on the country charts, including eleven Number One hits: "Austin" (2001), "The Baby" (2003), "Some Beach" (2004–2005), "Home" (2008), "She Wouldn't Be Gone" (2009), "Hillbilly Bone" (2010), a duet with Trace Adkins, "All About Tonight" (2010), "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking" (2011)", "Honey Bee" (2011), "God Gave Me You" (2011), and "Drink on It" (2011-2012). Additionally, three more of his singles have reached Top Ten: a cover version of Conway Twitty's "Goodbye Time", "Nobody but Me", and "I'll Just Hold On".

He also covered "Footloose" for the movie remake in 2011.

Early life[link]

Shelton was born in Ada, Oklahoma, to Dick, a used car dealer, and Dorothy, a beauty salon owner. He began singing at an early age and by age 12, he learned to play guitar. By age sixteen, Shelton had received a Denbo Diamond Award in his home state.^[1] On November 13, 1990, his older brother Richie, who was 24 at the time, died in a car accident. He has an older sister, Endy. At age 17, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in pursuit of a singing career.

Musical career[link]

Shelton performing at the Crawford City Fair in August 2005

[edit] 1998–2002: Blake Shelton

After several years in Nashville, he signed to Giant Records in 1998. In 2001, he was slated to release a song entitled "I Wanna Talk About Me" as a single. Staff at the label considered the song unsuitable for a lead-off single, however, and the song was eventually recorded by Toby Keith, whose version was a Number One hit.^[2]

Instead, Giant released "Austin" as Shelton's debut single. Shortly after its release, however, Giant Records was dissolved, and Shelton was transferred to Warner Bros. Records, the parent company. "Austin" went on to spend five weeks at Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts. His self-titled debut album also produced the No.18 "All Over Me" (which Shelton co-wrote with fellow country artist Earl Thomas Conley) and the No.14 "Ol' Red", which was a cover version of a George Jones song. Although Shelton's rendition of "Ol' Red" was not a major radio hit, he considers it his signature song, and it has become popular in concert.^[3] Blake Shelton is certified gold by the RIAA.^[1]

[edit] 2002–2003: The Dreamer

Shelton's second album, The Dreamer, was first released on February 4, 2003 on Warner Bros. Records. Its lead-off single, "The Baby", reached Number One on the country charts, holding that position for three weeks. Although the second and third singles ("Heavy Liftin'" and "Playboys of the Southwestern World", respectively) only reached No.32 and #24, The Dreamer earned gold certification as well. He, along with Andy Griggs and Montgomery Gentry, sang guest vocals on Tracy Byrd's mid-2003 single "The Truth About Men".

[edit] 2004–2006: Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill

Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill was the title of Shelton's third studio album, released in 2004.^[1] Its lead-off single, the Harley Allen co-write "When Somebody Knows You That Well", peaked at No.37 on the country charts, while the follow-up "Some Beach" became his third No.1 hit, holding that position for four weeks. It was followed by a cover of Conway Twitty's 1988 single "Goodbye Time".^[4] Both this cover and its followup, "Nobody but Me", reached Top Ten for Shelton as well. As with his first two albums, Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill was certified gold. Accompanying the album's release was a video collection entitled Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill: A Video Collection.^[1]

On December 18, 2005, several of Shelton's songs, including "Nobody but Me", appeared on the TV movie The Christmas Blessing, starring Neil Patrick Harris, Rebecca Gayheart, Angus T. Jones, and Rob Lowe. Shelton had a small role at the end of the movie, playing himself at a benefit concert, singing "Nobody but Me".

[edit] 2006–2008: Pure BS

Shelton issued his fourth studio album, Pure BS, in early 2007.^[1] Unlike with his first three albums, which were produced entirely by Bobby Braddock, Shelton worked with Braddock, Brent Rowan, and Paul Worley as producers for this album. Its first two singles—"Don't Make Me" and "The More I Drink"—were both Top 20 hits on the country charts, respectively reaching No.12 and #19. Also in late 2007, Shelton made appearances on television shows: first as a judge on the talent competition Nashville Star, and later on Clash of the Choirs.

Pure BS was re-released in 2008 with three bonus tracks, including a cover of Michael Bublé's hit single "Home". This cover, released in early 2008 as the album's third single, became his fourth No.1 hit in July.^[5]

[edit] 2008–2009: Startin' Fires

"Home" was followed in August 2008 by the single "She Wouldn't Be Gone", his 14th chart entry and his fifth No. 1 hit. It was the first time in his career that he had two consecutive Number Ones. "She Wouldn't Be Gone" is the lead-off to Shelton's fifth studio album, Startin' Fires, which has also produced the single "I'll Just Hold On." This album also includes "Bare Skin Rug," a duet with Lambert.^[6] It was produced by Scott Hendricks, except for one track which was produced by Brent Rowan, and another ("I Don't Care", which carried over from Pure BS) was produced by Braddock.^[7]

[edit] 2009–2011: Hillbilly Bone and All About Tonight

After "I'll Just Hold On" fell off the chart in October 2009, Blake Shelton released a duet with Trace Adkins titled "Hillbilly Bone." It was the lead-off single on Shelton's EP, Hillbilly Bone, released on March 2, 2010 through Reprise Records Nashville. After "Hillbilly Bone" reached No.1 in February, came the August release of "All About Tonight", the lead-off single to his EP of the same name. In September, he released the second single from All About Tonight, "Who Are You When I'm Not Looking", his 18th single release. He released his first greatest hits album, Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton in November 2010.

Shelton was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry during the September 28, 2010 "Country Comes Home" concert celebrating reopening of the Grand Ole Opry House after the Cumberland River flooded the Opry House in May 2010. The formal invitation was extended on his Twitter account and was announced by Opry star Trace Adkins.^[8] He was formally inducted by Adkins at the Saturday, October 23, 2010 Opry performance.

Shelton recorded the title track for the "Footloose" remake film released on October 14th, 2011.

Blake Shelton appeared on the 44th Annual Country Music Awards on November 10, 2010 where he performed "All About Tonight" and won Male Vocalist of the Year.^[9]

Shelton will serve as a judge/coach to singers on the 2011 NBC reality television series The Voice.^[10]

[edit] 2011–present: Red River Blue

Blake Shelton released the album Red River Blue on July 12, 2011, led by the single, "Honey Bee". The song received 138,000 downloads in its first week and was certified gold in its seventh week, setting a new record for the fastest gold certification by a male country singer.^[11] On June 13, 2011, in its tenth chart week, "Honey Bee" went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming his ninth #1 and his fastest-climbing. The album was expected to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 with around 110,000 copies sold.^[12] "God Gave Me You", a cover of a Dave Barnes song, was the album's second single; it also reached #1. "Drink On It", the fifth song on the album, hit #1 in April 2012, giving him his 11th #1 song. On April 30, 2012, Blake performed "Over" on the Semi-finals of the second season of The Voice. "Over" later debuted at #53 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs on 19 May, 2012.^[13]

Blake Shelton is a coach on the NBC show The Voice. His finalist Dia Frampton came in second. He returned for a second season of the show with Jermaine Paul as the champion ^[14]. Frampton also recorded a track with Shelton titled "I Will" on her album Red, released December 6, 2011.

Blake Shelton took the stage with Miranda Lambert at Super Bowl XLVI in February 2012 to open the event by singing a duet version of “America the Beautiful”. It marked their first TV performance since their headlining nuptials in May 2011.

Television[link]

[edit] 2011–present: The Voice

In 2011, Shelton became a coach on NBC's new show, The Voice, along with Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine.

In season 1, Shelton became the runner-up coach as his final team member, Dia Frampton, won second place of the season.

In season 2, Shelton became the winning coach as his final team member, Jermaine Paul, was declared winner of the season.

Season 3 of The Voice will air in the fall of 2012. All four judges have signed on to return. ^[15]

Personal life[link]

Shelton married longtime girlfriend Kaynette Gern on November 17, 2003. They divorced in 2006.

Shelton is now married to fellow country singer Miranda Lambert, whom he met at the CMT's 100 Greatest Duets Concert.^[16] Lambert also sang background vocals on his cover of Michael Bublé's song, "Home", which became a Number 1 single on the Hot Country Songs chart. On May 9, 2010, after dating for four years,^[17] Shelton proposed to Miranda, after seeking (and receiving) her father's blessing.^[17][18]

Shelton and Lambert were married on May 14, 2011 at Don Strange Ranch in Boerne, Texas.^[17] 550 people were in attendance, including many celebrities, such as Reba McEntire, Cee Lo Green, Martina McBride, Kelly Clarkson, Dierks Bentley, Charles Kelley, and the Bellamy Brothers. After the wedding, Shelton expressed his joy stating, "I wanted to be married to Miranda the day I proposed. Finally, it's official!"^[19] Blake and Miranda reside in the small town of Tishomingo, OK, located in the Texoma area.

On January 17, 2012, Shelton's father, Dick, 71, died in Oklahoma, following a period of declining health.^[20][21]

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Blake Shelton (2001)
• The Dreamer (2003)
• Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill (2004)
• Pure BS (2007)
• Startin' Fires (2008)
• Red River Blue (2011)

Extended plays

• Blake Shelton: Collector's Edition (2008)
• Hillbilly Bone (2010)
• All About Tonight (2010)

Compilation albums

• Blake Shelton – The Essentials (2009)
• Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton (2010)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Website
• Blake Shelton at the Internet Movie Database

Ben Moon (born 13 June 1966) is a rock climber from England. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Moon, along with his climbing partner Jerry Moffatt drove forward the level of sport climbing in the UK especially, but also throughout the world. He was the first person to climb a route at the grade of (French) 8c+, establishing Hubble at Raven Tor. At its inception, Hubble was the hardest sport route in the world, where the crux consists of a Font 8B boulder problem. Moon is best known for short and powerful routes and boulder problems.

Moon's first officially declared 8c routes had somewhat controversial names. The routes were both in France and had been previously attempted for a long time by local climbers. After climbing them Moon named them after French military disasters, first the Maginot Line and secondly Agincourt. Apart from his choice of naming, and the inevitable rivalry that comes from being part of the British Competition Climbing Team, Moon's relationship with French climbers seems to be on a friendly basis.^{[citation needed]}

As of 2004 Moon is still climbing, although he now concentrates on bouldering and also giving courses to climbers. He has also started an equipment company, moon, his second after splitting from his partner in his previous company, S7.

Moon shot the photographs for the book Girl on the Rocks: A Woman's Guide to Climbing with Strength, Grace and Courage (2009), which won the 2009 National Outdoor Book Award (Instructional).

Films[link]

• The Real Thing (1996)
• Hard Grit (1998)
• Winter Sessions
• Stone Love (2001)

External links[link]

• Ben Moon interview
• [1] Pictures of Moon in action at Fontainebleau
• Moon Climbing website
• Moon on training

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This biographical article relating to the skilled act of climbing or mountaineering is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Dom Kennedy
Kennedy performing at the 2011 Paid Dues Festival in San Bernardino, CA
Background information
Birth name	Dominic Hunn
Also known as	DOM
Born	(1984-08-22) August 22, 1984 (age 27) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Origin	Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California
Genres	West Coast hip hop
Occupations	Rapper
Years active	2008–present
Labels	OpM - Other People's Money (Independent)
Associated acts	Pac Div, Skeme, J Skillz, Curren$y, Brandun DeShay, cARTer, Schoolboy Q, Polyester The Saint, Kendrick Lamar, Casey veggies, Dat Nigga DeWayne Ward,
Website	DopeItsDom [1], Twitter [2], Myspace [3]

Dominic Hunn (born August 22, 1984)^[1], better known by his stage name Dom Kennedy, is an American rapper from Leimert Park, Los Angeles, California.^[2] Since 2008, Kennedy has released 5 Independent record label mixtapes, most notably his 2010 "critically acclaimed mixtape"^[3] From the Westside with Love. His first commercial studio album From the Westside with Love II was released on iTunes June 28, 2011.^[4]. Despite it being his iTunes debut, FTWSWL2 received "a top 10 spot on Hip Hop/Rap albums chart during its release week"^[5] and was Kennedy's first album associated with The OpM Company, Kennedy's self established record label.

Early life[link]

Dom Kennedy was born on August 22, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. In an interview with music media outlet IMFlashy, Kennedy describes his childhood growing up as "normal".^[1] After his parents' divorce, Kennedy moved with his mother to Leimert Park.^[3] Upon graduating high school, Kennedy enrolled in junior college, majoring in business management. He studied a few classes briefly before eventually leaving to focus solely on his music.^[3]

Music career[link]

Working with his cousin Jason Madison,^[3] Kennedy released his debut mixtape album 25th Hour in 2008, instantly producing a buzz throughout the south side of L.A. In particular, the song "Watermelon Sundae" was widely played on local radio stations and performed live throughout the area, bringing more attention to Kennedy's music ambitions. Around this time, Kennedy's cousin Madison was a film student at Loyola Marymount University,^[3] sparking the beginning importance of visuals in Kennedy's later projects.

After his 25th Hour debut, Kennedy released 2 additional mixtapes in 2009; Best After Bobby (the title referring to "Bobby" Robert Kennedy), and Future Street/Drug Sounds. For the Best After Bobby mixtape, Kennedy collaborated with West Coast heavy hitter DJ Sour Milk and the Los Angeles Leakers, producing an instant buzz in underground circles across the country.^[6] Within the first hours of dropping the mixtape, Kennedy amassed over 10,000 downloads,^[6] officially solidifying his name among some of the top rappers in L.A.

However, with the release of From the Westside With Love in 2010, Kennedy became a major hit throughout the underground hip hop scene L.A. Gaining over 100,000 internet downloads,^[7] Kennedy began receiving praise from many established figures within the game. As reported by Texas based, major music festival South by Southwest, "Dom Kennedy has been verbally endorsed by many, including The Hundreds, Kenny Burns, Rick Ross, Taz Arnod of Sa-Ra, 9th Wonder, Murs, The Game, Justice League, DJ Mormile, Alchemist (producer), and Don Cannon just to name a few".^[7] With the success of From the Westside With Love, Kennedy became a major player on the independent circuit, traveling for performances throughout and outside the country; including a show in Dijibouti, Africa.^[2] Kennedy also began releasing an extensive amount of visual material at this time, including From the Westside With Love music videos for songs such as "1997", "Locals Only", and "The 4 Heartbeats".

In early 2011, Kennedy released his 5th studio mixtape The Original Dom Kennedy, a tape meant to reflect Kennedy's individuality and sound as an artist. In an interview with MTV News reporter James Lacsina, Kennedy described the project as something that was a testament to himself in the rap game as well as the city he proudly represents:

.^[2]

Kennedy also took a personal stance in the mixtape against major hip hop DJ and producer Funkmaster Flex.^[2] On his song "The Homies", Kennedy takes shots at Flex's disparaging remarks regarding the late California rapper Tupac Shakur: "Shit I heard Funk Flex say that Pac ain't shit/ and I hope when you see him that he slap your mouth/"

Influences[link]

Kennedy is often heard proclaiming his hometown rep one liner "Leimert Park what's cool". As a kid, Kennedy describes himself as being highly influenced by artists such as "The Notorious B.I.G., Outkast, and LL Cool J"^[1] through the fact that by simply listening to their music, he could feel a sense of where they were from.^[8] With his music, Kennedy does the same thing, bringing the feel of the inner city streets of L.A. to anyone willing to listen. In an interview with Hip Hop DX, Kennedy talks about the influence behind the L.A. sound in his music:

Kennedy has rapped over a wide range of past and present hip hop beats in his career, consistently bringing the element of L.A. and West Coast hip hop to his music.^[9] Such beats include Big Poppa^{[disambiguation needed ]} on the track "Notorious Dom" (25th Hour) and Best I Ever Had (Drake song) on the track "Best You Never Had" (Best After Bobby). South by Southwest reports major music executive John Monopoly as saying "He is going to get signed".^[7]

Performances[link]

Dom Kennedy after his performace at the NC A&T’s Aggiefest 2011 in North Carolina

Kennedy has performed in a wide variety of venues from local clubs in L.A. to the campus of Georgetown University.^[10] In 2010, Kennedy performed a major, hip hop music festival Paid Dues in San Bernardino, California.^[11] Other performer included those such as People Under the Stairs, Curren$y, and Jake One.

In 2011, Kennedy performed at premier film festival South by Southwest's Music Matters Show in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show was hosted by cable entertainment network Black Entertainment Television.^[12] Both his performance and that of East Coast rapper J. Cole's were featured online by major, hip hop music magazine The Source (magazine). Kennedy performed his first show outside of the U.S. also in 2011 in Dijibouti, Africa.^[13]

Following the release of From the Westside With Love II, Kennedy headlined at The Key Club in West Hollywood, California alongside fellow West Coast rappers Overdoz, Epic Twelve, and Black Cobain.^[14] Marketed as the show on "7.1.11", the event was sold out, prompting another show the following week, marketed as the "7.7.11" show.^[14]

Endorsements & Marketing[link]

Outside of the music realm, Kennedy is also an avid promoter of fashion, appearing on the Sneaker Pimps Tour in Los Angeles back in 2007.^[15] "Sneaker Pimps is the worlds largest touring sneaker hip-hop lifestyle exhibition",^[16] featuring celebrity autographed sneakers as well as live music performances by collaborating artists. Past artists to appear include: Nas, Lupe Fiasco, DJ Premier, Public Enemy, Bun B, Redman, Pete Rock, along with many others.^[16] In 2009, Kennedy co-signed with California based clothing line and marketing agency The Hundreds.^[17]

After the release of his Original Dom Kennedy mixtape,^[18] Dom was featured on the cover of Jenesis Magazine as part of their 4th Year Anniversary.

Kennedy is also one of the front running young rappers associated with the JUST BE COOL Campaign and LAx Paperboys. He is often heard promoting the global, lifestyle brand through lines in his raps such as "just be cool". During an interview with BarrelHouse BKLYN, Kennedy describes the movement as something that started with a crew of inner city kids in L.A. who "just wanted to do something positive".^[19]

Discography[link]

Mixtapes[link]

• 25th Hour (2008)
• FutureStreet/DrugSounds (2009)
• Best After Bobby: Mixed by LA Leakers (2009)
• From The Westside With Love (2010)
• The Original Dom Kennedy (2011)

Commercial Albums[link]

• From The Westside With Love II (2011)
• Yellow Album (2012)

Guest Appearances[link]

• "The Life I Know" with cARTer
• "Cooking Up" with cARTer
• "Cali's Finest" from cARTer's mixtape Legal Trappin
• "The Preview" with cARTer
• "Get Through" with Casey veggies
• "Hall of Fame" with C-San
• "Ridin Round Town Remix" with Casey veggies
• "Friends. Women. Money" from Fly.Union's album TGTC
• "Like That" from Fly.Union mixtape Value Pack 4
• "Don't Forget the Swishers" from Pac Div mixtape Don't Mention it
• "Everybody Knows Us" from Pac Div mixtape Don't Mention it
• "Fat Raps Remix" from Big Sean's mixtape Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG
• "She Needs Me Remix" from Kendrick Lamar's mixtape Overly Dedicated
• "GoodTalk" from Smoke DZA mixtape George Kush Da Button
• "Show Her The Way" from Terrace Martin's mixtape Here, My Dear
• "No Stress" from Skeme's mixtape The Statement
• "LA Night" from Skeme's mixtape Pistols & Palm Trees
• "Racing Stripes" from Curren$y's mixtape Smokee Robinson
• "Real Estates" from Curren$y's album Pilot Talk II
• "Counting My Money" from OverDoz. mixtape Live For, Die For
• "Time" with Juicy J
• "Bun B For President" with J. Cole
• "2 Sports Cars" with CurT@!n$
• "Right Back" with brandUn DeShay
• "Weekend Chic" with Polyester
• "Get Through" from Casey Veggie's Sleeping In Class
• "Miss Donna Karan" from L.A.U.S.D. mixtape L.A.U.S.D. Presents: Curly Tops & Nautica Jackets
• "L.A. To Chicago" from G.o.D. Jewels mixtape Glory or Death
• "Hennesy Beach" from Curren$y's mixtape Verde Terrace
• "There They Go" from Freddie Gibbs' mixtape Fuckin Wit Fred
• "Ridin' Roun Town (Remix)" from Casey Veggie's Sleeping In Class: Deluxe Edition
• "I Need That" from Nipsey Hussle's mixtape The Marathon Continues
• "Menace II Society" from Freddie Gibbs' mixtape Cold Day In Hell
• "Smoke On" from Statik Selektah's album Population Control
• "Pow Wow" from Smoke DZA's album Rolling Stoned & Jet Life's (Curren$y's rap group) collaboration album Jet World Order (Bonus Loud Pack edition)
• "Grooveline Pt. 1" from Schoolboy Q's album Habits & Contradictions
• "Doing My Thang" from Le$ mixtape Menace
• "Playa For Life" from Too Short's album No Trespassing
• "It Ain't Really Nuthin" with Rich Hil
• "Cali Livin'" with YG

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dom Kennedy (rapper)

• DopeItsDom [4]
• Paid Dues Independent Music Hip Hop Festival Archives [5]
• SXSW Music [6]
• Dom Kennedy on Myspace
• Dom Kennedy on Twitter
• LAxpaperboys.com
• Justbecool.net