|
NEW YORK – As the hip-hop industry's tradition of wholesome, thought-provoking
lyrics has slowly decayed since the 80's, one artist wants to buck the
trend by adding a new level of linguistic complexity to his lyrics. Tru
Dawgma, a self-proclaimed "exegetical elaborator," insists
that his new style will help counteract hip-hop's recent reputation of
promoting only superficiality, sex, drugs, and violence. But not everyone
appreciates Dawgma's approach, as God's Fro Records recently terminated
his contract and stated, "Most of our listeners don't have a GED,
let alone an M. Div.!"
God's Fro director of new talent Sean Albin recalled, "When I first
heard him I was like, 'Whoa! This cat is tight!' I thought I couldn't
understand the lines 'cause he was spitting it so fast. That's usually
how we know if someone's joint is hot."
It wasn't until Tru Dawgma was done recording a few tracks that producers
caught on and decided to end the relationship.
"It was about 2 or 3 AM one night," began Danny Lind, executive
producer at God's Fro. "Something caught my attention and I asked,
'Tru, did you just say 'deuterocanonical?'' Well, I didn't even know
that word at the time so I probably asked if he said something like 'dude,
your canon's fickle.' Anyway, that's when we figured out something was
wrong."
God's Fro immediately terminated Tru Dawgma's contract—months
before the album ever hit the shelves.
"I feel like we saved a lot of people a lot of confusion,"
said Glenn Moorehead, president of God's Fro. "Rap fans probably
already feel stupid enough as it is. They don't need some guy making
them think, as well!"
THO Interview with Tru Dawgma
THO was able to meet with Tru last week in his Bronx apartment. He also
provided us with a single from his upcoming album. Listen to a sample
of Straight
Tribbin' and view the lyrics!
| THO: |
So, Tru, what's up with your lyrics? |
| Tru: |
(laughs) I'm not sure what you mean. I write
from the heart. I just let it flow. If people don't like 'em
they don't have to listen. |
| THO: |
It appears they don't. |
| Tru: |
No, man, it appears that a few suits at the G.F. have
a load of "no vision" stuck in their ears! They wouldn't
know good lyrics if they printed themselves on a CD insert! |
| THO: |
But really, Tru, why the big words? |
| Tru: |
'Aight — when I was a kid my pop used to
be in the rap game. His flow was wack! Straight up silly! |
| THO: |
We know. We have a sample. |
| Tru: |
So I figured I ain't goin' out that way.
You know what I'm sayin'? |
| THO: |
What do you say to claims that your lyrics simply aren't
relevant to your audience? |
| Tru: |
My audience is Yahweh. He knows what I'm sayin'! |
| THO: |
Tru, seriously. |
| Tru: |
I know my styles is new. But we gots to put something
on the table with depth! There be too many haters out there spreading
ill rhymes! I ain't doin' it. The fans will dig my tracks.
I don't care if the suits don't. |
| THO: |
How will you distribute? |
| Tru: |
I'll hit the underground, you know; work my way up
spittin' clubs... or maybe seminaries and youth groups till someone
has to sign me! It's not even like I'm the first to do this,
though. The
Cross Movement and others been givin' us that theocratic flow
for years. They hot! |
| THO: |
One more thing: we're not sure "Didache"
is a verb. |
| Tru: |
(laughs) You got me. But it's the essence in
every lyric that I'm representing. Besides, I just like saying
that: "I Didache your Tim Lahaye!" |
See our related links on the right for audio samples, lyrics, a link
to Tru Dawgma's Web site, and a "buy now" bottom for purchasing
the full version of Straight Tribbin'!
|
Full Story
