WHO'S LIVE - DOM KENNEDY - Victors Only Perf Nylon

Kennedy, who grew up in Leimert Park—an area considered a staple of Los Angeles’ black community for its rich traditions—popped up on the L.A. music scene two years ago, and released his debut mixtape, The 25th Hour, in March of 2008. “The 25th Hour was my attempt to make a CD now that sounds like and feels like things that I grew up on and that people played for me,” says Dom. “I wanted it be like music that really influenced me.” Dom is quick to cite his influences—Ice Cube’s post-riot opus The Predator (Priority, 1992) and DJ Quik’s g-funkdafied Safe & Sound (Profile, 1995) and testosterone-induced Rhythmn-al-ism (Arista, 1998) – but he refuses to imitate the days of yesteryear. (For more of Dom's VIBE mag article, click HERE.)