Weekend Recap Part II Chip Tha Ripper

Varsity Squad Exclusive: Chip Tha Ripper Interview with Double O

As I walked into the Grog Shop 'band room' with Double O he introduces me to Naledge and then points to a young man in the corner and says, "This is Chip Tha Ripper. You need to know him. He's the next big thing. He's from Cleveland. Talk to him."


The catch is Chip is already big. Boasting some of the hottest club singles in the city and a dope mixtape with world-renowned DJ Mickboogie, its just a matter of moments before the whole country is fresh fly and fitted.


Here's what happened when Double O did the interviewing:


Double O: How would you describe your writing style?
Chip: Man its a combination of Big L and Redman. Their styles influenced me the way they amuse people with word play. I want to do that just awe people with my use of words.


Double O: How do you feel you are representing Cleveland in the rap game?
Chip: I talk to the world instead of just where I am.




Double O: How does it feel being embraced by the hipster crowd?
Chip: We aimed for the hood but it was authentic so everyone felt it. It feels good.


Double O: Do you feel you need to move away from Cleveland to reach ultimate success?
Chip: Work is what you make it. You can be anywhere and make it happen. I definitely have to travel and get around the world, but leave Cleveland, no, I don't think I have to do that.



Double O: Describe yourself in one word.
Chip: Unpredictable


**Sincerely Serious**


(Look out for the feature article on RS.com where Chip talks about his days as a battle rapper, working with Wyclef, and what it takes to make it happen! ;) )

Weekend Recap Part I. Kidz in the Hall

I know I have taken quite the break from the blog…but never fear faithful readers! I am here!

Kidz in the Hall @ the Grog Shop

“I heard the starting gun and rocked back;” says Double-O as he sips a Red Stripe and revels in his experience as an Olympic runner, “see, everyone else moved on the echo, but I heard the real blast.”

Forced to compete in a musical genre rocking to the same echoes of money, cash, hoes, Kidz in the Hall rocks to the beat of real hip-hop. Influenced by Olympians in the game like A Tribe Called Quest and Souls of Mischief, Kidz in the Hall served as last Thursday’s featured artists for the Hip-Hop at the Grog shop series.

Your favorite blogger got a chance to interview the Kidz before the show and this is what they said:

SS: How did you guys meet?
Double O: I saw Naledge at a talent show during a recruiting visit to UPenn. I thought this cat is really dope. We’ve been together ever since. That was 2000.

SS: How would you describe your sound?
Naledge: Extraordinary music for ordinary people. This is beautiful music.
Double O: Our sound is full tilt. Its reality bites pop.
Naledge: People are always rapping about being extremely rich or extremely poor. We’re neither of that. We are a different part that hasn’t been reflected. We went to Ivy League schools. Double O was in the Olympics. We’re just trying to inspire others like us.

SS: Who are some artists you would love to collaborate with?
Both: Andre 3000
Naledge: Bjork, Nas, Common, Bun B, Q-Tip. Man I can’t even name them all. So many people showed us love after the first album I couldn’t really believe it. Even legends like Q-Tip. Since we’ve been on tour with them he has really just taken me under his wing. It has been truly been a blessing.
Double O: Panic at the Disco, Scarface, anybody who is creative that I can find common ground with as an artist.

SS: What is your idea of ultimate success?
Naledge: Being happy. Being able to support ourselves and our families. Having longevity and a continuous span.
Double O: I mean to come out in 2006 and still be able to tour the world we see the difference between progression and the cats that don’t make it. For example minus Shawty Lo where is D4L? We know where we can go and what we have the potential to do

SS: Finally, what advice do you have for kids out there trying to make it in the industry?
Naledge: Don’t stop. The day you stop is the day someone takes your place.
Double O: If you have talent you still must work hard. When you’re not practicing someone else is and they are going to get that shot you missed out on by not practicing.

**Sincerely Serious**

(look out for the feature article on RS.com ;) )