KUBE Summer Jam lacks big-name sizzle

KUBE-FM, Seattle's top hip-hop and urban music radio station, has built a reputation for mounting one of the hottest festivals of the year, the annual KUBE Summer Jam at the Gorge. The lineups have consistently featured big stars at the height of their fame — like last year's, which had 50 Cent, Ludacris and Chingy, just as his career-making single, "Right Thurr," hit No. 1.

In 2002, Nelly, Usher, LL Cool J and Busta Rhymes topped the bill. It was Snoop Dogg and Ja Rule in 2001. In 2000, Destiny's Child, Brian McKnight, Nelly and Run-DMC. OutKast was on the bill in '99; Missy Elliott in '98; Salt-N-Pepa and Aaliyah in '97; Brandy, TLC, Shaggy and Run-DMC in '96.

You get the picture: The acts have been huge.

But not this year.

This year we get Lloyd — but not Lloyd Banks. We get Houston — but not Whitney Houston. Where's Usher? Where's Kanye West? Those are the hot stars you'd expect at Summer Jam.

Not that the lineup is pathetic. It does have some interesting, if not terribly exciting, acts.

Method Man & Redman, stars of the new Fox sitcom "Method & Red," top the bill. Neither has had a hit in some time. Their appearance will probably mostly be to hype their TV show.

Chingy was a one-hit wonder whose career appears to be over (he's on Houston's current, moderately successful single, "I Like That"). Lil John has yet to make his mark. Ja Rule seems to be concentrating on commercially unavailable "underground" tapes lately, and may do some of those raps. The only thing Ashanti has done lately is appear on Lloyd's single, "Southside."

Twista's "Overnight Celebrity" was all over the radio three or four months ago but is all played out. But "So Sexy," his single featuring R. Kelly, released about the same time, remains hot. That song should be one of the highlights of his set. The Ying Yang Twins have a moderate hit with "What's Happnin!" and appear on Bone Crusher's "Take Ya Clothes Off."

What about Lil Flip? Turns out he's the biggest star right now, with his hit singles "Sunshine" and "Game Over (Flip)," and his guest spot on Yung Wun's "Tear It Up," all fun, dance-rhythmic songs. But will his career have legs? Remains to be seen.

If that lineup is worth $76 — the price at the gates — to you, then go. But you probably won't see as many folks out there this year as in the past, because there's just not as much to draw them there.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com