A Day in the Life
By Craig "Andthem" Smith
On a typically chilly Wednesday in September, San Francisco's Justice League plays host to a small get together where Rasco (Keida Brewer), along with his friends and business associates, can quietly celebrate the release of his debut solo album- Time Waits For No Man on the influential Bay Area imprint Stones Throw Records.
While label head Chris Manak (Peanut Butter Wolf) sorts out the legitimacy of drink ticket requests, a large screen showcases Rasco's new video clip. The self-described "bald headed, non dreaded" baritone with a six-foot frame is seen walking down the busy streets of Los Angeles amidst large numbers of pedestrians. Attempting to stand out, he pokes his head out above the flock and recites his lines to "Heat Seeking." The camera focuses in on the determined 28-year-old-walking with the crowd, but doing his best to be seen above it.
After trying his hand at other elements of hip-hop like breakdancing and deejaying (He claims to still be able to rock a crowd on two turntables), a teenaged Rasco with an extraordinary memory began rapping. "I would listen to something once or twice and I would know the lyrics," he says.
The oft-called Solefather Rasco gained recognition several years down the line with the group Various Blends. His powerful delivery and lyricism impressed Stones Throw owner Peanut Butter Wolf, whom he'd met in the early 90's through a college roommate. An admirer of what he calls his "old school aesthetics and star qualities," he offered the emcee a solo deal for a 12" single in 1997. The resulting track was "The Unassisted." Backed up by a funky, pounding drum kick courtesy of producer Fanatik, Rasco hit listeners with lyrics like, "You think you large cause these people gave you fine print/But magazines ain't the thing nigga get it straight."
"The Unassisted" quickly became the biggest selling 12" in Stones Throw's history and a certified hip-hop classic, even by capricious standards of underground hip-hop fans. It also lit up radio airwaves and landed on several mix tapes and compilation albums from many of the world's top turntablists like DJs Babu, Q-Bert, Rhettmatic and Cam. "For what I was saying on my first record, it couldn't have been any better," says Rasco.
The unexpected success of "The Unassisted" soon spawned a full-length album deal. For Rasco, it was a lesson in supply and demand, "When that single came out, I didn't have any other material, so I spent the whole year writing and recording," remembers Rasco. Time Waits for No Man is the outstanding result. A collection of 18 songs, it features stellar tracks from prolific and innovative California producers (Peanut Butter Wolf, Fanatik, Kut Masta Kurt, DJ Design, Evidence), cuts from champion DJs (Vin Roc, Babu, D-Styles, Revolution), gifts of gab from some of the underground's most popular rap artists (Dialated Peoples, Defari), and many other hip-hop contributors.
Currently residing in San Mateo and contemplating a move to San Francisco, Rasco reflects on the occasional awkwardness his accomplishments have sparked with Stones Throw, "If I signed on with someone else and just left Stones Throw, I'd want Chris (Peanut Butter Wolf) to be taken care of as well," he explains. "It's a weird situation because I like where I am, but at the same time I'm realizing that if my career is to progress, either Stones Throw has to get a major distribution deal or I have to go to a major label maybe," he continues, eyebrows raised.
With many artists conveniently forgetting their beginnings after so much as a phone call from a major label (Stones Throw has had its share), Rasco also realizes the label's importance in his development, "It's been good. I can't really complain. For an independent, the money that's involved in it…they do a good job. I just would like to thank them for the opportunity." He adds, "When all that stuff comes along, we'll get into that."
And that stuff may be coming along soon. But in the meantime, Rasco has discovered that his hometown and persona can carry a negative connotation in hip-hop. Possessing a vocal combination of Chuck D and Ras Kass, the emcee describes his situation coming out of The Bay, "Canibus is bragging all over the board, but no one says anything about Canibus because he's from New York. But somebody come from here and talking that much shit, they like 'Uh, Rasco's one dimensional,'" he frustratedly explains.
In the rap world, his lack of the customary unusual persona-some may call it a gimmick- (See everyone from the Wu-Tang Clan to Invizibl Skratch Piklz) can also raise a question mark, "I'm wondering where I fit in the whole scheme of things in the Bay Area scene. It's not really a Hieroglyphics/Del type of sound. It's not really a Saafir/Hobo Junction type of sound, it's not an E-40."
Describing himself as a Virgo, Rasco breaks down his rhyming philosophy, "We're real neat people. We like everything in its place and its order and I try to keep my rhymes the same way."
These astrological characteristics have caused some critics to denounce the rapper as too one-dimensional by utilizing braggadocio and not much else. A criticism which Rasco says involves misunderstanding a basic premise of rap music-the boast, "People say I'm one dimensional, but they don't listen…I mean, who ain't one-dimensional? Who ain't bragging? That's what hip-hop is about." He goes on, citing examples from his album, "If you listen to "The Unassisted," it's not about emceeing, "The Unassisted" is about when I was in a group, the situation I went through with my group…"Hey Love" is about a girl, "Major League," I put baseball connotations into the rhyme. What do people want me to do…save the world?"
Still working a 9 to 5 at TRC Distribution (a unique position which allows him to directly push his own releases, among others, to retailers around the country), the release of his solo album followed by brisk sales hasn't drastically changed his life thus far. "I'm always afraid that somebody is going to suddenly go 'Let's go with A Day In The Life of Rasco. Where are you going to take us?'" he wonders. "I don't really go nowhere. If this wasn't going on tonight, I'd be at home right now."
Thankfully for his fans, Rasco is also at home on the microphone. An overpowering delivery and booming metaphors pervade his new album and live performances. Whenever on the bill or on wax, listeners witness a powerful emcee whose confidence grabs a tight hold of their senses. "I just try to give them me, so that you can see me for what I am," he reveals. Now that's something to brag about.
