Early in the evening I stopped by the Blue Frog Cantina to catch the listening party for The Fresh’s “Ziplock Tight” listening party. Shot-J and Mic Masters (SHOUTS TO DAINJA!) had some copies on hand of their latest release and were generous enough to break me off with a copy. After one listen, I am sold. It holds up to the quality we’ve come to expect from these artists. If you like interesting well spit lyrics and unique beat production with top shelf sound quality, this is a cd that belongs in your collection.
A bit later, I posted up at the table in the front of this hot spot, 529, with some good friends and watched the steady stream of hip-hop traffic flow in and out of this rustic venue. The event, promoted by MOJO Swagger was called “I wear the crown”. There were DJs, beat boxers and dance crews b-boy quic & Funk Lordz doing their thing as the featured artists trickled in. Throughout the evening there would be an ongoing MC battle for a prize package worth $2500.
The Beat Gods really got the party started with the 2009 anthem “Pimpin Hard”. Spitzwell grabbed the mic with his powerglove and got the crowd on their feet with the help of his musical collaborator, Jarren. Always a high energy show with these guys.
StaHHr’s powerful presence commanded the attention from the time she hit the stage in her self knitted hat and official T-Shirt. She performed a fluid selection of her jimmy jamms and killed it. From an acappella verse to the new song “Still Dope”, she brings the lyrical artistry that has defined her as an artist on the Atlanta hip-hop music scene. See the new video for “Still Dope” on her myspace.
Broody Champs came with it too. Marq Spekt, and his collaborators killed it. Even producer Lex Boogie took the mic for a verse. The beats are always outstanding on their records and the live show came off polished and hard like a freshly sharpened knife.
Ekundayo, with his collaborators from The Liuns Den were not only a highlight of the evening, but of the entire weekend as far as this attendee was concerned. Put simply, they killed it. Thought provoking lyrics, with an engaging delivery is what we have come to expect from the mouth of the mountain liun, and Ekundayo did not disappoint the 2009 A3C crowd.
MOJO Swagger was not only the promoter, but also the host of the evening, and had a chance to perform one of his latest songs with Boog Brown during Illastrate’s producer showcase. Throughout the night, MC battles broke up the featured acts. The rappers faced off to beats not only coming from the turntables, but from the live drums of Senator Brett Boogie Duchen of Transistor fist as well. I had heard that he could drum, but I had no idea of his skill level. He can play hip-hop beats on the skins with a seemingly effortless grace. The fills were on point and his kick/snare/hats were as tight as a bee’s rectum.
Local battle MC “Hectic” took the well deserved prize. I caught up with him on the street the following night. I asked him how he did it. He answered, “Just staying consistent, giving the people good energy. The first thing they had us do was a back and forth battle. I wasn’t really prepared for that, but I do that all the time so it comes natural. Just when I was getting warmed up, they cut it off. It seemed like a toss up, but since I gave ‘em that energy from the beginning, they was like, we gonna give that to Hetic. They said I was a punch ahead of the guy”. “What about the finals?” I asked. “We had to do one hook, one verse, and another hook. I did a song I’ve got called ‘More Then Just Music’, and they was just feelin’ it,” he explained. He then proceeded to quote his own lyrics, “‘Love is an action word, that’s why I use this. Real hip-hop is more then just music.’ They was feelin’ it, so they gave it to me unanimously.”
I then asked him what the prize package included. “That prize package is ridiculous! I got so much good stuff. I got a microphone, I got Pro-Tools, I got the m-box, the plug-ins, M-audio speakers, and the MPD18 controller. I’m not going to sell any of that gear, I am going to put it to work,” he said enthusiastically.
I have been to many MC battles in Atlanta over the years and Hectic da Backpacka hasn’t missed a one. I guess the grind has finally paid off for this multi-talented and driven artist. Congrats.
Tags: A3C, battle, Beat Gods, Broody Champs, East Atlanta, Ekundayo, festival, Hectic da backpacka, hip hop, Illastrate, Liun's Den, MC, MOJO Swagger, music, rap, staHHr, The Fresh
