Mike-ill has a radio show on KUCI called, Keepin’ it Right. On his way to the station, he plugged in his Serrato for about an hour+ and took some time out to try on this Brixton hat. Then he had to jet.
It turns out that Saturday Sessions (11-8pm) at Store13 are a good way to relax on a Saturday afternoon or warm up before your radio show.
To kick off a series of posts surrounding the Bay Area & Hip-Hop, the topic can be approached in a number of ways.
You could talk about the amazing talent and diversity of sounds that are found within los neighbors to the north, the hustle and the grind of it’s residents, or you just start off with a week of Too $hort. In any event, the Bay Area is noteworthy for many different reasons and this series will spotlight some of the pioneers and the new guard that make Yae, Yay, Bay Area what it is.
Oakland breeds legends. In 1995, a twenty year old Corey Scoffern -after picking up the pen & pad a year earlier, inspired by his local heroes: Digital Underground, Too $hort, Toni Tony Tone, and the emerging Hieroglyphics crew -took the stage at one of the, “Broke Ass” events put on by the Mystik Journeymen (Sunspot Jonz & PSC) and caught a lot of positive feedback for his crowd control (effortless) and lyricism (clever with the words) and -somewhat ironically (but not really), would forever be known as The Grouch thereafter.
Industry Rule #4080 would find 1991 Tommy Boy signees MetuFour (Metaphysical 4) shelved and leaving the label to pursue a different path. The crew had connected at Morehouse College and consisted of: Richard Raymond, Sup, Amp Live & Zion.
The N. California native, Zion and San Antonio Texas-bred Amp Live would eventually relocate to the Bay Area together and continue their collaboration as Zion I -signing to local indie imprint Nu-Gruv Alliance/Ground Control Records.
Zion I would release their long-awaited debut, “Mind Over Matter” in 2000 -to rave reviews for it’s futuristic drum&bass influences and raw insightful lyricism. It was nominated by The Source Magazine for Best Independent Album of the Year and included guest appearances by: Rasco, Planet Asia & The Grouch.
“The whole Bay Area hip-hop scene is close,” explains Zion -in an interview with LA City Beat. “A collaboration is usually just a phone call away.”
Contributing verses to, “Silly Puddy” -an album cut on Mind Over Matter and a heavily requested track whenever the two acts perform together, The Grouch would return to bless the track, “Flow” on Zion I’s follow-up album, “Deep Water Slang“. These successful collaborations would evolve into 2006’s critically acclaimed, “Heroes in the City of Dope” -a fifteen track release that also includes guest spots from Mistah F.A.B, Deuce Eclipse, & Chali 2na.
Check out this footage of “Hit’em” -from their performance at The Takeover, held @ the UCI Bren Events Center.
Thanks to UCI Hip Hop Congress & Afrikan Student Union for putting on the show!
| Keep Making Everyone Look for updates! Part II explores BEEF in the BAY! |
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