Tragedy strikes — and lets you know how carefully blessings should be counted … A little more than 12 years after his homeboy was gunned down on the strip in Las Vegas, Nev., Johnny J, famed producer for Tupac and others was found dead in the Los Angeles County Jail after a “suicide” where he apparently jumped off of an upper tier of the prison to his death. Now, I don’t know about you, but I do know the inarguably spotty reputation and inhumane conditions within much of the California corrections systems which leave much to be desired in terms of inmate rights/treatment. With that said, I don’t think a call for an investigation into the death of Johnny J is out of order … Let’s do that, LA County! Johnny J was a dope producer and known for a timeless musical alchemy between him and his very close friend, Tupac Amaru Shakur. They crafted countless hits together and I have only heard the most positive remarks about Johnny J. Rest In Peace, mayn …

Speaking of a dope artist like Tupac … I often think to myself, in this ever-changing world where the economy is about to make the dollar the equivalent of toilet paper, “Do people know the difference between a rapper and an MC?” Let me take a stab at this one, because I don’t think that there is only one correct answer, but I will say that there are some basic elements that differentiate the two and what the two have in common. 

I ask this question because there are today more rappers than fans, it seems! But still today I rarely hear people say they, “MC”… they more often say they “rap.” I think that both an MC and a rapper can be with talent, but there are some distinctions for aspiring MCs and rappers to consider. A rapper is known for a rhyme, a style that is distinct and a way with words that is not only clever, but influential and persuasive. The rap may or may not be wordy in terms of a tongue-twister, but it is at least appealing to the ear because of the rapper’s style or “swag” as it is coined today. On the other hand, a MC is truly a Master of Ceremony — a showman/woman, a commander of crowds and an entertainer with substance. The MC is known to capture the eyes, ears and mind of a listener and/or fan at a show. The MC is capable of invigorating a crowd with content, charisma and cadence. The MC is a legendary writer/performer whom after you have had a dose, you have had an experience … in a name, Doug E. Fresh may be one of the top MCs — a true showman and entertainer. Maybe the best rappers are truly Tupac, Biggie and Jay-Z as they compel listeners to seek deeper meanings of sometimes simple words. 

Too $hort calls himself a rapper while KRS-ONE calls himself an MC. I think that they are both right, and more importantly, I think this question is of importance, because the heritage of hip-hop would say that Mac Dre was more of a rapper, but included elements of an MC — he controlled crowds and elevated the atmosphere of his audience’s venue. I think the main point and commonality that each of the groups, The Rappers and MCs, share is that each of them truly “are” and neither of them “do.” 

 

Hip-hop … It’s not a T-shirt … It’s in ya, not on ya!

SHOWS, OHz & 40z…

As mentioned before, the one and only — last of a dying breed of MC from The Bay’s legendary hip-hop and rap scene, Andre Nickatina is making one of his rare visits to the great Northwest with Mike P and legendary producer, Nick Peace on board. They’ll be at Studio 7 in Seattle tomorrow night, Oct. 17, with Olympia’s SP aka Slo Poke and Tacoma’s Josh Rizeberg opening the show.



Nickatina is a super OG … One of my favorites, is the tale of testimony to his longevity that after his first show on stage a young man approached Nickatina (then about 18-years-old), congratulated him about his performance and invited him to join a group called Thug Life … the young man was Tupac Shakur. Nickatina’s brand of hip-hop is certainly not of the mainstream — he is an underground factor, but he is respected by the Bay Area legends and he himself is a big advocate for and up-and-coming star, The Jacka … Bay Love! Check out the 25360’s finest put it down with a living legend at Studio 7 on Friday.

Peace & Love

Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate of Washington State University and student at The Evergreen State College, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio (since ‘89) every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM (www.kaosradio.org) in Olympia. He writes a weekly hip-hop column in the music section on the Weekly Volcano’s Web site.