Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Martin Wood [Click to enlarge]

Some Sacramento State students appreciate "real" underground hip-hop. But what does that sound like?

The Cap City Culture Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the University Union is supposed to be just that. The free show will feature some of the best masters of ceremonies, disc jockeys and breakdancers that Cap City, or the Capital City, has to offer. Sponsored by KSSU 1580 AM, PVS Radio and UNIQUE, the concert will feature performances by local hip-hop groups including Addict Merchants, Live Manikins and Neighborhood Watch.

Among the featured bands, Sacramento-based group Live Manikins is looking forward to giving Sac State students a taste of high-energy, fun hip-hop, said Linguistics, Live Manikins' band member and former Sac State student with a degree in marketing. Recently coming off tour in Canada and winning best hip-hop artist in Bodog's Battle of the Bands, Live Manikins is looking forward to bringing its music back home, Linguistics said.

Self, another band member of Live Manikins, said, "We have five different styles of music from every member and what you get is conscious, world, hip-hop."

The group's debut album, "Still Life," became popular on KSSU's local music top 10 chart, said KSSU manager Rob Young aka DJ Rob Fatal.

"I believe they are in the top 5, next to punk bands the Secretions and Groovie Ghoulies," Young said.

Addict Merchants are also known as an up-and-coming local group. Band member Mic Dot said the group believes in "Big Brain Music."

"They keep it real with their true sense of hip-hop," said Sac State graduate Teresa Taraya. "Their beats blend jazz with lyrics that are a refreshing change from what we hear on the radio today."

Mic Dot said hip-hop is not only a genre - it's a culture. The music, the style of clothes, the slang and all other elements define the hip-hop lifestyle are all a part of it. Hip-hop evolved into many different sub-genres of today, including gangsta rap, crunk and hyphy, he said.

Even though these new genres all have their differences from hip-hop's early days, all of them have derived from hip-hop's original art form and adapted to a more modern state, he said.

"We attempt to make music as a voice for those ideas that are not generally promoted through mainstream ideals," Mic Dot said.

An easy way to spot a true hip-hop group is the importance of its DJ, Young said. Most of today's mainstream hip-hop groups and artists lack this integral part, which has roots in greats like Jam Master Jay and Grandmaster Flash.

A DJ himself, Young said he calls the DJ an essential part to a hip-hop group and hip-hop itself.

"Many rap groups today use a DJ as a stage prop to gain a faux street credibility," he said.

Young also said he respects groups like Live Manikins because they use their DJ, DJ Rated-R, as a band member and not a prop.

"We stay true to the art," Linguistics said. "We came from a time when hip-hop innovators were in the light and we always want to make sure we contribute to the art form in the same way."

In addition to the music itself, another element that is central to hip-hop is the battle.

"Battles are good for hip-hop because it allows rappers to show their skills and competitiveness," says Sacramento rapper Walter Bland, also known as Young Saint.

"If I had never battled, it would have been hard for me to mature as an MC because my opponents would bring the best out of me."

In addition to the DJ battles, MC battles and breakdancing battles, UNIQUE Programs Adviser, Zenia Diokno, said hip-hop art will also be showcased to give the show a complete hip-hop vibe.


Martin Wood can be reached at mwood@statehornet.com

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