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As most of you who read this already know (and some don’t)  I’m a big fan of Hip Hop. It was the first music that really grabbed me growing up.  From Run DMC, Eric B and Rakim, EPMD and on to The Beastie Boys no matter what kind of mood I was in Hip Hop was always faithful to me and never seem to let me down.  I find that when I’m writing my solo music (blue collar prophet) my first inclination is to start making Hip Hop beats.  I immediately start thinking about things that i love to hear over good beats such as horn snaps, simple blues guitar riffs and saucy funk baselines.  Its like a drug that got into my veins when I was young and there is just no way to get it out. I’m an addict for life and I’m fine with it!  With that being said I’ll move on to the tour…

I have to start by saying that KMK isn’t necessarily my brand of beer (mainly because i’m not much of a “smoker”) BUT they are REALLY good at what they do.  The production behind them is great.  There beats, samples, etc are definitely worth checking out if you haven’t given it a chance yet.  I had the pleasure of sitting down with a couple of the guys a few times after there show and found that they are seriously down to earth people who, like all musicians I know, have a TRUE love for music and especially the music that pushes them on a daily basis.  “Daddy X”  (as they call him)  told me “I was in punk bands when I started in the scene.” I wasn’t surprised to be honest.  One funny thing that I’ve learned over the years about Hip Hop is that most of the people in the scene have had some sort of a punk rock background.  I know you are probably saying “ya all the white Hip Hop groups” but that’s actually not true.  There have been plenty of Hip Hip groups that talk about Punk Rock that haven’t been “white”.   Charlie Tuna from Jurassic 5 said “mixing Hip Hop and Punk Rock in one shot” on their Power in Numbers record.  I can’t quite remember a song in particular  but Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest has also talked about Punk Rock on a record or 2.  Daddy X  told me that growing up he was super into punk and everything about the scene but one day he wanted to try something different, something out his realm, and it was Hip Hop that pulled him in. I firmly believe that music chooses you.  Also on the tour was Big B and I’ve sat and talked music with him a bunch.  Actually 2 nights ago Big B, Dirtball (kmk) and “esso” from BlissnEsso were all in the green room talking Hip Hop and my new found love “Dub Step” and Big B said something I will probably never forget.  “Don’t mind Jim, He might look weird but he knows allot about Hip Hop.”  Honestly it was such an incredible feeling to hear him say that.  Big B is probably one of the most “real” MC’s I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with .  He’s lived every moment that he speaks about and he truly speaks his mind.  There is nothing fake about that guy that that is what makes him a success.

Over the years of playing music you develop a love for everything in music.  Even the things you never thought you would like.  Its a respect factor ya know.  You have to open your ears not your eyes. You have to “hear” beyond the  gimmicks and beyond the stereotype to find the true music within.  I’ve always said, there is good things about ALL music you just have to dig deep sometimes to find it.  I know allot of people out there can relate to this “feeling” as I talk about it. Weather or not its Hip Hop, Metal, Punk, Dance, Country etc. again music chooses us, we don’t choose music.  Its that day you hear that particular song and you realise you found the 1 music that really gets you going.  I look forward to my adventures on finding new music and I will never loose my drive to do so.

Cheers everyone!  Happy Hunting!

P.s. If you have a music you would like to share please leave me a comment I would love to check it out!