Now that the formalities of introducing The 25360 were laid down last week — let’s ride! In The 25360 launch column, I mentioned that “eeeeverbody wants to rap” or is trying to rap and few have original style, skill — many are missing the whole shebang about what it means to be a Master of Ceremony (MC). Anyone disagree? Good … continue, I shall.



Coming from the irreparable era of Ronald Reagan, Transformers and crack cocaine — the crazy’80s, I am blessed to have a keen memory of my formative years as a writer, b-boy/hip-hoppa and DJ (with my mother’s one Technic turntable). If I remember nothing else about my crucible in the culture of hip-hop it is this one outstanding rule: as an MC – YOU MUST BE ORIGINAL!



Originality is essential and has been for rapper/MCs, because as an art form that was developed to help youth find alternatives to and avoid violent conflict, nothing can be more offensive than the thievery of art or even the borrowing of art without paying proper dues and/or respect to the originator of the style or product. I recently read of a Dallas man who is now imprisoned because he shot a man who beat him in a rap battle. The ironic backwardness of this violent chain of events speaks volumes to the dying breed of true MCs, the heritage of hip-hop leadership and the silent allowance of cats grabbing microphones with nothing special to say and saying nothing said to elevate the culture. There is an abundance of disregard for the culture and an overflow of biting going on in the matrix of hip-hop.



Sure you can rap over another artist’s track, but biting (i.e. copying/stealing/faking) another rapper/MC’s tone, lyrics and swag is for carbon copy suckaz. As so masterfully exemplified by KRS-ONE’s epic battles with MC Shan, Prince Be and Nelly, a dominant MC’s existence is to make lesser rapper/MCs better by example, inspiration and/or battle, wherein a battle is meant to embarrass a beaten MC only so he/she returns an improved competitor/artist. The clean-up process for the beaten MC of course includes practicing, polishing and generally stepping his/her game up.



Now, on the note of MCs stepping their games up, there are two vital offerings on deck from 25360 veterans. I will get into each album in depth in later pieces, but for now google Dawhud’s new classic, Basement Sessions. The East Tanglewilde, Olympia hip-hopologist (now living in Indianapolis, Ind.) is a respected producer, composer, broadacaster (KAOS-Olympia alumni) and self-proclaimed hip-hop nerd since the early ’90s who put three year’s work into Sessions. Sessions is a thematic composition that pays much overdue homage to the mid-’90s, popularly recognized as the second golden era of hip-hop — the reigning days of Black Moon, The Nonce, Wu-Tang, Masta Ace, Big L, etc. Sessions is worthy of your time.



Also, another product of East Tanglewilde, Olympia, — Slo Poke, aka SP, a veteran on the mic and The Source Magazine’s Unsigned Hype for January 2008 has his highly anticipated sophomore release, The Appreciation Of …  in stores. The truly original outcast (in 1992 SP was using the handle “Outcast” before the famed Atlanta duo exploded in 1994) on the microphone will be on stage Aug. 14 at The Royal Lounge in Olympia. He’s widely respected as a factor in the South Sound hip-hop scene after making a homecoming from extended stays in San Diego and Portland.



Big shots to Tac-Town’s Jay Bars, who has the honor of opening for living legend Ice Cube at the Showbox in Seattle Aug. 21! Big ups, mayn! Ice Cube is dropping his message in a verbal machinegun album, Raw Footage this week. If you are looking for some action on Aug. 23, check out the Live From I-5 Stage at the Olympia Hempfest at 1 p.m. featuring XP, Junkyard Gang, Skanless, Khingz, Yidum and Luvva J with special guests. The one-hour hip-hop showcase will be followed soon after by Long Beach’s sultry vocalist J. Ross-Parrelli with DJ Junebug at 6 p.m. Be a part of this! Keep Ridin’ … Live From I-5!

Peace & Luvv

Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. is an editor, writer and producer. A graduate from Washington State University, he writes and edits the Pacific Northwest section of OZONE Magazine and hosts and produces Live From I-5 Radio every Friday at 3 p.m. on KAOS 89.3 FM in Olympia.