Artist Spotlight On Virghost (@VirghostPoet)
In the World of Hip-Hop there are many different labels and boxes that Rappers and Emcees are placed into by the fans, the media, and the record companies. Some are labeled “Backpackers”, some are dubbed “gangsta rappers”, and others are placed into the “Conscious Rapper” category. For Memphis Emcee Virghost Memphiasco, he will not let himself be boxed into a single category. “I listen to and have been influenced by all kinds of Hip-Hop music, from Nas and Lupe Fiasco to Three 6 Mafia and Playa Fly. With me it’s not about the subject and style, it’s all about the poetry of it.” says Virghost. Starting off as a Spoken Word Artist in 2008 under the Memphis based marketing group Hypelife, Virghost was quickly influenced by big named poets in the Bluff City such as Phatmak, Lenny Cain, and Hardface. Virghost quickly became one of the top Spoken word artists not only in the city, but in the whole Mid-South region. He used the success from his Spoken Word talents to finally purse his true passion of Hip-Hop and Emceeing. Although he was well know for his Spoken Word abilities, he still rapped on the side under Memphis record label Memphis Boy Productions, releasing one Spoken Word/Hip-Hop mixtape while with them and 2 more under his present label Point Blank Entertainment.” I think people really started to take me serious with rapping when I dropped my underground single “Order 66 (Lyrically Ruthless).” That took it to another level.” says Virghost. He released his debut EP “The Invisible Man EP,” a 7 track introduction project, under Point Blank Entertainment and gained a substantial buzz and the respect of many fellow rappers and emcees throughout the Memphis Hip Hop Scene. On October 29, 2011 he released his debut album “The Memphiasco” which includes hits like “Dr. Manhattan”, “Constellations (Ode to a Queen),” and “Bluff City Part II.” The album was received with extremely positive reviews and pushed Virghost to become one of the most respected Lyricists and Emcees in the city of Memphis. Virghost then used his new gained attention and began organizing and putting together live shows and events around the city of Memphis such as the “Memphop Winter Jam 2012″ and “Memphop @ The Planet.” He also was asked to be apart of the Legendary “KL Presents #TeamMemphis Cypher Round 3″ which has over 8,000 views and counting to date. Virghost is currently working on his highly anticipated second album “Trial N Error,” slated to be released September 8, 2012. The first single “Assassin’s Theme,” an ode to his family, his musical career, and his “haters,” gained critically acclaim throughout the city of Memphis as one of the most heartfelt Hip-Hop songs to ever come out of Memphis. The second single from the album “Flying Nimbus,” is a laidback southern-styled track mixing East coast Hip-Hop and Early 90′s Memphis Rap. It is gaining much momentum around the Memphis Hip-Hop community and keeping fans thirsty for the album. With all the Hype surrounding the new album, Virghost could very well become the prolific Hip Hop Artists that he dreamed to be as a Spoken Word Artist.
