Mic Check

By Kevin Young

Rap music has been a part of America's landscape for more than a quarter of a century.

The art form keeps evolving and expanding, and its impact on our culture can't be denied.

Charleston's rap community still seems to be finding its voice, but there are many in the Lowcountry's hip-hop community who are leading the way.

Getting noticed

With bass pulsating through the bricks of the Music Farm, local hip-hop artists, Righchus and Max Berrys' words fight for breathing space against the smothering beats.

When asked about their some of their favorite lyrics, Righchus cites Bob Marley, while Berry's choice is a little closer to home.

"I think it goes like, 'They say a brave man dies once, cowards die a thousand times, but I almost died twice, soldiers always stay alive.' That was the first time I heard a lyric that stayed with me."

Max is quoting the lyrics of "Addicted To Murda Pt. 2," a song by local rapper, Pachino Dino.

When the subject turns to that night's show, Righchus and Berry's humble reaction to a compliment offers a glimpse of the attitude that has gotten them gigs performing with Warren G, Tech N9ne, Wiz Kahlifa and the Lowcountry's own Infinity Tha Ghetto Child.

Coupled with their talent and strictly business mindset, the duo has seen their relationship create a healthy buzz throughout the region.

Berry ponders a few of the things that have helped propel them to the forefront.

"Having a real website, a CD with an actual barcode, we have a couple of professional videos and songs available on iTunes and Amazon.com," he says. "It has really helped us get a following."

Meanwhile, Righchus gives an example of their creative process.

"I'll tell him I'm hearing this (sound) in my head. I'll beatbox it for him. We have good enough of a chemistry together that he can translate what I'm thinking very easily," he said.

When asked about his brand of rhyme, Righchus said, "Some artists aren't showing intelligence. I like ignorant stuff but, only a certain amount. I like to focus on doing other things. I like what other artists are doing but I want to do something that will set me apart."

As the interview draws to a close, the duo ducks back into the Farm to watch the rest of the rap show.

It seems like ages ago but there was time when a rap show, much less a concert featuring local artists, would have been considered an anomaly.

With the emergence of rap in the past two decades and the surging popularity of the genre across the map, it was inevitable that one would wonder when it would be Charleston's turn under the sun.

Geechee flow

From his studio, Donovan Kinloch (aka Twin D), half of Twin D 1st Century Entertainment, opens up another box of his latest compilation CD, "Twin D 1st Century Entertainment Volume 4 1/2."

With a sales history of moving more than 250,000 CDs and countless digital downloads, this latest disc is expected to be as successful as past releases.

"We're out there doing our thing. We just need to be heard. It'd be great if that unique Geechee flow we have got some notice," he said. "That flow separates us from other Southern hip-hop acts."

The Geechee flow is a particular style of rhyme that infuses the Geechee drawl of Carolina locals that skews the "proper" pronunciation of the English language. (For example, a person with a Geechee accent would pronounce tomato as "tom-eh-tuh").

According to Galen Hudson, manager for Monster Music, it requires a lot more than mere linguistic skills on the microphone.

"What doesn't it take nowadays, you know?" Hudson said while he checks in a box of new CD arrivals with Assistant Manager Aaron Stoney. "I think, at first, it seemed like the MP3 boom was going to change the rules. But it's really made it somewhat tougher to get noticed out there."

With the mere bankability of having a CD losing the muscle it once had, the artist now must seek out other avenues to gain notice in the crowded marketplace.

Stoney added, "Man, some of it's just common sense. Don't make CDs that look like they came from a flea market. If you come in here selling a CD and that CD sells out, we're gonna call you for more so we can re-stock it.

"You'd be amazed how many musicians will drop off their music and expect it to just sell because it's on the shelf. It ain't magic, dude. You got to look at it as a more of a marketing tool," Stoney said.

Hudson said that artists also need to "pound the pavement."

"Marly Mar is probably one of the most visible of the artists in Charleston because he does precisely that. He comes in regularly and works a lot harder to set himself apart from the rest of the pack."

Always out there

Along with the all-important retail market, radio has played a key part in getting the word out about local artists.

When he first heard his party anthem, "Act A Donkey," on Z-93, Marly Mar recalled a feeling of pure bliss.

"The first time I heard my song on the radio, I was so happy. I felt motivated! It was like I felt I had made it. It was basically every positive emotion rolled into one," he said.

As a DJ for Z93, Baby J is quick to stress that radio is only part of the equation.

"While it's good to have it happen, don't let your song being put on the radio define you," Baby J said. "Remember, it's the entertainment business. Too many times an artist will think that's how you make it. Promote yourself, your product, and your potential, then radio will come begging immediately."

Promotion is one area that is Travis Holland's passion. Whether it be Rakim's recent appearance at the Music Farm or the annual hip-hop parties he hosts, Holland's Night Vizzion company has played a significant role in the hip-hop community.

His eyes light up when he talks about his work.

"I hit up all the salons, the shops, the restaurants and I try to make myself enough of a presence that people remember my face," he said. "Sometimes, we get those people out there to the shows. Other times, they don't, but regardless, I always keep myself out there."

Scanning in a new arrival of mix CDs by local DJ Chuck T, Stoney offers one more piece of advice. " All I'm saying is just try to just stay out of trouble."

The listener knows

Unfortunately, in the past, a few artist's fictional tracks blur with the grim reality of their surroundings. While some are quick to label the local scene as illicit and boorish, others, such as local producer Brice Lampkin, see it as more complex.

"I'm not judging ... I know it's easier said than done when you're in that situation," he said.

"It's easy to criticize when you're outside of it. I understand you want to keep your ghetto pass, but when you're afforded the opportunity to make your situation better ... then do it. Otherwise it's counterproductive. Invest in businesses for the community rather than blow money on dumb things."

Marly Mar feels critics are careless when they link subject matter to criminal behavior.

"That's left to the individual. The listener knows right from wrong. The music may influence someone, but it doesn't lead to crime. Do you really think Ice Cube will make someone want to rob a bank? People who believe that music drives someone to do something illegal lack common sense. Charleston has amazing culture that's never been noticed," he said.

Though there are plenty of obstacles for artists, former local radio personality Charlamagne Tha God sees a scene that could be on the verge of success once Chucktown artists fully embrace their environment.

"Some artists from Charleston try to mimic other Southern artists," said the national radio personality.

"When you have true authentic artists like Pachino Dino, Mista Taylor or Marly Mar, everything is different. These brothers got soul, you can hear it in their voices, in their hooks. Soul is what true Charleston artists have that other Southern artists don't," he said.

With producer Brice Lampkin

ON FINDING A SAMPLE: Normally, I'll just be watching a movie or listening to a song for a bit of inspiration. It may be something as minute as a one-second clip. A lot of times, I might not even like the song itself but there will be this great piece to the song. Sometimes it's the texture. Rather than just use a straight-out sample, (which is itself a legal issue), I'll go to my keyboard and try to come up with something in the same vein.

ON ADDING DRUMS TO THE MIX: The thing with drums is that you want the drums to compliment, not overpower, the sample. Usually, I'll pound something out on the MPC 2000 XL that I think would work with the sample.

ON SEQUENCING THE INSTRUMENTAL: When I start to develop the structure of the song, I'll usually have a particular emcee in mind. For me, the key is to already have a hook set up.

ON FINALIZING THE TRACK: Once that's done, I try to build off the drums, the sample and the sequencing. I'll track it out on the MPC, then I'll do a rough mix. For a few days, I'll usually drive around and have a disc of the song playing over and over until I feel comfortable with it.

ON EDITING THE TRACK: I keep listening to it until an artist seeks me out. Then I'll try to trim it, resequence and mold it accordingly.

EQUIPMENT USED: MPC 2000XL drum machine, Midi keyboard, M-Audio station, Reason editing software for computer, Technic turntables, CDs, DVDs, records, MP3s and videotapes.

Kevin Young

Here’s a sample ...

Below is a mere sampling of local artists and producers’ contact info.

Rappers

Mega ( aka Mega Bucks): www.myspace.com/geechiecitylivinglegend

Infinity Tha Ghetto Child: www.myspace.com/infinityghettochild

Ceaz: www.myspace.com/ceazgoodie

Gar Figuer: www.myspace.com/babygarfiguer

Pachino Dino: www.myspace.com/officialpachinodino

Marly Mar: www.myspace.com/darealmarlymar

Righchus: www.righchus.com

Fat Boy; www.myspace.com/fatboysouthcak

Mista Taylor: www.myspace.com/mistataylormbe

Pop Shop: www.myspace.com/popshop07

Producers/ Production teams

40 oz Productions: www.myspace.com/40ozproductions

Twin D 1st Century Productions: www.myspace.com/twind1st

Brice Lampkin: www.myspace.com/b73music

Contact Kevin Young at y.kevin.young@gmail.com

and charlestonscene@gmail.com