B'ham's Hip Hop Scene and Me

As much as I appreciate other music genres, I am still a fan of hip hop, particularly conscious hip hop. Few in Birmingham know that I was a percussionist in my high school band (Color Guard and Drum Major also). So naturally I'm into music that I can dance to, groove to or be moved by the messages of its lyrics.

Fortunately, I re-united with Patrick Johnson a.k.a S. Fly of Red Light District over a year and half ago. We were once employed by the same company. S. Fly is the first Birmingham hip hop artist that I was introduced to. Red Light District is an unforgettable group in my mind. I’ll always remember my favorite lines in one of their songs: “ I know a place where we can go, there’s nothin’ but love around, nothin’ but love around”. The track’s beat, the bass is so deep and melodic. It’s one of those songs that you just ride out to when you need to clear your head.

Since then, I’ve also met other Birmingham artists such as: Thed Weller, Byron the Aquarius, I.M.A.E, Poet John Paul, Shaheed, Supreme and Poet Shaun Judah. They performed at one of Birmingham’s most energizing and uplifting spoken word/live music events, The Latte Lounge: SpeakYoSoul Live! at Java and Jams coffee house . I saw Green Seed shut it down at the Bottletree a few years ago. I’m now a fan and really encourage each of these artists to continue to deliver the goods with sick beats and passionate messages about love, struggle, triumph, politics, friendships, foes and “things that make you go mmmhhh”.

Lastly, I think that Birmingham is filled with incredible talent. We can't forget about the ladies. The artists I’ve mentioned have all impressed me. Just as impressive is the female producer/singer/graphic artist Ms.BeatJunkie. She’s remixed tracks for artists abroad and here in the city. Her influences are cats like J.Dilla Flying Lotus, Pharcyde, Digable Planets and Sun Ra. You must experience her for yourself. She even freestyles and has a soulful, jazzy, “can sing just about anything” voice. She has her very own unique swag! You can listen to some of her beats at www.myspace.com/offbeatmusiq.

While you’re cruisin’ the web for hip hop, stop by djlovedeluxe.podomatic.com. This is my site. Yes, I’m making a really concerted effort to hone my dj skills. Stay tuned for the 69 Boyz/Flo Rida mashup. Not very conscious I know, but we all have our weaknesses! The SoulHeat mix on the site showcases some of my favorite conscious hip hop tracks and a remix by Birmingham's MsBeatJunkie. You know, it’s really cool to know personally some of the great hip hop artists and musicians in our city.

Thanks Bettina for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the Birmingham Hip Hop scene. I wish each of the artists mentioned much success in life and their careers.

All B'ham Hip Hop Roads Lead to S-Fly

After posing the question, "How would you characterize the Birmingham Hip Hop Scene?", members of the hip hop community shared their opinions. Almost everyone mentioned S-Fly, Patrick Johnson, of the Red Light District. I wrote to him and asked for his perspective. He responded immediately to my request. He reminded me that we had met more than ten years ago when he was still with the Red Light District and I was working at UAB.

Bettina...I'm a huge supporter of our music scene in general, and because I'm a hip hop artist, I tend to take my hometown hip hop a bit more personal than some others may. I honestly think the current scene reflects the national music scene as a whole - we still tend to try and make music that sounds like someone else's. I don't think rappers WANT to make music that sounds like someone else's (at least not initially), but the pressure from radio, video outlets, and even the (local) audience we play for often demand songs about getting money, what money allows us to do/have, or status... almost anything negative about hip hop can be funneled right back to the "money" category.

This is only 1 example that keep the hip hop community from standing out or being heard on a larger scale (there are several). THERE ARE SEVERAL ARTISTS/EVENTS that promote good hip hop music, and there are various artists from the city who are excellent examples of new, fresh sounds and approaches to the music that intrigue audiences without radio play or videos.

The best part about the current scene for me is that the scene has actually grown up. In 1992, when Southern Comffort started, the scene was more like a toddler.... we had studios where we could book time and a network of outlets to produce quality work, and we were all "learning the system".

Somewhere around 1998-99, rappers like Supreme (Eargasm), Superking and B. Moe (Last Sunday Showcase), and Red Light (Love Jones @ Phoenix) hosted regular events that promoted not only the artists who came through, but hip hop culture AND the Bham scene as a whole. We no longer booked studio time - the PC had become affordable and we now had home studios and the knowledge to use them. This was our adolescent age... we were now promoting events, booking our own venues, and showing our independence.

Nowadays, Supreme has his own hip hop show, I've produced documentary and soundtrack music, Superking and Big Creed started award shows for the local scene, and several hip hop artists are involved in civic/mentoring projects. We produce our own shows if/when necessary with no problem, buy and/or produce our own advertising, create, shoot, and edit our own videos. We are in a much better position than we were almost 20 years ago! Our #1 problem right now is being ORIGINAL whenever we produce this quality work....what's the sense in producing your very own Gucci Mane record when Gucci Mane already has one out? Shout out to Ike Gi Jones and the Battle C.A.T.S., John Woodlawn, 7even, Big Chuck Ent, Murc Camp, Code, Thed Weller (old head, new name) and a host of other "newer generation" Bham scene hip hop brethren that keep fresh creative sounds and ideas, and can rock a show without rapping over the words in the track (a new phenom, requires a different post altogether). RESPECT to all the pioneers of this scene, from Cozmo Flex and Kid Fresh, to L.O.D., R.O.A., Attitude, Supreme, and so many others (emcees and dj's alike).

Yes, long winded....but like I said, I love this scene and will always promote it. I'm not leaving.

Please check out the link to Mr. Dial Has something to Say's Emmy nominated soundtrack by Patrick Johnson.