Flavor Mix #277 4/6 21h00

Before he rose to stardom in 2002, Lil Jon already worked behind the scenes of the music business. Between 1993 and 2000 he was an employee at Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label, where he compiled the "So So Def Bass All-Stars" series among other things. During this time, along with Big Sam and Lil Bo he founded the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Their first album "Get Crunk, Who U Wit" was released in 1997, widely unnoticed. The group's breakthrough came in 2002 with their fourth album "Kings Of Crunk". The hit single "Get Low" popularized the sub genre crunk, which until then had been a local Atlanta phenomenon. In the following years, Lil Jon's sound dominated the rap and r&b world. When the crunk hype died down in 2006, Lil Jon announced the rock album "Crunk Rock", which still remains unreleased. Meanwhile the rap millionaire is successful with other endeavors like his own energy drink Crunk!!! Already very popular in the States, this drink is now also available in Europe through the online shop Urban Drinks.

Lil Jon website: liljononline.com

After Bob Marley's death, a new music style emerged in Jamaica in the form of Dancehall. And Yellowman became one of the genre's first big stars. Born Winston Foster in Negril, Jamaica, in 1959, he grew up in a Kingston orphanage. Facing discrimination due to his albinism, he found salvation in music. After winning a talent contest, in the late 1970's Yellowman gained wide attention in his home country. Between 1981 and 1985, Yellowman would release over 25 albums, most notably "Zungguzungguguzungguzeng" in 1983. The single of the same title was later sampled by numerous artists including KRS-One, 2Pac and Junior M.A.F.I.A. While his explicit sexual lyrics earned him criticism in his early career, after a battle with cancer, Yellowman turned to social themes in the 1990's. He continues to perform to this day, while his latest album "Round 1" came out in 2005.

Yellowman on Myspace: myspace.com/kingyellowman

Princess Superstar, whose real name is Concetta Kirschner is not your typical rap artist. While others might describe her music style as alternative hip hop, the eccentric female calls her blend of rap, dance music and electronica simply 'flip flop'. Born 1971 in Spanish Harlem and growing up in Philadelphia, at the age of 17 she moved back to New York City to study acting at the NYU. After graduating, she put together a little band and released her debut album "Strictly Platinum" in 1995. Two more self-released lp's followed until she signed to German electronic label !K7 Records who put out her next album "Princess Superstar Is" in 2001, featuring Kool Keith, Bahamadia and The Herbaliser. The follow-up "My Machine" focused more on electronic music and saw her working with big name producers Todd Terry, Armand Van Helden, Boris Dlugosch and Arthur Baker. Last year, Princess Superstar appeared on Grandmaster Flash's comeback album "The Bridge".

Princess Superstar website: princesssuperstar.com

With Masta Ace and Ed O.G., two mc's have joined forces, whose careers show a lot of parallels. Both put their stamp on hip hop's golden era between the late eighties and early nineties. Opposed to the majority of their colleagues, after their prime, the two managed to stay relevant by keeping releasing constant quality music earning them a strong following until today. Brooklynite Masta Ace was part of the second generation of the legendary Juice Crew headed by Marley Marl making his first appearance on Marley's all time classic "The Symphony". While his strong debut album "Take A Look Around" was released in 1990, Ace had his biggest hit in "Born To Roll" three years later. Meanwhile, in 1991, Ed O.G. put his hometown Boston on the map with the release of the album "Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto" spawning the hit single "I Got To Have It".

After collaborating on many records over the last years, in 2009, Masta Ace and Ed O.G. decided to release their collabo album "Arts & Entertainment".

Masta Ace & Ed O.G. on myspace: myspace.com/aetheduo