The hip-hop world is a less than sensible place - lots of times, you're even required to clarify when bad means bad and when bad means good - so once a week we're going to get with a rapper and ask them to explain things. Something you always wanted to ask a rapper? Email [email protected].
This Week's Rapper: CB Kings
This Week's Subject: The dynamics of suburban hip-hop
Ask A Rapper: First, let's start with the most obvious question, even though we feel we like we know the answer already: What is suburban hip-hop? It's hip-hop that focuses on Suburban hip-hops, right? How did you all become so infatuated with that SUV? It's terrible for the environment.
CB Kings [laughs]: Suburban hip-hop is what it sounds like; cats from the 'burbs on the microphone. When you are in the 'burbs you are influenced by many things, and that's what we try to portray in our music. There are no limits to what it can be. And it's not just Rock Rap. It's Electric Rap, it's Country Rap; shit, it's even Gangster Rap. It's whatever. As long as you reppin' the 'burbs on it, it's suburban hip-hop, minus the poor gas mileage.
AAR: Damon, when you agreed to be part of CB Kings, were you aware that your partner was going to be white?
Damon [laughs]: Me and BC go way back. He is the lead singer of an alternative group (The Crisis). When I got back from college I heard the group and really felt what they were doing, so I asked him if he wanted to hook up and do a project.
We did a song called "Brown Chicken Brown Cow" for their CD, Emergency Medicine. Everyone who heard it loved it. So we decided to go with it. And The CB Kings were born. So yeah I knew, I planned it that way. [laughs] No dub, no love.
AAR: Okay, so we've heard all kinds of harrowing tales of gore re: living in the suburbs. Newspapers mistakingly being thrown to the wrong houses, milkmen arriving ten -sometimes 20 - minutes late, unfair tax breaks, etc. How rough is it really living out near the Beltway?
CB: One of my best patna's just got caught with weight, my other nigga just got off a Drank case. I got a RIP tat on my back for my nigga LJE; he got caught up in the game. One of my boys is doing 25 right now for murder, and my boy Richie Brown was killed in a so-called shootout with the police.
But they don't talk about that. Either they don't know, don't show or just don't care about what's going on in the burbs. It ain't all peaches and cream in the 'burbs. What goes on in the hood goes on in the 'burbs. Well, at least where I grew up, southeast Houston. Sage Glen, Texas. With that said, some had it easier than others.
I mean, it is what you made it. I went to school, got my education and went on to College (PVNation). But most of my friends didn't even though the opportunity was there. Niggas are the same everywhere. I love it when somebody thinks I'm a square cause I say I'm from the 'burbs, just like I love it when white folks see me and think I'm a Thug [laughs]. Young, black and educated and a lot of people hate it. Even my own.