Hip Hop at Hot Monkey Love Cafe
story by Linda Rector
photos by Nick Pinto @ http://www.vigorphoto.com/
Hip Hop artists from all around Southern California, gathered on tuesday for the “Voice of Reason,” at the new location of the Hot Monkey Love Cafe, on El Cajon Blvd. The new location of the venue is intimate, and has a casual atmosphere which any concert goer can enjoy. One of the few all ages venues left in San Diego, the HML provides an alcohol free environment to enjoy some of San Diego’s best local performing artists. Every tuesday night is reserved for Hip Hop, a scene which may have died down over the years, is now making a comeback in southern california.
The opening MCs for the show were Joe and Stimuli, whom are known as “imperfectionist who?” The duo from oceanside got the crowd going with the humorous antics of Stimuli, the self proclaimed sidekick to Joe. Even though Stimuli had outstanding stage presence, Joe’s lyrical talents kept the music flowing smoothly. The two impressed the crowd with songs like “it’s amazing,” which proclaims their love for performing; and “Die Slow,” a comical song about the hazards of unprotected sex, cigarettes, and partying hard.
(http://www.myspace.com/imperfectionistwho)
The next act was the Artoo and Change, the up and coming twosome known as Blak.Watr. You may even recognize their faces from various posters plastered around San Diego. On stage they each sported a suit and tie, and used various props during each song. These two are a couple of hip hop artists that have been progressing rapidly since they joined forces 8 months ago. However, both Artoo and Change have been on the scene longer than that. Artoo has been making music for 10 years, since he was 13, and Change picked up the mic 4 years ago and has been spitting rhymes ever since. Their songs have dark undertones of anti-corporations, and are a deep reflection of their life experiences, such as “Typing at Your Desk,” preformed alongside a working antique typewriter. The song talked about escaping from your worries behind a typewriter, and getting your burdens off your shoulders and onto paper. Change even confided with me after the show that music has helped him stay out of Jail since he has done time, and writing has always been a positive outlet in both their lives. The next song, “June Gloom” which is known as the classic and a crowd favorite, talked about the month of June which was a low point in both their lives to say the least. But instead of letting the series of unfortunate events get them down they turned it into a powerful song about perseverance. They handed out black roses to the crowd, as they explained eloquently how the bad times in life define you and make you stronger. They also showed their ironic sense of humor with the song “Death of Mia,” (a perfect example of their abstract poetry,) which is about a woman who meets an untimely demise, with a twist ending. The two have been working hard on their new CD “The Last of the Dying Millionaires,” which scheduled to be released in March. The oceanside natives, also support Artoo’s clothing company “Unknown Empire,” which is yet another example of their passion and involvement in the hip hop underground.
(http://www.myspace.com/artooisdead) (http://www.myspace.com/change1) (http://www.myspace.com/unknownempire)
Their new DJ, Tactik kept in step with the MCs, scratching during breaks in their rhymes, and impressing the crowd afterwards with some talented beat juggling. Beat juggling is the act of manipulating two or more samples, in order to create a unique sound, and is something only a few accomplished DJs can pull off. One of Carlsbad’s finest DJs, has been performing for 2 years, since he picked up the turn tables 4 years ago. His creativity went on overdrive when he discovered fruity loops, a complete studio in a computer program which enables you to sample music and manipulate it to your hearts content. His musical influences range from RJD2, 9th Wonder, DJ Krush, DJ Premiere, and DJ Qbert.
(http://www.myspace.com/TactiK)
The next MC that preformed was L’Mer Quant’ez Owens, who simply called himself: “Marackue’luz.” Born and raised in Kentucky, Owens got his name from a tragic event that affected his entire career. On July 20th, 1998, his junior year in high-school, he was jumped by 45 grown men. On the way to the hospital his heart stopped twice, and he barely hung on to life when he arrived. In a coma, his humble family could only afford to keep him on life support for 3 days. On the third day, which turned out to be his birthday, he woke up. In his own words: “my recovery is miraculous, and Marackue’luz is my future.” At the end of his performance, his wife Brandi Owens joined him on the stage for the song “So Much Pain,” one of his more spiritual and inspirational songs. With a start like his, I only see this MC climbing up.
(http://www.myspace.com/marackueluz)
The Left N’ Company preformed starting with Diction, an MC from Portland Oregon, who has been free-styling for 10 years now, and his love of hip hop has only grown throughout the years, afterwards Trankwel from Paradise Hills preformed.
(http://www.myspace.com/Dictionone)
The next acts to follow was the MC Generik, who wowed the crowd with his beat-box talent, including a rendition of the classic song “Stand By Me.” Shortly after his solo performance, the MCs Anec and Architect joined him with an energetic set.
(http://www.myspace.com/Generik)
Quangou, an artist from LA, preformed next, one of few MCs who makes his own beats for his rhymes. I have to admit I admired his tracks, and his enthusiasm on and off the stage. The Los Angeles native has been making beats for a couple years now, not only for himself, but other MCs as well. His rhymes are face paced, although a bit monotone, creative and pretty catchy. He is definitely an artist worth listening to.
(http://www.myspace.com/quangousSONGS)
J.J Catolico from L.A, also known as Mestizoid, has been recording hip hop records since 2003. The floor filled up as soon as he took the stage, eager to watch him preform. His performance was confidant, and his rhymes were smooth. His lyrics are poetic, and weave a story which any hip hop lover could appreciate.
(http://www.myspace.com/mestizoid)
Mike Gao DJed for the majority of the other MCs. He kept up with the fast pace of Primarily he has been working with Mestizoid, in fact the two colaborated on an album called: “Blindfaith” released in 2005. His music stylings are Innovated with the technology he is uses, Serato Scratch, which utilizes a blank vynl to scratch any sound on the computer.
(http://www.myspace.com/Mikebeingstalked)
The night ended with the crowd crawling up on the stage with some freestyle battles, ending the show, as it winded down, and the fans left. I can only imagine every tuesday being just as successful, because that night proved that hip hop is alive and well in San Diego.
BL