Sam Mackey performs at Studio Night Club Oct.17
A group of local hip-hop artists infuse heavy beats with raw and rapid-fire word play that echoes through Studio 54 for a significant crowd of fans this past weekend.
Among the lineup of performers were local rap artists L Rev, Pike, F Bomb as well as up and coming Sam Mackey, all of whom have found a cultural movement in the voice of hip-hop.
The industry is well known for its colourful environment. It is a world of promoters, fans and artists often surrounded by disagreement, controversy, drugs and illicit funds.
“In this biz[business], things can get gritty,” said rap artist L Rev, “The Lethbridge hip-hop scene is no stranger to this.”
“The scene is really fractured right now, I’ve been frustrated,” said local promoter MaseOne Pryde, who has been involved in local promotion for almost a decade.
Pryde explains how he believes things have become divisive within the community, of artists, fans and promoters.
Lethbridge born and bred artist and rapper L Rev agrees. His unique rap style and determination were quickly noticed and at seventeen, when he opened up for rap artist The Game.
Finishing a tour with Snak the Ripper over the summer, L Rev plans to work with Stealth Bomb Records and independent label based out of Vancouver and Montreal.
L Rev explained how the hip-hop scene in Lethbridge has significantly changed through the course of 10 years.
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The scene once flourished, attracting consistent headline shows with diverse connectivity among artists.
A collective thought amongst local artists is the scene here has never been the same since the passing of promoter James Nishima aka DJ Boodah in August of 2013.
Boodah had dedicated himself to promoting and attracting various shows to Lethbridge, acquiring a well-known reputation. He brought artists such as Mad Child, Classified, Bedouin Soundclash, Snoop Dogg and Tech-N9ne to the Lethbridge scene.
“There wasn’t much to the scene back then, we were some of the first to really get things started here in Lethbridge,” said Rev.
“Where there were like 10 different promoters and styles before, now there’s only like three,” he continued, pointing to the decrease in number of shows and scattered participation.
DJ Boodah was also became a mentor to close friend and promoter MaseOne Pryde, who has taken his place in the local scene bringing shows to town.
“He basically taught me everything I know, he had the major shows and finances.”
L Rev acknowledges he has had some of his own personal challenges in the game–peaks and valleys where friendships and business can cross with the local promoters.
“What Lethbridge needs for these kids that are trying to get into hip hop is just to learn to work together–don’t pit people against each other,” he adds.
One young artist who is gaining popularity among local crowds this past year with a unique sound of her own and energetic performance, is local performer Sam Mackey.
“She’s got enthusiasm and she’s building her fan base intelligently, I really like her style,” remarked L Rev.
At only 21, Mackey’s past experiences includes heavy addiction and on and off homelessness. In recent years, she has found an outlet in hip-hop.
“Rap literally saved my life.”
“It’s a journey for me. I write songs and it’s not until I’ve listened and performed them a couple times, that I understand what I’m trying to say to myself,” said Mackey.
L Rev hopes that more local artists such as Mackey will harness their talents and work together in promoting the hip-hop genre.
“It doesn’t matter how dope you are, it is about your dedication,” said L Rev.
“What Lethbridge needs to do, as well as any of these kids trying to get into hip hop, is to just learn to work together.”
Promoters such as MaseOne hope to see an upswing in unity among artists, venues, fans and promoters to bring back a full throttle culture of the genre to the city to pave the way for other local performers to be heard and to attract quality artists to the city.
