Atlantic City Weekly

Share this Story:

Thadd G

GROWING UP IN THE 1980S, Atlantic City felt like an important hip-hop bridge. No matter what the map said, when it came to hip-hop, “casino city” was right in the middle of New York City and Philadelphia .

Before West Coast rap and NWA, Atlantic City was the “Jan Brady” of hip-hop music. I believe that it’s incredibly hard to break out as any kind of music artist (even today) in Atlantic City because of how close we are to New York and Philly. Usually what happens is that an artist must choose to set up shop in either of the two bigger cities to thrive.

Still, Atlantic City has given me a great vantage point to see and experience a lot of hip-hop in various stages going back to when the single “Rapper’s Delight” came out.

Throughout the years I have seen some of hip-hop’s most memorable moments happen here. I just missed being on the Boardwalk when Kid Capri, Red Alert, Gang Starr, and Nice & Smooth filmed the video for the classic DWYCK. I was at the Club Harlem when DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will “The Fresh Prince” Smith performed one of their first shows outside of Philly. I was in the building at Resorts when Snoop Dogg became the first hip-hop artist to headline a show at a casino. I remember meeting the great female rapper MC Trouble just months before her passing. I could go on.

I also have born witness to many proud musical moments by local hip-hop artists going all the way back to Dante “Donnie D. Tatum” and Jamar “Jay Fresh” June — known together as the DBL Crew. The DBL put out some great material on the indie label Urban Rock.

Today, Atlantic City books mainstream hip-hop, rappers, bands and DJs at almost every casino, and a new crop of rappers are making their mark. What do today’s rappers offer music lovers? Why do rappers from A.C. still believe that hip-hop is relevant when critics and many people who used to support hip-hop are ready to turn the page? I spoke with two current rappers from the Atlantic City area about hip hop today.

Thadd “Thadd G” Gaskins has been creating music of some kind all of his life. Gaskins can play drums, blow horns, use a keyboard and is a DJ as well as a music producer. His production company, Infinite Dreams, has produced musical tracks for not only hip-hop artists, but also vocalists and poets. His current CD entitled Sessions Volume 2 includes a little of all three.

Does hip hop play a role in the 21st century beyond the street? If so how?

Hip hop plays a vital role as it lays the groundwork for new ways to be innovative for future MCs, to show diversity in my music as a artist/producer.

Do you think hip hop gets fair treatment by the media at large? Why or why not?

We get fair treatment but due to the negative news the media focus on, we all get lumped together in a bad light. We are getting better as the quality of MCs and their subject matter is improving without being materialistic.

* * * *

I also spoke with Victor “E$” Perdue (above), an MC who has been putting out mix tapes and performing at Atlantic City spots that still allow home-grown hip-hop, such as Le Grand Fromage. Perdue still sees his involvement, connection and contributions to the art form as a source of pride.

Does hip hop play a role in the 21st century beyond the street? If so how?

People incorporate daily hip hop habits into their daily lives and don’t even know it. The clothes that you wear to the way we talk. Hip hop has changed the landscape of reality as we know it. It has been programmed in our skulls like the tying of our shoes.

What do you want your music to say about you?

I want my music to say I am a champion. People never gave me a chance for years. I want my music to say “look at me now.” Now I’m rising. I want it to say “thank you God for helping me work harder and harder every year. Thank you for helping me elevate.”

Do you think hip-hop gets fair treatment by the media at large? Why or why not?

The treatment is fair in most cases but they still try to pick out the negative. That’s partly our fault, because we give them things to feed off. Once we as artists become better humanitarians they will see us differently.

Where do you see your career in five years?

I see myself in the office of my own graphic design/music video production/recording studio. I will have my own music label. I want to keep improving and showing my peers that I have talent and the ability to become the best.

ABOVE: Antwan

Today what A.C. doesn’t have is an established business like Crown’s record store back in the day. The shows that Crown’s booked at Club Harlem brought in artists like Doug E. Fresh, Salt N Pepa and LL Cool J to perform in front of their fans while giving local artists the chance to open for these names. This helped local artists build a solid home-town fan base. These shows also helped put A.C. on the hip-hop map.

In the my next column, I’ll speak with women who are spoken-word artists.

Then, in the final installment, I will speak with published poets about the stage versus the page, and the state of publishing for poets.

Click here to be part of acweekly.com's free Local Music Guide.

Raymond Tyler hosts the Alternative Soul Sunday Breakfast Club radio show each Sunday from 7–8am on 96.1FM WTTH - The Touch.