At 30, Hopsin is one of second-generation Hip Hop’s old guard, a genre veteran for nearly half his life who has used devices both fresh (white contact lenses that give him the appearance of an extra in Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, YouTube promotion, a positive spin in his lyrical message) and time-tested (artist feuds, label conflicts, a fake retirement announcement, run-ins with the law, an acting career) to widen his exposure.
That strategy has resulted in gold singles, extensive national and international tours and increasing success on Billboard’s various album charts, including a Top-20 debut for this past summer’s Pound Syndrome. Read more about Hopsin in this week’s Sound Advice.
See Hopsin with SwizZz, Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton and DJ Hoppa Thursday at Bogart’s. More info/tickets:
bogarts.com .
This article appears in Oct 7-13, 2015.