The San Gabriel Valley has been a hotbed of hip hop since the early 1880’s.
Aight, 1980s, but you get the drift.
The Hotel Rowland 1880. Do your Googles.
The predominately Mexican-American, blue-collar enclave innovated and perpetuated graffiti, dance, DJ and rhyme styles.
Don’t @ me.
Rather, if you @ me, come with some facts.
Till then, take my claims asprima facietrue…bc, what other hip hop head is dropping prima facie?
Big Brown Dad chopped it up with Alberto Martinez of Flourish & Prosper about the SGV’s first hip hop festival, Kreations, headlined this year by J-Ro from the Alkoholics.
Alberto Martinez
How hip hop is the San Gabriel Valley?
People don’t appreciate the role the SGV has played in hip hop. The 626 has had alot of Hip Hop events and amazing acts come out of it. One of the most old school B-Boy crews was started right here in the SGV, The Goof Troop Breakers. And when you think of all the talent and underground hip hop being made IN the SGV, there is no denying our place.
What’s Flourish and Prosper?
F$P is a marketing and label services agency. We provide digital and traditional marketing for people like you and I, independent DIY’ers that need an extra helping hand. We help get you noticed and heard.
Tell me about Kreations.
Kreations is the love child of F$PMG and WCK Records. We are WCK Records music distribution partner. We needed a way to connect our music partners with live entertainment opportunities. What better way then to create our own. We don’t just want you to come see a boring ass show by some artists that you may never have heard of. Come to our fest and play some video games, rock the open mic, bring your beats and let people freestly over them. Eat some tacos and get your drink & smoke on. Imagine a big party where everything you wanted to do was right there. Music, Games, Weed, Drink and Food! All set to some dope beats. FORMULA!
Why did you decide to put your energy into making this event happen?
We have a number of vendors and partners coming thorugh. Of course this wouldn;t be possible without F$P and WCK collaborating. but we have a few surprises for all those who are coming.
What makes you hyped about J-Ro from the Alkoholics?
I grew up listening to tha Liks. Me and Chop Lui would be driving home from work evryday or from school and just bump the shit out of them. We followed the careers of all the Likwit Crew members, from Tash, to Barbershop MCs, to Defari. The Likwit Crew was it! We recently had the chance to work with King T and DJ Broadway. We practically in the Likwit crew. LOL JK
Which Flourish and Prosper acts are performing? Any songs we should be checking for?
We got Apakalips and MC Random performing form our camp. MC Random just released his “A Better Way” album and that shit is story telling on another dimension. It’s it’s own universe that requires a comic book and audio book just to fill you in on the story.
Where can we buy tickets and stay connected?
Man, check out the website at kreationsfest.com for tickets and lineups! Also use the code BIGBROWNDAD to buy tickets for 50% off your presale tickets.
When ordering at the local hood burger joint (e.g., Chris’, Tammy’s, Victor’s), ALWAYS order the Jr Burger instead of the regular burger. It’s marginally smaller but exponentially cheaper.
Now, if everyone here took my advice and mailed me 10% of their savings, I’d have enough money to…buy the regular burger…with cheese.
In 1990, we were Strictly Mental, wearing polka dot rayon and serving up local locos on the regular.
Ring a bell?
No?
Damn.
Ok. Ok. Okurrrrrrrrrr.
In 1991, we flipped the name script and went with 2XDaHype?
Now you remember, right?
C’mon!
Don’t front like you didn’t see me in my airbrushed acid wash Levis at the La Mirada swapmeet copping knock-off Skidz, my G.
Well, I ultimately hung up my silver-tipped patent leather kicks, tucked away the Cavaricci’s and picked up a mic.
But I never gave up my admiration of the boogie.
& On Mommas, the dopest I’ve seen do it is the (909)’s very own, Brother Dvooa.
1. What’s your earliest hip hop memory?
Pomona: 1986, my cousin was showing me how to pop and gave me one of his spike bracelets.
2. What’s your hip hop biography?
Started B-boying in late 80’s were I thought I was Turbo and Lee from Beat Street. I battled everyone in elementary school through Junior high and used to go to Roller City on Friday nights to skate and battle rival crews.
Once that rink got bought out we all started going to skate express where I joined a crew called Junior Lynch Mob. We consider ourselves groovers at the time. This was during the reign of IE legends Roshawn and Rashad who went to Chaffey High School and had a rep for smashing cats all around with sick house routines.
In the 90’s, my B-boying developed and joined the IE legendary crew Swing Kids where we battled at raves, Knotts Scary Farm and keg parties in the deep IE. Shortly after the crew collapsed and I became a part of the Nitwits Bboy crew and started battling in more structure boy events. During this time my freestyle dance passion grew and I was able to start developing my own style at Unity, Elements and Foundation Funk Collective at the Claremont Colleges.
In the 2000’s I created a crew, Kneegrow League, were we made a name for ourselves battling and showcase our unique style. During this time, I was mastering the skills of rhyming and writing poetry and became an alumni of the world famous poetry spot “A Mic A Dim Lights.” After hitting the circuit with poetry in the early 2000’s, I put out my vinyl and full length album independently called “mental Leakage” I had the like of Diabolic aka Dibiase, Flying Lotus, Aloe Blacc, Gabe Real, Triune and Jimetta Rose featured on it.
I have been featured in multiple documentaries about freestyle dance culture in L.A (Battle of LA and Respond to Sound). I made it a point to tell tell conscious stories within the theater using HipHop elements. This was pioneered by my mentor Rickerby Hines (UCR Professor) with giving me a shot in the play “Keep Hedsz Ringin” which we did for a few weeks at CSUN. Shortly, after I wrote my own play “Then and Now” which was featured at the Hip-Hop Theater Festival at UCR in the early 2000’s. I have also been a teacher of the culture, I have taught 100’s of students the art of finding through rhythm with classic Hip-Hop Movements, b-boy basics and freestyle hip hop explorations.
3. How do you think a dancer’s perspective on hip hop is different from a DJs or emcees?
Dancers are the voiceless element of hip hop whose shine comes only by speaking through active movement. We are the ultimate consumer of the culture. We take the beat and put movement to it, we listen to the raps and put emotion within our steps and help tell the story of the emcee. We keep the DJ busy with providing a vibration and direction for an energy filled cypher.
4. Tell me about your family.
I have been married for 10 years to my beautiful Wife Delilah and have two gorgeous daughters, Lyndi and Lailah Clayborne, who are super duper creative.
5. Where did the kids’ names come from?
My initials L.A.C and they sounded pretty.
6. What songs reminds you of your family?
Mos Def “Umi Says”
7. What’s one family tradition you’ve carried on?
Eating Gumbo during the holidays.
8. Old Dirty Bastard or Big Daddy Kane?
Big Daddy Kane, he could rap and dance is ass off!
Probably not. So let me hip you to the Top 5 Candies, Dead or Alive.
5. Peanut M&Ms
eat me
Choosing Peanut over Chocolate M&Ms is the clearest way to signal you value quality over quantity; that or you’re gonna end up eating your kid’s chocolate bag anyhow.
4. Nerds
NEEEEEEERRRRRRDDDDDDSSSSSSSS
If you feel some sorta way about shotgunning standard size Nerds boxes, the tiny tot cartridge is ready to be put into action.
3. Sour Patch Kids
Some twisted confectionery exec decided that ‘kids these days are too soft,’ so he created Sour Patch Cheek Lining Destroyer Acid as a way to deliver hypertension on top of diabetes. But these shits hit.
2. Gobstoppers
bite it
These sugar rocks picked up where that juvenile rite of passage, The Jawbreaker, left off. While requiring less commitment than the original, Gobstoppers remind us that some things in life require biting down really, fucking hard.
1.Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Misspelled more than misspelled itself, the current exchange rate is 17 Almond Joys for 1 Reese’s PB Cup; 25 if the cup is refrigerated; 50 if it’s been in the freezer.
Enjoy your Halloween. May your pillowcases abound with these candies and may a Bible tract never make its way into the lot.
I thought I’d provide a little annotation for the nation.
:01-6:20 California, Arizona and Texas
About “LATINX”
I rock with the spirit of redefinition but, in this case, not the letter. I find it aesthetically clumsy. First, the definition is unclear. Are you talking trans? Are you using gender neutral language so as to bring down the patriarchy? Are you a marketer selling me a barrio box? Second, its pronunciation is varied, unclear and phonetically harsh. Third, as it stands, using the term unwittingly marries you to a host of other political and philosophical commitments that I don’t rock with.
The Difference between California and Texas Latinos from Flama.
Sammy mentions Foos Gone Wild. Here’s a piece LA Taco recently wrote about them.
Jesus gets heady and mentions how the internets harkend the death of local culture. This was the premise of the Thomas Friedman’s 2005 book, The World is Flat.
6:21-9:34 Bookworm in the Barrio
*I talk a little about Bassett, Ca and its connection to El Paso, Texas.
*During the interview. I put 10 and 2 and mistakenly claimed Bassett’s namesake was the founder of Bassett Furniture. Turns out it was a lumber empire.
The backpack path: TJ, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Leon, Guanajauto, DF, Oaxaca City, San Jose Del Pacifico, Zipolite, San Cristobal de las Casas, Palenque, Peten, Antigua, Lago Atitlan, Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Playa del Carmen.
2004-2009 Latin Rap
Jesus and I met years back when he directed the video for the homies Reazn and Strae.
My paternal side of the family is from Tucson and we’d regularly take trips there as kids.
Yep, that’s 7 hours on the I-10E.
Pro Tip: playing “concentration” for 7 hours can levy an unexpected toll on a young psyche.
Years later, when I got around to murdering mics, I connected with a crew of hip hop artists out of Yuma whose passion for the culture created a regional hip hop outpost where some of the biggest names in indie hip hop rolled through to perform. And at the same time, they developed a cohort of talented emcees and producers. One of my favorite is Legal Alien.
The homie could rhyme, sing, produce and operate heavy machinery. Enjoy this Hip Hop Pops.
1. What’s your first hip hop memory?
Two memories come to mind, “Vapors & You got what I nNeed” by Biz Markie in 88-89 on the radio, back when I lived in Watts, Los Angeles CA.
I remember really liking it a lot, as I sang “YOU… YOU GOT WHAT I NEEEED” at the top of my lungs.
The other was the intro to “Prince of Bel-Air” haha. I was always used to listening to Oldies from artist like Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, The Delfonics, The Isley Brothers and more. This was all because of my older siblings though. That’s what they were listening to in the 80’s, & I didn’t have much control of what was going to be played at home.
2. What was your parents’ relationship with hip hop? Did they think it was cool? Dangerous?
My parents definitely didn’t think it was cool. I remember my dad always yelling out “apagen ese ruidajo” (turn off that loud noise). Specially when Rob Base & DJ EZ rock “It takes two” would come on.
I wanna rock right now.
3. What are you kids names? What’s the significance?
My kids names, from oldest to youngest…Isaac Anthony Lopez- age: 14. Our firstborn..”he will laugh, he will rejoice” he was the coolest kid I knew at the time.
Eden Daniella Lopez- age: 7. Delight & paradise. And she really is! She’s hilarious, but at the same time very dramatic.
Hadessa Mia Lopez- age: 4. Named after Queen Esther, her people’s savior! We just spelled it a little different. She’s also a very dope freestyle rapper. No joke!
Navi Grace Lopez- age: 1. Navi translates to prophet “Fundamentally, someone who God reveals his secrets to”. And Grace, well…we all need that everyday
4. Do you have any songs that address the issue of fatherhood?
Not specifically about “fatherhood” but,I wrote a song a few years back called “Prettiest” to a J Dilla beat called, “Life”. The original song features Proof of D12 (rip). This is a song about my daughters Eden & Hadessa.
5. If you could give your kids only one hip hop album, which would it be? Why?
Oh man, this one is tough. Hmmmm…I would say it would have to be between an OutKast album like “Atliens or Aquemini” and Gangstar’s “Moment of truth”. OutKast, because that’s always been my favorite 2 man hip hop group, they have that funky, fresh style that no one can replicate and mad BARS! Gangstar, because it’s OG & I loved the way Guru used hip hop to teach & make minds grow.
7. How do you teach your kids about creativity?
I always tell my kids to draw, paint, write (even though some are just learning) but more importantly, READ! Reading makes you think, it expands your thoughts, it helps you understand better! Whether it’s books, articles or blogs, just read something. (I like audio books lol)
8. Which TV character did you have a crush on growing up?
This one was pretty easy, haha. DJ from Full House was a big influence in my taste in women. She was the main reason why I fell in love with white girls lololololol 9. Big Daddy Kane or Ol Dirty Bastard?I would have to go with BDK, just because he was always lyrical and one of the OG battle rappers. I’ve always loved the battling aspect of hip hop. I got love for ODB as well tho, WUTANG IS FOREVER!
10. Whose your favorite TV dad?
Uncle Phil man…he made me laugh & cry multiple times. He was the man that Will needed on the fresh prince show, that spoke volumes to me growing up. I had an uncle that would show me love like that. Shout out to my Tio Cecilio, my momma’s brother. I haven’t seen him in a minute.
Listen to Legal Alien’s latest release, Old Dog, Young Cats, below. And catch him on the gram, here.
Santa Claus is coming early this year and he’s touching down at White Park in Riverside. And he’s bringing beer and Carlos Mencia.
The IE Taco Festival is gonna smack.
I had a chance to chat with Not Your MaMa’s Tacos, an upstart outfit looking to bring something different to the taco festival circuit. Let me be the first to tell you, these Sonoran Style Crispy Tacos just hit different, bruh.
1. Tell me about the name.
We created “Not Your MaMa’s Tacos” in memory of our MaMa, the matriarch of our family. For decades each of our family members have enjoyed our MaMa’s tacos which was passed down from her mother, who originated from La Reforma Sonora, Mexico. With all the ingredients she used within these delicious tacos, the main ingredient has been her love. Continuing the tradition of our family tacos, we bring you tacos that are unlike your MaMas and represent ours. ️
2. What makes these tacos different?
This is not your everyday street taco you get from a taco truck, street taco cart, or at your local taqueria. These fried quality ground beef tacos are unlike any taco you have tried before!! Topped with fresh cut lettuce, shredded cheese and our family taco sauce!
3. What kind of responses have you had to your tacos?
A common theme of responses are they have never had tacos like this before. People who would generally eat one taco ate 3-4 tacos! & they constantly ask when we are making tacos again so they can come over.
4. Have you seen these style of tacos anywhere in California?
Some may advertise unique tacos but we have never seen any like ours. Other places have ground beef but chopped to pieces like Taco Bell where ours is more like a patty shape. Our flavors are also unmatched.
5. What are you expecting at the IE Taco Festival.
To be voted number one taco in the IE as well as get our name out there. We know our tacos are delicious so we cannot wait until everyone gets the opportunity to try them!
6. Where can people taste these?
This Saturday, at the IE TACO FESTIVAL. We are also available for private parties, dm us on Instagram @noturmamastacos
I’ll be there with a salsa stained brain. Mention Big Brown Dad at the NYMT booth and they’ll throw some extra cheese on that mug.
UPDATE: NOT YOUR MAMA’S TACOS WINS BEST TACO AT IE TACO FESTIVAL 2019!
Some of my favorite people are poets and today’s Hip Hop Pops is a prime example.
As host of the longest running poetry open mic in the game, A Mic and Dim Lights, Bess Kepp has provided generations of Los Angeles wordsmiths opportunities to hone their craft and launch their careers.
The 19th anniversary of Mic & Dim Lights is going down on October 3rd, 2019
Peep our interview with teacher, coach, husband and Hip Hop Pops, Bess Kepp.
But first, a poem:
1. What’s your first hip hop memory?
Double Dutch Bus around 1982, I was 7 years old. There was a verse , “I miss the bus, I know I’m late, I gotta do something I know I hate I gotta walk to work 15 blocks I already got a hole in my socks…” I thought that was hella funny. I memorized it and would say it like it was mine. Didn’t realize it was hip hop at the time. To me, it was just a middle aged black man telling his story like my uncles would.
2. What was your parents’ relationship with hip hop?
Did they think it was cool? Dangerous?I guess they were cool with it. Like any parents they quick to compare it to what they listened to back in the day. My brother was part of a bboy crew called Soul City Crew. Moms would drive him around to practices and shows. So I guess she was with it. She’d be in the front row cheering lol…Super loud!
3. Tell me about your kids and how you decided on their names.
We just loved how the name Jaelyn sounded. Her middle name is Chantel….we love that too. I wanted to name Elijah, Kane (King Asiatic Nobodies Equal) but his mom wouldn’t let me. I love calling him Eli for short. His middle name is Louis, after my father and brother. Lil Cory, yeah we had to have a junior. I just hope in the future they don’t mix our credit up We named the little one Quinn because we wanted a strong one Syllable name. Her middle name Diane is from her mom and grandma.
4. Do you have any poems that address the issue of fatherhood?
I feel the issue of fatherhood is embedded in my poems. One of my most memorable lines regarding fatherhood was a poem about my late step-dad, Odell Austin. -Never would I put him in the place of my dad But at times he was the only father-figure I had Yes, I know that he made mistakes But now that i’m grown, I can better relate
5 . Whose your kids’ favorite poets?
Chance the Rapper, YBN Cordae, Drake, William Shakespeare, Jhene Aiko and me 🙂 *note-i grouped text them, and these were their responses.
6. How do you teach your kids about creativity? Have they started writing poetry?
I just try to create/provide a space where they can be creative. My oldest daughter journals. The others just write when they have to for class, but when they do, they go in hard. Cause they know
7. Tell me about your poetry teaching project.
I teach poetry to International students in the summer as a way of documenting their experience here in the States. I also have a poetry club at the school I teach at. We meet once a week.
8. Whose your favorite TV dad?
James Evans Sr. from Good Times. He worked hard to support his family. You’d feel the sorrow when he lost a job, and the happiness when he got a new one. He was a no nonsense dad who even punked the pimps and the drug dealers!
Something freaky is happening in the mechanosphere, the world of operating things.
That’s a neologism cuz, you know, that’s just how I get down.
First, the temperature gauge on my gooseneck kettle broke. So, I did what any penny pinching dad would do, I looked on Craigslist for a discounted replacement.
And then Offer Up. Then EBAY. Then Amazon.
And then spent $11 on a replacement that was no replacement at all.
fire it up one time
But I might’ve just jump started my home brew beer kit with that one.
If that wasn’t enough to throw my mornings into disarray, my toaster shorted on me. That toaster gave us a good 19 years, too. Damn it.
Target and Walmart are a whole 1.4 miles away and until I work up enough energy to go there, this’ll have to do:
Keep it tartin’
The bright side, of course, is that I get to enjoy the locally roasted coffee from the homie, Brian Gomez at The Roasted Bean.
