#NewMusicMonday - Kil Ripkin - Mindfree

This week's #NewMusicMonday has a New York vibe to it with Kil Ripkin - Mind Free off the album The Balancing Act on Soulspazm Records
A&R: Torae
Produced by Nyce & Don Newkirk.
Edited by Nathan Brue.



Hip hop is a culture that was created by and for the people, and when it comes to exibiting that love and passion for the art, nobody displays it like Kil Ripkin the Genereal, AKA The Ghetto Correspondent.

Growing up in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn N.Y., Kil set out on his journey to be the next big thing in hip hop. Kil began as a solo artist quietly establishing his name as some one to be wreckon with, earning the respect of his peers alike. Kil began producing his own music working under the tutelage of his big bro, songwriter, producer and engineer Don Newkirk (Smoking Heads). Kil also sharpend his skills working with long time engineer Filthy Rich (Yosumi Entertainment). Quickly establishing himself as an up and coming producer going under the name of (Storm) thru out the five boroughs, Kil hooked up with Boot Camp Affiliates Mighty Real and Rebel X.

They formed the rap alliance called the "Supreme Forces" who featured the likes of Space, Telepathic and the Young Veteran Torae. Working on a Rebel X solo project, Kil and Reb decided to form the New York underground group "The F.E.D.S". The two were a deadly combo releasing several underground hits including the single released on Step In Deep Productions, titled Drama featuring Rasheeda. Kil has put in work with several other artist and groups like, I.G.T formerly of loud records, Get Doe Entertainment, Stix (Horror City), Kings Kounty Records, The Plague, and several comilation albums most notably Game Over released on Yosumi Records.

Credits also include co writing and producing songs on 40 Acres, Get on The Bus and Crooklyn soundtracks, and most of the production on Torae's Coney Island Finest mix tape.

After years of producing for several artist and the split of the FEDS, Rip turned his focus back to his solo career and started working on the revolutionary banger Black Power Black Love The Buz CD, with production from Kil, Don Newkirk and Valentine of I.G.T. The album became the theme music for the revolutionary Uhuru movement that was taking place in Brooklyn, and Kil's passion grew even more to get his message across. Kil's Stage prowess filled many venues throughout the New York area which made his shows the place to be.

Off the success of Black Power Black Love, Kil and his Coney Island bretheren Torae continued to groom their work together and with the help of then manager (Squirrel) Attic Entertainment, they linked up with up and coming DJ Vega Bennenton and his partner Wally Suede and together they formed the hip hop super group The Coalescence. They released the underground hit Promises and the group was nominated for two undergroung music awards including song of the year.

The Coalescence will be back in the lab soon but until then expect alot of heat from the General starting with the Balancing Act produced by Mikal Evans (Deep Rooted) Raticus and Eric G. The music is soulful, truthful, spiritual and rebelious. Surely after one listen to Kil Ripkin you will realize very quickly what hip hop truly sounds like.

Kil Ripkin YouTube Channel
Kil Ripkin MySpace
Kil Ripkin Facebook Fan Page