In 1979 "Rappers Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang, made its way across the country opening the floodgates of Hip-Hop music and culture to the masses. The Twin Cities were no exception. Then in the early 80's families moved to Minneapolis from bigger cities. Cities where Hip-Hip Culture thrived and even originated such as New York, Connecticut, Chicago and California. With them came authentic cultural examples that were non-existent in Minnesota. These two factors set the scene. Several individuals who were convinced from the very beginning that Hip-Hop was no "fad" quickly espoused these influences. These "pioneers" created a genesis for an underground movement in Minneapolis that would be in full force by the early 80's.
1979 was also the birth year of Charles C. Lockhart III a.k.a UPset the Locksmith. He is of the first generations to not know life before Hip-Hop music and culture. His older brother Gage was immersed in Hip-Hop's underground relm and heavily influenced early on. The father of the Lockheart Brothers, Charles C. Lockhart II, had a hand in creating that scene in Minneapolis. At the suggestion of Gage, Charles Sr. formed one of city's' first Rap Crews - The I.R.M (Immortal Rap Masters) Crew. He put them on his own label, "Chill Records" and did Minnesota's first full scale Hip-Hop shows in local venues that had never seen such.
I.R.M was recognized through out the Twin Cities' as being among the most talented in rhyming, beat boxing, and Dee-Jaying.
check it!
I.R.M. Let's Dance
2 comments:
They will definetly go down as the ones who should have went all the way. Mad props!! But there was a young Minneapolis Southsider,(woo wooo) who by many was considered (with a proven track record) one of the best rappers of that era. His name is KENNY B!! (Kenneth Buchanan) He not only could spit fire, his beats produced with his dee-jay Double Jay (Alex James), were done in the city's top studios. One of my favorite was a song called "I'm not a amateur" co-produced by Chris Moon. (who co-wrote Soft and Wet with Prince on his debut album "For You") KENNY B's track shows brought the house down everytime he touched the mic. (Powderhorn Park's 4th of July Celebrations and all the talent shows he entered) I loved I.R.M. and still do, (They are legends!) but to me KENNY B held the crown for half a decade.
Southside for Life...
Tru DAt!Thats my man! KennyB,Kel-C,Dan Speak,B-Fresh owned Mpls.!
Don't Sleep on THE-SOTA!!
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