If you were a hip hop head or hip hop artist in the early 2000’s there was no way you didn’t come across the double disk Lyricist Lounge, Volume One album. Released on the 5th of May 1998 this global lyrical benchmark was the second hip hop compilation album to be released by American record label Rawkus Records, known for bringing you the likes of New York’s dopest underground talent such as Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Hi-Tek and Company Flow. The double-disc was made to capture the essence of the Lyricist Lounge showcases that provided a space for artists to express themselves while sharpening their skills, and for label A&R’s to later discover this talent.

The double disk featured the likes of hip hops gods such as Black Thought, Common, A.L, Thirsten Howl III, The Last Emperor, Saul Williams, Bahamadia, Rah Digga, Wordsworth, KRS1 and others.

Once the success of the movement reached media execs, MTV went on to give founders Danny Castro and Ant Marshall the go-ahead in creating The Lyricist Lounge Show an American sketch comedy which aired on MTV from 2000-2001 and featured the likes of Erykah Badu, Tracee Ellis Ross, Slick Rick, Snoop Dogg, MC Lyte and others.

As a follower of the movement, you can imagine, being asked to perform on the Lyricist Lounge South Africa line up in 2018 in Johannesburg was a dream come true for me. Partly because I also got to meet the amazing Ant Marshall - Co-Founder of this global movement. I reached out to Ant, and we got to speak about Lyricist Lounge and Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. Check out his insights below:

1.     For people who don’t know how Lyricist Lounge came about, can you share the origin story of global Hip Hop brand and platform, Lyricist Lounge?

Well, Danny and I met through a mutual friend after a crazy incident where I got jumped by about 12 people after a club called Roseland in NY ended for the night. Over the next year we would become good friends and pretty much brothers. From hanging out at clubs to being in music videos together we were in these streets lol. At the time, Danny and I had a mentor named Charles Thompson who gave us access to a space (small rehearsal studio in the Lower East Side of Manhattan) and the freedom to invite and do what we want. This little get together, originally called “The Session” would later become Lyricist Lounge

2.     What was the intention behind you and Danny starting Lyricist Lounge?

We were dancers and were tired of always playing the background. We wanted to help our friends move up in the industry by us all becoming artists ourselves. With that said, instead of becoming artists, Danny and I became businessmen.

.3.     Word has it that a number of Rap superstars were noticed and later signed by major record labels through the platform yal created. Can you flex on us for a moment and tell us who some of those superstars are?

Humbly speaking, it’s a long list but to name a few: Eminem, Yasiin Bey fka Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Rah Digga, and many many more..

4.     As a Gemini, and a huge fan of Gemini’s that have changed the world time and time again, I have to ask, what was working with the late B.I.G like? Was he soft-spoken? Friendly? Chilled?

Haha, BIG was and will forever be a gentle giant. But don’t get it twisted, he was nothing to play with, on the mic or in these streets…

5.     In the words of B.I.G on his timeless classic Juicy, “You never thought that hip hop would take it this far”, my question is – Did yal know the culture would blow up the way it has?

I honestly did, and I say that because I knew I was going to be a part it’s success. You gotta understand, WE WERE ALL SOOOOO MOTIVATED back then and WE WERE KIDS. As a community, we were destined to make it, the passion was and still is real!

6.     In an age of “pure” commercialism, how does the U.S Music Industry maintain a standard of quality in the artists brands and labels choose to work with? Because as we know – money doesn’t always = talent.

The standard is maintained by the culture not the corporates. Based on their previous choices, they could really give a shit. It was us, holding ourselves to a cultural bar and honestly, in this day and time, we need way more of that.

7.     Having spent time in South Africa, what would you advice for music and cultural practitioners be on how to expand and develop the industry?

Stay true, target the community around you, be creative but stay authentic and the world will come to youuuuuu…

8.     Where do you see the future of Hip Hop headed?

Wherever we imagine! For me, it’s about buying the culture back (literally purchasing masters and IP back from larger corporations) and growing our community exponentially!!!!

9.     What does Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary mean to you?

It means we can no longer be doubted. That more doors are opening up. And as I prepare to turn 50 myself in September, this means soooo much as there are tons of emotions and inspiration connected to the work I’ve done for over 30+ years and what it all means to the future of the culture, the future of our children and the future of community’s unique position in the world!

Much love to Ant Marshall, Danny Castro and their team for creating such a great legacy for future generations to look up to and know it is possible.

Written by Lex LaFoy