HIP HOP CULTURE & ART
SUMMER 2019 ISSUE # 6 COVER BY: BRAVO_CREATION
06 Between The Lines with P The Emcee: What makes lyrics ICONIC!? Let’s dig a little into the lyrics of this indie artist P The Emcee to analyze a few of the bars he has said and learn why we think the are on an iconic level. Article by: Tristan “Tanjint Wiggy” Acker
11 We have some new DOPE! Artist from around the world to showcase their talents.
Artist Row: Featured Artist Bravo (Bronx, New York by way of Puerto Rico) Jesus Sotomayor (Caracas, Venezuela) Nicklaus Gray (Inland Empire, California) Raul Escobar (Fontana, California)
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Poets Corner:
Cops & Mexican Style are the two poems featured on the corner today! Written by David Puma
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Artist Feature: SIAME8E
Siame8e let’s us in on who he is and where he comes from in the NEW! Featured Artist of July piece
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
HIP HOP CULTURE & ART
What’s up Untapped Hip Hop Family! It’s your favorite “masked man’s” favorite Masked Man, The Mighty D. Will here back at it again with the latest issue of Untapped Hip Hop Magazine. Ladies & gentlemen that this issue here is 40 pages of straight FIRE! A quick look at P The Emcee an indie artist from Ohio who now resides in California, Artist Row features still features only the dopest artist from all over the world, Poet’s Corner we have a young buck by the name of David Puma who just so happened to drop us off some of his dope pieces, & our first artist feature Siame8e gives us a little insight on himself as an artist. I almost forgot but this issue is the official debut of the new logo design! Thank you all for ROCKING with us though our journey so far, we look forward to growing with you and providing the best quality magazine we can. David “D.Will” Williams Untapped Hip Hop Tap Into Your Potential All Art & articles in Untapped Hip Hop Magazine is not owned and was not created by us. The art or articles contained in this issue belongs to the artist & writers featured in the summer 2019 issue #6 of Untapped Hip Hop Magazine.
Between the Lines with
P The Emcee Article by: Tristan “Tanjint Wiggy” Acker Images provided by: P The Emcee Credits include: Fliccs On The Beat
I’ve written about P the Emcee from Dayton, Ohio, an MC that the So Cal region is often blessed with the presence of in recent years, before in Jooseboxx at Jooseboxx.com but his album “Small Window” just doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Partly because he always has new music, partly because his most notorious hit so far “Scarface” isn’t on it, it’s still a masterful melding of street rap and soul poetry over hard beats that sound modern yet familiar at the same time. These are some lines of poetry that stand out to me from my favorite song on the album “Kendrick Allen”, and more from “Martin Murphy” and “O.I.T.N.B.”. juxtaposed against some photography of the man, the rap and musical monster P the Emcee.
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Between the Lines with P The Emcee
Imagery provided by P The Emcee
instagram @ptheemcee
“People wanna float with me but I ain’t got my yacht yet”
– Kendrick Allen
Tristan “Tanjint Wiggy” Acker is an Untapped Hip-Hop contributor, staff writer for JooseBoxx, and member of the Inland Empire nerdcore hip-hop group the West Coast Avengers. Catch more of their work at westcoastavengers. com, follow Tristan on Twitter @Tanjint or e-mail him at tristanacker@gmail.com
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“Off in the worlds, hoping that aliens will be my friend / from the country that alienated aliens / I never understood the reason we don’t let them in” – Kendrick Allen
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“Regardless of racial creed, that’s somebody’s seed, somebody’s brother, someone’s daddy, a mother’s need / I thank the lord everyday that it wasn’t me/hoping not to leave before becoming who I need to be” – Kendrick Allen
Artist Row Featuring: Raul Escobar Quezada Jermaine “Jay” Bravo Jesus Sotomayor Nicklaus Gray
My name is Raul Escobar Quezada, I’m 27 years old and I’m from Fontana, California. I’m a freelance graphic designer and a traditional media artist. I have been creating art since my childhood, I like to think I was gifted with artistic talents and attention to detail. When I was a child my father tried to enroll me in an art school that was highly advertised on TV. I remembered that he called, asked for application and pamphlet and when it arrived we filled it out. Part of the application required me to draw in order for them to see that I had talent. We sent it out the next day and within a couple of days, we receive a letter letting me know that they were impressed with what they saw but unfortunately, I couldn’t attend their school because on my age. I don’t think there was ever a what, but there was a who. My parents were the ones that got me started and mostly my dad because he was an artist himself. He never forced me to choose art as a career but seeing him paint and draw, motivated me to become as good as he was.
Raul Escobar Quezada
Aside from my parents, two things that inspire me are fashion and music. Fashion because aside from it being a visible expression of one’s feelings translated in clothes, shoes, and accessories, the use of material or colors may inspire the mood for my artwork. Music because as I’m creating, a song may inspire me to do something different or add something to the art piece in working on.
“The way I have evolved has been by learning to appreciate various types of art and trying different things.”
The way I have evolved has been by learning to appreciate various types of art and trying different things. Towards the end of 8th grade, I was introduced to spray paint art/graffiti which I fell in love with and helped me begin freelancing. During High School, I was part of ASB (Associated Student Body) and helped create art for our student assemblies. After graduation, I went to the Art Institute of California Inland Empire where I learned figure drawing and digital art. In 2015, I attended Mt. San Antonio College for Graphic Design and Fashion Design. From then on, I began expanding my portfolio by learning photography and videography. Last year I was given the chance to help a startup company by the name of Mentoring In Medicine. I was in charge of creating all the graphic designs, social media content, t-shirt mock-ups, pictures, and a look book video. Recently, I began helping a great friend on my with his music logo, pictures, social media content and behind the scenes video. All these experiences have helped become who I am today and I’m looking forward to new ones.
Graphic Designer / Traditional Media Artist Fontana, California Instagram: @raulescobar01
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Imagery provided by Raul Escobar Quezada
instagram: @raulescobar01
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Imagery provided by Raul Escobar Quezada
instagram: @raulescobar01
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Imagery provided by Raul Escobar Quezada
instagram: @raulescobar01
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HIP HOP CULTURE & ART
I am Jermaine Bravo but everyone calls me Jay I was born in Puerto Rico but I grew up in the south Bronx I currently work for A hospital as a maintenance employee. I been drawing since I was about 6 so for about 24 years. What got me started in art was my mom she use to love seeing my art between my mom so when ever I would draw anything I would show her What inspires me to work on my art are my friends and family they have always pushed me to do more with my art work. Past and present artist some are artist are graffiti artist, I can honestly say
Jermaine “Jay” Bravo
Silhouette / Traditional Media Artist Bronx, New York Instagram: @bravo_creations
“Today I can draw different styles but my silhouette work has taken me and my skills to a new level.”
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once I saw Banksy work I took my art to a new level that’s when I started doing silhouettes, another artist who also is Shepard Fairey his work alone is incredible when I see his pieces they hold a strong message for me I see his piece was seen everywhere being a wrestling fan seeing his André the Giant piece really made me work harder, Vincent Van Gogh his starry night painting was the first painting that ever inspired me to convey a message with my art work, and the last few artist who inspired me are all tattoo artist Tommy Helm, James Vaughn, Sarah Miller, Joshua Hibbard, DJ Tampe, Tommy Montolla, Juan Salgado, Walter “Sausage” Frank, Joey Hamilton, Freddy Negrete, Scott Marshall and Cleen Rock One are some of the tattoo artist who’s art work has literally take my work in a new direction. The last person who inspired me is one of my art teachers from high school who at one point told me that I would never be anything in the art world because I what did wasn’t really art I use her negative comments as motivation to work harder. When I originally started working on my art I only drew from little drawings not that intricate, as soon as I started thru the years I picked up new techniques and picked up different styles. Today I can draw different styles but my silhouette work has taken me and my skills to a new level to the point where I have people who love my art world wide and that has single handily changed a lot in my life to know that people from all around the world like my art means the world to me.
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Imagery provided by Jermaine Bravo
instagram: @bravo_creations
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Imagery provided by Jermaine Bravo
instagram: @bravo_creations
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Imagery provided by Jermaine Bravo
instagram: @bravo_creations
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(Espanol) Mi nombre es Jesús Sotomayor, soy de Caracas, Venezuela. Mi instagram lo abri en Septiembre del 2018 no tiene mucho tiempo. Estudie diseño grafico en el 2007 pero nunca ejercí la carrera. Debido a la situación del País tuve que irme a Argentina donde me fue bastante mal lo que me hizo devolverme a mi País sin dinero. Las circunstancias me llevaron a estudiar nuevamente y retomar todo lo que habia olvidado. Un dia una de las clases era hacer un rostro y bueno ya el resto de la historia esta en Cada publicación que subo, se me ocurrió ofrecer este servicio y me ha ido bastante bien. No todos aprecian el arte pero si tengo muchos buenos clientes que lo hacen. Gracias a ellos he podido llevar comida a mi mesa desde que volvi a mi Pais.
Jesus Sotomayor
Graphic Design Caracas, Venezuela Instagram: @imnujiro
“Due to my situation in my home country I had to Argentina where I stayed until i was able to move back home to Venezuela .”
Untapped Hip Hop Magazine Summer Issue
(English) My name is Jesús Sotomayor, I’m from Caracas, Venezuela. I studied graphic design in 2007 but I never exercised the degree. Due to the situation in the country of Venezuela I had to move to Argentina, where I stayed until I had to return my country without a cent to my name, the circumstances led me to study again and take back everything I had forgotten. Not everyone appreciates art but I have many good clients who do and thanks to them, I’m able to put meals on my table since I have returned to my country of Venezuela.
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Imagery provided by Jesus Sotomayor
instagram: @imnujiro
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Imagery provided by Jesus Sotomayor
instagram: @imnujiro
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Imagery provided by Jesus Sotomayor
instagram: @imnujiro
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Imagery provided by Jesus Sotomayor
instagram: @imnujiro
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My name is Nicklaus Gray, I’m from Rancho
Cucamonga and I am a freelance illustrator as well as sync licensing producer. I’ve been creating since as early as I can think back, drawing Pokémon outta strategy guides as a kid is a fond memory. I’ve been creating professionally though for the last 4 years. Illustration wise, my mom used to bring me to her classes and I’d distract myself by freehanding characters outta video game manuals. For music, I was singing a Neyo song in the car in 6th grade and my mom asked me where I learned to sing haha. So I just kept going. As of lately, I’ve been very inspired by routine and city life. I love being out in Los Angeles doing commissions and exploring the different communities of DTLA. Cheers!
Nicklaus Gray
Freelance Illustrator / Licensing Producer Rancho Cucamonga, California Instagram: @nicklausgray
“my mom used to bring me to her classes and i’d distract myself by freehanding characters outta video game manuals.” 26
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Imagery provided by Nicklaus Gray
instagram: @nicklausgray
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Imagery provided by Nicklaus Gray
instagram: @nicklausgray
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Imagery provided by Nicklaus Gray
instagram: @nicklausgray
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Poet’s Corner Featuring: David Puma
DAVID
PUMA
My name is David Puma, I’m a 20-year-old spoken word poet from Riverside, CA. I’m
currently studying Creative Writing and Race and Ethnic Studies at the University of Redlands.
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I started taking writing seriously and performing at Open Mics two years ago in July 2017. I’ve been writing for fun since 3rd grade.
COPS Hood pulled over, headphones on, as I move on down the empty boulevard not too many people are around downtown tonight. The streetlights are flying, I’m not walking I’m gliding my feet, create a sick beat tappin’ the concrete on tenth street as I head back to my car. Some headlights start passin me by zoom by zoom but like a shadow one seems to loom passing me by a little slower. Keepin’ my composure, lookin over my shoulder as the black SUV quietly creeps up behind me RE-pulsed I’m engulfed in bright headlights there’s white letters painted on the side as I turn and whisper “shit a cop.” Close enough eavesdrop no name drop they follow me for a block instead, I continue to look straight ahead and walk as if my life depended on it feelin’ apprehensive on it, know that I can’t run a little stunned anyways in a daze straight face straight posture, hands out in the open hopin’ I seem less suspicious hopin’ they aren’t mad or malicious. The music cuts my mind shuts off I wanna cough but that’d be a sudden move what am I supposed to do? All the faces I seen on the news flash through my mind’s eye I might cry they ask why I’m so sensitive not knowing it’s consecutive that I never receive tickets drive under the speed limits, and still, somehow, end up being pulled over. Sick of asking for closure sick of hearing about bad apples and blue lives how about we try listening. For just a second. And don’t say I can’t understand the opposite point of view, cuz I think I do. This subject ties my stomach in a knot one of the best people I’ve ever met was a cop from him I’ve learned a lot truly kind strong and wise on top but that doesn’t stop the other ones I’ve met from making me feel like a threat in my own city not lookin for pity I’ve seen great people who wear blue they matter that’s true but whippin’ red and blue lights doesn’t make a blue life my skin is not a type of uniform that can be pulled off or seen through feelin like no one ever sees you they see something wrong. Walking with a hood pulled on made someone pull a gun on Trayvon for lookin like a criminal messages subliminal Imma be critical it’s a cynical world when unarmed people die and we tell their families it was their fault for running well I wanted to run too. Yet one may ask, “If you didn’t do nothin wrong, why are you ever worried?” Well if I didn’t do nothing wrong, why are they following me like that?
I had to learn how to be honest. I catch myself being too noncommittal about certain subjects I really feel strongly about. Only after writing and performing consistently did I realize I still had a bit of a “filter” between my thoughts and my writing. The more honesty I use the better my work feels. Untapped Hip Hop Magazine Summer Issue
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MEXICAN STYLE In boxing, they got this term called Mexican Style. It’s used to describe a specific type of fighter who hits with the ferocity of a tiger and neither lays back nor retreats. It means you must be the fighter who initiates the action constantly moving forward and attackin’ until the opponent is backin’ up against the ropes of the ring the most exhilarating style of fighting on earth fireworks occur when two fighters stay face to face and exchange blows till one’s will overcomes the other or until the bell rings. I think Mexican Style gets its name because it’s principles have been ingrained into our veins since adolescence. It’s a reflection of our spirit pure excitement bold and vibrant like the colors of our clothes or the colors of our flag how the color of our brown skin comes in every shade, we are loud and funny and brave and spicy, like the salsa we pour all over our food exude grace when we salsa all over the dance floor we laugh more and mess around and talk shit and our hips never lie. Yet it seems like we always have to fight moving forward to get towards any type of success in a place that feels less and less like a c ountryand more like a ring with ropes, a referee and a matchup where we are ALWAYS the underdog so many want us gone. They beat us down with right hooks and jabs carrying screams of “wetback” and “illegal” and “you don’t belong here unless it’s in a field.” They see our spirit and fear it call us rapists and criminals knowing if we reached our pinnacle we’d be invincible to your body shots of bias so they hit us harder. Bruisin’ and rippin’ our skin like how border patrol ripped kids from the arms of their parents running the devil’s errands while errant screams for mercy fell on arrogant ears covered by hands a million screaming rants not even given a chance and all we can do is stand. On shaking knees stay on the balls of our feet and keep coming forward. Taking abuse as though our lowered heads were made of cement even tho the President rigged the fight we keep swinging. Singing proudly for Mexican Style is all we know it’s all we can do to survive because it still only takes o neknockout punch to end a fight we might be taking two three four five sixhits in a row but all we need to do is land our one. One DREAMER pushing through to college One movement to abolish One man in the oval office One child allowed to grow up without facing discrimination One generation that needs to grow up and become timekeepers, who have the power to ring the bell. THAT ENDS THE FIGHT.
I was 17 and about to attend college with the intent to pursue either a Business, Education or Kinesiology degree. I was at a point where I believed my type of writing wouldn’t fit in anywhere. Then I listened to a hip-hop musical called Hamilton and I was genuinely awed by the lyricism and storytelling. Lin Miranda’s work gave me the push of inspiration I needed to get that “I can be good at this” attitude. Once I admitted to myself what I wanted to do, it all seemed to line up.
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My high school English teacher showed me a poem book by 2Pac called The Rose That Grew From Concrete. Reading it changed my whole perspective on poetry. Listening to artists like Chance The Rapper, K.Dot, Logic, Rudy Francisco and Lin Manuel-Miranda was another a huge inspiration on my aspirations and sound. My parents have also always been very good at telling stories about their lives, which influenced a narrative-driven style I used when just starting out.
Twitter: @Eyeofthepuma17 Instagram: @Eyeofthepuma17
Untapped Hip Hop Magazine Summer Issue
Do what you love with all of your heart. There are a million ways to be successful so don’t trip if you don’t fit into a “mold.” Most times a creative block hits me when I feel that what I’m doing is unimportant or pointless. When I finally stop caring about these aspects I’m able to write again and have fun.
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Who are you?
They call me Siame8e, Born and raised in El Monte CA, but reside in Pomona, I am a Musical performer, songwriter, producer, and mixing engineer
How long have you been practicing your craft? Since 2010 so 9 years
What or who got you started on your journey?
I have always been around music, my father has led worship in many churches since before I was born and still does at the moment. I have come along many mentors, from Tyrone Stokes, Michael Cook, Ziggy Gonzalez, Renato Martinez. Each one of them have made me into who I am today, from music, to life advice. Ziggy may he rest in peace was a staple in building me into a warrior, a fighter in every sense of the word, he was my first true MMA Coach, not only did I learn to fight but also
how to fight in life, how to keep moving forward no matter how hard it hit me. Tyrone was my instructor at the hip hop school of arts, he taught me everything I needed to know to become the writer I have become, he is an impressive individual with an enormous heart. Michael Cook, was the music production instructor at the hip hop school of art, he was the first to see what I had in me, he was the first to truly believe in my craft, even before I noticed what I had. He invested his time, money and equipment into me, he took on the role of a father and kept me motivated, we have built a bond stronger than just music pals, I am forever grateful for this man and he will see the fruits of his labor. Renato is my most recent mentor, we have been through a lot together, he has stayed by my side even when things weren’t going the way he needed them at the time because I was going through my own insecurities, he stayed and encouraged me, gave me the help I needed in order to continue on my journey. Through my addictions I reached out to him for help and he was there to help me up, shine my shoes and keep it moving, and so for him I am also eternally Grateful. In conclusion, there was never a start, only new beginnings.
At what point did you know that this was the path you wanted to walk?
There was points I knew, there was points I didn’t. It always fluctuated, but to be exact, June 30th 2019 was the day I knew this was the path I am meant to walk.
FEATURED ARTIST JULY
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How do your current surroundings view your work? Is it accepted where you’re from?
There are a select few that really enjoy what I do, I don’t expect everyone to embrace what I do with open arms, my message and sound isn’t for everyone (even though that is what I aim for) I just make sure that I put my all into Untapped Hip Hop Magazine Summer Issue
what I do and in doing so it will slowly touch the hearts of the people and hopefully inspire them to prosper in their lives. If I looked for acceptance from the gatekeepers, I would crash and burn fast.
What are some of the challenges you had to overcome during your journey?
music is easier than ever and so simple, I wish it could’ve been this simple from the jump, but then how would I appreciate the art being created if I didn’t have to struggle for it.
What advice could you give a younger artist about to start their own journey in their art?
If I can give the younger generation any I have had to overcome lots of fears, to not advice, it would be to stay true to who they knowing where I will end up, to thinking I am are at their very core. Don’t ever sacrifice just wasting my time and should get a good your vision for pleasing other people or for steady career, to thinking I don’t have what it a quick buck. Stand behind your morals and takes to be in this field. I have had to overcome don’t break them for anyone, Don’t ever many addictions, from pornography, to abusing limit your imagination, even though there are psychedelics, weed, all kinds of stimulants, rules and basics to everything, you ultimately PCP, and research chemicals. To overcoming create whatever you want, there is no right or the bad person I was being to my family at one wrong way to make a song, make a beat, or point, stealing from them, taking their help for wear your clothes. You’re person, from guts granted, and just taking without giving. I have to skin is your brand, not your artist name. Be a daughter that is 6 years old and I have never like a race horse and just look ahead, this isn’t held her at all, I missed out on her birth, never a competition if you’ve already won. Keep feeling like a father but paying child support. faith in god and in yourself, all else around is a Just to name a few. distraction from your purpose.
From very first start to sitting here answering these questions today, how have you evolved as an artist?
My sound, my outlook, and beliefs all play a major part in my evolution, the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met along the way, the lessons learned have helped me evolve so much. When I started making music, I was just having fun, then my ears started to hear a different quality of sound, one that drove me to have to learn mixing, but once I started looking into it, my creative fun began to die. As time progressed I became full of doubt and frustration because I couldn’t understand how to make it sound how I was hearing the music in my head. But I kept at it and even though there was times where I would go months without touching music, I always heard a voice telling me why am I wasting my time and gift, get up and learn! Fast forward to now, making Untapped Hip Hop Magazine Summer Issue
INSTAGRAM: @SIAME8E 37
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