There's been a hip-hop scene in Tacoma since the early ‘80s, which means our city has hip-hop musical forefathers and veterans. One of the OG's of the Tacoma hip-hop scene is Awall, aka 2-Piece. Awall first broke into the scene back in the mid ‘90s when he hooked up with legendary Tacoma hip-hop label Felony Entertainment. Young Awall was featured on this label's early compilations and he released his first solo album through Felony. This was pre-MySpace hip-hop days. Tac' artists moved there product through mom-and-pop record shops, places like Galore Paging, and out of the trunks of cars. This was how music was circulated.

Then MySpace came and changed the game. Felony Entertainment didn't change with the times. Awall released another solo album through a movement he calls "Squashington Music." This name is a good example of Awall's uniquely creative Washington influence. He often refers to Squashington State and Sasquatches in his rhymes. The very mythology of our state is entrenched in his music. He's pure Tacoma. Thanks to enthusiastic management from Young Louie, and Awall's ability to embrace the digital music age, his career has never stalled. The Squashington movement caught wind even up north, where Seattle super-producer Boombox Massacre decided to feature Awall on his monumental Massacre Music Mixtapes. The Massacre Music Mixtape Volume 2 was one of the best releases of last year.

Awall's music is a great balance between street rhymes, lyrical braggadocio and some real clever, introspective writing. He comes across as an enthusiastic neighborhood MC who can put together some worldly rhymes. To introduce newer fans to his earlier music, Awall released a greatest-hits record a few weeks ago called Tacoma For Life.

Awall is a seasoned vet', and his stage reflects it. His energy picks up a notch; he has a theatrical yet pure hip-hop persona on stage; and he brings some of the area's best hype-men to liven things up (We see ya, Willie!). Catch Awall opening for Nappy Roots at Hell's Kitchen Friday, Sept. 16.

The best thing about Awall besides his unabashedly Tac-Town aesthetic is the fact Awall seems to be getting better with age.