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The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, January 7, 2016
Eye Eye Street Street The Lowdown
MCs battle it out street-style really planned to be a battle MC, but in the hip-hop world, if you rap in any shape or form, you will be tested.” Over the years, Pena has participated in a number of battles and shows held at house parties and local watering holes. Promotion is done mostly through word of mouth, as well as social networking and local event outfits such as Rarebreed Productions, which co-organized the event at the Gate. “We usually pit MCs against each other if they have the same type of style: aggressive versus aggressive or funny versus funny. People also love style clashes.” In addition to a series of rap performances and battles, the event will celebrate the release of “Art of War,” a new album by rapper Edmon Astan. “There’s such a huge mix of characters in the battle scene today. Not all are ‘thug’ or ‘gangster.’ It’s all entertainment at the end of the day,” Pena said. Saturday’s event jumps off at 5 p.m. Admission is $5. All ages admitted. The Gate is located at 2010 O St.
Freestyle poets face off at Saturday’s Art of War event
Matt Munoz
B
lazing rhymes and rhetoric will be flowing freely at Saturday’s Art of War freestyle battle event and concert at the Gate. Street-style poets brave enough to face off risk losing reputation and respect from their peers, but also a chance to become revered before a crowd of rabid fans. One such local figure is Johnny “WordsWrite” Pena, who after several years in the game still steps up when the freestyle battle siren sounds. “I’ve always been fascinated with words,” said Pena, 31, who said his interest in the science of wordplay goes back to his teen years. “Before writing rap lyrics, I was already writing, but more in a sense of scary stories and poetry. When I was younger, I would read the dictionary and soak in the definitions and the meanings of words. With a wild imagination, I was in need of an outlet.” That outlet was found in rap music and hip-hop youth culture, where Pena grew from casual listener to active participant. “I started writing lyrics. I was instantly hooked. On some days, I remember writing up to 11 pages of rhymes. On average, I was writing up to two pages a day. What sparked it all was pain, depression and loneliness. It helped me cope with my surroundings and gave me a voice. Hiphop literally changed my life for the better.” Inspired by some of his favorite artists, including East Coast rap legends Rakim and Nas, both of whom are considered among the genre’s rhyme elite, Pena also worked on developing his own voice. “Rakim is and will always be my favorite MC of all time. He changed the way people rhymed. Compound syllables, inner and outer rhyme schemes, imagery, etc. Nas is the true definition of consistency. I consider them to be the William Shakespeare and Edgar Allen Poe of hiphop.” But it’s not all about rapping over beats when it comes to freestyle battling, a fiercely competitive subculture within hip-hop that takes the concept of improvisational street poetics to an unpredictable level of creativity and engagement. “To me, a rapper is just someone that raps. Anybody can rap. But an MC is someone that can move the crowd with his or her words, someone that can uplift the masses. When I tell people I rhyme, I always tell them I’m an ‘MC.’ I never say ‘rapper.’ A
Matt’s pick
PHOTO BY VICTORIA BARTON
Bakersfield lyricist and event promoter Johnny “WordsWrite” Pena appears at the Gate on Saturday.
battler is a competitive MC that’s just out to earn his or her stripes, whether it’s for the money or for the glory.” Freestyle battles can be compared to street fights without the physical violence, but they can become so intense that there is a sense of danger. It’s like an old-fashioned duel, but words are used instead of bullets. No ring or octagon required. Find a street corner, empty lot, alley or stage, some witnesses, maybe drop a word or topic to get started, and it’s mano-amano until someone throws in the towel or is declared the victor. “To be a battle MC, you need to have tough skin. Opponents will touch you, step into your bubble, be up in your face and cut you down in front of the crowd about your physical appearance. It’s kind of
like being in the Army and the sergeant steps up and belittles you in front of your peers, ‘Full Metal Jacket’ style. I never
Cattle Call Jam at O’Hennings, 1312 Airport Drive, 3 p.m. Sunday. Free. Not just another jam session, January’s edition of the popular Cattle Call Jam will be hosted by guitarist Keith Wyatt of legendary Southern California roots rockers The Blasters. “I’m hoping for a bunch of enthusiastic players,” said Wyatt during a recent phone interview. “That’s really it. It isn’t a skill thing, it’s just people coming to the jam with the desire to come and play, have some fun, and we’ll see where it goes.” Lately, O’Hennings has been the place to get your blues on with acts such as vocalist Shari Puorto making an appearance, along with homeboys Monty Byrom, Kyle Appleton and many others. It’s all up close and personal at O’Hennings, so be prepared to sit back, absorb your blues with your brews, and enjoy some serious shredding. All musicians are welcome to join in. Highly recommended. Contributing columnist Matt Munoz covers the music scene for The Californian. He brings you “The Lowdown” every other Thursday.
Keith Wyatt, guitarist for SoCal roots rockers The Blasters will perform Sunday at O’Hennings.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BLASTERS