They say junk food is not good for you, however, in this case its quality, innovative, and inspires with three fingers to the sun, two feet on the ground, and two eyes on the money. Rapper/Producer Neako gives his views in this short clip for in support of his new mixtape “Junk Food” hosted by 2DopeBoyz.com and World Team Olympics Inc. Download the mixtape here, and peep more of Junk Food in the trailer below. For more on Neako, click here.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Krump, Clown, Break it On Down
WORDS: Robyn Gemelle
The Urban Feed
TUF’s Robyn gets to do more than krump with Raw Tribe.
Dancing has always been one of the key elements of hip hop and urban culture since the early 70’s. From break dancing to pop lockin’, dancing has always taken the lead right next to MC’ing in hip hop culture. Hip hop dancing can be seen in music videos from chart topping artists ranging from Keri Hilson to Diddy and even Britney Spears but it wasn’t until 2004 when the world was introduced to a new style of hip hop dance: krumping.
The 2004 David LaChapelle documentary, RIZE, told the story of a group of inner city youth in Los Angeles, California who expressed themselves in an aggressive form of dance that helped keep them off the streets and create family bonds that a lot of these kids didn’t have in their homes. This powerful film and even more powerful art form of dance took over the hip hop world. Krumping was featured in many videos of artists such as Missy Elliot, Chris Brown, Madonna and Ciara. But as the ever ending changes of this fast paced industry changes and trends fade, Krumping could possibly be just another trend just as the “Harlem Shake” and the “1, 2 Step” once were. Could krump dancing be just another fad that’s here today and gone tomorrow with the emergence of the new “jerkin” movement?
Danny Rannles Jr., 20, is determined to keep the dancing that he loves alive and still current. With the revamped style now known as Buck dancing, he is out to prove that his art is not just a trend that is going to pass with the season but something that will remain current in not only the Los Angeles culture but in the world of hip hop dance. Inspired by such artists as Michael Jackson and Usher and coached by his father, Rannles began his dancing career seven years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Dancing with a group called the Lunatics, Rannles earned his first dance name, Lil Diezel. Although he took pride in this, he grew tired of being under other dancers and was ready to become a leader. Donning the new dance name, Big Reck, he gathered some other dancers going down the same path and the formed the group Raw Tribe. “The Raw in Raw Tribe is an acronym for Real Ampness Worldwide and the Amp means All Mighty Prayer because Krumping and buck dancing came from Praise dancing in the church.” Rannles wanted to create a group where all the members were equal leaders who would be positive influences on kids in the community. “The purpose of the group is to not just dance but to keep kids out of trouble and get them into doing something positive instead of doing bad things.” With twenty seven current members in Palmdale, California, a group in Washington state, and a group starting in Ohio, Rannles plans to make Raw Tribe a big deal.
Although Krumping has been around for a while, people still can’t help but think that it is still violent and is another way for youth to fall into gang activity. Rannles responds “I think it’s pitiful and ridiculous because it’s nowhere near true because if that was the case we would all have guns and there will be violence and there’s not even violence because you’re not even allowed to touch each other. We’re just expressing ourselves.” When asked if he felt that krump dancing will survive in mainstream America Rannles responded: “Krump has evolved into something else. You see krump dancers in everything and you might not even know that’s a krump dancer but it really is and people are doing krump moves and they don’t even know it.” He plans to make sure that krump stays alive.
Besides being a talented dancer and a very motivated young man, Rannles also has another talent that he would like to release to the world. He is also an aspiring rapper. Going by the name of Young Snap, Rannles began rapping two years ago because of his love of music. Balancing two different personas, Big Reck the dancer and Young Snap the rap artist, doesn’t appear to be a challenge for the very determined young man. “When I’m dancing I’m focused on dancing and when I’m rapping I’m thinking about rapping so I can balance both. I want to do both. Rannles sees himself as a very successful dancer and musical artist and bringing his group, Raw Tribe to the top. Krumping is not dead; not if Danny Rannles has anything to do with it.
You can find more of Rannles music by visiting here. In the mean time check out the Raw Tribe Meeting below…
Popularity: 5% [?]
So if the soulful style of Lauryn Hill made a baby with the drive and determination of Jay-Z, who would be the off spring? Mr. Calix. This upcoming singer, songwriter and producer is so nice that he doesn’t even need a last name. The Haitian-American 18 year-old native of Silver Spring Maryland is in his senior year at Bowie High School and grinding to the top. He impressed the audience at a Hidden Beach Intern Recruitment Program at Howard University. Once he opened his mouth, his voice stole the all the attention in the room. I’ve never seen so much focus on one person in an intimate setting in my life. With soul oozing out of every note he sang, you could see he’s headed right where he wants to be.
Calix began singing at the age of three and at seven his parents really started to see his talent shine through. At the age of nine he began performing in school talent shows. Those performances were beneficial but a trip to Chicago would inspire him to take his music to the next level. Fours later he has his debut album Destination Overload. It’s everything but overloaded. The mix of neo soul, r&b, electronic with a beat, it truly was music to my ears. It’s on the up and up on the underground scene and making plenty of sound waves online. Though this r&b cat is only 18, it’s for the grown and mature.
With his influences from Sam Cook to the Fugees and Sean Garrett, he has an infectious flow. Rhythms and melodies you can’t help to sway to with lyrics that tell a story. Overall it’s good music. A break from the monotony of all the autotone, this album has what connoisseurs of music are listening for. Once he takes his place amongst established artists, he will be a force to be wrecking with.
Though he has just dropped his first album, this energetic go-getter is still focused. He’s already making plans for his second project. In the mean time he’s working on getting his music to the next level. He’s always doing something musical. Although music is his main focus, he hopes that he will also be able to use his gifts to reach out to his community as he works towards activism, especially for his Haitian people.
Calix produced the whole album with bare necessities, all while producing a soundtrack to who he is. What allows him to stand out is his overall talent as an artist. Calix describes his sound as strictly “him” and with a sound all his own, I can agree. Needless to say, I will make sure to have this album on my ipod.
To hear his music or for more information about Calix, visit his Myspace page at www.myspace.com/calixmusicworld.com
- Yvette
-Contributing Writer
-The Urban Feed
Popularity: 4% [?]
