Back To Basic

Back to Basic

The story of a Hip Hop purist

By

Sengbe Ben Yosef

   

   A while back I was scrolling down my timeline on a popular site I use to network with people  who are into music and other things. I came across an MC that was throwback to the glory years of Hip Hop. Even though the MC has a classic style, trust me when I say: he’s no copycat. The way he went in on the track reminded me of the good old days. His machine like flow was mechanical in nature but it still had tones of rhythm. The ultra-unique way he flows bounces you around and for some reason I wanted go into my B-Boy dance.

   The artist name is Rabu aka “Rabu Wit a U”. I also like to call Mr. Throw Your U’s Up because that's his theme when he performs live at a gig. After listen to Rabu over the next year or so I decided it was time to make him the subject of one of my blogs. I asked if I could interview him for my blog and he agreed. Sit back buckle up and get ready to throw your U's up.

   

   In these days and times in Hip Hop we need to take care of the MC’s who hold the roots of the music down. Come let me show you why Hip Hop is not dead and thanks to purist like Rabu it isn’t going anywhere soon. I hope by telling the story of MC’s like Rabu I can get people to support these MC’s to make sure that our culture is passed on properly to young people coming up in this new world of hip hop.

   I caught up with Mr. Incredible (Rabu Wit a U) and asked him about his music and this is what he had to say. First I ask how got his start in Hip Hop. Rabu started in hip hop at age 15 and by age 16 he started taking music seriously. Rabu has been making music for nearly 20 years. He says he enjoys it and will always be a part of it in some way or another.

   At age 17 all Rabu wanted to do was be in the booth rapping and making new tracks. He is influenced like most us in hip hop by the MC’s that pioneered rap and the culture of hip hop. In addition to rap Rabu is classic B-Boy he likes to draw graffiti art. I have seen some of his artwork it's nice; really creative work. What B-Boy would be complete if he didn’t like to fight or have mad boxing skills? On a side note Rabu says he’s nice with the hands and the rhymes.

   

     Rabu said that the first person to really give him advice on music was a good friend of his. You may remember him from our October blog; the artist Trazsh Man. Rabu says they have worked to help one another for many years. Mr. U said they work on stage together a lot and they help one another with music as well.

   We began talking about live performances and being on stage. Rabu said almost from the start he was on the stage because to him the cypher is the first stage that MC’s have to prove themselves on. Rabu says he would join in on the cypher anywhere there was one happening. In school on the streets in the club it didn't matter to him. Rabu said one of the first times he jumped into the cypher, Rabu was talked into it by a girl who said he couldn’t rap. This next part is a little spooky because Radu said he started spitting barz and it was like the girl disappeared into thin air.

    I asked what, did he think about before he went on stage or into the cypher. He said: he gets nervous at the outset but then he as he sees the crowd enjoying the music he gets more into it and let the experience take over. Rabu says: he’s always nervous before he starts but it gives him a chance to prove himself so that what chases all fear away when he is on stage or in the cypher.

    When it comes to music in general Rabu said he likes to listen to all the old school legends like Luther, Teddy P, the Jackson's and many more. Rabu says today music is lacking in many ways but he still listens to artist that makes sense in their music. He says a lot of the music today doesn’t make sense so his listening scope is narrow. He said he’s a little ticked off at how thing are but it is what it is and all he can do is make the best music he can make.

   

So we moved on to talk about Rabu’s music and what it’s all about. He said his music is all about fun and keeping his sound true to himself and the hip hop culture. He thinks it’s important to keep the legacy of hip hop alive for the youth. He says his music is different from the mainstream because it comes from his inner being and a place that is real inside him. Rabu say: he feels a lot of artists are not being true to themselves and it hurting the art and the music.

    I asked Rabu about a track of his that I really love called Unstable. I wanted to know why he made the track and what inspired him to do a song like that. Rabu lives in that cypher mind state and as we know sometimes in the cypher it ain’t about barz it’s about destroying the competition. Rabu say the song is a dis song and in it he is going after somebody's neck. The way he is pursuing them is reckless and that make him like a wild man, hence the name Unstable.

    I closed out by asking about life outside of music and how it was for an independent artist. Rabu said outside of music he is a husband to a lovely woman with whom he has two beautiful kids. Rabu still holds down a regular job I would call it a nine to five but he said it the graveyard shift. He said he doesn’t mind working a job because he loves music and the job won’t stop him from trying hard for his family and fans.

    Rabu say it’s hard being an independent artist but that’s fine with him because he doesn’t have to depend on anyone to get things done. He said it’s on me and that’s cool. Rabu wants his family friends and fans to know he really loves the way they been showing him love. He wants them to know his music comes from his heart and as long as he has air he is going to rep hip hop in the purist form. For Rabu it’s about purity in hip hop and having something meaningful to say to the people. Rabu says his fans can look forward to hearing and seeing a lot more from him in 2016. He is looking to do more of everything in the coming year.

 
If you like hip hop and you love pure flow then I suggest you check out this young man out of south Jersey because he is keeping the culture alive one bar at a time. I love this cat because he has flow but I love him for much more than that. I dig this soldier because he understands how important it is to support the culture of hip hop and the music. He also understands why we all need to start remembering our roots. Please support “Rabu Wit A U” because good work should be rewarded. Throw your U's Up!!!

The Muisc: Mr. Incredible Mixtape

                    U-Ology Mixtape
                    Rabu On SoundCloud