1-1-11

It's a New Year, filled with anticipation and prospects.  For the hip hop landscape, it is no different.  2011 is upon us, and I foresee many positives on the local and national hip hop scene.  I want each and every one of us as artists and consumers to respect the craft, and take a look forward at what this 2K11 timeframe has in store.

From a local standpoint, there are some artists to seriously consider as viable hip hop talent.  Gods'illa, a DMV hip hop collective of like-minded brethren, has been on the underground circuit in the DC region for quite awhile, having performed with hip hop luminaries such as Brand Nubian and the Duck Down collective.  2010 saw this very talented group release the debut Up And Up Presents...Gods'illa:  The Album.  The album is dope indeed, and I am fortunate to have seen them perform and interview Acem, Truth, and Powerful, the three who collectively form the breakout group known as Gods'illa.  I am sure that this group will be on the national hop hop radar on a grander scale, spreading conscious hip hop.  You can follow Gods'illa at www.twitter.com/gods'illa.  They have a nice Twitter presence and following.  Also check their UAU Open Mic Series at Club Liv in DC. 

Also hailing from the DMV region is Phil Ade', a crafty and talented lyricist signed to the 368 Music Group imprint helmed by Raheem Devaughn.  2010 saw Phil Ade' release his very quality mixtape The Letterman.  The standout track that 93.9 WKYS blasted during the second half of the year was "Toast 2 Life", featuring Kevin Ross on the silky smooth vocals.  The anthemic tone of the song was accentuated by sharp, witty lyricism, a staple from the artist known as Phil Ade'.  With the DC/MD/VA area supporting this dynamic talent, he is poised to showcase immense abilities on a broader scale in 2011.  He can be followed via Twitter at www.twitter.com/philade301.

A little closer to homebase here in the Baltimore area there are artists on the rise that deserve serious attention here and elsewhere.  The name that should garner immediate attention is Mullyman, an artist who has been on perpetual grind mode for the better part of the 21st Century.  Recently relocating to the music mecca of the South, Atlanta, for more visibility and networking opportunities, Kevin Muldrow is setting himself in position to do bigger things for 2K11.  With his Harder Than Baltimore album circulatimg throughout the underground, and media exposure on MTV2 and other outlets, it only makes sense that the new year will place Mullyman on the national stage.  With Major League Unlimited as his independent base, the business side of this tried and true lyricist is in a good state.  Mullyman can be followed at www.twitter.com/Mullyman.

In Baltimore, say the name Nephew, and you will find a faithul following.  Nephew brings an energy and vigor to a scene often noted more for Baltimore Club than true hip hop music.  Witness this artist perform numerous alvum and mixtape cuts, and you will see how the audience reacts to his spirited persona.  Phewturistic Biography set the stage for a full-fledged takeover.  It will take one time, and one time only, to feel the passion behind Nephew as a reality-based emcee.  From personally witnessing his ascent through the Baltimore underground, 2011 and beyond holds promise.  Listeners and consumers can trace the steps of Nephew via www.twitter.com/bmorenephew.

Jade Fox is a name that rings volumes around this region.  She is not only a dope female emcee, but a DOPE emcee period.  She has been trudging the underground scene for a good while, blending sharp lyricism with sometime eclectic musical stylings.  Her most recent mixtape offering, JFK Mixtape Vol. 1:  Eternal Flame, is a collection of original beats, allowing it to feel more album than actual mixtape.  On the mixtape, she flexes lyrical muscle over production from dope peoducers such as UnheardOf and Tytanium.  With her model looks and rugged lyrics, Jade Fox brings a unique perspective to the hip hop game, because there is indeed substance beyond the allure.  She is poised to unleash her talents on an unsuspecting hip hop world, and I envision the next twelve months as the launching padf or Jade Fox on the national front within this hip hop spectrum.  Look for this complete package on www.twitter.com/jadefox410.

On the national hip hop radar, there are a few individuals to look out for this year.  I base this off of certain criteria:  buzz, potential, lyrical ability.  The first artist that comes to mind is a NC emcee that goes by the name of Rapsody.  She is a potent blend of lyricism and wit, with a razor-sharp delivery.  She comes from that MC Lyte, Jean Grae, Bahamadia school of true underground hip hop.  Truthfully, I've been noticing this 9th Wonder protege for a few years now, going back to 9th's Dream Merchants album.  What struck me about her was 9th only including her in a few snippets between actual songs, but the snippets were better than some of the actual material!  Not taking anything away from the artists on that slept on 9th Wonder compilation joint, but Rapsody showcased how dope she was from that standpoint on sheer lyrical talent in just a few seconds with each snippet.  As part of the NC collective known as Kooley High, Rapsody has been a key component on various group mixtapes and albums, including the most recent Kooley High release Eastern Standard Time.  More recently, Rapsody has released her anticipated solo offering, Return Of The B-Girl, a free downloadable joint that raised a few eyebrows.  Her buzz is definitely apparent, it is just a matter of time before this North Carolina-based artist has the ears of the hip hop nation.  Once that occurs, listeners will catch more than just a glimpse of the lady known as Rapsody.  Check her out via www.twitter.com/rapsodymusic.

Another emcee creating a buzz through media outlets is Dee-1, a New Orleans-based artist.  He is what you would consider a thinking man's emcee, bringing thought-provoking imagery to the forefront of his lyrics.  Want proof?  "Jay, 50, & Weezy" could be deemed as a track looking to promote hip hop beef, but it is just the opposite.  When I first witnessed the video to this gem a few months ago, I was instantly amazed at how Dee-1 positioned himself as a witty, clever lyricist that could actually stand toe to toe with other industry behemoths.  The song is a testament to this notion, because it actually is a wake up call instead of an actual diatribe or verbal attack.  Dee-1 is a force to be reckoned with, and the world outside of the N.O. will soon catch wind of his verbal dexterity.  David & Goliath was the first independent album released by Dee-1, garnering praise throughout the Louisiana underground for his dope lyrical content.  I Hope They Hear Me and I Hope They Hear Me 1.5 are also attention-grabbing mixtapes released by this independent artist on the rise.  Visit Dee-1 at www.twitter.com/dee1music to see what this former middle school teacher is about and to connect with him.  I'm sure that the hip hop world will be blessed with Dee-1 on the horizon, ready to bring his Louisiana viewpoint to the world.

There you have it, local and national hip hop artists that are on my 2011 and beyond radar.  Each emcee mentioned has a unique flair, talent, and God-given ability, and I strongly believe that Gods'illa, Phil Ade', Mullyman, Nephew, Jade Fox, Rapsody, and Dee-1 are poised to have a larger impact on the hip hop nation during the next twelve month period.  Remember, artistry is not necessarily about numbers, so looking for first week Soundscan results comparable to Eminem may be an unfair assessment.  What I believe these artists possess is the ability to bring a different, positive spin on this thing we call hip hop, and I think that the Hip Hop Nation as a whole is ready, willing, and able to deal with some upliftment and mental challenging.  There are others that are poised to do big things in 2011, so if you know of an artist that has the potential and drive to be a true hip hop artist, let us know!  The Jay Electronicas, J. Coles, Lupe Fiascos, Georgia Anne Muldrows need company as newer artists with equal buzz and artistry.

INTERVIEW WITH HIP HOP ARTIST YAHKEEM

MY DISCUSSION WITH HIP HOP ARTIST YAHKEEM



                                                                                By: WISDOM







At “The Hip Hop Show” on Sunday, November 21st, I had the pleasure of meeting a down to earth artist----Yahkeem. Even though the music was blaring from speakers throughout 5 Seasons, the mid-town venue that hosted “The Hip Hop Show”, we were able t find a semi-quiet area at back of stage area to sit down at discuss the composition of the artist. I was introduced to Yahkeem soon after arriving at 5 Seasons by Mz. Undastood, a radio host for the “Konsider Dis” program on Da Beat 1650-AM, so setting up an impromptu interview on the spot was a good idea.

Yahkeem was at ease while I asked him a few basic questions about his influences and upbringing. He, of course, has the street pedigree, being raised in various urban environments such as New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans, and of course the home of "The Wire". According to Yahkeem, he's been rhyming for about seven years now, with him recently having a fire lit under him to take his music to another level. "I got a purpose now", he retorted, when i asked Yahkeem about his mark he wants to leave on hip hop, not only from a Harm City standpoint, but on a national level. It was quite evident throughout the discussion that there is a bigger picture in place for the artist known as Yahkeem, who used self-promotion to his advantage by rocking a royal blue t-shirt emblazoned with his Twitter tag @Yahkeem.

I asked the gritty MC about his influences, and the requisite names came to mind: Pac and Biggie. The name that would shock some, or be unrecognizable to others was Spice 1, a Hayward, California product that is a legend in the Bay Area. Spice 1 definitely opened doors for others in a region that has been a hotbed of hip hop talent since the late 80's. It was a good thing to see the varying influences for Yahkeem, and he seemed to be a student of the game. "Method Man is also an influence", he stated while we continued our discussion, rounding out a nice list of artists representing different facets of the hip hop equation.

Yahkeem advised me during our conversation that his EP, entitled So Official, will be available on November 27th for public consumption. It will contain seven songs, each one shedding light on the man and artist. "Hit me up at www.yaheemmusic.com" he retorted when we talked about fans and listeners getting a piece of the musical pie. Yahkeem acknowledged that he loves the hip hop scene here in Baltimore, siting his musical kinship with other grind-minded artists like Nephew and E.N.V.I.E., even alluding to a collaboration with the lyrical-minded E.N.V.I.E.

Yahkeem wants his music to inspire and teach, especially the youth, who are impressionable when it comes to this thing called hip hop music. When I asked him about how he sees himself within the hip hop matrix, he simply stated, "I'm just me". A simple, yet poignant artist looking to make a mark in that same hip hop matrix I just mentioned. Yahkeem figures that if he can survive the differing, yet oh so similar hoods he has seen or been a part of, then the hip hop matrix is something he can navigate. Let's hope that he does just that.

We were still discussing the state of hip hop when the show host, Mz. Undastood alerted us that the performances were about to begin. I gave Yahkeem a pound, with the understanding that this won't be the last time we'll discuss hip hop, artistry, and everyday living.



ONE LOVE!!!!

WISDOM-----SHEDDING A RAY OF LIGHT ON BALTIMORE HIP HOP

"THE HIP HOP SHOW" AT 5 SEASONS

Written by WISDOM

5 Seasons is a hotbed for local Baltimore-based talent, especially from a hip hop perspective. Sunday night was no different as artists from the metropolitan area made their presence felt at the venue located at 830 Guilford Avenue. Billed as “The Hip Hop Show”, this hip hop extravaganza allowed local artists to showcase their skills and network at the same time. Hosted by the glamorous Mz Undastood from Da Beat 1650-AM, “The Hip Hop Show” was another cog in the machine for hip hop unity in the Baltimore-Washington region. DJ TNT provided the turntable wizardry for the evening, keeping the positive hip hop vibes flowing.

Even though the venue was not full to capacity for most of the night, there was definitely an air of excitement and anticipation from the somewhat sparse crowd. DJ TNT played underground hip hop staples throughout the evening, ranging from Jay-Z, Biggie, Wu-Tang Clan, and other notables. Inside 5 Seasons, many local artists and luminaries were present to show support for “The Hip Hop Show”. Consumer Voice Entertainment Group CEO Lew Williams came to lend support for the hip hop cause, along with emcees Ahmed The Last Born Child, E.N.V.I.E., Slay, and others. It was definitely a good sight to see the love and support flowing within the venue. Because 5 Seasons has a relaxed vibe with its décor, it appeared that most inside were at ease before the event started, either enjoying the television monitors throughout, relaxing on the sofas with drinks, or just networking and politicking with one another.

Just before the performances began, I had the opportunity to sit down and conduct a brief interview with one of the performers Yahkeem. Yahkeem definitely stood out with his Twitter self-promotion t-shirt denoting “@Yahkeem”. Yahkeem was a down-to-earth artist, willing to discuss his influences, upbringing, and vision for his music overall (there will be an article on the interview forthcoming). He showed during our brief conversation that he is poised to showcase his artistic passion for all to witness.

Mz. Undastood graced the microphone with her presence, alerting all in attendance that the show was to begin. First on the bill for the evening was Dunny, an East Baltimore-based artist. He displayed grit throughout his performance, delivering a slow-paced banger first. This song gave way to another joint that captured the attention of the crowd. Dunny let the crowd know that his final song, “Feel The Pain”, was an inspirational cut, and brought a rhyme accomplice by the name TX on stage with him. They both displayed a double-time flow, with TX standing out with his command on the microphone. Once Dunny finished his set, Mz. Undastood gave him an opportunity to talk about his music. Dunny announced that Grind Time is a new album coming out, and also discussed how Baltimore hip hop has influenced him.

Next on stage was Kaspa, a relatively new emcee on the horizon who has been recently featured in The Source Magazine. It was quite evident that this white emcee represented hip hop to the fullest, starting off with “Where I’m From”, a neighborhood anthem for his beloved O’Donnell Heights community. This song prepped the crowd for more from Kaspa, who blessed the crowd with two more songs to round out his set. Kaspa displayed versatility with his flow, while maintaining his grittiness throughout his spirited performance. After his performance, he told the crowd about production from local hip hop head Skarr Akbar, who produced the three performed cuts for the evening. Kaspa also promoted his newest release, The Past, The Present, The Future. Once prompted by Mz. Undastood, Kaspa made sure to advise everyone in attendance that he could be reached via e-mail at kaspa443@yahoo.com  or website at www.reverbnation.com/kaspa443. 

Yahkeem, a street rhymer that has called New York, New Orleans, as well as Baltimore home, hit the stage next. Yahkeem wasted no time with his rough, rugged delivery, touching on tales of urban living with his first song. This song segued into the next profane cut about females, definitely striking a chord in the mostly male audience. His third selection was a song fueled by hating individuals, and the cut was met with some positive results. Overall, Yahkeem stayed true to his reality-based roots, spitting lyrics with conviction. After his performance, he told the audience during the artist introduction phase with Mz. Undastood about a collaboration with Nephew, another artist slated to perform later in the evening. Yahkeem urged the crowd to follow him on Twitter via @Yahkeem.

Mz. Undastood then took the time to not only shout out Da Beat 1650-AM and her program “Konsider Dis”, which has been a huge support for DMV-based hip hop artists, but to educate current and potential artists. She urged the artists that they are missing a huge opportunity by not submitting their music to the station and program, to the tune of $5500.00 per quarter for royalties when registered with BMI (Broadcast Music, Incorporated). BMI is an entity that collects license fees for songwriters and artists in order to compensate them with royalties. It was definitely insightful for those in attendance to hear an actual radio personality break down the dynamics of royalties from a business standpoint; that is something needed in today’s independent music community. Along with DJ TNT, Mz. Undastood is using “Konsider Dis” as a way to lend a voice to the underground, independent hip hop community.

The energy level increased once the next artist, Papi The General, and his small entourage hit the 5 Seasons stage. Dressed in military fatigues and boots, you could sense that Papi indeed was “The General” on stage, with his commanding presence. From a visual standpoint, Papi The General and entourage captivated the crowd with the American flag waving onstage. The first cut performed by the artist showed his allegiance to his military mindset, a good analogy with the war in the streets. His second song, “Amazing”, showcased Sharlee Rose, a dope female vocalist. Sharlee Rose captivated the audience with her vocal abilities on both the second and third selections for Papi The General, even coming into the crowd to sing some flirtatious lyrics to a surprised emcee, E.N.V.I.E. Once the electrified performance was over, Papi The General shared his heartfelt story about being homeless, and his experience in the military for six years. This moment showed just what hip hop can offer, a way to creatively express whatever ills an individual may have experienced in life. You can reach Papi The General at http://www.papithegeneral.com/.

Jay McGraw, artist and CEO for M.A.M. Records, allowed his presence be felt as soon as he touched the microphone. He asked for a brief moment of silence for K Swift and other fallen soldiers, before launching into “Grand Opening”, from his Grand Opening mixtape. The second song performed by McGraw was assisted by Dubbs Lane, a very dope lyricist who showcased his skills and persona while on the microphone. Jay McGraw also allowed another associate to shine, P-Shellz, who contributed a brief freestyle to the 5 Seasons contingent. McGraw showed that he is not only an artist, but a businessman and humanitarian, by detailing his 2nd annual food drive where food baskets will be passed out the day before Thanksgiving to needy families.  Jay McGraw let the audience know that he could be reached via website at www.reverbnation.com/jaymcgraw or www.facebook.com/therealjaymcgraw.  Dubbs Lane also let the crowd know that he was a force to be reckoned with, and advised those in attendance to hit him up at http://dubbslane.bandcamp.com/  to catch his Everybody Hates Chris…But Loves Dubbs album. He’s definitely an artist to be on everyone’s hip hop radar. Singleton Newman even came on stage to promote New Hope Management. As CEO for New Hope Management, she helps with management and talent booking throughout the DMV region and beyond. 

During a brief intermission, DJ TNT continued to hit the crowd with underground hip hop music, taking the crowd back to an era where beats and rhymes were key. Once the crowd was fed another helping of good ol’ hip hop, the artist of the moment hit the stage. Nephew was on hand to celebrate, promote and preview his new mixtape Emotions Run Deep. Upon hitting the stage, it was evident through the crowd response that 5 Seasons was ready for the Nephew experience. Nephew was joined on his first joint by a female emcee, and they commenced to let the crowd know that "money be the topic here, paper be the souvenir". 'Phew then hit the audience with a more uptempo cut, being joined by DJ TNT. Quite a few in 5 Seasons knew word for word every joint presented by Nephew, letting him know that Emotions Run Deep had support in the streets. He then kicked an impromptu freestyle before going into his verse on "Doing Me". After some interaction with the 5 Seasons audience and DJ TNT, the "Clap Back" beat from Ja Rule dropped, allowing the artist of the moment to spit some heat. He wasn't through though; pleading with DJ TNT, "BMF" was next on the agenda, with 'Phew adding his own flair to the Rick Ross banger for the summer of 2010. It appeared that Nephew could have performed for the rest of the night, but the gems he had in store for the crowd would have to wait. He did let everyone in the venue to follow his music on www.reverbnation.com/bmorenephew.  Following Nephew on stage was an emcee ready to show and prove on the open mic tip, but after he was finished, DJ TNT shut down the rest of the freestyle festivities, at least for the evening.

The party wasn't over at 5 Seasons after "The Hip Hop Show" performances, as DJ TNT supplied the music to rock the spot for the remainder of the evening. All in all, it was another successful evening for underground, independent hip hop in the region. More and more, I'm seeing the unity that has been lacking with the Baltimore hip hop community, and it was indeed a good thing. Much props are in order for 5 Seasons supplying the venue, Mz. Undastood for doing an excellent job hosting and keeping the show flowing, and DJ TNT for providing the musical backdrop on the turntables. Credit is definitely in order as well for each of the artists performing, because it's not going to take just one emcee to "put Baltimore on his or her back", so to speak. It's going to be a collective effort from these and many more artists in order for those outside the Baltimore and DMV periphery to recognize real. Let's hope for more positive events like this to spread throughout the region.