The Situation: When it rains, it pours... I can't believe this awesome retort that showed up on 206 Proof to Matson's article on Drake's "Successful". It's pretty much the greatest thing, courtesy of R&Bemo:
Game tips/Walk through: Leeroy Jenkins. You just ran in the room and murdered a party of Orcs. Epic troll!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
As the Rain Drizzles, Tears Pour
The Situation: Have you read the deepest blogosphere post in forever? It's been out since yesterday, and it's by Andrew Matson, the Seattleite whose writing never doesn't make me feel a little glazed over.
Well, our resident blogstar and all around hip dude has recently posted a dark and emotional piece about urban music rookie of the year candidate, Drake. As you can feel in Matson's writing, which is like a mash up of hyperbole and tenacious journalism (a style I like to refer to as "Hyper-nalism") there is a deep seeded darkness to this man's reflections.
Not content with just looking into the mirror, he examines it's shiny surface. He peers deeply into the hallow behind him. He recollects more than just what is there, he brings out what does not exist and he makes it ethereal reality. He is a creator at it's purest, most metaphysical form.
Matson is great at writing about feelings, but he's also just great at writing.
Game tips/Walk through: A winner is you. When reflecting upon the mundane, don't look at it's face value. Look deeper. Find a darker, more resounding emotional connection within the content's shallow waters. The difference between a good song and a great song is how the blogs react to it. So don't just react, overreact! Make every word you write the greatest word ever written.
Well, our resident blogstar and all around hip dude has recently posted a dark and emotional piece about urban music rookie of the year candidate, Drake. As you can feel in Matson's writing, which is like a mash up of hyperbole and tenacious journalism (a style I like to refer to as "Hyper-nalism") there is a deep seeded darkness to this man's reflections.
Not content with just looking into the mirror, he examines it's shiny surface. He peers deeply into the hallow behind him. He recollects more than just what is there, he brings out what does not exist and he makes it ethereal reality. He is a creator at it's purest, most metaphysical form.
Matson is great at writing about feelings, but he's also just great at writing.
Game tips/Walk through: A winner is you. When reflecting upon the mundane, don't look at it's face value. Look deeper. Find a darker, more resounding emotional connection within the content's shallow waters. The difference between a good song and a great song is how the blogs react to it. So don't just react, overreact! Make every word you write the greatest word ever written.
Friday, August 28, 2009
JUGGALO BLOW OUT SALE!
The Situation: As "Cash For Clunkers" closes out, the deals keep coming in. I just noticed this beauty of a lot on Craigslist... it's basically the Ultimate Juggalo Starter Package. Check out all of the good stuff this 'lo has to offer... much clown love.
For the low, 'lo price of $900 you can be the proud owner of over 40 Juggalo T-Shirts "including a Red Fuck off shirt"... but wait, there's more. This lucky bidder will also receive the early Inner City Posse "Bass-ment Cuts" as well as an entire catalog of ICP, Twizted and Blaze Ya Dead Homie... but still, there's more!
You'll also get stickers, patches, blankets, lunch boxes, a broken back pack, Faygo soda pop covers, bobble heads, dolls/figures/shit and too much more to name. Remember folks, Juggalo merchandise is SERIOUS BUSINESS, so please NO FLAKES! Your ultimate Juggalo starter pack is available for pick up in Tacoma, Washington (where you can also get your copy of Sawchosiz's latest release WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!)
Game tips/Walk through: Up, Up, Down, Down with the clown. You don't need cheat codes to be a Juggalo... if you've somehow made it this far without converting to the Dark Carnival, now is the perfect time to start. The Juggalo revival is coming and like the Zombie Holocaust it's time to choose a side!
For the low, 'lo price of $900 you can be the proud owner of over 40 Juggalo T-Shirts "including a Red Fuck off shirt"... but wait, there's more. This lucky bidder will also receive the early Inner City Posse "Bass-ment Cuts" as well as an entire catalog of ICP, Twizted and Blaze Ya Dead Homie... but still, there's more!
You'll also get stickers, patches, blankets, lunch boxes, a broken back pack, Faygo soda pop covers, bobble heads, dolls/figures/shit and too much more to name. Remember folks, Juggalo merchandise is SERIOUS BUSINESS, so please NO FLAKES! Your ultimate Juggalo starter pack is available for pick up in Tacoma, Washington (where you can also get your copy of Sawchosiz's latest release WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!)
Game tips/Walk through: Up, Up, Down, Down with the clown. You don't need cheat codes to be a Juggalo... if you've somehow made it this far without converting to the Dark Carnival, now is the perfect time to start. The Juggalo revival is coming and like the Zombie Holocaust it's time to choose a side!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Raps
The Situation: Ohio superstar of rap, Sado Slim, recently relocated to Seattle because he "HEARD THE HIP-HOP SCENE IS REALLY POPPIN' OFF OUT HERE". He also says, and I quote, "Tha style of Hip-Hop I do isn't like any other...I call it Psychological Hip-Hop, cuz it gets ya to think. Get in contact with me. I'm eager to get on stage and will prove that I'm worthy for any club party."
So we here at Game of Rap decided it was time for a little perverted justice. We had our correspondent pose online as a female fan with weed, offering an email address to get in contact with her. Like all other rap offenders, he fell into our trap and this is what the rhyme molester had to say:
"I got your comment on 206proof.com, what's really good? Hit me up and let me know? I've been staying in Downtown Seattle. Maybe you and I can meet and smoke like you said."
Ahh, he eagerly took the bait. No wannabe rap-star can pass up the reefer. Heather/stfuh8u knows just how to lure the dirty rotten rhymers into her clutches. Let's see what else he has to say...
"Right now, I'm broke as fuck and have no money. I got ripped off out here horribly... I bought 50 fake hits of acid, and when I find dude...I'ma fuck him up."
OH NOES!! I CAN HAZ PSYCHEDELICS?? Darn those dishonest drug dealers. What's worse is I have a feeling our guy, Sado, was going to try and overdose on his little purchase. I can just imagine him 37 sugar cubes deep with nothing more than an upset tummy.
"But I've been working on some new lyrics for my new album I'm working on...I'm at tha point where I don't give a fuck and I will stop at nothing to do what I need to do to make this shit happen."
Good for you, Captain Shithead.
"Hit me back and we can figure something out. I'm gonna be walking around all night tonight just so I can write. I might end up sleeping on tha street because I'm really at a point in my life where I have nothing left for me but this music thing."
OH SNAP! It's that Hobo Hip-Hop! You need to link up with my main man Afterburner and work on some real hood shit. I've heard many cry over the years that "Seattle is getting slept on", but this takes the term far too literally.
Will the real Slim Sado please stand up?Game tips/Walk through: Go home. Seriously, what the fucks wrong with you? You suck, like all around. You're living in the fucking streets? Just go back to Ohio. Cost of living is far less out there in the corn fields, and you're mad corny to boot. Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
When free isn't worth it...
You know what I miss about all of the free EP's and albums that get handed out these days? I can't give them free street promotion. The days of chucking somebody's expensive hobby out the window of your moving car have been reduced to a rare occasion. Simply dragging and dropping a free EP download to the Recycle Bin just isn't the same.
I wish there were a way to download directly into the trash can. I guess I could just skip downloading it all together. It's just my old school ways still beg to play frisbee with a CD-R. I'm almost tempted to burn these ever popular EP's onto a disc myself, so I can chuck them at the heads of people wearing iPod ear buds... KARMA!
Fuck it though, you should still probably check out Ripynt and Sinic's new effort, A Mid-Summers Day Drive EP. As far as pale faced Everett rap goes, it's undoubtedly the best there is. I just gave the project a listen and it's got a lot to offer. I like the posse tracks, with singers on the chorus... and probably not just because it means less Ripynt either.
One track, "Right Here" features Indijinis, Soul the Interrogator and Ripynt on verses with Aro as the crooner. The other, titled "What I'm Going Through", has female vocalist Latin Rose on the hook with Neema, Ripynt and Speedy delivering 16's. The beauty of these tracks is every collaborator gets to focus on their own little piece of the track, keeping it interesting at the very least.
Ripynt and Sinic bring it on this EP. Other features include Grynch, Thig Natural, Wizdom and Jazz Digga. The 9 tracks all carry a very collective feel and added scratching and samples bring it together as a real project, not just some tracks thrown together. You can tell time and effort were put into this one. And it's free.
So, you might as well give it a listen. It goes pretty hard, all the way through. I bet it really does play well on a long drive too. In fact, its especially great for the people of Everett, as you can listen to it on the drive to somewhere worth being. Download it at www.RipAndSin.com.
I wish there were a way to download directly into the trash can. I guess I could just skip downloading it all together. It's just my old school ways still beg to play frisbee with a CD-R. I'm almost tempted to burn these ever popular EP's onto a disc myself, so I can chuck them at the heads of people wearing iPod ear buds... KARMA!
Fuck it though, you should still probably check out Ripynt and Sinic's new effort, A Mid-Summers Day Drive EP. As far as pale faced Everett rap goes, it's undoubtedly the best there is. I just gave the project a listen and it's got a lot to offer. I like the posse tracks, with singers on the chorus... and probably not just because it means less Ripynt either.
One track, "Right Here" features Indijinis, Soul the Interrogator and Ripynt on verses with Aro as the crooner. The other, titled "What I'm Going Through", has female vocalist Latin Rose on the hook with Neema, Ripynt and Speedy delivering 16's. The beauty of these tracks is every collaborator gets to focus on their own little piece of the track, keeping it interesting at the very least.
Ripynt and Sinic bring it on this EP. Other features include Grynch, Thig Natural, Wizdom and Jazz Digga. The 9 tracks all carry a very collective feel and added scratching and samples bring it together as a real project, not just some tracks thrown together. You can tell time and effort were put into this one. And it's free.
So, you might as well give it a listen. It goes pretty hard, all the way through. I bet it really does play well on a long drive too. In fact, its especially great for the people of Everett, as you can listen to it on the drive to somewhere worth being. Download it at www.RipAndSin.com.
1000 words by stfuh8u
Monday, August 17, 2009
The King of Ballard addresses some things
Yo, ummm, this is kinda poignant as Grynch has much to say about butt hurt rappers and such. Not to mention Andrew Matson decided to blog about it on Seattle Times. Give it a listen, kids.
Seattle Times Blog - The King of Ballard Swings His Sword
Seattle Times Blog - The King of Ballard Swings His Sword
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Let's Taco'bout Peace...
The Situation: August 27th is Global Forgiveness Day. Think of all the people you've felt wronged by. All the uppity sons of bitches that really get under your skin. Now imagine how many people might feel that way towards you.
It's a vicious cycle of insecurity and hate. How does one go about making change? Taco Del Mar is trying. Visit their website TacoDelMar.com and send your friends (or even enemies) a Free Taco E-Card, showing you forgive them. Then come August 27th, they can turn that lil' tooti into a delicious taco!
Game tips/Walk through: +1 Taco point. What better way to forgive somebody then in the form of Mexican-American cuisine? Seriously, I bet Jesus would have sent Judas a Free Taco of Forgiveness. If all else fails, go start some shit with somebody, in hopes they forgive you with the gift of taco.
It's a vicious cycle of insecurity and hate. How does one go about making change? Taco Del Mar is trying. Visit their website TacoDelMar.com and send your friends (or even enemies) a Free Taco E-Card, showing you forgive them. Then come August 27th, they can turn that lil' tooti into a delicious taco!
Game tips/Walk through: +1 Taco point. What better way to forgive somebody then in the form of Mexican-American cuisine? Seriously, I bet Jesus would have sent Judas a Free Taco of Forgiveness. If all else fails, go start some shit with somebody, in hopes they forgive you with the gift of taco.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
1000 words by stfuh8u
Billy asked me to be a part of The Game of Rap. As I am not much of a writer, we both agreed that what I will be posting are pictures with short commentaries... starting with:
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I JUST GOT A DEAL WITH PONZI RECORDS!
The Situation: An email was sent to 206 Proof member Mobucks three times in the past two weeks offering him a sweet record deal with Universal. Although it does seem Universal hands out deals these days as Trick or Treats on Halloween, this is remarkably faulty. Let's take a look at the message:
"HEY MOBUCKS HOW R U? MY NAME IS SYLVIA B RHONE. I AM THE VP OF UNIVERSAL RECORDS.U CAN GOOGLE ME TO SEE WHO I AM. I JUST CAME ACROSS YOUR MUSIC AND SEE THAT YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT. YOU ARE JUST LACKING THE PROPER EXPOSURE DUE TO YOUR LOCATION OR DUE TO YOUR MANAGEMENT NOT KNOWING ANYBODY MAJOR IN THIS MUSIC BUSINESS.IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF MANAGEMENT OR IF YOU WANNA COME OUT AND OPEN UP ON TOUR FOR ANY UNIVERSAL RECORDS ARTIST PLEASE LEAVE US A CONTACT NUMBER AND I WILL HAVE ONE OF MY REPS GIVE YOU A CALL. IF YOU WANNA PARTICPATE ON THIS NEW YOUNGMONEY TOUR. IT IS A PROMOTERS FEE OF $600. U CAN OPEN UP FOR LIL WAYNE,YOUNG JEEZY AND KANYE WEST AND SOLIDER BOY. AUGUST 13 PHOENIX,AZ. AUGUST 14 I L A. ALSO YOU CAN OPEN UP AUGUST 15 IN SAN FRANSICO AND LAST DALLAS TX AUGUST 17. WE WILL PAY FOR FOUR FLIGHTS ND FOUR HOTELS. ALL THE MAJOR RECORDS LABELS WILL BE ON THIS TOUR. YOU WILL COME OUT AND PERFORM THREE OF YOUR BEST SONGS. THERE WILL BE THREE ACTS PERFORMING. TWO WILL BE SELECTED FOR A RECORDS DEAL. THIS IS A FIRST COME,FIRST SERVE BASIS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND HELPING YOU FURTHER YOUR MUSIC CAREER. WITHOUT NO EXPOSURE THERE WILL BE NO SUCCESS IN THIS MUSIC INDUSTRY."
My favorite part is that Sylvia B. Rhone would type in all caps. That certifies this email as totally gangster.
Game tips/Walk through: IT'S A TRAP! Lol, if you're too gullible to realize this is a freakin' scam, then send me $600 and I'll be your personal scam detector. I accept paypal, western union and paper bag full of unmarked bills deposited in the trash can outside of Dick's Lake City location at 3am PST.
"HEY MOBUCKS HOW R U? MY NAME IS SYLVIA B RHONE. I AM THE VP OF UNIVERSAL RECORDS.U CAN GOOGLE ME TO SEE WHO I AM. I JUST CAME ACROSS YOUR MUSIC AND SEE THAT YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE IT. YOU ARE JUST LACKING THE PROPER EXPOSURE DUE TO YOUR LOCATION OR DUE TO YOUR MANAGEMENT NOT KNOWING ANYBODY MAJOR IN THIS MUSIC BUSINESS.IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF MANAGEMENT OR IF YOU WANNA COME OUT AND OPEN UP ON TOUR FOR ANY UNIVERSAL RECORDS ARTIST PLEASE LEAVE US A CONTACT NUMBER AND I WILL HAVE ONE OF MY REPS GIVE YOU A CALL. IF YOU WANNA PARTICPATE ON THIS NEW YOUNGMONEY TOUR. IT IS A PROMOTERS FEE OF $600. U CAN OPEN UP FOR LIL WAYNE,YOUNG JEEZY AND KANYE WEST AND SOLIDER BOY. AUGUST 13 PHOENIX,AZ. AUGUST 14 I L A. ALSO YOU CAN OPEN UP AUGUST 15 IN SAN FRANSICO AND LAST DALLAS TX AUGUST 17. WE WILL PAY FOR FOUR FLIGHTS ND FOUR HOTELS. ALL THE MAJOR RECORDS LABELS WILL BE ON THIS TOUR. YOU WILL COME OUT AND PERFORM THREE OF YOUR BEST SONGS. THERE WILL BE THREE ACTS PERFORMING. TWO WILL BE SELECTED FOR A RECORDS DEAL. THIS IS A FIRST COME,FIRST SERVE BASIS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND HELPING YOU FURTHER YOUR MUSIC CAREER. WITHOUT NO EXPOSURE THERE WILL BE NO SUCCESS IN THIS MUSIC INDUSTRY."
My favorite part is that Sylvia B. Rhone would type in all caps. That certifies this email as totally gangster.
Game tips/Walk through: IT'S A TRAP! Lol, if you're too gullible to realize this is a freakin' scam, then send me $600 and I'll be your personal scam detector. I accept paypal, western union and paper bag full of unmarked bills deposited in the trash can outside of Dick's Lake City location at 3am PST.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Multi-tasking in Music
The Situation: Tone Loc was a pretty famous rapper, being one of the first to really cross over into mainstream Hollywood with appearances in cinema classics like Ferngully and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The two songs that made him the mega star he was were "Funky Cold Medina" and "Wild Thing". The best thing about them is that they were the same song.
Paul over at Paul's Pond put together this sweet little video playing each of the two songs at once, one in stereo right and the other in stereo left. The end result is pretty much the best version of the two songs. It's just jumbled enough that you feel like you're listening to The Beatles back masking, yet it fits together so perfectly that it holds the same effect as lining up Dark Side of the Moon with the Wizard of Oz. This mash up is easily my favorite version of the (3) song(s).
Seriously guys, check it out - Paul's Ponderings on Tone Loc
Game tips/Walk through: Back, Back, A, B, Start. This is cheat codes at it's finest. I recommend more people make one song into two so that they fit so perfectly layered over another. You could start your own musical revolution like chopped and screwed or mash ups. I could listen to this all day, as I slowly creep into a state of joyous insanity.
I'll be back soon with some super sweetness regarding teh local hip-hopz.
Paul over at Paul's Pond put together this sweet little video playing each of the two songs at once, one in stereo right and the other in stereo left. The end result is pretty much the best version of the two songs. It's just jumbled enough that you feel like you're listening to The Beatles back masking, yet it fits together so perfectly that it holds the same effect as lining up Dark Side of the Moon with the Wizard of Oz. This mash up is easily my favorite version of the (3) song(s).
Seriously guys, check it out - Paul's Ponderings on Tone Loc
Game tips/Walk through: Back, Back, A, B, Start. This is cheat codes at it's finest. I recommend more people make one song into two so that they fit so perfectly layered over another. You could start your own musical revolution like chopped and screwed or mash ups. I could listen to this all day, as I slowly creep into a state of joyous insanity.
I'll be back soon with some super sweetness regarding teh local hip-hopz.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Why? A Question with Answers
The Situation: Local producer Nickels recently posed a question to the Hip-Hop Echelons of the Northwest music scene. Here it is in it's entirety:
"Why are Seattle heads famous for only paying attention to a select few artists and ignoring the rest... Especially since some of these slept on ones could murder those who are in the spot light... Seattle sucks"
Rather than answer this question myself, I figured I'd give some shine to a relative unknown in the local rap game. Not only should this give us a fresh perspective on an old topic, but it also might turn you on to some new and exciting music. This artist has lived in Seattle for quite sometime now, but was a transfer to our great city from Southern California. You may not known his name, Dro Boy, as well as you know his group, They Live (who's EP, "They L.A. Soul", is set to release in the upcoming months). I'm very interested in picking the brain of this talented youngster, so let's get started.
_____________________________________
Game of Rap: So, Dro Boy, I haven't heard that name prior to "They Live" fame, but people tell me you've been a part of the Northwest scene for some time. Could you tell me a little about the struggle you
faced against the Hip-Hop Elite, to make it where you have with your group "They Live"?
Dro Boy: Well sure its never been easy but I dont feel held down in the scene, i feel like this town has a ridiculous breadth and there's support for everybody thats dope and fucking hustles for theirs.seattle is dope, and probably at an all-time high in terms of support- but outside of here they barely know, which is a huge challenge to anybody here, but its go hard time basically. the only thing that works is work. i stay busy doing the shit i love to do- i've been in cancer rising since 2001, i also am in the nite owls. between these crews, i've gotten to open for everybody from the Wu-Tang Clan to Scarface to Clipse to Big Boi to Clipse to Dj Quik to fuckin Mickey Avalon. Rocked with techno monsters like Truckasauras and some of the best rock bands in Seattle. i've rocked in like every spot in town besides the paramount, every festival here from block party to bumbershoot to warped tour to sasquatch, toured the NW with CR, went to Denmark to rock @ the roskilde fest, They Live! is currently performing on the nationwide sneaker pimps tour...
Game of Rap: Well, damn. I didn't realize all of that. I guess that just shows you how much the musical elite really hold back our city's talent. My next question I guess, is how hard has it been for you to
get media coverage in this city. Is there any outlet for local music to get its shine?
Dro Boy: Um, I think there's more outlets than ever. There's people fucking excited about local hiphop at about every music publication and blog in town, speaking of blogs, they're springing up like every day- such as yours. blogs is watching, drop-bomb.com, audacity of dope, casey carter, plus at least a half dozen others out there...i started Raindrop Hustla in january 2006...and we're still doing it. not to mention, uh, ive written about just about everybody in this town via the weekly column My Philosophy, in The Stranger, over the last five years, and i still do.
Game of Rap: Oh. Damn. I guess I should have done more research. Well, textual media is one thing. Everybody knows how hard it is to get yourself on the radio these days. Have any of your groups been played on Seattle Radio?
Dro Boy: ...okay so this is playtime right? yes. yes they have, every last one of them. KEXP has been playing CR since our first demo, we've been in heavy rotation- like more than a few local hiphop artists, dude. b-mello and street sounds held the town the fuck down for years and years homie- and i dunno know if you heard, but i recently became that show's new host. i play hella local shit. ok, j moore & dj hyphen have been doing sunday night sound session on kube since like 2006, playing local shit. X-104 (RIP) played local shit. i mean...is this a fucking joke? do you not know what's going on out here?
Game of Rap: No man, I seriously wasn't aware of all that. I googled Dro Boy and only They Live came up. It almost seems as if you yourself are one of these Seattle Heads in question. Is there some sort of upper society running the city? If there is truly an open door policy for local music, or are people being held back?
Dro Boy: ok look. there are no echelons. they dont exist. all those rumors, the Chase Jarvis dinners and the secret War Room meetings and the underground grindway and the Fremont LSD barons and the architecture of the Sky Church and the "locked levels" of 206proof, i mean i dont even know what your talking about. you're all mixed up, friend. you should be careful saying that kind of stuff because somebody might think you're crazy, and lock you away, lock you away in a dark, foul-smelling 6 by 10 hole, forever. because you dont even remember anything i've just said. said what? i dont even know. so now listen very close to me. what you really mean is there is a place for everyone, and everyone in their place. get it, friend? do you feel illuminated, that is, enlightened? It's a new dawn. 206 Stand Up. 206 Stand Up. I think that's really probably all there is really to say about it, period. 206 Stand Up. Stand Up.
Game of Rap: Okay. I never thought of it like that. I guess you're right. Before you go though, I have just one last question that I feel to be very important. If this scene really isn't mutually exclusive to those
in charge, then could you shed some light on a few acts to watch out for?
Dro Boy: Oh of course- there's Blue Scholars, Dyme Def, and (touches earpiece), and The Saturday Knights.
Game of Rap: Wow. Thank you for your time, Mr... Dro Boy... err.. Gatsby... err... Larry Mizell Jr. Your unique perspective is appreciated as always.
Dro Boy: OK, you be safe now.
_____________________________________
Game tips/Walk through: 1UP. There's obviously no fuccery in the Northwest Hip-Hop scene. Enjoy your Chai Tea and listen to some sweet tunes.
"Why are Seattle heads famous for only paying attention to a select few artists and ignoring the rest... Especially since some of these slept on ones could murder those who are in the spot light... Seattle sucks"
Rather than answer this question myself, I figured I'd give some shine to a relative unknown in the local rap game. Not only should this give us a fresh perspective on an old topic, but it also might turn you on to some new and exciting music. This artist has lived in Seattle for quite sometime now, but was a transfer to our great city from Southern California. You may not known his name, Dro Boy, as well as you know his group, They Live (who's EP, "They L.A. Soul", is set to release in the upcoming months). I'm very interested in picking the brain of this talented youngster, so let's get started.
_____________________________________
Game of Rap: So, Dro Boy, I haven't heard that name prior to "They Live" fame, but people tell me you've been a part of the Northwest scene for some time. Could you tell me a little about the struggle you
faced against the Hip-Hop Elite, to make it where you have with your group "They Live"?
Dro Boy: Well sure its never been easy but I dont feel held down in the scene, i feel like this town has a ridiculous breadth and there's support for everybody thats dope and fucking hustles for theirs.seattle is dope, and probably at an all-time high in terms of support- but outside of here they barely know, which is a huge challenge to anybody here, but its go hard time basically. the only thing that works is work. i stay busy doing the shit i love to do- i've been in cancer rising since 2001, i also am in the nite owls. between these crews, i've gotten to open for everybody from the Wu-Tang Clan to Scarface to Clipse to Big Boi to Clipse to Dj Quik to fuckin Mickey Avalon. Rocked with techno monsters like Truckasauras and some of the best rock bands in Seattle. i've rocked in like every spot in town besides the paramount, every festival here from block party to bumbershoot to warped tour to sasquatch, toured the NW with CR, went to Denmark to rock @ the roskilde fest, They Live! is currently performing on the nationwide sneaker pimps tour...
Game of Rap: Well, damn. I didn't realize all of that. I guess that just shows you how much the musical elite really hold back our city's talent. My next question I guess, is how hard has it been for you to
get media coverage in this city. Is there any outlet for local music to get its shine?
Dro Boy: Um, I think there's more outlets than ever. There's people fucking excited about local hiphop at about every music publication and blog in town, speaking of blogs, they're springing up like every day- such as yours. blogs is watching, drop-bomb.com, audacity of dope, casey carter, plus at least a half dozen others out there...i started Raindrop Hustla in january 2006...and we're still doing it. not to mention, uh, ive written about just about everybody in this town via the weekly column My Philosophy, in The Stranger, over the last five years, and i still do.
Game of Rap: Oh. Damn. I guess I should have done more research. Well, textual media is one thing. Everybody knows how hard it is to get yourself on the radio these days. Have any of your groups been played on Seattle Radio?
Dro Boy: ...okay so this is playtime right? yes. yes they have, every last one of them. KEXP has been playing CR since our first demo, we've been in heavy rotation- like more than a few local hiphop artists, dude. b-mello and street sounds held the town the fuck down for years and years homie- and i dunno know if you heard, but i recently became that show's new host. i play hella local shit. ok, j moore & dj hyphen have been doing sunday night sound session on kube since like 2006, playing local shit. X-104 (RIP) played local shit. i mean...is this a fucking joke? do you not know what's going on out here?
Game of Rap: No man, I seriously wasn't aware of all that. I googled Dro Boy and only They Live came up. It almost seems as if you yourself are one of these Seattle Heads in question. Is there some sort of upper society running the city? If there is truly an open door policy for local music, or are people being held back?
Dro Boy: ok look. there are no echelons. they dont exist. all those rumors, the Chase Jarvis dinners and the secret War Room meetings and the underground grindway and the Fremont LSD barons and the architecture of the Sky Church and the "locked levels" of 206proof, i mean i dont even know what your talking about. you're all mixed up, friend. you should be careful saying that kind of stuff because somebody might think you're crazy, and lock you away, lock you away in a dark, foul-smelling 6 by 10 hole, forever. because you dont even remember anything i've just said. said what? i dont even know. so now listen very close to me. what you really mean is there is a place for everyone, and everyone in their place. get it, friend? do you feel illuminated, that is, enlightened? It's a new dawn. 206 Stand Up. 206 Stand Up. I think that's really probably all there is really to say about it, period. 206 Stand Up. Stand Up.
Game of Rap: Okay. I never thought of it like that. I guess you're right. Before you go though, I have just one last question that I feel to be very important. If this scene really isn't mutually exclusive to those
in charge, then could you shed some light on a few acts to watch out for?
Dro Boy: Oh of course- there's Blue Scholars, Dyme Def, and (touches earpiece), and The Saturday Knights.
Game of Rap: Wow. Thank you for your time, Mr... Dro Boy... err.. Gatsby... err... Larry Mizell Jr. Your unique perspective is appreciated as always.
Dro Boy: OK, you be safe now.
_____________________________________
Game tips/Walk through: 1UP. There's obviously no fuccery in the Northwest Hip-Hop scene. Enjoy your Chai Tea and listen to some sweet tunes.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Objects on Flyer are Further than they Appear
The Situation: Remember that time Snoop Dogg and DJ Quik were billed on a flyer below T-Why and Big Boob? This show posted on 206 Proof promises Bone Thugs N Harmony and the illusion of a West Coast Mega Show all for only $12!!! Let me just give you a little quotation that accompanied it: "Sunday Aug 16th @ King Cat Theater @ 7:30 PM. Bone Thugs N Harmony are performing. Come check it out. Advance tix are $12. whisper me for tix. Other artists who might show up, but may not perform include Snoop Dogg, DJ Quik, and Kokane." This was posted by rap-star-in-training J. Bre. His MySpace profile, at the time of me writing this, boasts [opening for Bone Thugs, Snoop Dogg Aug 16]. Here is the rest of the flyer in question:
I get a kick out of "artists who might show up, but may not perform". Why not just eliminate some of the doubt and say "artists won't show up, but neither will fans". This kinda reminds me of the time Ne-Yo was booked for a New Year's Eve Party in Bellevue while being promoted for Dick Clark's NYE Bash in NYC. In that case, Ne-Yo appeared with apology via big screen as the concert promoters disappeared via the exit before refunds could be offered to attendees.
It's a disgraceful practice, nobody wins. This show will not be a success in any form. Somebody's bound to get paid in the matter, but dozens are going to have to take it (no lube) in the process. Promising Bone Thugs and eluding to a star studded event is not equal to two former members of Bone, their less than credible spin-off groups and a bunch of unseasoned local artists (pre-sale ticket masters). This show is a fool's lie and it's creating victims at a rapid rate.
Game tips/Walk through: Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Fans, do not show up. Artists, do not break your back promoting this show. You may think this is your big break, but it's really just going to leave you broke, big time. Even cash up front is not worth the negative association your name is going to receive in the future for putting it on this flyer.
This is a classic bad look... but hindsight is 20/20. Many of us have been there and felt first hand the wrath of a shitty show. You get wise to it. It really should be a no-brainer, but still people insist on signing up for these gigs. If you do find yourself on the business end of this flyer, I suggest you take a little time off and rethink your game plan. There's bound to be something better you can put your time and energy into. Even if it's selling merchandise at a Grynch show.
Stuck On Level One: Shankebone
The Situation: These guys recently posted this video on 206Proof claiming to be the future of Seattle Hip-Hop.
Game tips/Walk through: Door is locked, must find key. Be a part of Seattle Hip-Hop's present before you start claiming you're part of it's future.
Game tips/Walk through: Door is locked, must find key. Be a part of Seattle Hip-Hop's present before you start claiming you're part of it's future.
Hate the Player: Krue
The Situation: Our target, Krue, is a terrible rapper from Seattle. He doesn't stand out with any notable talent, and worse he looks so averagely white that every picture I see of him seems to be a different random white boy. The only reason I even bring him up, is because of his recent Game Play mistakes.
You see, Krue (or Chandler as I like to call him), heard a couple songs from Grynch's most recent EP that he found to be a little too familiar. Our feeble minded friend Chandler had created a song about his shitty car and another one about the concept of "time not waiting for no one" (a couple banger original ideas, if you ask me). Our guy Grynch touched on the subjects, including his song "My Volvo"... one of my favorite local tracks of 2009 (which has been a stellar year so far). Chandler's mind deciphered this to be great plagiarism.
2 Live Krue took it upon himself to write a diss record to Grynch, which really lacked any notable punches and even came off as self destructive in parts. Not much of a threat yet, this is where the kid gets cocky enough to warrant a beat down. He pays cover for himself and a half dozen of his friends to get into Grynch's release party and they pass out CD's containing the diss record to all of Grynch's fans.
I received one, unfortunately I soon after misplaced it. In fact, as I was walking to my car after the show, I saw the Fremont streets littered with the discs. Luckily, the next day on 206Proof there was a thread about the occurrence already posted. Included was a few of Chandler's friends and family members there to gas up his attempts at Rappin' White Boy domination.
To be fair though, Grynch had some people on his side too... some randoms like Larry Mizell Jr., Mr. D-Sane, Jake One and just about the entire rest of Seattle Hip-Hop. They all had his back because Grynch has a pretty High Score in the 206 Game of Rap. He's leveled up on numerous occasions by playing huge shows, releasing a steady flow of heavily praised music and showing support back to the hip-hop community. Krue failed to do any of that before calling out the mean one, Mr. Grynch.
Game tips/Walk through: Hit the reset button. Seriously Krue, you have dug a hole too deep to climb out of. Your most recent cry for justification has only solidified the fact that you don't get it and you never will. You've pretty much killed any chance you have of doing serious business here in Seattle.
Your best bet is to move to Montana or Idaho and try pushing your music to a new market. You may try to stay in the city, live a normal life, give up music and maybe become a fan again. It's well documented that one point you were a fan of Grynch. Maybe it's time to apologize to the King of Ballard. Offer him tidings, maybe even sell merch of him at one of his upcoming shows. Just recognize you have made a terrible mistake and there is no way to come out of this situation without a loss.
Game of Rap Intro
Rappers, it's not safe anymore. You've had your chances in the past to make your own mistakes and learn from them. However, mistakes are far too valuable these days. Your mistakes will now be our entertainment. You won't have the luxury of learning from them on your own. Sorry kids, it's class time and you will be instructed at great lengths on your faults.
You were the one that chose to play the rap game. You thought you could level up. You maybe even typed in a few cheat codes to get where you are today. All is seemingly well, but then you make a wrong turn. You've got yourself in a sticky situation and there looks to be no way out. Your instincts tell you that you're fucked, but your stubborn ways send you into a button mash frenzy.
Game Over.
Life doesn't come with a reset button, but your career in the rap game does. This is a walk through for sorrow's path. The "be all, end all" for every hobbyist. Welcome to the Game of Rap.
You were the one that chose to play the rap game. You thought you could level up. You maybe even typed in a few cheat codes to get where you are today. All is seemingly well, but then you make a wrong turn. You've got yourself in a sticky situation and there looks to be no way out. Your instincts tell you that you're fucked, but your stubborn ways send you into a button mash frenzy.
Game Over.
Life doesn't come with a reset button, but your career in the rap game does. This is a walk through for sorrow's path. The "be all, end all" for every hobbyist. Welcome to the Game of Rap.
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