The subject of females on the microphone is seemingly always one of “consciousness versus sluttiness” and how to bridge the gap of the female MC. Well, ever since Sha Rock and Lisa Lee rapped “Us Girls” on the big screen of Beat Street,there has always been a diversity of female MC style — in my eyes at least. One female reppin’ The 360 puts it down in a way all her own. Dice, the blonde, curly-locked running mate of SP and his Real Life Click is making a strong name for herself on the rap circuit in the South Sound.

Being a white girl and rapping on the mic has never really reared any successful results sales-wise or respect-wise (look up Icy Blu, Tarrie B … even the dope Brit, Lady Sovereign), but that has nothing, nada and zilch to do with talent and passion. The well-traveled MC has seen her path go from Yelm to The Bay and back to the Puget Sound, and she delivers nothing but goods with a raspy, sometimes sensual vocal and still powerful flow. Dice is certainly a name to check for and if possible support. And yeah, she is a looker, but that’s not her hook, and she doesn’t use looks as a gimmick — her talent outweighs that feature. Oh, she can sing too …

Malik Rahim of Common Ground

One of the many benefits of being surrounded by colleges and universities is the access to shows, speakers and education, and the visit of Malik Rahim is one of the treats to anticipate. The community organizer from New Orleans will visit The Evergreen State College April 2 at 7 p.m. in Lecture Hall 1. Rahim and his organization have recently released information detailing that an FBI agent infiltrated the organization and the infiltration led to the arrest of two people. One wonders what the charges are and why the FBI is infiltrating Rahim’s group. He’s probably going to talk about it tonight … Can you say front lines?!

Knobody of the Hieroglyphics

One dope MC to look for — and I mean DOPE MC … is Knobody of The Hieroglyphics. I had heard his name all through the Bay Area and was aware of his strong reputation as one to be reckoned with on the microphone before, but his surprise performance at Afrok’s birthday party at The Royal Olympia was something to stand up and take notice of.

Knobody stepped through the Puget Sound on a west coast tour with Des 1 and German-born MC, Garome. Setting the stage for 25360 heavy hitters like SP aka Slo Poke and XP was not a problem for the East Oakland rhymespitter. With thought provoking lyrics, a quick rapport with his audience and clarity and confidence verbally, he created fans. In The 25360 archives there are specific delineations about what an MC is versus a rapper — Knobody is a MC by definition, remember his name.

Ill Al Skratch’s Creep Wit’ Me

One record you NEED to get before summer drops — at least for nostalgia’s sake — is Ill Al Skratch’s Creep Wit’ Me. In 1994, there maybe was no album that better adjoined the east and the west with genuine hip-hop. I mean, drop the top from the first to the last track and let the game unfold … So cold. Check for tracks like “I’ll Take Her” featuring Brian McKnight, “Get Dough,” “Summertime” and the homeboy anthem, “Where My Homiez?” Creep Wit’ Me is an indisputable classic that was beyond its time and the only problem I have with the project is that the fellas didn’t stick together! C’mon Ill and Al!!! Let’s do it again!

Winners Train, Losers Complain … Do Yo’ Thang!!!

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.