BOMB
See Lawrence hip-hop live on stage at:
The Find CD Release Party Friday, Feb.20
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St.
18+,$5/$7
10 p.m.
www.thefind.net
As the Lawrence hip-hop community continues to come into its own, it's hard to avoid comparisons to other more prominent hip-hop cities throughout the country; places like St. Louis, Chicago and New York City come readily to the minds of many. These comparisons only cheat the Lawrence/Kansas City scene, though, says Morales. "We are what we are," Morales says. "To compare our community to one like New York City just defeats the purpose of progression."
Morales says that the Lawrence scene needs to continue to develop on its own terms. He even avers that the Lawrence/Kansas City community could easily hold its own with places like New York City and Los Angeles and that Lawrence actually benefits from its underexposure because it gives the artists more creative freedom to develop their own styles. There are those who feel that the underexposure is harmful to the scene, though. Ensyght, another Kansas City based artist who recently changed his stage-name to Emisaree, says that because of their locations, Lawrence and Kansas City will continue to be overlooked. He recognizes, however, just how much the community has exploded in the 18 months he's been involved with it.
So, where does Lawrence hip-hop really stand as of today? Well, just go to lawrencehiphop.com, the place to look for any information regarding hip-hop in Lawrence. The Web site currently lists 15 artists who perform locally. Check them out soon, though, because some are taking their acts national. Some have larger record labels knocking at their doors. Locally based emcee Mac Lethal, for example, just embarked on a 42-date nationwide tour. Others aren't far behind. "It's starting to happen," Vert says, almost prophetically. "People are getting their names out there and the groups that have come up over the past few years are going national. All I can say is don't miss the boat."
Listen. D'you hear it yet?
Tick, tick, tick...
- Kevin Kampwirth can be reached at kkampwirth@kansan.com
jouicy2010.04
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