San Francisco’s recently launched Upstar Records is pleased to announce the release of their first full-length music compilation titled “Hard to Ignore.” Upstar Records is a youth-led project of the Artistic Expression Program at Sunset Youth Services. The Album: It’s no secret that hip hop has gone main stream and by-in-large so has it’s message. It’ transformation from revolutionary street art to commercial packaging has left many enthusiasts wondering where to go from here. Bye Bye street politics. . . hello big mac’s, Bacardi ads, and frosty girls in bikini’s. Is hip hop dead? Can it be reclaimed? A group of Bay Area rappers and producers set out to do just that in the debute Compilation Release from youth-run Upstar Records. The beat production on this album is astounding, with music ranging from classic synth based club bangers, to introspective symphonic pieces. With over 15 vocalists contributing tracks the lyrics are strong and varied throughout ranging from socially critical, to deeply personal, to motivational. The Songs: Track 1: Woke Up: The lyrical content on this politically potent track mixes personal history with social critique. The energy of “Woke Up” is well rounded, positive, and decidedly catchy. Supported by a sizzling hook, exile launches into a verse concerned with the faltering state of the U.S. economy, greed, dispair, and educational decline – not exactly a mainstay of topics covered in modern hip hop. Gezz’s verse on “woke up” is an image of someone opening their eyes to opportunity and personal responsibility, “ I woke up feeling good today, couldn’t open my eyes cause-the bright sunrays and I gaze real quick and take a look at my life, have a baby on the way and a soon-to-be wife, that’s alright cause I’m doing my thing, out looking for a job instead of asking for change, start opening my mind and using my brain – use my resources well so I gotta maintain.” Track 6: “Three Mirrors” One of the most personally revealing tracks on the album this so solo performance by Lil Yay portrays a story about the young kid struggling to integrate the personalities he’s created to survive on the streets. With the swagger he’s become known for Lil Yay uses a signiture hook to draw the listener into the unfolding story “ This is a story of a young man in the sco – Frisco, You say he looks like a thug – Does that mean he’s a Gansta? No!” Track 11. “I’m Me:” While this club style knocker is guaranteed to have you on the dancefloor in a quick second, the lyricisim is both compelling and positive. Teaming up on the hook, B Gullie and Naj are decidedly unconcerned with the pressure to conform to the expectations of the industry or the street. “To be or not to be, Ima be what Ima be, don’t care what nobody say and that’s honesty-so honestly see you ain’t gotta like me but Ima do the right thing and worry bout me, So homey do you- cause Ima do me, I don’t care what they think cause Ima do me, Ima be what I gotta be and that’s me. “ Track 6: “Three Mirrors” One of the most personally revealing tracks on the album this so solo performance by Lil Yay portrays a story about the young kid struggling to integrate the personalities he’s created to survive on the streets. With the swagger he’s become known for Lil Yay uses a signiture hook to draw the listener into the unfolding story “ This is a story of a young man in the sco – Frisco, You say he looks like a thug – Does that mean he’s a Gansta? No!” The Mission: Since 2003, the Artistic Expression Program has served over 500 high-risk youth of San Francisco. The Program incorporates Digital Audio Recording and Engineering, Beat Sequencing, DJ Instruction, Instrumentation, and Digital Film Making. The youth (ages 10 – 20) in the Program have shown remarkable self-improvement, gaining confidence and developing transferable skills as they learn and interact with the very latest in digital technology. Founded as a non-profit in 1992, Sunset Youth Services’ mission is to foster long-term stability in high-risk youth and families through caring relationships, supportive services and dynamic programming. It currently benefits over 5,000 San Francisco youth and their families each year. www.sunsetyouthservices.org