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Radio Silence The art of hip-hop has been under attack for some years
now. Matter of fact, the art form of hip-hop has been under attack since
it's conception. At that time the seed started growing in the minds of
firsts in the culture, it was under attack. Forces internal and external
has sought it's destruction. But, low and behold, hip-hop's still here.
Giving all its changes, styles, and where hip-hop would call home, a
love and passion is still here. That love is what on a cold day in Baltimore brought
this journalist and an emcee together. This conversation had to happen
for two reasons. Despite how brief it was, it was needed to establish
knowledge of a scene for those on the outside, thought long dead. Also
it was needed as a lesson for this writer as well. The emcee, U'll Neva
No. Coming from California, he started making a name for himself in the
battle circles under the crust here in the city we both call home. On
meeting this cat, you'd never of known that he was capable of spitting
venom anyone's way, but his love for the art form and culture was more
than evident. ETM: Tell them your name? U'll Neva No, I went by verb back in Cali. After that a
friend of mine named MISCHIEF said, "Why don't you change your name to
U'll Neva No, that way when people are like 'What your name?', you can
be like 'U'll Neva No!' Then they come up with their own name for you" I
love the reaction when I give them my name! (Both Laughed) ETM: So what made you introduce the pen to the pad? I started when I was in fifth grade. I was 10 years old.
I use to write because I thought it [hip-hop] was cool. I didn't start
getting serious until I was in Junior High. Then I was heavily
influenced by Big L from harlem. ETM: Haven't heard that name for a minute! What about L? His style, punchlines, metaphors...He was real clever. ETM: So was it admiring punchlines that got you into
battling? Yea, but it was [mainly] Canibus that really got me
battling ETM: Was it Canibus' Vocab? Yea, it was the level of his vocab and his intelligence. EMT: What was your first battle like? My first battle was, oh goodness, it was whack! Corny!
The punchlines were simple. But I learned and created a buzz in High
School. EMT: How different was the culture in Cali? I ain't start battling hardcore until I moved to Cali in
2001. There's a dramatic difference between Cali and Baltimore. I mean I
saw things! I battled an Asian cat! The culture there was real diverse. EMT: Why'd you come back to Baltimore? What was the
scene like when you did? Main reason I moved back to Bmore was to get closer to
NYC. When I came back to Baltimore, no disrespect to the radio stations,
music was a little different, but it wasn't what i expected. I thought
they would play more Little Brother and Dilated [Peoples]. EMT: So how you go about finding likeminded people? Man it's hip-hop! I look at myself as the underdog. It's
hard to find MCs that are on the same lever I'm on. But basically I
networked. I just networked and met likeminded people. EMT: Now it's this venue, The Turntable Club? They have an open mic every other Monday and the first
one I went to, I was surprised at the culture and that so many people
wanted to rhyme and keeping pure to it's [hip-hop] essence. With
freestyling and rhyming. EMT: So when does your EP drop? On January 29th. The name is "Recapture the Essence EP"
It's gonna be 6 joints. Some produced by Midimarc and others by Da God
Knowledge. He's [Da God Knowlegde] is my producer from Da Equation.
We're trying to bring it back to the Gangstar days. Y'know? MC and
Producer. EMT: Are you looking for mainstream success or to remain
underground? It's tough. I do music for the passion. But getting paid
is a plus! (both laughed) Y'know I really wouldn't be comfortable signed
to a mainstream label. Because you got people telling you what to write,
execs telling you what songs to do for the radio. I wouldn't mind
signing to labels like Hall of Justice, Rawkus, ABB Records or Stones
Throw. ETM: But that growth is in ya? Yea, pretty much. EMT: Okay...I'm gonna name off some MCs. In One word, I
want you to describe them...Mos Def. Oh my God...Whoo! ..Dope...Dope.. EMT: Talib Kweli Versitile EMT: Black Thought Poet EMT: Common Revolutionary EMT: Tupac I'd say a poet..but I really don't listen to him. I get
a lot of negative feedback on that. He's a good artist, but I couldn't
get into him. Just being real. EMT: Okay, okay. Pharaoh Monch BANANAS!! (Laughs) EMT: Big L Man, he's dope all around. If he was still living, I
don't know if there be a [major] change in hip hop, but there would he
would of made some type of difference by now. EMT: That's what's up. Who do you think people need to
hear? Who needs to be heard? Little Brother, Canibal OX, oh my God they need to be
heard. J Dilla needs to get heard, may he RIP. MF DOOM, he definitely
need to be heard. The list goes on and on. But those cats need to be
heard. They really are being neglected. EMT: Anything else? Oh, we're working on Da Equation's album, y = mc + p
(Y'all get that? )
U'll Neva No Interview
By Derrick Warren
dwarren@excapethematrix.com
More information on this event can be seen at
http://www.myspace.com/seasonthemicrophonemodays.
Peace!