Hot Karl: "Sumpn Changed" Video

Video description: When hip-hop began its attack on mainstream culture in the mid-80's, it found itself in some pretty strange neighborhoods. It started to influence kids that the music was never intended for. Shows like Yo! MTV Raps and national tours from Run DMC brought rap music to uncharted territories never thought of during its birth in the projects. This is when the suburbs discovered rap music. And so did Hot Karl. Hot Karl, born Jensen-Gerard Karp (23), grew up in Calabasas, CA, a secluded suburb only a few miles away from the Malibu beaches. He listened to N.W.A. and Slick Rick, never relating to their subject matter or lifestyle, but loving the artform. It wasn't long before Karl began writing his own lyrics, hiding it from his affluent neighbors who still looked down at rap music and its possibilities. Karl continued to write lyrics, enter battles and freestyle at USC (where he graduated Cum Laude 2001), creating the Hot Karl persona. This is when Karl decided to call into a Los Angeles radio show to rap on the Roll Call competition, where he lasted a record 30 days on air to become the all-time champion and create a surprising buzz in LA. As managers and labels began to call, Karl created a demo exhibiting his style of witty satire and tight rhymes with help from Limp Bizkit's DJ Lethal. Karl weighed out his options from the firestorm of interest and eventually signed with Interscope Records, where he created what was to be his debut CD. "Your Housekeeper Hates You? included guest appearances by Redman, Fabolous, DJ Quik, Mya, Sugar Ray, DJ Clue and MC Serch. Once Interscope informed Karl that his CD could not be commercially released due to ?scheduling conflicts,? he asked for his immediate release, hoping to return to his underground roots and stay away from this corporate side of the music industry that he slowly began to hate. As Karl continues his attempt to "make hip-hop fun," he never focuses on the morbid world of rap and violence that continue to prove strong sales. "I'm only going to speak about things I know," Karl explains. "My keeping it real is much different than most other MC's." Karl has recently signed with EMI Publishing and found his music (as well as likeness) in the video game, NBA Live 2003, proving that leaving a major label is hardly an ending - but rather just another beginning. It's gonna be a fun ride as Karl attempts to introduce his upbringing and signature humor to the culture of hip-hop. It's time to realize the magnitude of rap music's influence, as well as time for some unlikely voices to have their chance.

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Hip Hop artist Eternia has graced the cover of Toronto's "The Eyeopener," Vancouver's "Terminal City," and Sydney Australia's "Homebase." All three magazines had one thing in common: they saw in Eternia a fiery commitment to succeed and growing star potential. If Eternia's unrelenting drive and incomparable skill is any indication, it will not be long before the rest of the world scrambles for the coattails of this lyrical phenomenon. Meet Canada's answer to: 'Who's Got Next?' For twenty-five years Eternia has contributed to the positive musical vibrations around her. Born to parents who were extremely musically inclined, she began performing in church as a toddler, and continued throughout her teens. At age eight she was introduced to the culture that would captivate her for life: Hip Hop. Eternia started reciting lyrics, and before long, she was scribing her own extraordinary material. However, it was just a hobby until 1994, when she decided to take emceeing seriously; from local stages to radio stations - no microphone has been safe ever since. Eternia has tightened her skills in street ciphers, studio sessions, and live shows. She?s rocked rhymes from crowded subway cars in the Bronx, to ciphers outside of the Nuyorican Poet's Cafe (Manhattan), to street corners in Philadelphia. Eternia honed her stage presence at a variety of N.Y.C. venues including Wetlands, S.O.B.?s, Bowery Ballroom, and Baby Jupiter, which grew to performances across the U.S.A. in every major city/state mentionable. In Canada, she?s rocked crowds and rhymed on campus radio stations from Halifax, N.S. all the way to Vancouver, B.C. In 2003, Eternia extended her musical experience overseas, where Australia proved to be fruitful ground for her vivacious lyrical passion. Following a slew of successful singles, videos & feature releases including ?Work it Out?, ?Sorrow Song? (Universal/Maple), ?Understand if I? (Battle Axe Records), & ?Just the Way it Is? (Urbnet), and the Australian national chart-topper ?Movin?? (Warner), Eternia released ?Where I Been ? The Collection? in spring 2005, a mix CD of Eternia?s past releases, exclusive drops, unreleased material, international collaborations, and fresh singles. The Collection served to prepare the public for her Debut Full-Length Album, ?It?s Called Life?, funded by FACTOR Canada and executive-produced by Eternia. The highly anticipated album was released across Canada and in Australia this October, 2005. A graduate in Broadcast Journalism and Sociology from Ryerson University, Eternia?s work ethic and commitment to her craft is unparalleled in the urban music industry. As an emcee, Eternia's focus is potent content, along with innovative lyricism, delivery and style. "I write life music. Sometimes I'm criticized for being too negative or too dark. I'm inspired by my family and personal relationships, and that stuff isn't always happy at times," she says. "It's amazing when you see your fans in the crowd react to lyrics, like 'That?s exactly how I was feeling!' That's why I make music, I want to affect people."

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