Edawg

LOCAL RAPPERS C-DOGG and RAZ SIMONE TEAM UP “AROUND the WAY”

| King County News - Fresh Juice for the Northwest

 

While we’re currently here on Earth, inhabiting these physical vessels, it is each individual’s responsibility to be the architect for the life they desire. As such, one has the power to actively choose to manifest and live the life they want – whether an individual chooses to thrive and live in their light or succumb to the comfortable complacency of their darkness is solely that person’s decision to make. But, based on the thoughts, words and actions you consciously or subconsciously decide to put out into the Universe, the Universe will return to you exactly what you send out.

So take your power back.
Far too often, people surrender their personal power to exterior forces – be it money, relationships, jobs, environment, dis-ease, etc. Despite all the “darkness” that seems to be taking up space around the world today, we are living in extremely auspicious times. And now, perhaps more so than ever, is the time for each and every being on this planet to take back, embrace and recognize just how absolutely and limitlessly powerful we are.
With “Around The Way”, Raz Simone links up with Clayton “C-Dogg/B-ragg” Bragg to demonstrate the power of using your time and energy to build up another individual while simultaneously putting on display how recognizing your own power can help to inspire and influence those around you. In doing so, “Around The Way” allows both Simone and C-Dogg to play their hand in making this world a better place.
At only 22 years old, C-Dogg has been surviving and thriving through all the obstacles God has placed before him, including a lifelong bout with cerebral palsy. And no obstacle is put in your way to stop you – they are only there to help your growth and help push you to recognize your own power. With 27 surgeries under his belt, 11 of which have been on his heart, the determination and the drive of C-Dogg has helped to inspire a number of people who have witnessed or heard his powerful story.
One of the people inspired by C-Dogg is Raz Simone. Although they don’t have the “same problems”, Simone and Clayton have both inspired each other with their ability to overcome adversities. In Raz’s own words, the two have the same spirit. And that spirit does not quit, does not surrender, and it certainly does not give up it’s power – it’s internal light – to exterior forces.
As Raz points out on “Around The Way” with a slick double entendre, his work is “always quality” and he never stretches it. Anyone familiar with Simone’s body of work recognizes the Black Umbrella founder has a catalogue abundant in both quantity and quality – he’s not cutting corners or laying down half-assed verses in order to get content out there. So, even when he’s helping out his people, Simone isn’t going to hop on a track just for the hell of it. According to Simone, he told C-Dogg he would only get on record with him if he was feeling it and, when it came to “Around The Way”, Clayton “slapped the mess outta [him] wit this one.”
A common theme when discussing Raz Simone is his authenticity and his realness. Being “real” does not always have to mean you’re “street” or “gangster” or anything along those lines – realness has more to do with an individual’s drive, dedication, heart and their authenticity. Realness comes from one’s ability to overcome even the hardest of adversities without getting trapped in the darkness. There are school teachers who are real, there are chefs and plumbers and cashiers who are real. Realness is about the individual in and of themselves, not the label placed upon them based on exterior factors.
In that sense, C-Dogg is real. And Simone is real.

As always, credit and praise must be sent to Simone’s go-to cinematographer, Jacob Hill. Feeling inspired by the energy of the experience, Hill went back to Black Umbrella HQ after shooting “Around The Way” and decided to edit and finalize the video that night. Instead of sleeping, Hill made sure the video was turned around in time for release overnight. That’s heart, dedication and sacrifice…that’s real. And not only did he come through with the quick flip of the video, but he cooked up a final product that gives off no sense of being rushed or half-assed. Ya’ll, there’s something to be said about work ethic

and it’s clear there’s a reason Hill is reppin’ Black Umbrella…

Much love to Raz, B-ragg and Jacob Hill for creating and sharing this beautiful message of acceptance and love. This that medicine the world needs a heavy dose of right now.
Experience “Around The Way” below and peep some older BTS footage of Raz and B-ragg in the studio here.
Originally Published at https://yeezytaughtmehappythoughts.blogspot.com/2018/01/raz-simone-around-way-feat-b-ragg-video.html

RISE OF THE ETERNALS ~ HIP HOP IMMORTALS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

| King County News - Fresh Juice for the Northwest

October 8, 2015 – With the recent launch of the Legacy of Hip Hop exhibit at Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) the city has been buzzing with debate about who should top the list of Seattle’s most iconic artists to have represented this genre over the years.

What was most amazing to me as I walked through the MOHAI exhibit was that I saw the names of Bboys that I knew about based on recent performances. Yet, the exhibit had information on them dating back to the early 1980’s.

Because of the vibrant history of NW Hip Hop there will always be heated debate about who was/is/will be the greatest in any one of the 5 elements (Breakdancing/DJ’ing/Rapping/Graffiti/Knowledge). Believe me, it is easy to get pulled into that conversation. However, for purposes of this article I would like to focus on something else; the eternals of NW Hip Hop.

This column lists 10 artists who I feel have never left the game. But have represented the genre for the past 4 decades. I felt like I needed to share the list; because there just isn’t anyone writing about Seattle Hip Hop that actually has any roots in the community.

So here is the list. These are the realest of the real.

Coolout crewNo automatic alt text available.
10. Gordon (Music Inner City) Curvey and Georgio (Coolout Network) Brown (1990 – Present)

Element:  Knowledge
Two hip hop historians documenting the going-on’s in the hip hop community for a quarter century. Definitely two different personalities; with Gordon engaging in semi-regular public arguments with just about everyone on Facebook. Meanwhile, Georgio Brown keeps it cool. Constantly building bridges and giving local artists stage time at his
annual Coolout events (the 25th of which will be celebrated in 2016!) Georgio recently helped design and promote the MOHAI event; while Gordon was less than impressed with acknowledgement of his contributions.

Image may contain: Gregory Buren, smiling9. Greg (Funk Daddy) Buren and Derrick (Vitimin D) Brown (1988 – Present)

Element:  DJ/Producers

Are these two the same person? Both broke out around 1988. Both hit the ground running; putting out some major beats and haven’t taken a break in almost 30 years. These two have to share the spot, because both are legendary producers in the Northwest. Funk Daddy (aka Greg B) from Seattle and Vitimin D from Portland.

Image may contain: 1 person 8. Ishmael (Butterfly) Butler (1988 – Present)

Element:  DJ/Producer/Rapper

Founding member of Digable Planets. Grammy winner. Currently performing with Shabazz Palaces.

 

7. Derrick (Silver Shadow D/Derrick X) Seals (1985 – Present)

Element:  DJ/Producer/Rapper

Member of the seminal Seattle rap group DURACELL. 30 year history of active performances and musical releases. Vast knowledge of Seattle’s music and hip hop culture from the 1990’s. Current member of 206 Zulu.

Image may contain: Terrell Johnson, hat and closeup6. Michael (Edwag) Johnson (1983 – Present)

Element:  Bboy, Rapper

Edawg was a founding member of the Gail Place Rockers (aka Horton hand-spinners) before launching his music career as a member of the Mixalot posse. Edawg has over 30 years in the hip hop game and is a platinum selling recording artist. Currently hosts E’s Way Radio and regularly preforms both past and current hits.

 5. Carter (Fever One) McGlasson (1983 – Present)

Element:  Bboy, DJ/Producer

Founding member of the 1983 Seattle Circuit Breakers as well as a current member of the legendary Rock Steady Crew. Fever still performs in Bboy contests and also currently DJ’s at multiple clubs in Seattle.

Image may contain: 1 person, standing, beard and outdoor4. Nathan (Sire One) Hivick (1990 – Present)

Element:  Bboy, Graffiti Artist, DJ/Producer, Rapper

One of the few artists to represent all 4 of the original elements; Sire One has over 25 years of producing music and visual arts that is as fresh today as it was when he began. Still competing in (legal) graffiti art competitions as part of BAM crew, and performing with both North City Rockers and 206 Zulu.

Image may contain: 3 people, people smiling, people dancing, shoes and indoor 3. Dave (Pablo D) Narvaez (1984– Present)

Element:  Bboy, Rapper, Knowledge

Founder and current manager of the North City Rockers; a multi-generational breakdance group in North Seattle. Recognized as one of the Northwest’s most knowledgeable hip hop historians and widely respected for his photo documentation of the hip hop community over the last decade via Studio Narvaez. Currently working on music production with Specs Wizard and Sire One.

 

Image may contain: 1 person2. Danny (DJ Mr. Supreme/Supreme La Rock/Preme) Clavisilla (1983 – Present)

Element:  Bboy, DJ/Producer, Knowledge

DJ Mr. Supreme (along with RSC legend DV One) is the current DJ for the Seattle Seahawks. Founding member of the 1983 Seattle Circuit Breakers. Regularly produces music scores for movies & television. Widely considered one of the foremost experts on both NW music and NW hip hop in the world.

 

Image may contain: 1 person, closeup

1. Michael (Specs Wizard) Hall   (1979 – Present)

Element:  Bboy, Graffiti Artist, DJ/Producer, Rapper

Currently produces a line of comic books for Capstan Media/Healthy Bunch. Regular music releases and performances throughout 2015. Featured artist at the MOHAI exhibit.

 Thank you for taking time to read.  I hope you enjoyed the list!  Let me know what you think!  Agree?  Disagree?