thePULSEBy Jillian D’Apollo
Just when you thought Worcester’s Hip-Hop scene would never find the full strength of its voice, a uniquely defined collection known as Wortonics crept out of the streets. The project consists of a diverse compilation of tracks dating from as far back as 1984 by Hip-Hop pioneers including Kaz (a.k.a. K Superior), DJ Shame, DJ Evad, and G-Luc. The archives include a lively mix of groups like Supremacy, The Furior 3, and Tru Fanatics as well as more up-to-date musicians like Night People, Arablack, and Film School Rejects. Based on Wortonics’ definition ~ “a term that embodies the true sound, culture and knowledge of [Worcester’s] Hip-Hop” ~ Kaz explains how our city creates its own sub-genre:
“It’s based in a raw aggressive sound, but it can always become more musical…that’s the beauty of it. We’re different from places like NY, Philly, LA, or the dirty South. Perhaps our music is more pure because we don’t have a lot of industry here. There’s no pressure to conform.”
Unlike the Hip-Hop groups found in major metropolitan areas, Wortonics artists converge for aesthetic reasons beyond materialistic gain. According to Kaz, they wanted to portray the “poignant message behind Hip-Hop. Making something from next to nothing…doing it for the love. Creativity and originality need to count again. The skills game needs to matter more than the money game.”
Many of the tracks are accounts of personal lives and read like rhythmic memoirist journal entries. One piece which truly speaks to its audience, “Unfinished Bio” by 7 Hills Brothers (Double B and Blaze Myl), is a personal account of an emcee who has resided in Worcester for the past 20 years. History plays an integral role in Wortonics and recording [it], as Kaz emphasizes, “…gives a greater significance to everything we do ~ things we’ve accomplished in the past, as well as [what] we achieve in the future. Otherwise, it’s hard for things to mean anything.”
Because he feels that outsiders, specifically the press, possess a cultural bias and general disinterest towards Hip-Hop, Kaz has made a concerted effort to publicize Wortonics and the city’s Hip-Hop scene. When it comes to respect, Kaz demands it. “Wormtown Hip-Hop is part of Worcester’s music history. Like Wormtown Rock, the early jazz scene, or symphony orchestras at Mechanics Hall, it should be mentioned in the same breath.” His impressive MySpace page, www.myspace.com/wortonics, enables viewers and listeners to download podcasts and links them to blogs chronicling each song.
Big up to Kaz! Kaz has always repped for the Worcester Hip Hop scene! Theres alot of amazing artists in this city that have been overlooked for years especially by the local press. There is a rich history of Hip Hop in Worcester and Kaz strives to preserve that History. Much Respect!
btw the correct spelling is Nite People & Arablak who are both doing big things!
Hip-Hop has been alive in Worcester since DJ Spider at W.C.U.W in the eary 80’s !!! Also Uptown and Skylite. I saw Shame, Kaz, Evad, The furior 3, Chuck Chillin’, Terra X and all them cats.
D Roxxx
This is tight this is what i have been waiting for, Kaz if you read this get at me, i go by menelik now but my rap name is “AV” i been rapping in this city for years with my group “Da Leg”. I run a website dedicated to hiphop and has a strong focus on the local scene get at me i can help.