Hip hop is tired of being hip-hop. Kanye is diving further into fashion, Lil’ Wayne is engaged in a torrid affair with rock & roll, and everyday a new rapper starts a film career. Some fans claim that artists need to branch out creatively to express themselves, while some cynics scream that strolling down every media avenue is just a shrewd attempt at getting rich. Whatever the case, spreading talent too thin leads to a decline in quality music. Cliché rants about Hip hop being dead come to mind. Just as we were all beginning to dread flipping on the radio, fresh voices are pumping in new blood to revive the music industry.

Such is the case with U-N-I, a rap duo hailing from Los Angeles, California. Their music seems to immediately connect with people. After releasing their first mixtape, Fried Chicken and Watermelon in 2007, U-N-I has been receiving increasing amounts of recognition from both listeners and the press, with growing coverage and performance opportunities. Avid rap heads have greeted each offering with the same greedy anticipation. Their follow-up mixtape Before There Was Love caused the blogosphere to ignite with reviews and promises of free downloads, and their latest musical contribution, A Love Supreme, which features the insanely catchy single “Hollywood Hiatus” enjoyed a similar welcome.

The men behind the music are members, Yonas “Y-O” Micheal and Yannick “Thurzday”Koffi. They met in high school in 1999. After realizing their mutual love of music, they began to devote their lunch periods to defeating cocky upperclassmen in rap battles. They soon joined a four-man group called Rap-Ture Kamp, but in 2006 they splintered off and began to work together. They derived their name from The Roots’ track “UNIverse at War,” one of their favorites, and have been sprinting after their shared goal of rap fame ever since, using mixtapes and performances to get them closer to their dreams.

They have made significant progress. Not only have their Google hits risen to internet-celebrity status, but their developing resume includes making Billboard Magazine’s “Acts to Watch” list and the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards “Best Breakout LA Artist” award.

Although this heightened interest in the duo means they are successfully breaking into the music industry, it also leaves room for lazy comparisons and knee-jerk expectations. Some take a glance at U-N-I’s mutual appreciation for bright colors and Y-O’s mohawk and instantly label them as “hipsters.” Others immediately assume that they will spout the g-funk that is heavily associated with the Los Angeles area. However they seem to be different, more honest. Their music centers on their individual memories, goals, shoe fetishes, and celebrity daydreams. There is a certain level of self-awareness in their lyrics, as they allow their clever rhymes and well-delivered punch lines to speak for themselves.

Check out their latest release “Land of Kings”:

25: Where’d your love for music come from?

Thurzday: It comes from the people we grew up listening to Mos Def, Talib, Redman, Nas, Biggie; we were really influenced by Prince, listened to that reggae music and all that stuff, so we really loved music.

25: How did you two meet?

Y-O: We basically met in my freshman year and Thurzday’s sophomore year at St. Bernard High it was 1999. We met during lunchtime when we were either playing basketball, or on the courtyard doing freestyles up against upperclassmen and we just became the talk around campus, because we just demolished these upperclassmen who just thought they were just the ish and we did a talent show and joined a four man group during our high school years, we put out a couple of mix tapes, albums, and the request that they wanted to hear myself and Thurzday [do something together] so finally we made that division and we hopped out in ’06 and followed that with Fried Chicken and Watermelon in the year 2007.

25: What made you decide to really pursue a career in music?

Thurzday: Because 9-5’s are wack! I couldn’t see myself doing anything else that made me happy. This is what I wanted to do since I was a kid. Some people wonder why –it was like, the only thing we wanted to do as far as having a career. I looked up to people who’ve done it and I could never see myself doing anything else.

25: What made you realize that a career in music was right for you? How did it make you feel?

Y-O: Well, music has always been a part of our lives. I can tell you that growing up as a kid there was always music being played in our houses. But, before I got deep into music, there was always basketball, and with basketball, you know, you warm up to music. So, I noticed as I got older music has just always been something that was a part of me growing up as a kid and it just always made me feel so happy. When you write rhymes it’s just a way of [releasing] some stress off, getting stuff off your mind, and just putting it in your own words, and it just makes you happy; makes you get through the day easier. So, when we did the talent show in high school and just hearing the people’s reaction that kinda, like, made me feel great and I said to myself, “This could be a future; something I could do later on down the line.” So, just getting older and older and doing more shows—I guess I just took it more seriously and people respected it.

25: Many complain about a lack of originality in the music industry. What makes you different?

Thurzday: We’re not anybody else. We’re only us. So that’s like the only thing that makes us different from anybody. Everybody hasn’t lived our lifestyle. Everybody hasn’t experienced what we’ve experienced. So, through our own voice, we project who we are throughout our music. And it’s nobody but us. So, that’s really what makes us original. We’re true emcees. You know, we’re not a gimmick act. We really have talent, and we display that.

Y-O: And just to back him up. Our music is about things that actually happened in our lives, but outside of that, our live shows. I would say that It should be mentioned that even though we don’t have the biggest amount of money backing us up, we’re able to put our minds together-myself, Thurzday, our DJ and sometimes our band-and we just put on a live [ass] show, which some artists are not able to do these days.

25: Speaking of your music, it seems that you have a thing for Lauren London?

Y-O: Yeah, that’s a true story, once again. The song was basically inspired just from me having a crush on Lauren London, and I brought it up in the studio, with Ro Blvd, and we were just all joking and laughing about it. Everybody was like, “Yeah, she’s hot”. So, we started laughing about it, and it eventually turned into a record. She actually heard the record, and I guess it put a smile on her face. I thought she responded on Twitter, and she hit us up, well a fake hit us up, saying she loves the music, and she was acting real brand new. Then I remembered months ago that she’d heard it, so I was like “This can’t be Lauren” so I asked her a question about a mutual friend and she had no clue who I was talking about, so that kinda like, brought me down cause I thought I was really talking to Lauren London and come to find out it was a fake, man.

25: And shoes? You like those enough to write a whole song about them, as well?

Thurzday: We basically got an idea to take the original “C.R.E.A.M”, from Wu-Tang, and apply it to our lifestyle and a lot of folks were into kicks at the time, so we changed it to “Kicks Rule Everything Around Me”. We shot a video for it, and it took off.

25: You’ve been receiving a lot of positive feedback lately from the media, but what’s your career goal?

Y-O: To be bigger than Kanye, with more money than Bill Gates.

25: Any advice for aspiring artists?

Thurzday: Starts with quality music, and a quality team and you can do anything.

Y-O: Step outside the box, just be yourself, and have fun—always have fun.

Download their music at www.yothurz.com

Okay so it’s Friday night, Saturday Morning, or a Wednesday afternoon. Whatever the day, whatever the time, whatever the season– you’re bored. There’s nothing on TV, the mall is closed for repairs. You’re tired of movies, tired of reading, and tired of Facebook . If you’re one of those people that live for the moment, you’d call up your friends with a great idea, the best idea; to go on a road trip, you call up your girls with a great idea—the best idea.

Before the top cities traveled to by college students are revealed, you must first be prepared for the open road.

Few college students own anything bigger than a small SUV, so space is limited. You can bring a tote bag, and a purse or for the guys a small duffle bag. Think light layers! A long sleeve tee, a regular tee shirt, maybe a tank top, wife beater or two, pair of shorts, and jeans, . Swim suit. Extra undies. A, brush and a rubber band. Flip flops, flats or sneakers. If it’s winter bring a few sweaters, a pair of jeans, those cute boots you love and a hat! Less is more.

Never forget to load up on the munchies. Stop at a convenience store and load up on chips, sodas, waters, gum, cookies, skittles, and lots of chocolate!

Don’t forget the music. Get some girl power music. Spice Girls, boy bands, Corinne Bailey Rae, Destiny’s Child, TLC, oldies, rock, R&B, whatever gets you and your gang singing at the top of your lungs, grinning, and dancing– bring it!

Don’t forget sunglasses and cell phones, plus multiple cameras!!

Now that you’re packed and ready, here are the top cities traveled to by college students in the US:

San Francisco is the capital of diversity in the US. While staying in San Fran, visit many of the free museums in the city like the Chinese Cultural Center Museum. Then go for a walk in the Botanical Gardens; following dinner and margaritas at the famous Tony’s. Finally, hit the dance floor at DNA Lounge or even Elbo Room. No matter what you enjoy: art, nightclubs, jazz, techno, museums, or hiking, San Francisco has it.

Here are a couple sites to guide you to your road trip destination: http://sanfrancisco.about.com/

http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/

http://www.sfgov.org/

Nothing beats a trip to the Big Easy for Jazz Fest in June. Not only does New Orleans have history and culture, they also have one of the biggest annual music festivals. Jazz Fest is a six-day celebration of the heritage of New Orleans at the Fairgrounds Race Track. Everything from Jazz to Zydeco to Country, Blues, Pop, Gospel or New Orleans Funk is playing on multiple stages simultaneously. Stay in one of the historic hotels in the French Quarter where you can indulge in improv jazz musicians while drinking some Café DuMónde. After a day at the Jazz Fest, hit Bourbon Street and enjoy their famous green-grenade drinks. Don’t forget to satisfy your hunger at Brennan’s or Muriel’s on Jackson Square.

Follow these sites and plan the trip of the summer:

http://goneworleans.about.com/

http://www.neworleansonline.com/

http://www.neworleans.com/

Ever been to Washington? Not DC, the state. Washington State has beautiful scenery all throughout the states. A fun and scenic route to travel is to drive from Everett to Ellensburg. From the shores of Puget Sound, take US Route 2 east and upward into the Cascade Mountains. Looming to your right is a 10, 541-foot-high Glacier Peak. At only 135 miles, your journey allows time to explore one of the frequent hiking trails, the Bavarian charms of Leavenworth. Ending in Ellensburg, which is a cool college town, enjoy the pretty streets and rock climbing. And if your still wanting a city life experience, drive another 2 hours to the “Emerald City”—Seattle! While in Seattle, visit the Seattle Center, Woodland Park Zoo, and Pike Place Market.

Go to these links to plan an adventurous, outdoor road trip:

http://www.cityofseattle.net/html/visitor/

http://www.visitseattle.org/

http://www.seattle.net/

http://www.ci.ellensburg.wa.us/

http://www.everettwa.org/

While there are many, many more cites for you and your girls to visit: Miami, Austin, New York, Boston, and even Washington, DC. Where ever you decide to go, make sure you plan ahead, invite people who you love to have fun with, and make the trip as memorable as possible!

Image: Blue Design Solutions