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The Music Issue: Philly Hip-Hop
Who’s hot in Philly hip-hop right now? That’s the perilous question we asked ourselves at the beginning of a long journey. It’s impossible to answer. Or, more to the point, impossible to answer succinctly. The list is lonnnnnng. So we’ve broken it down.
The Comeback: We profile an old head on his way back to the spotlight, Cee-Knowledge
The Producers: We profile two white-hot brothers, Jahlil and Tone Beats, who are making beats for the biggest names in the game.
The Distributors: We introduce you to a man who sells the mixtapes that get the streets talking.
The Family: Ground Up, a diverse, more-popular-by-the-day trio who met at Temple, show you how to do it yourself.
The Lady: We get our feminism on in our Gun$ Garcia profile.
The Next to Pop Off: We sit down with longtime Philly mainstay Young Chris.
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Philly Rapper Young Chris Is Rolling Up His Sleeves and Gettin' to Work
By Elliott Sharp“People always ask why I ain’t got a girlfriend,” says Young Chris during a break from working in a Northern Liberties studio. “I tell ’em, ‘Yo, rap’s my girlfriend.’” The North Philly-born rapper’s been devoted to the game since the early 2000s, when his Young Gunz duo with MC Neef Buck was signed by Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records, and their first single, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop,” was nominated for a Grammy in 2003.
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Meet Bookman, the 52nd Street Mixtape Man
By Michael Alan GoldbergBooks are mostly how he makes his living, but the heart of Bookman’s street vendor operation, located just outside 52nd Street Station at 52nd and Market, is hip-hop. Most days, he’s bumpin’ beats from his tabletop rig—a CD player and speakers powered by a car battery. And those in the know know Bookman’s the man when it comes to getting your hands on the latest, greatest mixtape to hit the streets. Albums are nice, but underground mixtapes (they’re CDs, but the classic nomenclature sticks) have been the life-blood of hip-hop for ages.
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Homegrown Hip-Hop Act Ground Up Is All DIY, All the TIme
By Brian McManusIn hip-hop, many of today’s rappers are putting out three or four or 40 releases a year. They’re shooting and editing their own videos. They’re their own publicity firm. They’re booking their own shows. They’re working smarter and harder than ever before, and doing it independently. And perhaps no Philly hip-hop act exemplifies this DIY spirit more than young upstarts Ground Up. They’re their own insulated, independent music universe.
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Gun$ Garcia Helping to Blaze the Trail for Female Rappers
By Elliott SharpPerhaps change will come this year, as several female rappers are gaining momentum. Harlemite Azealia Banks’ “212” displays the 20-year old’s impressive range and skill, and White Girl Mob leader Kreayshawn definitely has more than the “Gucci Gucci” meme hidden up the sleeve of her baggy Fred Flintstone jacket. Will these ladies threaten Nicki Minaj’s queen-status in 2012? Maybe. The only thing that could hold ’em back are the dick-centric rap fans and critics who guard the gates.
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Digable Planets' Craig Irving Makes His Comeback as Cee-Knowledge
By Elliott SharpThe Internet exploded at the close of 2011 with rumors that Planets were uniting for a new studio album. While talks are underway, nothing’s confirmed. “I’m down, no doubt,” says Irving about another reunion. “Planets was the best time of my life, but a gift and a curse. As a musician, I wanna spread my wings and not always be stuck as ‘that Digable Planets dude.’ I wanna try new things and experiment.”
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Brothers Jahlil and Tone Beats Are Making Beats for the Biggest Names in the Game
By Elliott Sharp“Jahlil Beats. Holla at me!” If you didn’t hear those words kick off a song last year, you didn’t listen to rap music. There was no escaping it—the club, the car, the street—especially in Philadelphia.
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1. Anonymous said... on Jan 18, 2012 at 09:00AM
“wow. this is pathetic.”
2. Nateshe said... on Jan 18, 2012 at 10:00AM
“Great article!! I love Cee-Knowledge. He has truely evolved.”
3. Anonymous said... on Jan 18, 2012 at 12:30PM
“Talking about missing the mark! How did you come about your research?”
4. Elliott Sharp said... on Jan 18, 2012 at 01:15PM
“People make comments like the two Anonymous ones above on every music issue, normally because their buddies weren't included. Rather than complain, you should each write 700-1000 word articles arguing your positions and post them on your blogs. Share the links here. I'm genuinely interested.”
5. jpwz said... on Jan 22, 2012 at 03:25PM
“im inclined to agree with elliot in that anonymous should have something of substance to say, because I too am genuinely interested.”
6. MARK said... on Aug 14, 2012 at 10:12AM
“I like what Jahlil and his brother are doing but they are not Philly Producers. They live in Chester. Why not check out a real Philly Producer making writing and producing. Check out Richie Rolex at www.allaboutbeats.com to hear some of his tracks. Also purchase the New Single " Occupy Wall Street" by Richie Rolex. That is true Philly at its best. We are a musical City we shouldn't have to look outside our area for talent. Nothing against Jahlil Beats!!!!”