It is no secret that contemporary hip-hop music is brimming with dail-a-beat production and topic-of-th-day rhymers often responsible for shattered vinal and crushed CDs everywhere. Such is the scenario to spawn upcoming crews longing to produce music known more for thoughtful addresses on everyday life then tired boasts about overweight jewelry. The local 13-member outfit creating music under the umbrella of Headlina Tracks are just such a crew.
Under the watchful eye of main producer Rozswell, the Fort Richmond and St.Vital residents aim their sights on loftier heights than merely purchasing the latest Pelle Pelle ensemble. With three completed albums, three in-house labels, and nine main mic controllers awaiting release, it is obvious they have been working overtime.
"I dont even know if you want to call it hip-hop," says Rozswell of the crews sound. "Our style is third steam; its a mix of classical, soul and hip-hop involved with new sounds."
If the upstart rhyme factory seems unknown to most of the local hip-hop community, it is generally because of the citys political situation.
"Whenever we go to shows, it seems like we have to get into the community," says Rozswell.
Feeling like outsiders in a privileged fellowship, they decided to "form their own community," a phrase which aptly describes a circle that originally numbered 30 before paring down to the core 13. They have recorded Unprogrammed and Second Light-the first two albums from Rozswell and Swindlas project, Blind Curve-and Rozswells solo, Beneath the City.
Then there are their three labels, Bass Kingdom, Headlina Tracks and Risk Capital, which have yet to find national distribution. Money rules allin the music game of risk and it is the bottom line in releasing product Rozswell indecates that financial shortcomings are the only thing holding back distribution right now.
But as a resourceful cavalry, they ride under a sarcastic banner that represents the underdog Headlina Tracks.
"Its kind of like calling yourself mainstream, though youre not," explains Rozswell.
They recognize that as artists, they will never be considered headliners, but it is that realisation that fuels their resolve to continue recording music as "unprogrammed emcees."
"We dont have to be like everyone else."
Angelou J. Flores
Frequencies section
Uptown Magazine
Late 2000, early 2001 ?
