Midwest hip hop
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Midwest rap | |
| Stylistic origins |
Hip hop, other influences
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|---|---|
| Cultural origins |
Early-1980s Midwestern United States
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| Typical instruments | |
| Mainstream popularity | Became a staple of popular music in the mid-to-late 1990s; dominant in the 2000s. |
Midwest hip hop is hip hop music performed by artists from the Midwestern United States. In contrast with its East Coast, West Coast and Southern counterparts, Midwest hip hop has very few constants. Its first dose of national popularity in the mid-90s was associated with fast-paced styles, of rappers such as Twista (Chicago), Insane Clown Posse (Detroit) Rico Love (Milwaukee) and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (Cleveland). However, subsequent acts which have since risen to national prominence such as Nelly, D12 and Kanye West share very few similarities. It is because these lack of constants between acts from different cities (and sometimes even between artists from the same city) that it can be extremely difficult to define a "typical" midwest sound. Another characteristic of Midwest hip hop is that beat tempos can range from 90 to about 180, while East Coast's beat tempo is 90-120, West Coast is 100-120, and Southern rap is 120-180.
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[edit] Chicago
Chicago has harbored several locally popular acts since the early 1990's, including Do or Die,mr.two6nine (of Kalamazoo, Michigan), Crucial Conflict; the former being a fast-rapping GROUP associated with Twista,and the latter of which was a group with a decidedly down-home, country sound. Chicago soon became known for more than fast rapping with the rising popularity of Common Sense, protege of producer No I.D., who put flippant battle raps over a jazzy backdrop. Other rappers in this vein included Vakill, who also gained some notoriety in Chicago. Da Brat, a female Chicago native, also had a hit in this period with Jermaine Dupri's label So So Def.
In 2004, Chicagoan producer/rapper Kanye West broke the scene with his multi platinum debut, College Dropout on Roc-A-Fella Records. He became an industry commodity, reworking and repopularizing Wu-Tang producer RZA's style of speeding up Soul instrumental and vocal samples to fit hip hop beats. The style became known as "chipmunk soul". The same year, West produced two hits for Twista, "Slow Jamz" and "Overnight Celebrity"; these led to the rapper's first platinum release, Kamikaze. Also in 2004 Italian American rapper Mikie Da Poet put the spotlight on Chicago Hip Hop and opened up a international eye with his live Fox News performace. In 2005, Common (having dropped the "Sense" from his name) signed with Kanye's GOOD Music, West also being a student of No I.D. This led to Be, Common's second gold album, which some said revitalized his career.
Kanye attempted to push longtime associate Rhymefest, a Chicago battle rapper and ghostwriter; his support helped carve the MC a local niche and some national attention. A guest spot on West's 2006 second album, Late Registration, also solidified the buzz of up-and-coming Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco, whose debut album Food & Liquor was the #1 rap album in the country upon its release. His later album The Cool directly references his Chicago roots.
[edit] Cleveland
In the early 1990's, 5 drop outs formed the unit Bone Enterpri$e and took a one way bus ticket to Compton. They went searching for Eazy E, a pioneer of gangsta rap, and signed to his label. They were signed to Ruthless when they got back to Cleveland for a concert, where they performed for Eazy on the spot. They changed their name to Bone Thugs N Harmony consisting of Flesh-N-Bone (now incarcerated), Layzie Bone, Wish Bone, Krayzie Bone and now solo artist Bizzy Bone. They created a style never heard in hip hop , a rapid-fire flow and melodic mesh of harmonizing vocals, a style they called the Cleveland Sound. They released their LP Creepin on ah Come Up with the smash single "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and "Foe tha Love of $" featuring Eazy E. They were the first Midwest rappers to go platinum, the only ones to collaborate with greats like The Notorious BIG, Tupac, Big Pun, and Eazy E while they were all living, and have sold more than 35 million records. Today they have their own label after contractual difficulties with Ruthless records. Their new album, Strength and Loyalty, was released May 2007.
Today, in 2008, true Northeast Ohio (NEO) Hip-Hop has either a faux-southern sound (usually from inner city Cleveland/Akron), while the City of Youngstown (on the PA Line) preserves a more classic vibe. The city that in the '60s was called Little Chicago, typically makes music that is much more Detroit meets Philly, than St. Louis or any other undeniably "Midwestern" place. To consider the cultures or subcultures of Cleveland and Kansas City "of the same region" is simple and archaic. The Hip-Hop, as well as the food, language, and values of these cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas are remarkably different. The terms Great Lakes, Rustbelt, Mideast, "Northern", North-Central, or Northeastern Interior are much accurate and clear in the study of music of the cities between Philadelphia and Denver.
With the rise of the YouTube universe in a new "Generation Next" America, even places as small and poverty-stricken as Youngstown boast a brawny local hip-hop scene. Cleveland and Pittsburgh punk and mod. rock music dominate the regional limelight in this unique corner of the American Mideast.
[edit] Detroit
Detroit is continuing its proud Motown tradition of quality African American music with hip hop. Detroit began developing its own scene with a bevy of acts including Insane Clown Posse and Esham, who put something of a horrorcore twist on hip hop. Slum Village, and later their producer J Dilla with a solo career, each gained some growing recognition outside their local Detroit area, mostly through working with Native Tongues-associated acts such as Common and A Tribe Called Quest. Eminem, a white rapper with a bent towards battle raps, slapstick humor and angst, was one of the first rappers to have a thoroughly visible career, beginning with his signing to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment in 1999. Aide from some exceptions, in Detroit they are mainly into the Gangsta Rap scene. The best known gangsta rappers from Detroit are Blade Icewood, K-Doe, Street Lordz, Insane Clown Posse, Rock Bottom, Eminem, Bizarre, EastSide Chedda Boyz and Big Herk. Eminem brought with him his Detroit-based group D12 and friends Obie Trice and Royce da 5'9", increasing the Detroit scene's popularity.
[edit] Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo, Michigan has long had a very deep and talented pool of emcees and lyricists, but due to the small size and lack of marketing outlets, Kalamazoo is often overlooked. Some artists to gain recognition and gained fairly decent reception start with M.E.D. (Mental Elastic Dialect) in the early and mid 90's. Also making musical contributions on the underground level with their own record labels are Skitzo of MERK records, Truth Tone Records, B and E Productions, Fuse of IDL (In Da Lab), and I.M.M.G. One artist formerly of MERK, Hainus, had an opportunity to sign a recording deal with Death Row, but the deal was never finalized. Other notable artists to almost reach agreements are Thesis, MC Dave, and Casper. One group that has been gaining momentum in the underground scene in the past few years is Collision (High Capacity and L.O.K.). They have collaborated with numerous artists from Kalamazoo and are continuing to build a fan base, as well as earn respect from their peers.
[edit] Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri has a burgeoning underground Hip-Hop Scene, with many artists actually declining from signing with any type of record labels. Kansas City acts tend to blend both Southern and Bay Area hyphy sounds. Notable Kansas City rappers include Rich the Factor who makes up the most popular label in KC called MFR (Major Factor Records) including, Sliccs, Rappin Twan, Rush AKA Rush'n Roolet, and Young Fe AKA Felix Mitchell the Billionaire, who was just releases from the federal pen after serving 10 years. Other KC rappers:Chat Monitor, Solè, Fat Tone who was killed due to Cali rappers thinking he killed Mac Dre, SupreMe, KC King, DeHave, Young Tuhbz, Big Krizz Kaliko, Raw Beatzz, Skatterman & Snug Brim, Missouri Marley, Kansas City Street Co., 57th Street Rogue Dog Villians, Heet Mob, and Tech N9ne. Rich the Factor quickly became a local legend though the release of dozens of albums over his career, pioneering what would become the Kansas City style of rap. Tech N9ne has gained international notoriety, selling hundreds of thousands of albums and touring worldwide.
[edit] Milwaukee
The Milwaukee scene first got national recognition in the early 1990's with the success of Arrested Development whose frontman, Speech, is a native of the city.
The city, like many others in the Midwest, is home to a number of styles which can make it difficult to characterize a "typical" Milwaukee sound. However, many of the city's most prominent acts such as Lyric Law, Black Elephant, Def Harmonic, Element, Juiceboxxx, Growing Nation, KingHellBastard, No Request Sound DJs (Kid Cut Up, Why B, Swan... John Swan, and Steve Marxx), The Rusty P's (formerly the Rusty Pelicans) Key and Breedawg, (which of who are somewhat associated with producer and rapper Cool and Dre) and Taste Emcees are influcenced (in one way or another) by neo-soul, hardcore, and conscious lyricism. It is also not uncommon to see Milwaukee artists accompanied by a live band in addition to a DJ (similar to East Coast acts such as The Roots or The Fugees).
Other Milwaukee artists with a more commercial sound, such as Coo Coo Cal, Rico Love, and Miko have had (or been featured on) commercially successful singles in recent years. Streetz & Young Deuces , 2006 Get Em Magazine Award Winners, have gained national support by putting out mixtapes with the Hittmenn Djs, Core Djs, Future Star Djs & Shadyville Djs. The Mil is also home to Baby Drew, the "ghetto hero." The city is also home to producers such as the Lmntlyst, Swift G (produced for Arista Records), Big City (Midwest Funk/ X-rated), JR Da Supastar, Scottie Knoxx, J Billa (Ghost-town), Durty Mouf, Big Hank, Dylan Thomas, and Komossi, the gangsta rapper/producer who invented the "R.S.B" style or ride, slide & bounce sometimes compared to what's called gangsta bounce but with a more roller coaster ride effect.
[edit] Minnesota
Although strictly underground, there existed a sub-terraean hip hop culture in the Twin Cities starting as early as 1981. Similar to the development of hip hop in the South Bronx, Twin Cities rap started as humble parties with a DJ and an emcee.[1] A DJ named Travitron was comparable to the DJ Kool Herc of the Twin Cities area. Shows took place at many venues, most notoriously Club Hip Hop on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. Other artists and DJs include Disco T, Verb X, Brother Jules, Delite, and Truth Maze. The first real album to come out of the Twin Cities was called The I.R.M. Crew, released in 1985. Graffiti and b-boy crews were also existent in the city. This is the world that the current movers of Twin Cities Hip Hop were brought up in.
The main movers of Twin Cities Hip Hop came together to form the group Headshots, a precursor to the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Members of this group included Slug, I Self Devine, Micranots, Musab, Siddiq, and Ant. Slug was one of the main artists to move into the foreground, setting the tone for the style of music to follow in the years to come.
The Twin Cities Celebration of Hip-Hop is an annual event hosted by Yo! The Movement, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the power of community through hip-hop culture. Over the past five years nearly 20,000 people from around the world have taken part in the festival and conference. Past participants include Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Cee-Lo of Gnarls Barkley, Clipse, Camp Lo, Crazy Legs, Slug of Atmosphere, Jean Grae, Asia-One, EWOK (HM Crew), Brother Ali, and many others.
[edit] St. Louis
At the same time, St. Louis rapper Nelly hit with a smash single and album, Country Grammar in 2000. Nelly and his St. Lunatics collective went on to a career driven by commercial singles, while Eminem, D12 and Obie Trice formed Shady Records and proceeded into national and international consciousness. In 2004, FLAME, also from St. Louis, became the first national Christian hip hop artist from the Midwest. Gospel singer Praiz' also hit the St. Louis scene with his 2006 crossover hit "Deliver Me" in 2005.
[edit] Madison, WI
Madison, WI has a relatively small underground rap/hip hop scene. The Crest are the gems of the scene. Artists such as Profound and MEECH have made the city's party scene known. dumate, a live-band group much like The Roots, are holding it down. The Rob DZ Experience features a live-band variety of hip hop with an acid rock feel. $MOKE$ is known for his local hits "stay fresh" and "closer". Madison is also the childhood home of Brother Ali. The 'Mad Town' is home to producer Greg "the gynx" Doby, who has worked with G-Unit.
[edit] Current and future trends
Currently, several Midwest acts are verging on national recognition, including Marissa Illinois rapid-fire MC, MC Promo MobScene (made up of Bonez and Promo). Self Produced team The mobscene has also been making waves. upon the release of their rap star-studded mixtape, Dusk Til Dawn. The Midwest today is considered to be very popular in equal levels with the Dirty South. Unlike the West Coast, East Coast, and Southern genres, Midwest rap seems to have no (if not, very little) interest, or reference of competition with other regions.
While the Midwest recently lost some of its most supported acts, namely Proof of D12 and J Dilla, other artists stand to uphold the area's scene. Royce da 5'9", long eluded by commercial fame, is currently working on an album with DJ Premier and may sign with Nas's The Jones Experience; Upcoming young rappers such as Boss Whalin and Denzy, from Kansas City, Kansas, are releasing their debut album title From My Hood To Out The Hood and Denzy's mixtape album Tha Come Up Vol.1; Lupe Fiasco has announced his next album, anticipated by a (mostly internet-based) cult following. Kanye West and Common have also both announced their next albums on GOOD Music, to be released sometime in '07. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony are also releasing their 7th studio album as a trio (Flesh-N-Bone is in jail liable for parole in 2008 and Bizzy Bone left the group, Bizzy is also releasing an album this year titled A Song for You. On April 17, 2007 will Strength and Loyalty, be released of Interscope/Full Surface, with the singles I Tried feat. Akon, and Lil L.O.V.E.. Rumored appearances from one time rival Twista, Mariah Carey, The Game, Akon, and many more plus production from Swizz Beatz. Early 2008, hip hop duo , Streetz & Young Deuces hit it big with their single "Dougie" & "Dat Guy" independently distributed through itunes and Rhapsody. With the success of these club driven track they have caught the attention of several major record labels.
[edit] List of notable artists
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[edit] References
- ^ Scholtes, Peter S. (2004-08-18). "One Nation, Invisible: The Untold Story of TC hip hop, 1981-1996". City Pages 25 (1237). ISSN 0744-0456.
[edit] External links
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