This week, The Carolina Inquirer gets in touch with a popular hip hop promoter/ DJ that has been one of the major backbones in Charlotte, NC (the Queen City's) hip hop scene for years. Take a look at what Eric Brayman has to say about Charlotte's underground.
The Carolina Inquirer: Underground hip hop events in Charlotte, NC are usually known for drawing crowds primarily comprised of other local rappers, D.Js and beat makers... would you say that the events you hold are different, and if so... what does your events have that would interest the every day person that doesn't participate in hip hop?
Eric Brayman: We are the outcasts of the local music scene! The Blue Collar rappers!! The music heard is not that of average Hip Hop events. Its not going to have you grinding on the dance floor. It is more of head nod and turn to your friend and say "did he just say that" when a rapper says something clever. They don't talk about pushing drugs and cars with 58" rims. They talk about real life. True Hip Hop. Its def not the 106 n Park crowd!! Yes we have beat makers, DJs and other rappers. Birds of a feather flock together! As to an everyday person at my event. Well, I have turned some old "rap sucks" guys into fans!! The music done by the artists that frequent my event is very different from commercial Hip Hop so they are really blown away by the different sounds and styles. I like to describe the artists that come to my events would rather go on tour with KRS ONE than Lil' Wayne! The Freestyle Battle cypher always makes people "ooh and awe". It's part of the reason I do this. It is Hip Hop at its truest form. It amazes some that don't know Hip Hop in that way. They wont hesitate to come back. Its great entertainment. It also amazes the ones who see it all the time but just love it!
Who are some of the acts that frequently perform at your event?
Charles Herron. Keyza Soulsay, JJ Bass, Ike Turnah, Panamah Ski, Dee Richards, Big Treal, Raz Omega, Mr Invisible, Salty Dogs, Caliba, K-Baz, MC Cataclysm, Fallen Angels, Stereogram, Chekar Kareem, K-Baz, THE COMDOT and so many more new and old!! We are very lucky to have so much talent!!!
How would you describe the hip hop scene in Charlotte, NC as a whole?There is not a Hip Hop scene. There are scenes!! We live in a southern city with people from all over the world living here. Therefore the styles are all over the map. There is a scene for club style hip hop. I guess they do well. I don't really feel that type of music so I don't know much about how they do it. There are the southern trapper style they mix with the club cats but neither mess with us. There is some crossover here and there with the back packers and classic boom bap style kids and just new school. All in all each group sticks together.
What do you say needs to improve or change in Charlotte's hip hop scene?
Speaking for our movement, We need smaller venues open to doing shows and not charging hundreds of dollars to do it. I don't have a home club to throw shows as I did in the past with The Room and The Spot so now Its hard to put on a real local concert and make it profitable for anyone other than the club. Artists end up splitting a hundred or 2 when the the bar rakes it in and the promoter get pennies. Its almost as bars hear hip hop and they think Bentlys and bottles of champagne so these people must have money! Well not in our case again we are blue collar!!! Dont get me wrong. There are a few venues that welcome us with open arms cause we drink a lot of beer and never cause trouble. Never a fight. We would rather argue politics or why Lil' Wayne should die!
On your Facebook wall you have expressed your disdain about certain venues and their strict and seemingly unfair dress code policies, would you care to elaborate on that right now?
I hate dressing up going to the club!!! I would rather drink and dance in sneakers or Timbs than dress shoes. I'm more comfortable and that makes my mood better as the night goes on. I can be grown and sexy in Timbs I'm almost 40!!! I'm pretty grown. I understand you want to have a more formal event or establishment so basketball jerseys and hats might not be appropriate however I think some have taken it to another level. I was denied entrance to an Epicenter club because I had on a polo, shorts, and Timberlands. I was told by the door guy I did not meet the dress code and if he let me in his boss would have his ass ok no prob. No fight outta me, not my kinda place or music anyway. I was only going in support of a friend. As me and my wife who was dressed great and hot are talking about our next move. I was tapped on the shoulder by an Epicenter security guard who was accompanied by a police officer. The security guard then proceeds to tell me that Timberlands are not allowed at the Epicenter after 9pm and I had to leave the premises now and was escorted by the two of them down 3 flights of stairs until we got to the courtyard where 4 more CMPD joined them and walked 2 steps behind until we hit the side walk. UNREAL. I had went to the Epicenter after a dinner at LUCE an incredible Italian fine dining restaurant and was welcomed with open arms and treated like me and my wife were king and queens. 2 blocks away we were treated like we were homeless. I was there supporting a friend again last week at the Epicenter again and watched in amazement as the bouncer of a club would not let one of 2 men in because of sneakers. They both had jeans oxford shirts and jeans and white sneakers. One had white puma soccer sneakers [so] he was ok. The other had white running shoes and he could not get in. Both brand new and white. I laughed. Though I will give the Epicenter this. They do not discriminate in their idiocy. Those two gentlemen were Indian and I am white. They need to realize to stop being petty there are so many "high class" clubs and clubs in general. With people not spending as they were a few years ago they should really lighten up!!
What other events do you have lined up for the future?
I have been toying with a regional show mixing locals with others from around the Carolinas trying build a family of Carolina hip hop not just queen city hip hip. Just trying to find the right venue. I tried at 2 [venues] and would be doing it at 1 of them if they had a stage and monitors not just a dance club. I'll find a good home that wants good hip hop. Good things take time!
Is there anything else you would like to plug, or mention?
QCHH!!
