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ARTSETC.

Fest to present best of Midwest

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Also by Vicki Pietrus:

Get skanky with Mustard Plug (November 30, 2007)
'Beowulf' movie short on poetry (November 19, 2007)
Artists interprets legend Dylan (November 6, 2007)
Latin singer fails to bring heat (October 31, 2007)
Stoppard play lets wit 'razzle' (October 22, 2007)

by Vicki Pietrus

Thursday, December 6, 2007

In every thriving metropolis, there exists an underground of art that serves to give agency and a voice to those who struggle but can't quite find a mainstream avenue for expression. This weekend the Homegrown Hip-Hop Festival sets out to do just that by showcasing some of the Midwest's best and most talented underground hip-hop and spoken word artists.

This festival kicks off tonight in the Rathskeller with a DJ exposition featuring Kid Cut Up from Milwaukee and local DJ Newsense. Also included in tonight's performance will be local hip-hop artists Dumate and Ra Fury as well as Michigan-based Othello. Dumate is a five-piece group featuring two emcees who combine with a bassist to create an unorthodox, fresh approach to hip-hop that energizes and enlightens its listeners. Combined with Ra Fury's subtle, informed beats, both artists aptly represent the younger, innovative future of the hip-hop movement. Othello's old school hip-hop, infusing jazz rhythm with a progressive, new-school flavor, is an essential addition to the lineup that seeks to represent Midwest hip-hop expression.

"I think the overall sound of the Midwest stems from having deep roots in soul and funk," Othello explained in an interview with The Badger Herald.

Headlining tonight will be Chicago-based Grammy-award winner and recording artist Rhymefest, who co-wrote "Jesus Walks" with Kanye West and defeated Eminem in a freestyle battle at Scribble Jam, America's largest annual hip-hop festival held in Ohio. His own victory in 2003 at Scribble Jam is a solid indication of Rhymefest's freestyle abilities and intuitive performances. Some people may think his acclaim would place the artist in the mainstream, but his lyrical abilities in the freestyle arena as well as his passionate political claims in songs like "Bullet" are successful in subverting norms, as well as informing underground hip-hop communities all around the country.

Tomorrow night in the Memorial Union main lounge, El Guante begins the night of spoken word with a workshop starting at 7 p.m. This event is ideal for poets interested in expanding their horizons and all students interested in this unique art form. El Guante, originally from Madison, makes his return to Madison after moving to Minneapolis this summer. The artist took held a place on the Madison national poetry slam team last year, and his return to Madison will accompany the release of his new book titled "Shotgun Samurai Vampire Hip Hop," which includes song lyrics, essays and poetry. At 9 p.m., the Office of Multicultural Arts Initiative and Wisconsin Union Directorate Student Performance are also teaming up to host the JUST BUST!, an open mic with El Guante.

The weekend's festivities will culminate on Saturday evening with a powerful lineup that seeks to embody the power derived from regional hip-hop talent. The show begins at 8 p.m. in Der Rathskeller with University of Wisconsin students from the First Wave program, the nation's first urban arts learning community. This event is followed by Defcee, a First Wave member originally from Chicago, who brings a unique perspective as an up-and-coming emcee with broad roots in the hip-hop tradition.

"I was brought up on early to mid-’90s East Coast hip-hop (think Wu-Tang Clan, Rakim, Boot Camp Clik, O.C., Nas and Kool G Rap) as well as contemporary underground hip-hop (Typical Cats, Vakill, Brother Ali, Cage, El-P, etc.)," the artist explained to the Herald.

Defcee's expansive pedigree in hip-hop music adds a well-rounded dimension to the lineup. But what is most noticeable about the artist is his high level of enthusiasm for this weekend's festival.

"I’m excited to be performing at UW, and in Madison in general, because of the support and the high level of energy that the audiences at hip-hop shows here tend to give to the acts performing on stage."

Following Defcee is Lucha Libre, a Madison collective whose style is infused with upbeat hip-hop and provocative reggaeton. Third are the Figureheads, a duo from Milwaukee whose background lies deeply in the origins of hip-hop education, and whose straightforward style leaves the listener feeling profoundly affected. The set is rounded off nicely with a return from emcee El Guante.

The festival will conclude with underground hip-hop phenomenon Brother Ali. With his raw, evocative images and poignant, resonant voice, Brother Ali has made a significant name for himself by challenging listeners to engage more closely with the world around them. With Ant from fellow Minneapolis-based hip-hop group Atmosphere, Brother Ali has written and produced four albums of distinctive quality and soul that listeners all over the country have listened to and fallen in love with. By bringing the Midwest from coast to coast, hip-hop has veritably been transformed by his efforts.

In an interview with the Herald about performing in Madison, Ali said, "I really love it. Everybody is really enthusiastic and gets excited. I've done everything, from 3,000 to shows where there are 300 and they are equally insane." Brother Ali's enthusiasm for the art is evident when he discusses the hip-hop tradition, specifically in the Midwest.

"The thing that always strikes me about the Midwest is our cities don't ring the bells around the world the way the other cities do," Ali said.

His claim the emphasis in Midwest lyrics is on life and all of its hardships and successes is one that embodies the festival, as well as his own work. Brother Ali's powerful yet personal style is one that seeks to unify and instigate questions, a sentiment which can be found in "Uncle Sam Goddamn" off his recent album The Undisputed Truth. In February, Brother Ali is also planning to release a DVD with footage from new songs further involving fans have with his powerful performances and incendiary lyrics.

With a star-studded, extremely talented and even slightly controversial roster, the Homegrown Hip-Hop Festival is sure to incite a weekend full of intense rhymes and playful banter, as well as serious social commentary and captivating expression. People from all types of musical backgrounds can arrive and immediately immerse themselves in the intensity and excitement that can only be found in underground art.

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