Hip-hop duo spreads multiculturalism through music
Cristina Cala
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Entertainment
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Eight years ago, Napier brought a daughter - Jaida - to the family, before it was DaBoondox. Napier, a communications major, has been in and out of classes at YSU while raising Jaida.
"I value education," he stated, but admits, "I struggle with it."
Napier and Killin's first project was a six-member, rock hip-hop band called "Twitch" in the mid-'90s, with Napier on vocals and Killin on turntables. When Napier left the live band, Killin became vocalist and deejay, but the new millennium would prove the two inseparable.
"I got out of it, Jeff stayed with it, then we hooked back up in 2002," Napier said.
They've been DaBoondox ever since. Napier serves as vocalist and co-producer, while Killin, producer and vocalist, creates beats for the approximate 40 songs on the DaBoondox's two albums: "Armpit of Da States" and "Wounded World." They prove true to their word when it comes to non-materialistic content, in songs like "Unity," "Medication" and "Don't Be Afraid."
"Unity" is about unifying all races and dropping stereotypes; "Medication" is a commentary of Americans' dependency on synthetic chemicals and drugs; "Don't Be Afraid," when performed live, is a theatrical skit that parodies President George W. Bush and Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. DaBoondox has a seven-to-eight-member cast that includes singer Jackie Genovese, dancers and actors. During "Don't Be Afraid," two actors wearing Bush and Laden masks shake hands and stand behind podiums.
The self-sponsored group has performed live at Cedar Lounge and Barley's in Youngstown and The Cellar in Struthers.
"We bring the party," Napier said, explaining that DaBoondox has drawn local crowds upwards of 200.
After Napier graduates, he and Killin plan to move and get signed in Columbus, where they have been making contacts in about 15 clubs around The Ohio State University campus and the city's Arena District.
DaBoondox's next Youngstown gig is tentative for April at Barley's. Recent work includes "Game Time," a fight song the duo wrote in support of YSU sports.
"They played it in the pre-game at the last home game [of the] regular season," Napier said, adding that "Game Time" has aired at YSU basketball games this season.
The duo, whose stage names are "Mayhem Da Millennium Predator" and "DJ Killin," is planning its third album: "Black Thunda and White Lightning in the Perfect Storm."
Listen to music from the duo's first albums by searching "DaBoondox" on MySpace.
As Killin says, "Bring back the real hip-hop!"
"I value education," he stated, but admits, "I struggle with it."
Napier and Killin's first project was a six-member, rock hip-hop band called "Twitch" in the mid-'90s, with Napier on vocals and Killin on turntables. When Napier left the live band, Killin became vocalist and deejay, but the new millennium would prove the two inseparable.
"I got out of it, Jeff stayed with it, then we hooked back up in 2002," Napier said.
They've been DaBoondox ever since. Napier serves as vocalist and co-producer, while Killin, producer and vocalist, creates beats for the approximate 40 songs on the DaBoondox's two albums: "Armpit of Da States" and "Wounded World." They prove true to their word when it comes to non-materialistic content, in songs like "Unity," "Medication" and "Don't Be Afraid."
"Unity" is about unifying all races and dropping stereotypes; "Medication" is a commentary of Americans' dependency on synthetic chemicals and drugs; "Don't Be Afraid," when performed live, is a theatrical skit that parodies President George W. Bush and Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. DaBoondox has a seven-to-eight-member cast that includes singer Jackie Genovese, dancers and actors. During "Don't Be Afraid," two actors wearing Bush and Laden masks shake hands and stand behind podiums.
The self-sponsored group has performed live at Cedar Lounge and Barley's in Youngstown and The Cellar in Struthers.
"We bring the party," Napier said, explaining that DaBoondox has drawn local crowds upwards of 200.
After Napier graduates, he and Killin plan to move and get signed in Columbus, where they have been making contacts in about 15 clubs around The Ohio State University campus and the city's Arena District.
DaBoondox's next Youngstown gig is tentative for April at Barley's. Recent work includes "Game Time," a fight song the duo wrote in support of YSU sports.
"They played it in the pre-game at the last home game [of the] regular season," Napier said, adding that "Game Time" has aired at YSU basketball games this season.
The duo, whose stage names are "Mayhem Da Millennium Predator" and "DJ Killin," is planning its third album: "Black Thunda and White Lightning in the Perfect Storm."
Listen to music from the duo's first albums by searching "DaBoondox" on MySpace.
As Killin says, "Bring back the real hip-hop!"
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