Twin Cities Hip Hop
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Twin Cities Hip-Hop is hip-hop or rap music that originates from the Twin Cities metropolitan area in Minnesota.
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[edit] History
[edit] Pre 1996
Although strictly underground, there existed a sub-terraean hip hop culture in the Twin Cities starting as early as 1981. Similar to the development of hip hop in the South Bronx, Twin Cities rap started as humble parties with a DJ and an emcee.[1]. A DJ named Travitron was comparable to the DJ Kool Herc of the Twin Cities area. Shows took place at many venues, most notoriously Club Hip Hop on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. Other artists and DJ's include Disco T, Verb X, Brother Jules, Delite, and Truth Maze. The first real album to come out of the Twin Cities was called The I.R.M. Crew, released in 1985. Graffiti and b-boy crews were also existent in the city. This is the world that the current movers of Twin Cities Hip Hop were brought up in.
[edit] 1996-Present
The main movers of Twin Cities Hip Hop came together to form the group Headshots, a precursor to the Rhymesayers Entertainment label. Members of this group included Slug, I Self Devine, Micranots, Musab, Siddiq, and Ant. Slug was one of the main artists to move into the foreground, setting the tone for the style of music to follow in the years to come. The sub culture is still existent today, although the genre has moved from the "old-school" roots into a more alternative spotlight.
[edit] Style
Twin Cities Hip Hop is characterized best by the Alternative Rap, Underground Rap, and Conscious hip hop sub-genres. The beats use influences from jazz, soul and classic rock. Many rap songs from the Twin Cities speak on social and political issues, as well as involved personal stories.
[edit] Notable artists
- Atmosphere (music group)
- Brother Ali
- P.O.S.
- Abstract Pack
- Heiruspecs
- Oddjobs
- Eyedea & Abilities
- Unknown Prophets
- Raw Villa
- Los Nativos
- Micranots
- Musab (f.k.a. Beyond)
In addition to these artists, these labels have signed other artists from around the country, most notably those from the Midwest and Northwest United States.
The major record labels in the area are Rhymesayers, Interlock Records and Doomtree.
[edit] Locations
The headquarters for Rhymesayers Entertainment is located in Uptown, Minneapolis, Fifth Element, the store owned and operated by the label.
The well known Minneapolis venue First Avenue has been a typical location for major performances of Twin Cities hip hop, including the annual Twin Cities Hip Hop Festival. Other common places for shows around the cities include Dinkytown, The Red Sea and the Cedar/Riverside area, and downtown St. Paul.
[edit] Radio
- KMOJ 89.9 FM
- KFAI 90.3/106.7 FM - Produces the weekly show RSE Radio, short for Rhymesayers Entertainment Radio.
- KCMP 89.3 (The Current) - Plays Twin Cities Hip Hop in regular rotation, as well as the weekly show Redefinition Radio
- KUOM 770AM (Radio K) - University of Minnesota College Radio. Home of the Beatbox show.
