When one types Hip Hop Music in Arkansas or any variations thereof into the Ebsco Host search using all the academic databases, it says that there are no results for the search query. One could make the point that in fact this is saying much about the state of Hip Hop in Arkansas. While there is an ever present underground Hip Hop culture in Arkansas, the larger U.S. and World have yet to realize it.
607 with Big Dolla - Block Monster
Epiphany
Arkansas Hip Hop enthusiasts lament that there hasn't been any break out Hip Hip artists from Arkansas as there have been in other states. Including online marketing, The state of Arkansas hip-hop accurately describes how artists are using the old-school methods of "hand-to-hand marketing, driving around from club to club passing out CDs, paying club DJs to consider spinning their singles, all on a wing and prayer, funded entirely by their own limited finances" (Elliot, 2012).
There is hope! Artists are venturing overseas to tour. 607, Epiphany, and others are garnering a fan base overseas. Perhaps, other countries will respect Arkansas as having immense Hip Hop talent before the U.S. will? 607 though has personally told the blogger (me) that he doesn't believe its necessary to leave Arkansas because of the success of internet marketing. Arkansas Times asked "how Central Arkansas could ever hope to compare to such massive metro areas?" and 607 responded Black people spend millions of dollar at the hair store. We fill up the 2 Chainz concerts. We situated. The money is there. We just have to make them subscribe to our brand"(Millar, 2012). 607 describes himself as a mix of Tupac and Fionna Apple and has released 38 albums, showing his deep lyrics and genius creativity and is a member of the group Earfear with his brother Bobby - a lyrical beast in his own right. (607, n.d.) Bobby is also a member of the LabRatz, an artist collective (will it be the Wu-Tang Clan of Arkansas?) pushing forward the music scene with Blaze Beatz, Kwestion, Asylum, Fiyah Burnz, Osyrus Bolly,Doe Boi,Turnpike, Tiko
Brooks, X2C, Nick Broadway, King Knowlej, Gadah and Duke Stigall.
Epiphany and his collaborators Gina Gee and One Night Stand's performance on AETN Presents: On the Front Row was described as "jazz, soul and rock-and-roll infused hip-hop....[,]a musical performance so original – this is something you won’t want to miss" (AETN, n.d.)!
Brooks, X2C, Nick Broadway, King Knowlej, Gadah and Duke Stigall.
Epiphany and his collaborators Gina Gee and One Night Stand's performance on AETN Presents: On the Front Row was described as "jazz, soul and rock-and-roll infused hip-hop....[,]a musical performance so original – this is something you won’t want to miss" (AETN, n.d.)!
Recently, Arkansas Bo announced via his Facebook page that he had signed with Scarface's Facemob Music which has the whole state proud of his accomplishment and excited about the future of Hip Hop in Arkansas! But Arkansas Bo "claims that he would have never gotten the chance to work with a figure like Scarface if he hadn't left Arkansas and moved closer to a city with an established hip-hop reputation"(Elliot, 2012). This brings up more questions about how one in Arkansas should go about breaking out of the state. Can it all be done from Arkansas? Or does one have to leave to achieve? Perhaps, Arkansas Bo will open the door for other artists to be recognized for their talents and business grind?
D Dirt, self-named Lil Rock Obama (rightfully so), and his Thow'd Studio team is doing much for the music scene in Arkansas including throwing events to highlight artists' talents (the old and newbies alike), promoting himself and other artists, as well as holding down a notable radio show The Real Underground Show on 88.3 which plays local Hip Hop music. 101.1 The Streetz has also been supporting local music (along with Dj No Name forming community relations) and 92.3 more and more after people like D Dirt, Couch Lightyear, and others spoke out about the lack of support for local music. Radio 88.3 is very supportive in general of local music and Hip Hop, various shows have interviewed and played Roni Poet's music- Naturally Fab (Fit and Beautiful), The Pow Wow with Amy Pannell, Craft & Conversations
Artist E -Dubb, said by 607 to be "one of the most unifying presences on the scene" (Elliot, 2012) was released from incarceration recently which has Arkansas music supporters happy about the future. I'm happy, and I've never met him but I know it's something to be happy about when a brother gets out of slavery and plans to use his talents to succeed in life (Yes, I know one shouldn't use I in professional writing or sound so bias as to claim jail as slavery (That's another blog post in itself. Can one put parentheses within parentheses?) but I'm allowed to add personal flare! Well, ain't I Mr. Teacher Man reading this blog to grade me in my Masters in Entertainment program?)! Petey Weedstraw has the popular L.I.T.T.L.E. Rock Anthem featuring E-Dubb and others. Rod D is another respected artist in Arkansas, having signed a distribution deal through a Universal subsidiary.
Artists such as Epiphany, Wardog, Roni Poet, and many more have organized Hip Hop events and organizations for charitable causes showing the power of Hip Hop to solve social issues.
Artists like Matt Dizzle of Ill Legal Productions is producing quality and affordable Hip Hop videos to promote local talent. While artist Temolja Washington is using his creativity to pimp out chains for his fellow artists as well as making movies.
Miss Lady magazine with Jas Chy'rel as Publisher and her sister Ebony Kelsey, Lay D Black of The Streetz 101.1 support the music and arts scene in Arkansas.
Roni Poet - Country Gurl ft. Weezie Wee
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| Ms. Weezie Wee |
Artist Roni Poet has opened for national acts such as Too Short, Trina, Shawna former member of Ludacris's DTP, and recently performed on a festival ticket with Stic Man of Dead Prez. She is definitely one to take notice of as set to "blow up" with her multitude of talents as a lyrically genius emcee, visual artist, actress, and model. (It will never not seem strange to refer to one's self in the third person but supposedly that's thought more professional.)
Young Hoggs with member Ms. Weezie Wee have respect and a solid following. Ms. Weezie Wee is a talented artist - an emcee, singer, songwriter, actress, and model.
Stephan James of 4x4 Crew and RTLD Media are artists who have also partnered as entrepreneurs who promote the well-attended Indie Music Night which gives artists a chance to showcase their talent and get promotion.Venues are supportive of local Hip Hop in Arkansas such as Robert's Sports Bar and Grill in Southwest, Elevations, The Yard in Mcalmont, and many others.
This blog on Arkansas Hip Hop would be incomplete without such talents as 9th scientist, The Ridah G.O.D, Fleezilini (Do you count since you're a transplant from Flint, Michigan?), Throad Poetic Rapper, Slim Arkane, Koop Davillian, Nemo Money, and Feezio. YK Mitchell is definitely holding it down with his Grim Muzik movement - also providing affordable studio recording for fellow artists. Wow, and one can't leave out K-Toomer - He's everywhere in Arkansas promoting his music!
In researching about Arkansas Hip Hop one must mention the following I would like a retraction of the statement about Kari Faux "She’s one of the only females that is rapping and at the same time you wouldn’t put her on the list by default just ’cause she’s a girl." from (Mylnar, 2013) This relates to the blog I did earlier about female emcees in the Hip Hop industry, and how we have no respect. I personally know many female emcees holding it down in Arkansas - me for one, Weezie Wee, Cat Daddy (She's not just making waves in Arkansas but travels to Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Atlanta, California, Kansas City, and Texas. She's been interviewed by 50.com, and has sat down with mangers such as Miami Mike and Debra Atney), Kandee Gurl, Nisharee, Mizz Tiny,Thourill Bread, and many more. People assume that women aren't making music and out on the Arkansas streets hard performing and promoting, and it is a common saying that when one assumes...but the blog digresses. Cat Daddy says of her recent move to Houston, "I'm actually looking for the career not the lifestyle thats why I left. In Arkansas I can be famous, (without the money) but I chose the career so now I'm in Houston grindin'" (direct quote from Cat Daddy). However, she's not dissing any artists in Arkansas for staying in Arkansas and agrees with the blogger that there is more than one way up a mountain.
There is even a market for Christian rap in Arkansas such as Divine 7 Entertainment artist Charles Mayo - Last Supper - Official Video
The music scene in Arkansas is love from fellow artists and fans, a mesh of diverse people forming a camaraderie in trying to break the Arkansas glass ceiling for Hip Hop artists. One would be amiss to not mention there does exist hate amongst some artists not wanting to support one another as they feel the pressure to be the first to put Arkansas on the map.
9th Scientist
Resources
AETN.org On the Front Row with Epiphany. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aetn.org/programs/aetnpresents/onthefrontrow/epiphany
Elliot, N. (2012, July 4). The state of Arkansas hip-hop | A&E Feature | Arkansas news, politics, opinion, restaurants, music, movies and art. Retrieved from http://www.arktimes.com/arkansas/the-state-of-arkansas-hip-hop/Content?oid=2321937&showFullText=true
607. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://iam607.com/
Millar, L. (2012, May 16). 607 is not retiring. Retrieved from www.arktimes.com/RockCandy/archives/2012/05/16/607-is-not-retiringind
Mlynar , P. (2013, January 28). Get to Know These Little Rock Rappers | MTV Hive. Retrieved from http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/01/28/best-little-rock-rappers-arkansas/
Roni Poet's firsthand knowledge of Hip Hop in Arkansas
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