Hip hop in Washington, D.C.

Hip hop music in Washington, D.C. has been an important part of the culture of the area. The city's traditional style has been described as not quite the same as New York City hip hop nor Southern hip hop. Rather, it has been influenced by both regions to form its own unique style of music. The population of D.C. is not large enough to support as many distinct subgenres of rap as other metropolitan areas, and as a result, the sound and style of D.C. hip hop is very mixed.[1]

About

DJ100 was D.C.'s first station to play Hip-Hop, including the likes of Whistle 2, Run-DMC, Kool Moe Dee, and The Beatsie Boys. DJ100, 100.3fm aired from 1984-1990, before turning into a jazz station, then eventually an oldies station.

Other prominent D.C. stations include WPGC 95.5 and WKYS 93.9 which are both currently still on the air.


Prominent D.C.-based hip hop artists include producers Oddisee, Kev Brown, Damu the Fudgemunk, BlakeNine. MC's Wale, XO, yU, Fat Trel, Shy Glizzy, Head Roc, Watusi, Lightshow, Ant Glizzy, Ron Stackz, Pharaoh Jonez and Santino Ranks of YNWV.[2] Nationally recognized newcomers include GoldLink, Chaz French, and IDK. Groups like Team Demolition, the Beat Konductaz and Panacea have also made great strides for Washington, D.C. hip hop. Local radio stations 93.9 WKYS and 95.5 WPGC sometimes feature up and comers from the area.[3]

20bello, a rapper, director and promoter, was the original founder of the DMV (D for the District of Columbia, M for Maryland, and V for Northern Virginia, which together create the DC Metro area) music movement. He remains instrumental in creating a music scene where young upcoming artists can thrive.[4]

Notable hip hop record label Candlewax Records[5] started in 2003 after it changed its name from Irish CarBomb Music, the label BlakeNine first started in 2001. The label has produced several albums, EPs, and private pressing vinyl, CD and cassette releases. Candlewax Records has also released with national underground hip hop artists Count Bass D, Vex Da Vortex from Boogiemonsters, and Slug Christ. BlakeNine did DJ work on Head Roc's debut album Black Broadway and has worked with many other local hip hop artists. Dj Ohlow and the Beat Konductaz have revived live Beat battles, Sound design competitions and producers showcasing around the Washington DC metro area by filming and airing the shows on local Radio and TV. The movement has created a sub genre community of like minded djs and producers that keep the platform organic and progressively moving forward.

Hip hop has been greatly overshadowed by go-go music, a post-funk type of music that is only relevant in the District of Columbia. Go-go music was created in the D.C. area and remains a very significant aspect of the culture of the city and surrounding areas. It emphasizes large percussion sections, and incorporates call and response and shout-outs into its songs. This results in a crowd that is very active and involved with the music, responding by dancing and echoing the words. Chuck Brown is known as the "godfather of go-go",[6] but the genre is still alive today, with groups such as The Backyard Band, TCB, and UCB enjoying great local success.

Notable figures

Logic

Chuck Brown

Chuck Brown achieved significant fame in and around Washington, D.C. for being the most popular artist in go-go's earlier days. He influenced a generation of new bands and was the driving force behind popularizing go-go. To many in the area, Brown and his music represented a culture and attitude that was representative of life in Washington, D.C.[6] He died in May 2012. Shortly after his death, nearly every radio station in D.C. played his music. There were many tributes in the following days that came in the form of funerals, concerts, and vigils.[7]

Kev Brown

Kevin Brown (born February 10, 1976), better known by his stage name Kev Brown, is a hip hop producer from Landover, Maryland. He is the founding member of the MD / DC-based hip hop collective Low Budget.

Wale
Main article: Wale (rapper)

Born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian parents, Wale is notable both for being the first major hip hop label signing from Washington, D.C. and for the way he has fused go-go music with rap music.[8] Having grown up in and around D.C., he has tried to include elements of go-go in his music. This comes in the form of the type of percussion beats, shout outs, and subject matter of his songs. Wale's song "Pretty Girls" most notably contains a sample and hook from the song of the same name by The Backyard Band. In 2009, Wale and go-go band UCB performed together at the MTV Video Music Awards show.

Oddisee

Oddisee is the most famous member of both the Low Budget Crew and the Diamond District Group, both groups of rappers from Washington, D.C.[9] Oddisee's music is very percussion-based with lyrics about life in D.C. and Prince George's County, a suburb located in Maryland.

Panacea

Panacea is a hip-hop duo from Washington, D.C., starting in 2003. The duo consists of MC Raw Poetic (Jason Moore) and producer K-Murdock (Kyle Murdock). They have produced several albums and EPs over the years.

References
  1. "A glimpse at the future: the D.C. rap scene". The Georgetown Voice. 2009-11-05. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  2. http://dmvlife.com/ynwvheatwave.html/
  3. "DMV's Own". Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  4. https://www.washingtonian.com/2015/07/06/whos-responsible-for-naming-greater-washington-the-dmv/
  5. http://www.candlewaxrecords.com/
  6. Crockett, Stephen A. (2012-05-17). "Chuck Brown, go-go legend, dies - The Root DC Live". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  7. http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/05/chuck-brown-dies-godfather-of-go-go-passes-away-at-75-76052.html
  8. "Wale Hope To Bring Go-Go Mainstream With 'Attention Deficit'". Billboard. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-09-24.
  9. http://oddiseemusic.blogspot.com/
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