Atlanta Rapper--Shaczar

When you think of hip hop or the art of rapping, it’s rare nowadays to even compare it to poetry, however that is exactly how rap artist Shaczar got started. He believes that rap is really poetry, and he has been writing peotry since he was 13. His writing quickly became rap after he put beats and melodies with his words.

It was also around this age that he was listening to Xzibit , and it dawned upon him that “hey, I can do that”. He purchased his CD. “When I tell people about Xzibit, they laugh” he says. Other artists like Lauryn Hill, Nas, and Outkast also influenced young Shaczar, but at that age he didn’t focus on rapping as much as he did on other things.

He never needed confirmation that he was good and honestly could never receive feedback because of how conservative he was with his craft. He didn’t want too many people to get to know him at first. It wasn’t until his senior year of high school that he got an idea of what he wanted to do with his life. His friends heard him freestyle and told him that he was good. Even then, with the positive remarks, rapping wasn’t at the fore front of his life.

As he got older and more mature, he did begin to take it seriously. He felt that writing and literature were right up his alley and believed music came with it as well. Today Shaczar is a solo artist, even though he does have other friends in the same industry. He doesn’t mind sharing creative ideas with his fellow underground rappers because he has respect for anyone trying to do something with their music. Shaczar even says that if he were to make it “big”, the first thing he’d do is help out people who were in his same situation and trying to come up such as producers, indie, and up and coming artists.

Shaczar does say that his music is different, but doesn’t really clarify what’s different about it. He just wants to let the music speak for itself. He adds that he likes to use a lot of different elements when it comes to rapping.

As an artist, he feels that so many rappers already think that the are different, which they all are in their own way, but says if everyone is trying to be different then they are all really the same. He doesn’t try and be different, he just does what he feels. Shaczar points out that a lot of artists fail when it comes to staying on topic within a song or album. “You just said you were in a cornfield, so how the hell you end up in the toilet,” he says. This is one thing he does not do.

When it comes to his own personal style, Shaczar likes “I’m about shit” music. Growing, maturing, and understanding what his interests are help him develop his own music. He creates his music for people who want something different and even if there wasn’t money involved, he claims he would still do it.

Shaczar believes music has to have meaning because we are here to learn as much as we can and ultimately to be able to analyze situations. “That’s how we grow,” he adds. Right now he focuses on African American culture in his art because of the level of scrutiny it’s under. Shaczar also makes music about where he’s at personally in his life and how it can get better, but says that in the future his music probably won’t focus as much on race.

He has things he wants to talk about, but understands what’s popular, and knows he must pay is dues first. “I have to come downstairs to show everyone the upstairs,” he says. His latest song is titled, “I am Atlanta”, and even though he was born in Alabama, he has lived in Atlanta for the majority of his life. When listening to the song you don’t find common elements of southern hip hop culture. Shaczar says that he doesn’t want to limit himself to one region.

Even though he knows that southern rap is often criticized as not being real “hip hop” he believes the south is in a good place. He gives northern rappers their props for being able to put good songs together lyrically, but then adds, “it’s not what you wanna hear on a daily basis.” He feels when the north criticizes southern hip hop they forget about the “real south” like Geto Boys, UGK, 8ball and Mjg, and Playa Fly.

He compares these artists to being just as good as northern or west coast rappers. “When they try and discredit the south in hip hop, they can’t. Hip hop is different all over,” he says, “Timbaland doesn’t sound like Rottweiler…down south music contributes what it’s supposed to contribute.”

When it comes to the state of hip hop all together, Shaczar feels that no, it’s not the same as when it started, but then adds that nothing is and that things grow. He believes that the saturation could die down a little because everyone wants to be a hip hop artist. He doesn’t think that hip hop can get better until the fans get better. He explains by saying that the industry is going to continue to make music that sells whether the artist making the music is just in it for the money and stardom or not.

Shaczar claims if people weren’t scared to support real music then what we are left with are the ones in it for the fame and not to make a good product; good music. He states there are many people who say they want real hip hop, but when the time comes, they don’t support them. “Let’s see a week come when Talib Kweli or Mos Def, or any conscious rapper outsells a mainstream artist, then somebody’s gonna switch their style,” he says. That’s why it’s important to Shaczar to not sacrifice or lose his artistic freedom for a good record deal.

Besides hip hop, Shaczar does listen to some rock and pop music but that’s not the type of music he wants to make. “I’m a hip hop artist,” he says, “So I do hip hop.” Rock is just something he listens too because unlike a lot of hip hop, it stays on topic. He doesn’t want to limit himself however and says that one day he may explore with other genres in combination with hip hop as long as it doesn’t affect the quality of the music.

Shaczar, who’s real name is Antoine Shabazz, does still have a cushion to fall on just in case he’s not the next big hip hop artists. He is currently pursuing a degree, although he will not disclose the type, he does add that by 32 (he’s now 23) he will have his PhD. Aside from school he also has a small business he’s been running for over a year. With all of this, he is going to continue to make his music for “people who want something different.”

Shaczar is utilizing the world wide web so you can find his music on his myspace page, www.myspace.com/shaczar, or facebook (search “Shaczar”). You can also follow him on twitter at www.twitter.com/shaczar.

Luwee 13 Keeping it Real

Luwee 13 (Marvis Lewis) is an up and coming Atlanta rapper. He was born July 1, 1986 and first discovered his talent at 16. He didn't begin to take it seriously until about age 20 when he realized he was pretty good. He’d always record his songs on whatever he could find but it wasn’t until 2005 that he recorded his first song, Hustle 13 in a real studio.

Just like anyone entering this game, he was a bit nervous at first. After all, everybody thinks they can rap, but Luwee 13 said once he realized the competition, it was a wrap for it. “I know I got it now, I just need a major deal…” he says.

Luwee 13 doesn’t do a lot of live performances saying it isn’t worth the money. “I’m not gonna perform for chump change because my music isn’t chump change,” he said, “So if I perform, believe it’s money.” So how does he plan on getting signed?

Well like many artists today he’s utilizing the net. Popular social media sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter are great outlets for him to promote and expose his music. His myspace page http://www.myspace.com/Luwee 1313, contains many of his songs and tells a bit about his personality.

Luwee 13 says he’s an original rapper and doesn’t really resemble any one else’s style, but that he was heavily influenced by rappers Jay Z, Lil Wayne, and TI. Hip hop is more than rhyming words to him, he puts feelings and emotions in his music. “I don’t plan it(a song), I just go where the music takes me,” he says, “I don’t write much, I just have a vision.” Some songs are about subjects that he can relate to such as “Lite Green…Purp Smoke” which is self-explanatory, but some songs have deeper meanings. “Mostly the songs that are dear to me, I’ll write them,” he says, “Like when I do this song about my fuck ass father.” Rapping isn’t just something he does for fun or just a money maker he says he does it because he loves it.

Of course people are skeptical of people who want to be rappers, but Luwee 13 says a lot guys want to rap or think they can rap because they think it’s easy to get into this industry. “From the outside looking in, it seems that it’s easy to rap,” he says, “but as you know many rappers don’t make it all for that reason.” So what separates him from the rest? His work ethic he says. “I am true to my work and that means a lot…I am good quality,” he says. He feels he’s authentic or real, not a “gimmick.” Luwee 13 feel a lot of hip hop artists, both underground and mainstream are fake claiming “music is not what it should be.” However he does agree there are a lot of great artists out there as well.

Luwee 13 is obviously a man that thinks about his future saying that if he doesn’t make it rapping he does have a plan B and is always making moves for the future regardless of the outcome, however he is putting his all in to rap for now. If he does make it big first thing he will do with his success is take care of his family and also venture out into business. He wishes to buy companies to “keep da money rollin.” “Who knows, a nigga might come up better than me in rap in the future,” he says, “Doubt it, but maybe…I’ll position myself for the future.”

Well I wish Luwee 13 the best of luck in his career and hopefully we’ll hear more of him in the future. Any questions you have for him, post in comments section. To listen to his music go to his website http://www.myspace.com/luwee13 or follow him on Twitter, http://www.twitter.com/luwee13wee13

What is Hip Hop?

What is this thing called hip hop? Where did it come from and why does it still exist. Throughout history genres of music have been born and they've died, yet this rebellious style of music has seem to live on a bit longer than others have anticipated. What is it about it that speaks to the hearts and souls of people? Why is it the only therapy for so many? Why can so many people relate to it? I'm not here to answer any of these questions, but rather to ask the public and hopefully get a response. What is hip hop and what does it mean to you?