Rapping Around The Christmas Tree

Rapping Around the Christmas Tree

NW rappers and artists alike have been known for their deep underground roots, their ties with the community, and their ability to survive a cut throat music scene. What you probably are not aware of is their softer, more giving, even heroic side to their lives. NW artists having been Rocking and Rapping around the Christmas tree since music began in this great area and we will showcase some of those amazing artists and their shows, with information on how you can help.

Jesse Sponberg is not your typical 40 something Portland guy. I first met Jesse in early 2000 era when he was doing his second annual hip hop event called “Food Wars.” I had heard that a Portland local was putting on a show for free; all you had to do was bring in cans of food for kids who were hungry. I had to check it out. One of our members got on the bill and then we started collecting cans. We took the prize for most cans collected that year,.  We watched as years went by and they loaded a U Haul truck full of cans, and then two U Haul trucks. I watched as local artists from all over the NW area came far and wide to bring food for those in need and to come together to put on this amazing show. This year we took second place in the event, but it takes first place in my heart each year along with other local Portland events. Check out more info on Jesse’s Facebook for information HERE and check out his weekly talk show Fight Church HERE  for more information about community events he is holding in the NW Area. 

Currently Jesse and his group are holding an amazing 12 hr telethon featuring many local NW musicians, comedians, and more to raise clothes for those cold on the streets of the NW.  For more information on this event visit the events page HERE and join up to help next year. This year Jesse’s group collected enough clothes to fill two dump trucks full and dropped them in the street on downtown Burnside Ave, then loaded them into a local church. The news came out to see the event and video feeds can be found at Fox news and Koin news 6.  You can also find Jesse on the streets of downtown Portland handing out Free Hot Soup to those in need nightly.

Tragedy 503 is a local NW rapper who has been putting on an amazing Toy Drive for the last 8 years called Toyz N Da Hood .

How this works is a local venue will donate some of their space, ticket vendors donate printed tickets, NW artists donate their time, and people donate toys. With each new, unwrapped toy donation, the person gets a ticket to the free show featuring many local NW acts including the world famous DJ Chill, PDS, Knothead, Thraxx Imaculent, Do It For The Dinosaurs, Uglay Kidd, Pookie, Sharon Music, JLouie, Macc Matt, Demon,  and many more. Each year hundreds to thousands of toys are collected for the benefit of the Salvation Army. These toys make it into the hands of boys and girls in need before Christmas day and add some cheer to their lives.
Tragedy says, “I started Toyz N Da Hood in 2005 with the goal of raising toys for under privileged kids in my community, Portland, OR. Growing up in poverty, I am well aware of the Salvation Army’s toy drives and how important it was to kids that would otherwise get no Christmas. So I and my team of street promoters, local MCs, and volunteers put together a show, with the idea being that no child should be deprived of feeling special Christmas morning, It’s a time for hope and to believe the world can be a good place. A toy gives them reason to believe, and a smile Christmas morning. Having something as simple as a toy, Christmas morning, can give a self esteem boost to a child because they weren't left, out despite the current financial struggles. I know these things first hand, because there were several Christmas mornings where I would have gotten nothing, if not for the Salvation Army delivering presents to my house. Many local MCs join us every year to put on the concert, with the admission being 1 new unwrapped toy or $10 at the door (to buy toys with). There have been thousands of toys raised every year. That means thousands of kids wake up with a chance to believe in the goodness in the world and we get to wake up knowing we’re helping carry on a tradition that helped us believe in miracles when we were young.” 

Washington Artist Knothead is also big in the giving back scheme of things. This NW artist works with families who are dealing with cancer on benefit shows, raising money for those in need, collecting food, clothes, toys, and so much more. Knothead also contributes each year to helping with NW toy drive Toyz N Da Hood. You can read more about Knothead and what he’s doing HERE.

 Knothead has been blessed these many years, overcoming many obstacles to come out an amazing artist and person, playing the stage with artists like Tech N9ne and Hopsin, and taking time to really help others around the area and spread the word about what is really important in our lives today. The NW is a better place with people like Knothead in it.
 

Bad Habitat is the NW artist of the month of December. They are a hard working group who has been consistently helping with NW Charity Events. Bad Habitat took 1^st Place this year in Food Wars 6 and has helped support the program for many years. These musicians are not only community conscious, but help with many events and organization in the NW to better our region.

They have worked closely with Jesse Sponberg for many years, attending and performing on Fight Church in the NW, and will be helping with the 12 hr marathon clothing drive. We hope to see more of this band in the coming future. Check them out HERE. 

 Musicians and artists alike can use their popularity, their reach, and their influence to better their communities all over the US. They can start spreading the word, give their time, and show that taking part in these activities can be worthwhile and enjoyable. When local musicians get involved, the public gets more involved. Everyone wants to rub elbows with the stars, so use your star status for good and take a moment to give back to those who live in your community, who could have given to you without you even knowing it. I challenge all of you to make December/January the month for giving back. Pay it forward today. Start now. If you have a story about how you took this challenge and gave back, if you’re a musician or just a member of your community, email me at Lettanina@gmail.com to be featured in the follow up story. 

Challenge accepted, ready set go!
 

TREY C & PLAYA RAE "I.L.A.M. INDEPENDENT LIKE A M#FUKA Music Review

I was given a great opportunity by Monstaville CEO to review a band I have never done a review for before. I was pleasantly surprised by the work that was sent to me and the skill on the tracks.
I get tracks, demos, and songs sent to me all the time. Some are good, some are not so good. I try and review only the ones I really like as I am trying to keep the negativity out of my work and bring a positive support to Hip Hop today.
So when I received their EP and information I was hoping for the best, but maybe not expecting  it. I was greatly surprised at what I found. I.L.A.M is an amazing album that talks about the industry as seen from the eyes of the independent artists, underdogs, and those struggling to keep up their dreams and lives at the same time. The music was well done, well produced, and did not have that repetitive bar structure that so many artists will cling to as the protocol for music today. I love to hear something outside the rest with a taste and flavor all its own. 

The first song on the album is called Freedom. I felt this was appropriate with the theme of the EP as it was talking about living independently of large record labels and staying true to who you are.  I really enjoyed this song because it talked about the freedom of doing things on their own and how the music industry is now.
Lyrics I found interesting and refreshing on the album included,  “Don’t it feel like independence day, only every day, " and "You remain a slave to the industry game while we get paid on the stage.” When working with a major label you are not as free to make your own choices in music. This is why more and more artists are choosing to remain independent even if offered spots on record labels. This gives them the right to produce what they feel and not what is just popular at the time. 

The next song is called Independent grind. The song talks about the struggles and the freedom from being independent. It discusses that music is about being who your are, not able selling out all you can to get radio play. Some lyrics I found intriguing were, “Hands in the air for the independent grind," and "Fuck the industry, " which was first brought around by Tech N9nes Anghellic CD but everyone’s being feeling it since the industry came about. People are starting to decline the cooperate agenda of music labels and choose to make their own rules. Though the independent grind may be harder, the hard work is worth keeping yourself true to the end. 

The next song on the album, Lies, talks about how many artists in Hip Hop  today are faking who they are for fame. They play the part but do not live what Hip Hop is truly about. Some lyrics I found amusing were, "No Mug behind their words cause they’re jeans too tight." Part of me hopes this is a comment about Lil Wayne, cause man his pants are way to tight and someone needs to say it haha. Also "They might rock a shiny chain but they actually broke.” I see this so often in hip hop and I liked that they brought it out. So many people are going into debt and really trying to sell the imagine of Hip Hop lifestyle, so others don’t know they aren't making it big. I have always heard "fake it until you make it"..or people could be like the song says, be yourself, and you're more likely to appeal to the people. 

Next we have the song Stay. This song has a good message, but I didn't mark it as my favorite. I think the song would have been improved if the echo effect had been left out. I think a good melody in its place would have pushed that track above level without needing to fill that space. It takes away from the good message of the song. But all in all still a great song!

In our next track, Living Today, the group discusses how living a life of a star can be, the good and the bad and why it's important to live for today. Some of the lyrics I found humorous and fun were, “She’s telling me I’m one hell of a guy, must have told this chick one hell of a lie.” This line made me laugh. Rappers have a suaveness built into their DNA and after years of watching this while on the road with the guys, I couldn't help but remember those moments. 

Which brings us to another amazing track that really hit home. As a college drop out at 18 to emerge myself in music and partying at the time, I really felt Don’t Wanna go back. Most of us out there that work a day job to make ends meet and continue to fund our dreams can relate to this song and its message. Lyrics like, “ I didn't drop out of college cause I thought I was too cool, but I wish that I hadn't  cause I’m glued to this YouTube tutorial trying to learn how to tie a tie tight and make it online right and make it to this interview on time.

This line hits so many entertainers. School didn't teach most of the musicians I know the knowledge needed for their creativity and the way their minds worked. Most of the time they seemed distracted and there was no one there to fuel their fire. So they would drop off and then struggle to bring in the bread while pursuing the dream.  Crazy life when your balling at night  and answering the customer service calls during the day. This track would be my favorite of the album.

Our last album on the track talks about how life changes after you start to change with your music. We evolve and we grow, new friends come and old friends may go. This track is called Damn Thang. A few of the lyrics that stood out to me where,  “Some of my old enemies are now friends with me,” and “People see it for the glitz and glamour, think your puffing purple kush when your really smoking bammer.”

But the lyric that stands out the most is one that most of us can relate to. “Lost a lot of friends and that’s a damn shame, but honestly I wouldn't change a damn thing.”

This album stayed in my CD player for days as I contemplated it and really immersed myself in it. I truly like this album and I'm giving it a 4 out of 5 stars, cause we all have room to grow don't ya know? Keep pushing your dreams and keep righting those songs from the heart, and you can stay Independent like a M#fuka for life.