Hailing just 22 miles SE of Washington, D.C. from the city of Waldorf, MD, emerges an emcee named SIMP who is poised to carry on the old-school, funk and soul-filled hip-hop torch dropped by his counterparts. Recently established as co-owner of Atlanta record label, Beat Studios Productions, he now has the perfect avenue to channel his creative vision. This alumni of Hampton University cites his upbringing in an area best known in hip-hop for its energetic “Go-Go” percussion, for the influence that led to his pursuit of making music. “I began spinning records for local parties when I was 14 years old,” he said. “So I had to listen to everything and I developed a broad taste in music.”
His favorite emcees include Nas and Lupe Fiasco, but the influence of the rap pioneers that starred in the soundtrack of his youth shine through in his recordings and live performances. While his names derives from the word simple (meaning easy to solve or understand, not complicated), SIMP the emcee, is anything but. “A lot of people called me simple when I was growing up so I rolled with it,” states the 23 year old rapper. “I picked it because life can be simple yet complicated in its simplicity.” Some songs lyrically illustrate that concept as he gracefully and rhythmically tells his stories of love, loss, racism and faith. Other songs of his , showcase his wit, and ring with such exuberant energy that they will SIMPly raise the spirit and arouse the body.
Art and music were once the voice of the people. It was an underground movement driven by the need for expression. Somewhere along the way, art became available only to the elite and music profited only the few. At that point the artist lost control of their creation.
Art, Beats + Lyrics is taking it back.
HISTORY OF THE TOUR:
Art, Beats + Lyrics was established in 2004 when founder Jabari Graham faced being laid off from his job. Jabari figured he could look for new employment or create it himself. He had long toyed with the idea of creating a showcase for unrecognized urban artists. Jabari decided to follow his dream, investing his savings and severance package to fund an urban art showcase in Atlanta’s eclectic Little Five Points District. The exhibition was well received. The venue held 250 people, but over 400 attended. With that initial success, Jabari teamed with Dwayne “Dubelyoo” Wright. Dubelyoo had been creating his own art shows and brought experience, connections with artists and the inside perspective, being an artist himself, to the showcase. Together they repackaged the event and “Art, Beats + Lyrics” was born. Positive reviews from their first show made their second show at Atlanta’s High Museum of Art an unparalleled success in both AB+L and High Museum history. The museum was filled to capacity within three hours of the show’s opening. With the success of that and several other shows the next step was to take the show on the road. The concept for the show was pitched to a corporate sponsor and the partnership to produce one of the largest traveling urban art exhibition was born.
His favorite emcees include Nas and Lupe Fiasco, but the influence of the rap pioneers that starred in the soundtrack of his youth shine through in his recordings and live performances. While his names derives from the word simple (meaning easy to solve or understand, not complicated), SIMP the emcee, is anything but. “A lot of people called me simple when I was growing up so I rolled with it,” states the 23 year old rapper. “I picked it because life can be simple yet complicated in its simplicity.” Some songs lyrically illustrate that concept as he gracefully and rhythmically tells his stories of love, loss, racism and faith. Other songs of his , showcase his wit, and ring with such exuberant energy that they will SIMPly raise the spirit and arouse the body.
