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Hip-hop Comes to Mars Hill
by DJ Erwin
Bgz and D-J Renegade - Scroll down for story. Click on faces for bios.
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It's Thursday night around 6:30 p.m., and there is an open mic/DJ Night taking place on WVMH 90.5 FM, the Mars Hill College radio station. The MCs for the occasion are freshmen James Garrett and Brandon Gash, AKA "D-J Renegade" and "Bgz."
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Hip-Hop at Mars Hill College is on the rise. Who is to blame?
Well one of the culprits, Bgz, will rip this interview. Mic check 1-2.
The first track on this MHC debut is titled "How do you define true hip-hop?"
"True hip hop is the artist's ability to convey a positive message to anyone that can relate to the hardships that the artist has spoken of."
Track two is titled "How do you feel hip-hop is portrayed at MHC?"
"I feel that hip-hop has a negative portrayal at Mars Hill College. In a class discussion, students said, 'Lyrics are offensive.' I feel there is a bigger picture to be seen, the bigger picture is not offensive, but one of freedom of speech by expression through artistic ability."
Track four is titled: How has hip-hop affected your life?
"Hip hop has opened doors musically that would have not otherwise been opened, and has heavily contributed to the overall process of becoming a more out going person than I used to be."
The fifth and final track on this hit CD is titled "Where do you see hip-hop going at MHC?"
"I see it rising. The image of hip hop at MHC will be changed in a few years. In years to come it will be "old skool," something that you haven't heard in a while. Give hip hop a chance. Hip hop is what you make it. Listen with an open mind. In all aspects of music, hip hop is positive."
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This "dynamic duo" is aiming for the top with their focus on student involvement. They want to get participation numbers up and convey the message that DJ Nights are for everyone and anyone willing to give it a try.
As the time draws near to their seven o'clock show time, D-J Renegade and Bgz prepare to sign on the airwaves as they do almost every night. As the selection process takes place, Bgz puts on his head phones to track the lyrics. He is sensitive to profanity that might affect the image of the show, or possibly run off potential sponsors, because hip-hop is self-expression by whatever means necessary. Profanity is the least of the shocks that can drown out five minutes of CD space.
The small but sufficient station above the Lion's Den starts to fill with music as the DJs sign on. They give their show its starting call. They warm up the airwaves with a world champion musical intro and a little shouting that is something that gets any listener up out their chair, while they select some "get crunk up" music from their personal collections. It brings to mind the all night DJ-hosted parties, the live DJ in the cafeteria, maybe a homecoming show at North Carolina Central University, where hip-hop is a way of life.
D-J Renegade and Bgz feel their show can open the doors for freestylers and give hip-hoppers a place to display their artistic ability. They believe that with the right participation and effort, the DJ Nights here at MHC could take off to the level of a prime time local college hip-hop/kick-back-relax-have-fun-give-shoutouts-call-in radio broadcast.
To make the venue, check out 90.5 FM on WVMH between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. almost any week night. Thursday is open mic night. The door will be open on the top floor of Wren, but you can call in with a shout out at 689-1232.
To meet the main men click Bgz or D-J Renegade
(Editor's note: In this article "Bgz" and "D-J Renegade" refer to Mars Hill Students James Garrett and Brandon Gash only, not to any recorded rappers who may have copyright on those names.)
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