LOCAL HIP-HOP FROM SOMEONE WHO KNOWS IT >>>

The Tri-Cities hip-hop scene started much later than the scene in Tacoma. Perhaps the first time people took note of it was around 1995, because of a compilation Shao Sosa was on. Shao (formerly known as Shaolin) is basically the father of Tri-Cities hip-hop. In the late ‘90s he released another compilation and his first solo album from the Tri-Cities - a rough-and-tumble region of our state if ya'll didn't know. Just like the streets of Tacoma, many young people get caught up in a criminal lifestyle in the Tri-Cities. This is Shao's story. He even had to go on a little "vacation," if ya know what I mean.

After serving his time there was nothing left for Shao to do in the Tri-Cities - he was already the biggest artist in that area. So he moves to Tacoma for a fresh start and with some positive motivation. Now he's tackling our scene.

Shao's second full-length solo album, The Gateway Drug, is a well-put-together project.

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