Area DJs bring the noise

Heard in the distance are the beats of hip-hop trying to climb over the mountains surrounding State College.

Mountains that once were insurmountable and soundproof are slowly crumbling, according to some who are close to the scene -- local hip-hop disc jockeys.

"Contrary to popular belief, there is a hip-hop scene here," said J.J. Brown (sophomore-performing arts).

And there is evidence of Brown's assertion. When he performs with partner Patrice McBride (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies) in local spots such as Players Sports Bar, 112 W. College Ave., and the Lion's Den, 118 S. Garner St., the crowds pack in to groove to the hip-hop beats.

Bass blares in the background, colorful lights bounce off the walls hysterically and hundreds of bodies dance freely as Brown and McBride, who are part of Tommy Knockas Productions, scratch and mix-up their hip-hop and house records. It is a scene to be seen, but is not seen nearly enough, they said.

After coming to the University from big cities, Brown and McBride said they needed to make adjustments. State College contains students from every walk of life, which makes it harder for Brown to DJ, he said. Some people want to hear beats from the South such as Outkast, while others want to hear East Coast styles.

Despite these frustrations, spinning hip-hop beats in suburbia has been a blessing in disguise for these two hip-hop DJs, they said. If they had gone to school in New York, they would have had no chance of working in clubs such as Players at their age, they said. Rather than being small fish in a big sea, they have become the big fish in this little sea, they said.

"Instead of reaching like 20 to 30 people by handing out my demo tapes, I'm reaching 1,200 kids a night," Brown said.

Even though hip-hop is growing here in the land of Phish, this urban-based form of music has struggled to receive the exposure that Brown and McBride desire, they said.

"I see a scene in the works but it's headed in the wrong direction," he said. "Most people in State College get the wrong perception of hip-hop, all they see is what's on MTV and BET. They don't see the whole picture of hip-hop culture."

McBride thinks people need to continue to open their minds and realize that hip-hop is more than Sean "Puffy" Combs, he said. People see videos and think that hip-hop is all about the drug scene and gangs. But the roots of hip-hop have been forgotten in favor of commercial success.

As DJs and hip-hop artists, Brown and McBride said they want to spread the knowledge of hip-hop beyond the commercial level.

"I bring positive lyrics. I take my street knowledge and flip it and give people hope in hip-hop," Brown said. "It seems like most artists are glorifying what they're trying to get away from."

Brown said the art of hip-hop has a deeper meaning for him, a meaning that is not always understood by everyone. He goes back to two turntables and a microphone.

"Hip-hop to me isn't the hottest thing on the radio. It's on my hands and knees in my aunt and uncle's attic digging through their old forty-fives, trying to find the next big sample that's going to be a hit," he said.