'Everything I Do Is Badass' by Big City Bumpus

Thursday, 7 May 2009, 0 Comments

Hearmedo Cheeba Hawk Ladyfriends Target Montezuma's Revenge Big City Bumpus has managed to combine the production of old school hip-hop with the flair of gangster rap. Bumpus doesn't push himself as a 'gansta' or even the greatest rapper in the world, he seems quite content being a rapper from Providence, RI with the skills to back up his ego. Ego is large part of the rap game, but it seems like at times ego can overplay an MC's actual skill, making him seem more than he is; its a pretty smart marketing move if you ask me. But lucky, Big City Bumpus doesn't feel the need to push himself in that way. He uses his intelligent and witty lyrics, contagious flows and interesting production to ensure a high quality song in the end. I will say that over anything else, I was quite impressed with the smart, and at times funny, song concepts. My two favorite songs on the album are Hearmedo', where a cleaver play on words results in a quite catchy hook during the chorus, and Cheeba Hawk, which is just down right humorous. Big City Bumpus takes the persona of a 'hawk' on the hunt for weed; if you have seen Half Baked, then you have heard of a scavenger smoker- same concept. A big appeal of this album is the fact that Big City Bumpus seems light-hearted and is most definitely enjoying himself, but takes his rapping seriously. The production of the album, responsibilities of which are shared by producers Clown, Dox, 8th Wundah, RIckspin, and Cold Legistics, are quite solid throughout. There is a lot of horns samples as well as a lot of other 70's sounding samples that give the entire album more of an old-school feel, as opposed to a modern day album. This gives this album an edge because it allows Big City Bumpus to vary his vocal styling in a number way to match the different styles of music beneath him. There is nothing worse than an uninspired MC who raps strictly for the money, and has forgotten the love of the skill. Big City Bumpus is the real deal whose latest offering proves that he is in the rap game for the love and passion of Hip-Hop and what it has to offer. Click Below for a BIO and a Video of Montezuma's Revenge: BIO: Put your hands in the air for some real hip-hop! Big City is one incredible artist who sure knows how to work a crowd! He energetically weaves through a mass of fans pumping their fists and never misses a beat. A great deal of time, hard work, extreme dedication and love towards the business is needed in order for this Fall River artist to put on such an impressive performance. It has a great deal to do with the person inside of the 'Big City.' At first glance this 6 foot 4 inch tall rapper is exceptionally intimidating. However, give him a second chance and you'll find a sincere, down-to-earth, and profoundly modest person who is utterly harmless, but has a fervent passion for music. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jeffrey Farley was born into an extremely musical family. His two role models were his father and his older brother John. His dad was a singer who was part of a cover band in the 1960s and his brother is a guitar player for an experimental indie rock band called Sick Electric. Growing up, City listened to whatever his big bro listened to and mastered the guitar by age 8. He also went on to play the bass as well as to teach himself some piano. Making music has been something I've always loved to do. It was the only thing I was good at, and it was the only thing I liked so I stuck with it. His father is actually the one responsible for the name 'Big City.' Back in the 1980s Big City was the name of a famous boxer whom his dad adored. The little baby city must have shown some real endurance and possessed the same feisty attitude that the boxer did in order to have earned the nickname. Whatever the reason, the name stuck and it most certainly suits this relentless artist. Truly inspired by his role models Big City kept an open mind about music. He had a lot of different influences including The Beatles and more specifically early 90s hip-hop which was 'hip-hop at it's peak.' At age 15 City joined a punk band called The Fistems. The group performed at a local bowling alley but never received any money for their efforts. After about a year The Fistems faded out. Even though he was no longer part of a musical group, City never stop loving music. One bus ride during a high school field trip to Washington D.C. City's friends put him up to write a rap song. Since then, he hasn't stopped writing. When City was about 19 years old he started making beats with a new game put out on Playstation. Unfortunately there was no one to rap over these innovative beats so City took the initiative and tried it out. A humble guy, Big City thought the beats were too good for his rap songs. Nevertheless City soon found himself at a studio in Providence, RI where he met Brokenviaments. He was welcomed to the group immediately and spent about four years performing with them. It gave the novice performer some great experience but being part of a group was not what was meant for this artist. I have no problem working with others but when I love something so much I need to have a certain amount of control over it just because I want it to be perfect. City drifted from Brokenviaments but still keeps in touch. Big City never stopped writing and the next few years would be pivotal. He got a studio in Pawtucket, RI where he recorded his first three solo songs: Hold Me Down, Lady Friends, and Montezuma Revenge. This is when he met DJ Crown. The two immediately hit it off! This was around the time that Crown first started making beats so the two artists improved their music and grew together. A HUGE thanks goes out to my closest friend DJ Crown because nothing would have been possible without him. THANK YOU! About one year later Delusional Records found Big City on MySpace.com. After 10 years of diligent work, things are really starting to come together for Big City. He is currently working with Delusional on his first complete solo album The City Never Sleeps which should be available in Summer 2006. Big City was always driven by true inspiration and at age 25 he is continuing to pursue his passion for making music. This Smart City has been attending New England Tech for digital recording and hopes to achieve his Bachelor's degree as soon as possible. Like any other college student, City works a lot but in his spare time this eligible bachelor enjoys just hanging out with his friends. That's his life and that's what his music is about. He's definitely not rich therefore he doesn't pretend to be. He's just trying to relate to people who also have to pay bills and work a dead end job. I'm giving people real life as we're living it. He writes about everything from descriptions of himself to his view on hip-hop. City desires to be the 'Hulk Hogan of hip-hop.' As for hip-hop, it's dead now. I want to rejuvenate it; bring it back to life before the match ends! He's also just not afraid to try anything. Mostly it depends on his mood. I write how I feel and then put my own twist on the reality of it. A lot of my soul goes into those words; I really mean what I say. And we love how you say it Big City! Oh shit, don't stop!

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