Wimington's Underground Genius

Violence, sex, drugs, gangs, money, ghetto. These are only some of the countless terms one would associate with the genre of Rap music and the basis of its appeal for it’s production. Videos and even lyrics have become exceedingly raunchy. Generally, the mainstream labels tolerate it as a part of the “game”; always about the flash, the “bling”. The mainstream Rap and R&B culture thrusts this motif into our eyes through television, radio, magazines, and national headlines involving shootouts and gang violence. They feel they are movin’ on up and throwing it in everyone’s faces. Many people do not like rap music mainly due to of the swearing or crass sexual references. No matter the listener’s age, background or beliefs it can border on unnecessary at times. However, as in any kind music, if you go beyond the hype into the soul of the music; the beats, the lyrics, what you will find there is very different from the typical rap artists and music that one watches in the mainstream.

DJ Noumenon, a successful New York City producer and DJ, and his fellow emcees feel they need to take their music to a new place. “If you really sit and absorb our sound, you don't get any images of us riding on 22's with a truck full of half naked girls rocking platinum chains and bulletproof vests. To be honest with you, we are against that. We are not trying to change anything; we are just trying to educate people on what this culture is really about,” explained Noumenon.

Luckily, the residents of Wilmington have a thriving “indie” rap community right here in town. We often see the term “indie” associated with movies or linked in the music scene with an alternative rock-n-roll or folk culture. However, “indie” is really any kind of artist or producer that is unaffiliated with a larger or more commercial organization.

Mussgroov Productions in association with Planet 6 records is a collective of producers, DJs, emcees and hip hop addicts originally based in Wilmington, NC. Bryan Musselwhite and Noumenon created this organization with hopes of reviving a dying and uneducated hip-hop scene in the Port City. “There was a lot of talent here,” explained Noumenon “but no real direction for it. There were producers and artists that had been unseen or overlooked for years and it was our goal to encourage them to get their music out.” DJ Nevada, resident of Wilmington and producer/DJ at Planet 6 and Mussgroov, believed that “our sound is completely different to the mainstream artists. The emcees and vocalists that we work with write about real experiences and feelings. They write about what moves them, what their dreams are, and where they are in life." They pursued a relationship with specific artists to help provide an outlet for them to hone their talents and gain experience, exposure and most importantly focus. After several years in Wilmington, there came an opportunity for a change. Mussgroov is now currently based in New York, North Carolina and Virginia.

Nicolay Here is one of the DJs on the label. Here is internationally recognized and respected for is beat work and assembly; he has a hand in many critically acclaimed albums that were released in the past 2 years. Originally hailing from the Netherlands, he had gotten in touch with Phonte Coleman of the successful underground hip-hop group, and local Durham favorite, “Little Brother.” Together they produced an album many are familiar with called the “Foreign Exchange.” Since coming to the United Stated he has had the opportunity to play in several Hip-Hop and R&B bands, opened up for legendary artists such as K-Ci & JoJo, Boyz II Men, MC Lyte and many others. He has write ups in Rolling Stone, and “The Foreign Exchange” quickly became a top album in “indie” circles.” Here also had the amazing honor of working with one of the most notable and talented producers, turning poetry into song, Jay Dilla. Most people think that DJing is playing good music in the right order, but it is more than that, Nicolay combines sounds and beats from everywhere.

Nicolay has since slowed the promotion of his album to back another incredibly talented artist on the label, Fuzz Jackson. Jackson is an incredibly talented rhymer and lyricist who has grown much in the past year. He opened for one of the most successful groups in hip-hop, “The Roots”. He originally played with the local band “Organix” with fellow label member, McClain Sullivan. “I do not dress like a thug; I do not act like a thug, because I am not a thug. I do not rap about being a thug in the ghetto, because I am not a thug in the ghetto”. His rhymes are soulful, quick, and creative. He touches on subjects ranging from politics, pop culture, and life experiences. His upcoming album was produced by Nicolay Here and another local production crew called “The Distinguished Gents.” “Nicolay Here is helping me promote my album, hopefully I can get the word out there and people will enjoy my music.”
McClain Sullivan has since moved to New York to pursue her career but she comes back occasionally to play shows with Fuzz. Sullivan is a vocalist, a tiny white girl with a strong, deep, emotional voice on the lines of Aretha Franklin or Mary J. Blige.

Other performers on the label include “Mind’s One”, a three person group of emcees; Tim Martell, a popular NYC DJ that spins in the most exclusive NYC nightclubs and lounges like "LimeLight." He has played with Jazzy Jeff, “Bone Thugz ~N-Harmony”, Slick Rick and various other artists; and The Distinguished Gents, local young producers of David Allen and Matt Newton; DJ Calico and Slim Deluxe too name a few.

“Our sound is unique and incomparable to any other” explained Noumenon, “We are by no means striving for ‘rap star’ status. Our production style, if you were too classify it, ranges from old school hip-hop, to soulful instrumentals, to gritty underground hip-hop.” When asked what influences the various sounds and music that influence them Nevada spoke up, “I have done a decent amount of traveling all over the world and I have been exposed to music that we in the States really aren’t exposed to. This is huge for a producer. It really pushes the boundaries in what is influencing his/her sound. There is so much other forms of music/expression in the world, why not listen to what they have to say.” “A lot of times you find some labels that have the same sound and they keep putting out the same sound and material” added Noumenon, “with us, we try multiple styles so that there is a little something for everyone. If it moves you, you gotta get it.”

Hopefully more people will look passed what they see on TV and in the radio and listen to the music that can really touch you. Take the beats of a meaningful Rap song and it can read like poetry. Rhyming with meaningful flow and sense is an art not many can master, and even more don’t understand. It can read like a powerfully political, loving, or angry poem with a tune to match. But hopefully, with artists like Noumenon, Martell, Nicolay, Fuzz and others, more people will have an opportunity to understand and enjoy it.