Hip Hop Is Not Dead!
New York rapper, Dave East reminds us that Hip Hop can truly be restored back to it roots when ‘the people’ demand it. It’s been a little over a decade since ‘Hip Hop’ has taken a detour from its original musical sound and style.
The southern flair has become the ‘it sound’ and like newly released air jordans mostly every rapper from the north, south, east, and west coast felt compelled to the mimick the ‘trending sound’ to score a hit record.
But there has been a different shift in the cosmo’s, since the emergence of Dave East. It would take a 24-year old from Harlem, unknown to the industry bearing the ‘East’ name to put the east coast back on the hip hop map.
His raw and edgy demeanor is not only messaged in his lyrics, but a relatable tale for the many inner city youths attempting self-preservation from their impoverished communities. There’s no question that East possess both the New York sound, and story telling element that has been a very remiss in hip hop.
Certainly, there were and are rappers throughout the years, that continue to demonstrate their undeniable lyrical skills but their music/album are often discredited in music chart ratings and overshadowed by artists who delivers that southern cross over element .
Jadakiss [Top 5 Dead Or Alive], Fabolous [Loso’s Way, Summertime Shootout] Maino & Uncle Murda ‘ [Yellow Tape], the late Chinx, [Legends Never Die’] , and newcomer Young M.A to name a few all praise worthy albums /records that’s reminiscent of the east coast sound.
East newly release ‘Kairi Chanel’ [named after his daughter] is being praised in the same manner.
With the guidance and mentorship from his manager, Wayno Clark and ‘Triangle Offense’ management team, East was able to stretch his music beyond the people of the five boroughs of New York City in a span of two years.
Dave East pre-development also came with the assistance of hip hop legend, Nas. East was the first signee on Mass Appeal records. It was late spring of 2014, when I first was introduce to Dave East.
It was during a radio interview I had with Wayno in launch of his new company, Triangle Offense. As he revealed his producer and artist roster, Dave East was that last name unveiled and there was a message that followed.
” I Got This Guy, He’s From The East Side Of Harlem, And When This Deal Goes Through, I Promise You, Everyone Is Going To Want To Interview Him. ”
It was the conviction in his voice, the confidence of his character, and the belief in his artist talent, that landed East an exclusive partnership deal with Def Jam records in September of this year.
Dave East has arrived, but there is plenty more to come from the Harlem bred.
Take a listen at his newly release.