Volumes: Athens Hip Hop - Vol 1 Issue 1

Athens Hip-Hop Zine

EVENTS

p. 3

ALBUM REVIEW

RunThe Jewels III p. 4

SHOW REVIEW

Athens in Harmony Redux p. 5

INTERVIEW

Square Up With We’re Weird p. 6

NETWORKING

p. 7

Vol. 1 Issue 1 • January 2017

Letter from the Editor I live in a house where rap battles are common place in the kitchen, and the thump of a beat can be heard at all hours. I live in a house where familiar faces of emcees are always coming and going, one of which can often be found asleep on a couch after a long night of creation. I’m not a musician of any kind, but I’ve been given a rap name. I’m addressed as soon as I walk into any room, and I don’t remember the last time I heard my actual name. This is family, a new family that I’ve been absorbed into.

I go to the events, I chill in the studio at 3 am, I walk around the video shoots, I sit outside on the porch and discuss the universe. These are the moments I live for. This is how I became Scrap God. I’ve heard so many people express the need for a project that promotes the hip hop culture in Athens. I see the need. I’ve heard so many people wish the Athens’ community would band together to create something bigger.

I want the unity. This is how Volumes came to be.

This first edition of Volumes is based on unity in the community. With Martin Luther King, Jr. as inspiration, a lot of the events this month also focused on that same unity that’s so important globally, not just in our country nor just in our city. Let’s start 2017 off by appreciating our differences and collaborating with our strengths.

-Scrap God

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Events February 2017

Obsidian EP Lex Callahan (BoomBap/Experimental/ Hip Hop) features from Wesdaruler, Lefty, Squalle, SonZoo

World Famous Hip Hop (First Tuesdays) Hosted by Mon2 & Cheif Rocka

Chris McKay, Elite & Caroline Aiken @ Athens in Harmony

G-Money album release with opening act Dictator and poetry by Maxim Debonair Mon2 & Cheif Rocka

Lex Callahan & Lingua Franca Performing @ Cine

Hot Corner Hip Hop 1-Year Anniversary & Lingua Franca EP Release Performances by: Ishues members of We’re Weird Lingua Franca with Wesdaruler x Letsruntrack The Pleasure Point Slight Grimace Lefty & AyeCee (East Coast Hip Hop) soundcloud.com/laolefty

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SHOW REVIEW:

World Famous Hip Hop Night 1/3/17 hauntingly beautiful verses about truths, declaring “I am the movement.”

World Famous Hip Hop nights, hosted

by Mon2 with music by Chief Rocka, are held the first Tuesday of every month at The World Famous on N Hull Street. As always, Mon2 urged everyone in the room to introduce him/herself to someone they didn’t know, in true spirit of what the event is all about: community. Every hip hop night begins with a poet in honor of the host group’s roots in spoken word. Writer Celest Divine opened with an empowering 8 minute set of

ALBUM REVIEW:

Dexter “Dexx” Sims of Y.O.D. described the night as “a lot of people getting their feet wet seeing what they can do. The vibe in general is very receptive.”

This monthly show truly captures the diversity of the Athens’ hip hop scene.

Scrap God IG scrap_goddd

RUN THE JEWELS III

I know that I’m supposed to love this album. It’s Killer Mike and El-P riding high success off their RTJ series, what more could you want? The problem I have with this series is that you get extraordinary emcees over amazing production and that’s all.

It’s nothing new from Mike or ElP, and at its core that’s fine for a hip hop album. From the first beat you get an idea of where it’s going.The production is loud and abrasive with fast, unchanging tempos.The songs are seamless. You may start on track 1 (Down) and end up four songs past before you realize it’s been playing for 20 minutes.

It’s not boring. You’ll find yourself rewinding multiple songs trying to catch all of the wordplay and quotable lines. There will be moments that make you stop and think.

That has always been where RTJ excels, but there are some drawbacks. This album is very much a hip hop album for hip hop fans. The purists will love it. A lot of up and coming rappers will aspire to the sound, but I believe it’ll fall flat where its predecessor managed to break down the mainstream wall.

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Pipe Pacino and Ghost Gang followed to hype the crowd before the main event.

Changing up the vibe, both groups brought trap energy to the feelings inspired by Celest Divine. BYV not only delivered power in their words but a captivating stage presence, commanding the audience to move with them. Long time Athens’ hip hop supporter and comedy show host, Showyn “Buddah” Walton agrees that they are always “well received” with a “great energy.” Buddah claims, “I associate Griff [BYV member] with dope shit.”

- Trvy @trvyf

As a fan of RTJ since their inception, this review will absolutely be biased, and I’m perfectly okay with that. To be fair, the duo did not do anything particularly groundbreaking with this project, but they did continue to perfect an already near-flawless formula. This album continued to deliver Killer Mike’s gritty and lyrical “take no prisoners” style coupled with EI-P’s laid back but in your face flow over his immaculate EDM inspired production. The pair basically discovered a niche sound that brought them a dedicated following and continued to deliver what their fans wanted, and as far as I’m concerned, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

- Zoo IG iamsonzoo

Athens in Harmony Redux 1/16/17

:SHOW REVIEW

religion, or sexual orientation.

We’re seeing people uniting for music.”

Tre Powell, singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” shared his experiences in California, where Latin American racism was rampant. He explained that racism on the West Coast was not as evident as in the South, instead existing in the background. Performer Maggie Hunter, “folkie” and educator in the community, believes that “just teaching empathy and compassion” is the best way to guide the youth. “Use the word Athens in Harmony Redux was held at racism and don’t ignore it,” she implored. the 40 Watt as an inspiring finale to the AthThe duet that really captured the idea ens’ MLK Jr. Day parade and festival events Monday, January 16th. Representing unity of “breaking boundaries” was Celest Ngeve in the community, Mokah Johnson of Unit- and Reverend Tribble’s rendition of Bob ed Group of Artists and Chief Scott Free- Marley’s “One Love.” Before the song began, there was something man of Athens-Clarke inspiring about seeing Stella Groove & Michael Wegner County Police Dea reverend singing Bob partment hosted the Marley. Celest’s cutevent. Featuring duets ting spoken word style that broke both racial layered on Reverend and musical boundarTribble’s soothing guiies, the proceeds from tar and accompanying the event supported vocals made for both the Athens Anti-Disa striking and beautiful crimination Movement. contrast.

Aside from bringing motivating and enerEnding the night with gizing music to the a vibe that got the entire crowd moving, stage, the performers also brought person- headlining duo Torrance “Squalle” Wilcher al stories about their first encounters with and Chris McKay fused hip hop with rock racism. There’s no doubt that their words for an explosive stage performance. Each roused goosebumps from the crowd. artist truly represented their respective “When I see your face tonight, you make genres but unified them in spirit of the a pledge to step outside the box,” said Mo- event. Chris captured the essence of Markah, stressing how important it is to not just tin Luther King, Jr. Day by declaring, “I didn’t show up to events but to bring that kind know anything about racism, which means of equality back into everyday life. Chief it’s taught. Which means love can be taught.”

Freeman remarked, “People are uniting for a - Scrap God IG scrap_goddd common cause where we’re not seeing race, Celest Ngeve and Reverend Tribble

Marco Hull and Maggie Hunter

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:

SQUARE UP WITH

We’re Weird BlackNerdNinja Eugene Willis Jr. @blacknerdninjas FB/Blacknerdninja IG/blacknerdmonsta iamablacknerdninja. wordpress.com

Squalle Torrance Wilcher @squalle_shottem FB/Torrance Wilcher IG/squalle_shottem dakidsqualle.bandcamp.com

Where did you grow up, and how has that impacted your music?

Where did you grow up, and how has that impacted your music?

Who is a big musical influence for you that would surprise people?

Who is a big musical influence for you that

Born and raised in Athens, Ga. I grew with the music, cause when I first started I didn’t take it serious. I actually was drawing at the time, like designing my own comic books and whatnot.

I grew up in Athens. I’ve lived a little bit in Brooklyn. I think Brooklyn had a huge influence over my music. I got so infatuated with New York culture and just the whole demeanor behind a New Yorker.

Prince. If you listen to all his projects, nothing would surprise people? sounds the same. Each part is different, so I try Anthony Hamilton. Old Earth, Wind & Fire. to do the same thing while releasing projects. Marvin Gaye. Probably a little of Beyonce too cause if you really listen to her music it’s all What is your favorite aspect of the music mak- arranged and it’s all chaotic but it makes sense. ing process?

Recording because when I’m practicing songs What is your favorite aspect of the music makor writing songs, I hear it a certain way in my ing process? head. When I’m recording I have to make sure I like the vibe. With Black Picassoul I was in a I bring that sound in my head through. vibe I’ve probably never been in. When I say vibe I mean like you get in a space where you What is your most memorable studio moment? start creating stuff that’s outside of who you Recording with Alex Wolf.We recorded “Mud- are. dy Truce” together. That was the first project where I combined a bunch of sounds, so all What is your most memorable studio moment? the instrumentation wasn’t just hip hop based. There was this moment Joel Hatstat (engineer It had a pop feel to it and all these different for Black Picassoul) heard something and never imagined me saying something like that, and he musical influences. found out who I was as a person. We meshed, In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle and it was absolutely great.

Athens’ artists face?

They only think about Athens. So many people want to put Athens on, but it’s not about putting Athens on. Especially in today’s musical market where you just want to build a fan base. There’s nothing wrong with representing your city, but you still want to think globally.

What’s next in 2017?

I’m releasing three free new projects. The Story So Far with an audiobook and a physical book with a soundtrack that goes with it.

Dreamatorium with WesdaRuler which will essentially have a Bladerunner feel. All of this will lead up to the big project B.C., which I worked on with Wolf. More merch for We’re Weird.

More tours.

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In your opinion, what is the biggest obstacle Athens’ artists face?

A lot of the Athens’ artists don’t see the bigger picture. Here it’s very small minded, so artists feel like you have to create one type of music to be successful. In Athens, it’s like if he’s the best and I’m the best, I’m going to stay away from him. On a major scale, the best artists work with the best artists.

What’s next in 2017?

Entitled Ambitious is the project I’m working on right now. That one is gonna be more diverse, it’s not gonna have as much trap. You’re gonna see a lot of me I don’t show. The next project will be something quick where I’m hopping on old school beats. I have good stuff planned for Black Picassoul, getting it out there.

:THE NETWORK

Producers Dexter Sims dextersims89@gmail.com FB: Dex Does Music IG: theblvkjesus Twitter: @Twinzodadon Snap: cruz_89 Work Money Entertainment, LLC 404-781-5308 workmoneyent@gmail.com FB: Carlos Jones

Engineers Trevor Wiggins 706-499-9923 trvyfeatures@gmail.com Social Media: @trvyf

Marketing/Promotions United Group Of Artists 678-740-3884 P.O. Box 49096 Athens, Ga. 30604

Photography KatTookIt Photography Katherine White 706-621-2822 kattookit@gmail.com

Video Production No Silver Spoon Production Jeffery Welborn & Ricky Campbell 706-224-9669

Photography/Video iGoByGoodie 706-207-1345 igobygoodie@gmail.com Josh Hart Media 678-637-9927

Illustrator Danielle Summers danisumm@uga.edu danisumm.com FB: /danisummart IG: danisummart

Hip Hop Artists A. Mack Booking: 706-308-5539 amack068@gmail.com FB: Aviyon Mack IG: A.mack706 Snap: A_mizzlee Dictator 706-818-0387 tothapoint@gmail.com DK Cell: 706-920-8093 Alt.: 706-340-8071 dk.nowles.nowledge@gmail.com FB: /dedric.knowles Twitter: @DK_nowles Snap: dedric1225 Soundcloud: /dk_nowles_nowledge Emissary89 grcpsych@gmail.com IG: emissary89 Twitter: @emissary89 Soundcloud: /emissary89 L.G. (HOTC) hotclg15@gmail.com FB: L.G. or @hotc15 Social Media: HOTC_LG Space Brother spacebrothermusic@gmail.com FB: /spacebrothersoundsystem Soundcloud: /spacebrothersoundsystem spacebrother.bandcamp.com ZiggyRoxxx 706-621-9000 iggylocz@gmail.com IG: ziggyvoodoochild Soundcloud: /ziggyroxxx

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR DONORS: • Squalle

dakidsqualle.bandcamp.com

• Kevin Boyd • Rusty Holcomb • One of my favorite people that has been with me from my first creative endeavors.

ABOUT THE COVER: Unity, Harmony, Strength. Athena represents many ideals, but for this piece she is the focal point for Justice and Wisdom. She looks towards a bonsai in full bloom, stacked upon steps of varying degrees, embodying balance and harmony and the thresholds we must overcome to reach the ultimate human state of control. The background is numerous Flowers of Life adjoined by smaller circles, holding the piece together, as Life binds us all through base similarities. The presence of the Funtumfunafu Denkyemfunafu, an African symbol of UNITY and diversity, acts as an undertone of this composition, as if to understand itself as a necessary compliment to our existence. Unity as a construct isn’t always realized until we realize ourselves, where it glows in triumph as we descend into self-actualization.

- Rusty Holcomb Posters of cover art are available for purchase. All proceeds benefit future issues of VOLUMES.

For more information contact Sam Lipkin volumeszine@gmail.com /volumeshiphop