A Taste:

2pac, Pantera, Stone Temple Pilots, Z-Ro, Michael Jackson

Rock n’ roll needed a gangsta.

For a long time, there’s been a void for a badass with real attitude, swagger and talent to step in and take over. Houston-born, L.A.-based MC Hyro da Hero seized the moment, and he’s ready for both hip hop and rock supremacy.

Hyro is armed with a fiery flow and a rock n’ roll intensity that makes his “gangsta rock” simply explosive. Looking at his playlist, it’s clear that Hyro knows his shit when it comes to both rock and rap. He opened up his iTunes for ARTISTdirect.com editor and Dolor author Rick Florino in this exclusive feature. Check out Hyro’s playlist below and be sure to keep your eyes on him…see his video for “Dirty South Rock” below!

Hyro da Hero’s Playlist:

1. Hyro da Hero — “Dirty South Rock”

One must always listen to something amazing to start the day!

See the video here!

2. 2pac — “Nothin’ to Lose”

I love this track! I can’t find it in good quality so I always listen to it on Youtube.

3. At the Drive-In — “One Armed Scissor”

Amazing song, amazing CD, awesome band…and they rep Texas like I do!

4. Pantera — “Cemetery Gates”

I sit back and close my eyes and vibe to this all the way through. The Dimebag strings at the beginning make a brother lose it. I repeat it over and over—Texas reppin’.

5. 50 Cent — “Baby By Me”

Both versions—the song is catchy!

6. Flight of the Conchords — “The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room”When I first heard this I laughed so hard. Some girls are the most wonderful human beings, depending on the street.

7. Michael Jackson — “PYT”

An iPod is not complete without this!

8. The Bravery — “Believe”

The song had me hooked right at the beginning, I bump this when I’m skatin’ in LA!

9. Stone Temple Pilots — “Plush”

I loved the song already, but then I saw them in concert and loved it even more.

10. Z-Ro — “Too Many N*****”

If you are like me and come from where I’m from, you’ll dig this.

—Rick Florino
11.12.09

Check out Rick Florino’s new novel Dolor available now for FREE here…

Check out Hyro’s video for “Dirty South Rock” below!

A Taste:

2Pac, Young Jeezy, Outkast

Rapper Flo Rida is on top of the world. Having beat his own damn record for most digital single sales in a week with last year’s bumpin’ anthem “Low” from Mail on Sunday with “Right Round” from his forthcoming platter R.O.O.T.S., Flo has positioned himself as a major player in the hip-hop sphere.

His two singles even sold more individually than the super anticipated comeback track from Eminem, making Flo the record holder, something which he is proud of but not cocky about. (When asked about how he felt about the achievement, he uttered, “I was like, ‘Wow!’”) Despite the fact that everyone and their mother is cranking Flo jams, we decided to check in with Flo himself, who sports tattooed likenesses of Jimi Hendrix, James Brown and Tina Turner on his person, to find out what’s on top of his personal playlist.

Check out Flo Rida’s playlist below, and don’t forget to check out his latest album R.O.O.T.S. when it hits shelves this spring.

Flo Rida’s Playlist:

1. 2Pac — Me Against the World

2. Young Jeezy — The Recession

3. Flo Rida — R.O.O.T.S.

About his own forthcoming album, R.O.O.T.S., he comments, “People haven’t got it yet, obviously, but I am listening to mine, so I can remember the lyrics when I am performing!”

4. Outkast — Aquemeni

5. NOTORIOUS B.I.G. — Ready to Die

Flo saw the movie, Notorious, which was about the slain rapper’s life, and enjoyed it, saying, “I know some people had problems with the movie, since they were close to the situation, but I liked it a lot.”

— Amy Sciarretto
02.23.09