Hip hop in Washington, D.C.

Hip hop music in Washington, D.C. has been an important part of the culture of the area. The traditional style of hip hop in the city has been described as not quite the same as New York City hip hop and not quite the same as Southern hip hop. Rather, it has been influenced by both regions to form its own unique style of music. The population of D.C. is not large enough to support as many distinct subgenres of rap as other metropolitan areas, and as a result, the sound and style of D.C. hip hop is very mixed and blended.^[1] Prominent D.C. based hip hop artists include Kev Brown, Damu the Fudgemunk, Wale, Oddisee, Panacea, Fat Trel, Shy Glizzy, Lightshow, Ant Glizzy, Ron Stackz, Diallo & Santino Ranks of YNWV^[2] and a few newcomers , GoldLink, Chaz French & Jay IDK. Many of these newcomers are typically featured on local radio stations such as 93.9 WKYS.^[3] 20bello a rapper, director and promoter was the original founder of the DMV (DC area moniker) Music movement. He remains to this day very instrumental in creating a music scene where young upcoming artist could thrive hence the recent article in the Washington Examiner^[4]

Hip hop music in Washington, D.C. has been greatly influenced by go-go music, a post-funk type of music that is only relevant in the District of Columbia. Go-go music was created in the D.C. area and remains a very significant aspect of the culture of the city and surrounding areas. Go-go emphasizes large percussion sections and incorporates call and response and shout-outs into its songs. This results in a crowd that is very active and involved with the music, responding by dancing and echoing the words. Chuck Brown is known as the "Godfather of go-go"^[5] but the genre is still alive today, with groups such as The Backyard Band, TCB, and UCB enjoying great local success.

Chuck Brown

Chuck Brown achieved significant fame in and around Washington, D.C. for being the most popular artist in go-go's earlier days. He influenced a generation of new bands and was the driving force behind popularizing go-go. To many in the area, Brown and his music represented a culture and attitude that was representative of life in Washington, D.C.^[6] Chuck Brown died in May 2012. Shortly after his death, nearly every radio station in D.C. played his music. There were many tributes in the following days that came in the form of funerals, concerts, and vigils.^[7]

Kev Brown

Kevin Brown] (born February 10, 1976) better known by his stage name Kev Brown is an American Hip hop producer from Landover, Maryland. He is the founding member of the MD / DC based hip hop collective, Low Budget.

Wale

Born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian parents, Wale is notable both for being the first major hip hop label signing from Washington, D.C. and for the way he has fused go-go music with rap music.^[8] Having grown up in and around D.C., Wale has tried to include elements of go-go in his music. This comes in the form of the type of percussion beats, shout outs, and subject matter of his songs. Wale's song "Pretty Girls" most notably contains a sample and hook from the song of the same name by The Backyard Band. In 2009, Wale and go-go band UCB performed together at the MTV Video Music Awards show.

Oddisee

Oddisee is the most famous member of both the Low Budget Crew and the Diamond District Group, both groups of rappers from Washington, D.C.^[9] Oddisee's music is very percussion based with lyrics that talk about life in D.C. and Prince George's County, a suburb located in Maryland.

Panacea

Panacea is a hip-hop duo from Washington, D.C., starting in 2003. The duo consists of MC Raw Poetic (Jason Moore) and producer K-Murdock (Kyle Murdock). They have produced several albums and EPs over the years.

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