You often hear about how homogenized we’ve become as a society. We’re all eating McDonald’s, wearing clothes from the Gap and watching Jerry Bruckheimer movies. But regionalism still exists.
Via Catchdubs, I found this track “Rep Minnesota!,” with RockCity (a.k.a. Rocky) and FIC (a.k.a. Fiction). I haven’t heard much about Twin Cities hip-hop, guys like Street Kingz, Dante Pedro, Atmosphere, and so on. But you gotta love the local scenes. If you hit Minneapolis, check out stores like Digital City, Fifth Element, New Trendz, Electric Fetus, and Urban Lights (that last one located in the famed Mall of the America).
You might not expect to get a tribute to Cali from Jackson, Mississippi’s David Banner. I was really struck by this track last year, since I’ve never heard anyone give a shout-out to my hometown of Pomona. When I started out as a hip-hop head back in ’83, California’s contributions were pretty pathetic. I’ve never heard Too Short’s early stuff, but all the acts out of L.A. were just sad compared to what was coming out of New York. But they got their act together by the end of the decade and both Southern California and the Bay Area are quite well-respected today.
(“Southside, Northside” v. “Westside“)
RockCity ft. FIC- Rep Minnesota!
David Banner – Westside — BUY