After Nelly and the St. Lunatics grinded and finally got on in a big way in 2000, it seemed that everybody and their mamas were trying to get on with them.
As entertainment editor for the American, I got handed more demos than an A&R rep at a music showcase. I listened to these CDs and mixtapes, when I got my whip, to see if I could ride to them. If I could, it was all good, and I’d share them with hip-hop heads in my ‘hood and give the artists much-deserved ink.
If I couldn’t bob my head to the CD, my friend and I would label them frisbees n and you know what you do with a frisbee.
I was getting a gang of frisbees. “People need to stop wasting their time and money,” I started saying. “Everybody can’t rap, everybody can’t sing n and mediocre isn’t good enough.”
But that was a couple of years ago. Heads trying to get on these days have stepped up their game. Just about every CD I’m handed has at least one head bobber on it. And the STL scene is percolating.
Last Friday, I was handed a mixtape (complete with original rhymes and tracks) most recently at The Science, a weekly KDHX radio hip-hop spin in the Duck Room inside Blueberry Hill.
“Have you heard that new Toyy?” asked the Committee’s J-Biggs. I had not, so he put one in my hand. When I got to my whip, I popped it in and bobbed my head down Delmar. The sister can flow and the production by DJ Trackstar is on point.
Toyy rolls with the Committee and is the sister of rapper Jia Davis, who is featured on two of her phat joints. “The Many Faces of Toyy” LP will soon hit the streets.
Speaking of releases, I wrapped up a week local hip-hop hooray with two CD release parties Sunday night.
Of all places, they went down at “no bandanas, no do-rags, no tilted caps” Union Station.
First was Black on Black/Quit Playing’s invite-only listening party for the All Stars’ All City. Everybody who is anybody on the scene was there in City Improv to honor the boys: Vic Damone, Trust, Top Dolla and Nimmy Russell.
I mean everybody, from engineers like Adam Long and super producers like Fala Beats and Orlando Watson (Pretty Boy Records) to deejays like Tossin’ Ted, DJ Vo, C-Note and J-Nicks (now a VJ on Rap City) to videographer Da Bony Body, who directed the All Stars “Do Whatcha Do” DVD, and tag artist Chris Sabatino, who throws up paint for a lot of local artists.
Then there were rappers like Shaunessi and DJ Bishop and even singer Isis Jones, who popped in while heads were filling the Hardrock Café for her own CD release party later that evening.
That’s the kind love that was in the house. Maybe the baddest love was shared between the All Stars themselves, who got all crunk in one corner, rapping each other’s verses, reminding us that they are still one tight group.
Devrick Mullen, vice prez of Pretty Boy Records, who rolled through the All Stars’ joint, was seen later at Isis Jones’ set copping one of her CDs.
“You gotta show support,” Mullen said. “I hope it brings back good karma, but, if it doesn’t, I still show support.”
Ditto for the All Stars, who slid over to Isis’ set after theirs. Her set was a musical treat, especially for those who can appreciate the romantic fusion of R&B, neo-soul and hip-hop swing.
Supporters at Isis’ party ran the gamut from hardcore rappers to wholesome poets. Pretty Willie, or P. Dub these days, made a rare appearance. He confirmed the news promoter/manager Big Hud shot to me Thursday (at the Soul Café with Adina Howard at Plush): he’ll soon be signing on the dotted line of $1 million contract.
Humble, cooler than cool, laid-back Lunactic Kyjuan was also in the house at Plush to welcome Adina Howard to town. She made a few whispers in his ear. Networking n I’m sure. I also peeped Big Moe who used to run Sub Zero Records before he jetted to Texas. After some good and bad times in Texas Moe is back in the Lou.
But my hip-hop partying began all the way back at Chingy’s birthday party Wednesday at the Spot. The place was packed with beautiful people getting their party on. It didn’t seem to matter that Chingy, who’s working on a project with DJ Quick, showed up unfashionably late. But, it was his birthday, so it’s his call.
Until he mobbed in, his mother Vernita and sister rapper Ziggy kept his VIP section going with Spud (VIP) and Ziggy’s manager Lucky.
When Chingy finally showed up, I thought he would need an oxygen mask, people played him so close. At least Cory Spinks gave him 50 feet. Spinks and his crew were in another VIP section showing their love and support.
You couldn’t keep people out of producer Fala’s face at his birthday party Saturday at Panama Reds on Locust. Through his company, Fala Beats, he has slung tracks to Nelly, Murphy Lee, King Jacob, Chocolate Tai and Payback, who was in the house after being under radar for a while.
Also showing well-wishes were Young Beano, Lady Sheeka (the emcee) and Adam Long.
And the deejay was kicking jams, many of them from local artists, some of them already on. It’s getting crowded in here. Keep it coming!
