Domination Recordings

From Rob Swift:

After a successful show in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 1st (Utah, thank you for the love!!!) and only 4 hours sleep combined between Total Eclipse, Precision and myself, we hopped on a non stop flight back to the BIG APPLE for the most important show we've had since forming Ill Insanity! The place, Hunter College! Alongside break dancers Supreme Beings and Hip Hop artist Talib Kweli. After a flight I thought would never end, we got home with only enough time to drop off our luggage, shower, suit up for business, and troop it out to Gotham City!

Sound hectic? Well factor in we didn't make it to Hunter in time for a proper sound check. Oh, and did I mention we were the opening act? Yes, no time to chill, mingle or take in the vibe of the sold out audience. We literally did a line check of each turntable as people were walking in and taking their seats. But at 8:15pm we took to the decks and proceeded to showcase why we call ourselves ILL INSANITY. Long story short, mission accomplished!!!

I would like to thank... Arthur (Say Word Entertainment and) and Hunter College for giving us the opportunity to play at such a historic, respectable school. Rabbi Darkside (our host for the evening), DJ Center ("Right On" brother - haha), Supreme Being and Talib Kweli - it was a pleasure sharing the stage with all of you. RANE, specifically, Dean Standing and Mike May - your unconditional support has made it possible for us to share what we do with the world and I want you two to know Ill Insanity will always have your backs! Christie Z. Pabon, thank you for helping us spread the word. Our booking agents, Premiere Artists Group and Hot Wheelz, thank you guys for helping us reach the masses live and in the flesh. Iller Clothing for providing us with the flyest tour gear. To all those that have supported us (family, girlfriends, friends and fans) - THANK YOU - consider yourselves the fuel that keep us going. And last but not least, I would like to thank the critics, the non believers, ooooohhhhh and especially the haters - please don't stop the hate, please don't stop the asinine comparisons to the X-ecutioners, please... it only makes us stronger! The next project is already in the works!!!

For more details on the Hunter College concert, please read the review below or simply log on to
http://smokingsection.rawkus.com/TSS/?p=4234. Our album GROUND XERO is available at www.fatbeats.com or log on to the iTunes Store.

Review of Hunter College concert featuring Ill Insanity, Supreme Beings and Talib Kweli

"By now, we're all familiar with Nas' hotly-debated proclamation "Hip-Hop Is Dead." The Hip-Hop fans who packed the Assembly Hall of Hunter College on May 2nd, however, may think otherwise. That's because they were treated to a great concert headlined by Brooklyn's outstanding wordsmith, Talib Kweli.

The sold-out concert also featured the celebrated DJ crew Ill Insanity, formerly known as The X-Ecutioners. Accomplished DJ's Rob Swift, Total Eclipse and Precision (the U.S. champion of 2007's DMC competition) make up the super-group of turntable specialists. Ill Insanity's Fat Beats-distributed album, Ground Xero, is an acclaimed
gem that features the trio (and other prestigious spinners such as Q-Bert and former X-Ecutioner, Roc Raida) cutting and scratching over neck-snapping, boom-bap instrumentals. The LP's lone vocalist, Long Island-bred rapper Dashah, shines brightly on the track "Decorated Vets."

Ill Insanity opened the concert with a set full of turntable theatrics that wowed the audience. With their well-timed routines and lightning quick hands, Ill Insanity mixed and manipulated the vinyl to do their
bidding. The trio worked like an orchestra, chopping and scratching in unison; the DJs also had solo moments as well. After Ill Insanity received a standing ovation for their 22-minute set, four-man breakdance crew Supreme Beings attacked the stage with their gravity-defying moves. The group's energetic headspins, handstands and
backflips electrified the Hall. Much to the crowd's delight, Supreme Beings unearthed a seemingly forgotten element of Hip-Hop culture, and did it extremely well. Crazy Legs of the Rock Steady Crew would've been proud.

With the hyped-up fans on their feet and ready for the main course, Talib Kweli finally touched down and brought the energy level to fever pitch. Kweli's fourth and latest solo album, Eardrum, has sold 251,500 copies, making it his highest-selling LP to date. Kweli performed hits from all of his solo albums and reached deeper into his catalog for "Definition," the single that put him and Mos Def on the map as the duo Black Star. Not only did Kweli perform his own songs, he also got the crowd to sing-along as his DJ spun 80's hits like "Sweet Dreams"
by Eurythmics. Kweli even had Supreme Beings accompany him onstage to flaunt more of their breakdance routines to the oldies-but-goodies. It was an improvised moment that embodied the spirit of organic Hip-Hop;
a spirit that was alive and kicking at Hunter College.

Much to the disappointment of the stone-faced cops waiting to crack skulls outside, the elated fans were orderly and there were no arrests to be made when the concert was over. There would be no episodes of violence for the local tabloids to put on blast(I¡Ä(B too bad for them." - By Khalid Strickland