Friday, June 30, 2006

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By Jeffrey Lee Puckett
jpuckett@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Nappy Roots and The Villebillies, arguably Kentucky's highest-profile hip-hop acts, share office space and a recording studio in downtown Louisville. They also share remarkably busy summer schedules.

Both perform Tuesday at the Fifth Third Bank Waterfront Independence Festival, with Morris Day and The Time, but that's the least of their commitments.

The Villebillies are gearing up for the Sept. 26 international release of a self-titled album on Universal Motown Records in conjunction with the band's own Rhythm N Booze imprint. It's the biggest hip-hop event around here since Nappy Roots debuted on Atlantic Records.

And Nappy Roots is using Tuesday's show to help celebrate the release of "Kentucky Kolonels Vol. I," an ambitious series of records designed to highlight Kentucky's hip-hop and rap scene.

Subtitled "Movers and Shakers," the CD will feature artists from Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, Franklin, Henderson and more. Static, KD, The Villebillies, Bukshot, Kommittee, G-Mack and Hurricane are among those involved.

Nappy Roots' Skinny DeVille said the band plans to release as many as two or three volumes per year.

"Being that we were able to come out of Kentucky, and being that we're Kentucky Colonels ourselves … I figured that it would be a good thing to give some of that shine to the other artists that need that first break," said DeVille, a Louisville native.

"I've seen a lot of artists that have a lot of good talent, a lot of drive, but they just need that back door open. Hopefully, we can provide that back door for some of the artists … and keep the light and the torch lit for Kentucky."

DeVille also hopes that "Kentucky Kolonels" will bring solidarity to an often fractious scene.

"At this point in the game, it's about unity; it's about unifying your city and your state. It's about having your state rise for you just as much as your family does," he said. "You see that with Texas; you see that with Atlanta. You're now starting to see it in Miami, and you've definitely always seen that with the East Coast and the West Coast."

The album, which DeVille describes as "summertime ride music," will be available locally Tuesday at Better Days West, ear X-tacy and Joe's Music Vault. It will be released Aug. 29 in the rest of Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia., Tennnessee, Alabama and Georgia.

"Let's identify Kentucky within the region first and then worry about the rest of the country," DeVille said. "People don't really understand Kentucky still. We're still looked at as country and slow and backwoods … but we have more to offer than people think."

Gates open at 4 for Tuesday's show at Waterfront Park, with The Villebilies performing at 5:30, Nappy Roots at 7:15 and Morris Day at 8:45. Fireworks are at 10. It's all free.

The Bottle Rockets are part of the days-long Fourth of July celebration at the Phoenix Hill Tavern, 644 Baxter Ave. The Missouri band, which makes some of the most unassuming and satisfying rock 'n' roll around, performs Sunday (8 p.m., $12).

Jeffrey Lee Puckett's "Sound Effects" column runs Fridays in EXTRA. On Saturday, his "Music" column runs in SCENE. You can call him at (502) 582-4160, fax him at (502) 582-4665 or e-mail him at jpuckett@courier-journal.com.

Online: Ask Jeffrey Lee a question at www.courier-journal.com/puckett

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