Page 164 - Phoenix2000-01

Thursday, May 10,2001 - Page 12 FEATURES Evan Desatnick discusses his "diverse" new album PmUPVOGT Finally, rap entered the new era of global Sta.ffWriter popularity and considerable monetary suc- Hip-Hop isn't what it used to be. cess. And while many would argue that its cur- It's clear from his enthusiasm rent mainstream popularity is a sign of suc- true fan of the pure, meaningful that he is a rap of ear- cess. there are those who feel that what rap lierartists. has gained in prominence it has lost in artis- He believes his own CD recalls' the "free- tic value. spirited" nature of early ninety's Hip-Hop, Among those is WMC's own, senior Evart Desatnick, whose newly released CD, and he hopes that potential buyers won't dis- miss the CD just because it may be pan of a Chill Rhymes 4 III Times, recalls an era when genre they don't normally listen to. rap was about more than selling records and "I' think it's good proof that what people catchy hooks. think they are going to hear isn't what they "Now, Hip-Hop is basically about the actually do," he insists. hook and the chorus," said Desamick, whose He added that he hopes the added traffic CD was released under the alias D-Ryme and in the bookstore during the buy-back period is available in the bookstore. will generate greater interest and exposure He feels much of today's rap aims for a for the release. catchy or funny hook, which draws listeners He is optimistic about the album's suc- but misses the point. cess, however, and feels thai early sales have He feels that as a result, listeners only been very strong. know the middle of the song and miss the In fact, he has already had to send a sec- importance of the words that surround the ond Shipment to the bookstore. chorus. Nevertheless, the senior communications Desamick, who considers himselfa long- major insists that music is simply a hobby time fan of Hip-Hop, wants nothing to do and that while it has become more serious with that kind of songwriting. recently, and while he intends to continue "I was trying to get people to listen to making music, he doesn't necessarily see it the words," said Desatnick, who wrote all as a career path. of his lyrics himself. . , While he admits that much of his future "It's easy.to make money off a quick hit. Desamick. in front of St. Paul's Church in Westminster on the cover of his current album musical involvement depends on the perfor- It's a lot harder to do something artistic." borrowed from everyone from Carly Simon to making a good CD. mance of his debut CD, he says that either "Hip-Hop has lost its general ability to to Led Zeppelin to the Rocky soundtrack, as "You can't just say, 'Hey, 1want to throw way he would be happy to simply continue communicate in many different ways," he well as traditional loops. a Hip-Hop album together' unless you want making music just for himself or a small adds, fueling his desire to make an album The CD also features a number of spe- it to be watered down," he warns.ciungclas- group of fans. that was not stereotypical rap. cial guests, including Carl and Raphael Tay- sic Hip-Hop acts such as Public Enemy and For Desatnick, financial success isn't an "One of the great things about Hip-Hop lor, John Lydon. and Eric Byrd. a Tribe Called Quest as being among the best immediate goal, because for him, Hip-Hop [has been that] you have many different Desamick. who says he has been actively at making meaningful, creative albums. isn't about the money. kinds of expression," he said, and he feels participating in Hip-Hop since sixth grade, Desatnick believes rap has seen three dis- And it isn't about writing the next big hit that his CD recalls that diversity. began recording the CD last June, and fin- tinct eras. with a catchy hook and irrelevant lyrics. ~'ldon't want people to buy the CO just ished up production over winter break. The first, which he labels "real old Instead, it's about paying tribute to those becnuseftzs me," he.edmits-: -I He worked with Glen Caldwell who school," laid the earliest groundwork and in- artists who were his greatest inspiration and "I want people who don't know much helped produce the nine-track disc. He also eluded such legendary rap acts as the Sugar reclaiming the artistic value that big busi- about Hip-Hop to get it and learn something. owes a debt of gratitude to the WMC Music Hill Gang and Grand Master Flash. ness has attempted to sell out. I think there's something for everyone on it. Department, who helped him constantly He feels this era was succeeded by the And, in the process, maybe converting a One song is different from the next," he said. throughout the CD's production. era known as "Middle School" and the rise few listeners toan equally appreciative view The range of the songs becomes evident He feels that considerable amount of ofpoliticalty charged rap and the emergence of the true potential and power of the words from a glance at the samples used. Desatnick time and dedication are absolutely necessary of gangsta rap. between the hooks. Students see Matchbox 20, Everclear, Life House show KATE ESI'OSITO alone. One in his life. "Sucks, doesn't it?" he com- Fealure.