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. 32 The dream’s come true. I’m writing about my one and only love, just don’t tell the Mrs I said that. Coming from the area, I’m proud to say Hip Hop in Birmingham appears to be growing faster than Kanye West’s ego, and be- lieve me that is no mean feat. Howev- er I’m telling you now, that’s going to be the last talk of West, and any other commercial nonsense for that matter. If you love Hip Hop for Hip Hop and Birmingham for Birmingham then hold my hand and follow me; you’re gonna enjoy the words you’re about to read. is brum bigger than: hiphop Being a ridiculous music fan and growing up in the West Midlands, I’m sure I’m not alone when I say Birmingham, in comparison to other cities, has been overlooked and understat- ed for far too long. But not anymore. London’s musical kingdom, as magnificent as it is, is not sounding as fresh as it once was. Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham (just to name a few) are cities waiting in the wings, not only to watch the throne, but to stamp all over it and create a brand new direction in which we should be heading to. When addressing Birmingham’s music scene, Independent is the one word I would like to stress and emphasise. Yes, we’ve seen all the other cities do this and do that, but what about Birmingham? Well, everywhere you look, there seems to be some serious potential; if it’s not the area itself that’s improving, it’s the culture and musical vibrancy that con- tinues to grow. Breaking this down into Hip Hop events, musicians and artists, clubs and the general urban movement and it’s clear to see it’s taken over the city, and long lasting I hope it shall be. To regress for just a second, Independent Hip Hop nights are usually the talk of fal- lacy. That’s why I smile however, as I write about Moho (Or Moschino Hoe Versace Hottie if you want to be particular). An event that happens on the first Saturday of every month, there isn’t a place like this anywhere else in Birmingham. Dedicated purely and simply, to playing the soulful and effortless sounds of 90’s Hip Hop down at Spotlight in Digbeth, Moho is for the lovers of originality, boom bap and bobbing heads. Tell me the last time you walked into a club and heard Nas’ Made You Look playing? I didn’t think so. You can even come here and listen to Jay-Z when he was, lyrically way back when, still a credible rapper. I know, hard to imagine right? Moho brings out the best in Hip Hop in the era when it actually still stood for something. So I re- joice and announce to get yourselves down to the next showcase, because even if you don’t believe me, once you hear Dead Prez yelling “It’s bigger than Hippp Hoppp”, right there and then, you’ll know you’re in musical heaven. A Birmingham artist who attempts to carry on and capture the essence and vibe of this golden age is a rapper in the name of The Kid Kelu. English he may be, but get listening to his self produced tracks, paying close attention to what he actually has to say and you’ll soon find that he is Hip Hop for all the right reasons. A lyricist in the shape of a white twenty seven year old male, who epitomizes the self-regulating movement of not only the Hip Hop scene but Birmingham as an area, his mixtape, Dream In Colour, is being produced as we speak. Having numerous singles already re- leased however, (5am in Birmz, Above the Clouds and Where I’m Coming From just to name a few you can easily listen to) his music is spreading to the main waves and the recognition, slowly but surely, might just be heading the young MC’s way, watch this space! Well, there you have it. If this hasn’t left you inspired to get behind Birmingham, then I’m a failure as a human being and no motivational speaker positions are gonna be coming my way. Go on give it a go, you never know… you might just catch yourself nodding your head and surprising yourself. words by: David Callaghan