A Thru Z: A Beginner's Guide to Jersey Shore Hip-Hop
A
Awthentik is a leading videographer at the Jersey Shore. For years, he’s dedicated himself to creating high quality music videos for many rap artists.
C
Civilized Savages is a clothing brand created by Qwik, a design artist from Neptune, NJ. His t-shirts, beanies and hoodies are popular products throughout the Jersey Shore. Rapper, Joe College is frequently seen wearing different pieces by the brand in music videos.
E
Emory St. is the location of the Knowledge Bennett Art Gallery. Here, his artwork, which is heavily inspired by Andy Warhol and Jean Michel-Basquiat, is displayed. The gallery also serves as a pop-up shop for local clothing brands like Civilized Savage and Operation Gr8.
G
The Guap Gang is a rap collective based at the Jersey Shore. Founding members Lord Lizzle, Jizzy McKnight and Gully Time have all contributed to the rapid spread of the G2 lifestyle throughout the Jersey Shore.
I
I-Dub is an emerging rap artist and member of Tru Era Entertainment. He’s built a steady fan base by performing with artists such as Los and Fred the Godson. More recently, he’s released new music with Cory Gunz of YMCMB.
K
King Ramses is a rap artist and videographer (under the name Life’s A Movie). His role as host of the Stash House battle rap series and cutting edge music videos have made him a notable figure throughout the Jersey Shore.
M
M.A.D.E. (Money Always Divided Equally) is another rap collective based at the Jersey Shore. Ja Money, Chase Fetti and Sparks have solidified themselves as the collective’s most gifted rappers and will continue to push M.A.D.E. in the right direction.
N
P
R
Reem and Ronnie Rayz are the two most popular hip-hop DJs at the Jersey Shore. Both DJs have established their reputations as the go-to DJs for any event involving hip-hop music and culture.
S
Sose Platinum Recordings is the original hub for Jersey Shore rap artists. Nearly every up and coming rapper from the Jersey Shore has recorded music at their studio.
U
Urban Nest, formerly known as Chico’s House of Jazz has played host for many Jersey Shore hip-hop showcases.
W
The Wave Boutique was a clothing store located in the West End section of Long Branch, NJ. The location was the site of the 2012 Garden State Hip-Hop Cypher. Sadly, the Wave Boutique would burn down in February of the same year.
Y
Yinka Soda is videographer/photographer originally from Ocean, NJ. Although he is unknown to many people at the Jersey Shore, Yinka has become a major figure within the Philadelphia music scene. He’s edited a plethora of Garden State Hip-Hop web content.
For decades, hip-hop music and culture had a place at the Jersey Shore. For me, it began in 1997 on the streets of Asbury Park, where the now-infamous “Greek Fest” was held. It would later evolve to the Eatontown Roller Rink; a venue forever immortalized for its “Teen Night” parties. It was a place where black youth (now in their early-mid 20’s) would rejoice to whatever was popping in rap at that time. As years progressed, the Jersey Shore became increasingly uninterested in appealing to urban audiences. Promoters focused primarily on the rock and alternative music scene in which the Jersey Shore is known for.
However, things slightly changed during the mid-2000s. Sose Platinum Recordings became a melting pot for Jersey Shore rap artists with limited resources to record music. Some of the songs recorded at this studio became scores for the Street Stories DVD series, which gave Jersey Shore residents a glimpse into life on the streets of Asbury Park and Neptune. Detailed visuals of incidents that shook their communities made Street Stories a gripping thing to watch.
Soon, promoters could no longer resist the profitability that in which rap music could potentially bring to their venues. Rap concerts with headliners, such as 50 Cent, Fabolous, Kid Cudi, Joe Budden and Mac Miller, inspired Jersey Shore rap artists to create new opportunities for themselves. Jersey Shore natives, A. Lewins and Lord Lizzle, had jam-packed performances at venues throughout the area. More recently, rap collectives such as the Guap Gang and M.A.D.E. (Money Always Divided Equally) have brought new energy and camaraderie to the Jersey Shore.
Gardenstatehiphop.com has bared witness to the progress of this particular region in New Jersey. The rappers, influencers, and venues listed below have all contributed to Jersey Shore hip-hop’s steady growth. A thru Z: A Beginner’s Guide to Jersey Shore Hip-Hop acknowledges the efforts of people and places you may or may not know about. Check it out!
B
Bangs Ave. has been the setting for several rap videos by some of Asbury Park’s most popular artists.
D
Dane the Beautiful Monster is a Jersey Shore hip-hop veteran. With his career spanning over two decades, DBM established his rep as a bona fide performer and heavily conscious lyricist. Off the microphone, Dane is CEO of the A.B.S.A.L.U.T.E. Carnegie Recording Company, LLC. His forthcoming album From Ashes Rose a King drops this year.
F
Fly Standards is a street wear boutique owned by Chris Valdes and Frank Richardson. The boutique opened its doors on Cookman Ave. in Asbury Park last summer, and hosted the New Jersey Live hip-hop show this past fall.
H
HeavyHittas.com is a website focusing on rap, culture and skateboarding. The websites founder Jonathan Edwards is the primary videographer for the Garden State Hip-Hop Cypher series.
J
Jerome Hill a.k.a. Mista Encore is a hybrid rap artist. The rapper/producer is a skillful lyricist and a beast when it comes to manipulating sounds on an MPC. His latest project BARSsince 1986 is available now.
L
Lotta Zay is a critically acclaimed battle rap artist. He established his reputation within the battle rap community after appearing in leagues such as Smack/Url and Grind Time. Currently, he’s promoting his clothing brand ABBO while continuing his career in battle rap.
“Nine Forty-Six or 9:46” is the latest release by Joe College. The talented MC has made a name for himself after the success of his second mixtape 4MyNiggas and The Magnetic EP. Joe also appeared in the 2013 Garden State Hip-Hop Cypher.
O
Operation Gr8 is a clothing brand created by Knowledge Bennett. His limited edition hats, t-shirts and hoodies are worn by most of the Jersey Shore’s leading rap artists and DJs.
Proph a.k.a. 1080p is the flagship artists of the A.B.S.A.L.U.T.E. Carnegie Recording Company. After minor success as a member of Fam Music World with battle rap artist Lottazay, 1080p signed with the ACRC is 2009 to embark on a solo career. He will be releasing his forthcoming album Death of Posers this year.
Q
“Quarter Water Kids” is a single off Solo For Dolo’s Self Titled album, which was released in 2011.
T
Trife Majors is a longtime producer/rapper. He’s working on a new album for 2014, but his latest single “Take It Lightly” is available now.
V
Victory League Music is a self-funded music imprint created by Mista Encore.
X
X would become the last name of human rights activist Malcolm Little. Last year, Joe College made a song entitled “Betty Shabazz” (X’s wife), using their relationship as a metaphor for the message in his song.
Z
“Zeal” is the only word to describe my desire to bring New Jersey hip-hop music back to the forefront of hip-hop music and culture. Since 2009, I have made it my objective to bring recognition to the most talented rappers, DJs and producers in our state. Hopefully, my contributions are appreciated and well received.
