Local hip-hop group 2nd string is set to perform a show on Friday, Feb. 1 at the Corner Street Lounge.  The show is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. with opening artist reSearch, an MC out of Harriman.  Band members include: Joe King, a University of Tennessee student majoring in journalism, Preston Mynatt, a student at UT studying journalism and communications, Sam King, a theater major at Pellissippi State, and Brian Tate or B.T., also a UT student studying journalism. "The Defiant Ones," 2nd string's recently released album, includes tracks such as "On our own," "What's it Gon' take," "Apple Pie" and "Take it Back," all of which can be sampled on the band's MySpace page.  

The group says they are currently working on both a mix tape and a new album.  "The mix tape, it's a collection of songs we've done in the past," said group member B.T. "We're going to recreate them, re-master them, redo them, but there's no release date for it. It's kind of like an album to hold people over." According to B.T., members and brothers, Joe and Sam King help produce most of the group's albums. 

 The way hip-hop is today, it’s just a bunch of dudes promoting it the wrong way. Brian Tate, 2nd string member
When asked about the reason behind the name 2nd string, band member B.T. said, "It's kind of funny because, we feel we are a substitution for the past age of hip-hop.  The starters aren't performing so well so they call on us for reinforcement...we aren't a bunch of benchwarmers, we just come fresh off the bench." The boys said their shows are real performances and are orchestrated the way a hip-hop show should go,  everyone dances and has a good time, said B.T. and Joey.  "We out there sweatin' and performing, it ain't just a dude up there on stage saying 'Yo, what up.'" 

During the interview, when asked about a rumor that he freestyles in most of the performances and neglects to write down the majority of his lyrics, B.T. claimed he was only partially guilty. Preferring type to written word, B.T. says he likes to record his lyrics by way of computer, because it doesn't break up the flow of words from his head to his hands.  In response to my question B.T. broke out into a freestyle right in front of me saying, "I'm one of the illest in the place as far as I see, with my home girl Amelia who be chillin' with me at Panera bread doing this interview, Wanna talk about the rhymes before the curfew." Trust me, you don't want to miss out on the opportunity to see Knoxville's finest hip-hop talent live this Friday at the Corner Lounge starting at 10 p.m.   

For more information on the band and news about upcoming shows, visit www.myspace.com/theyoungstars, send an e-mail to B.T. at btballer3000@comcast.net, or call Preston Mynatt 865-680-688.