By Nigel Jamal
Kapital Magazine thrives on connecting fans of Hip Hop with the artists making Hip Hop music. In my travels in Baltimore promoting the magazine I linked up with M.I.C. Ruckazz of S.W.O. This brother makes things happen. His newly released video for the “Hierarchy Cypher” features 5 Baltimore Emcees with bars that you won’t believe. I almost guarantee you’ll watch the video more than once.
After you check out this interview, take a look at the video for yourself.
What’s your goal with these cypher videos you’re releasing?
Mic Ruckazz: My goal with the cyphers is to help unknown artists with talent to get recognized on a platform that challenges them lyrically amongst other artists in their area.
How do you choose which artists will be involved in the project?
Mic Ruckazz: It’s funny because most of the artists I choose for the cyphers I stumble upon in the streets or on IG and Facebook.
How would you describe the Baltimore Hip Hop Scene?
Bryan Lyrics: The Baltimore scene has a lot of artists with a similar vibe but if you look in the other direction, there are also gangs of ladies and gentlemen that are on a different wave… on a different planet. Those are the superstars.
Rodd Isreal: I describe it as resilient, because of the things that we’ve been doing and how we put it into our music. I also think that it’s oversaturated with people trying to copy mainstream artists.
What do you think it takes for people around the country to take note of how dope Baltimore emcees are?
Diddle (WoppBoyz): It’s gonna take an artist or group with that one standout record to go world wide for the country to take notice.
Cosa Rona: It’s gonna take us getting together, networking, and pushing each other. We really need to start taking our music out of town to bring it to ‘em.
What do you think makes one artist stand out from other artists?
Jay Gotti: Every artist has their motivation but it’s all in how you do things.
Bryan Lyrics: Personality, style, swag, and uniqueness. Anything that makes you look different makes you stand out from the crowd.
Do you feel as though Baltimore is a part of the DMV?
Rodd Isreal: Yes and no. I feel like we have created our own light within the city and separated ourselves from our neighbors in different counties.
Cosa Rona: We don’t really consider Baltimore as a part of the DMV. To us, we are a whole nother world out here. No shade thrown at those who rep the DMV. Salute to y’all.
How would you describe the response you’re getting from the “Hierarchy Cypher” video?
Jay Gotti: Positive …always. It’s good to be a part of it.
Rodd Isreal: I feel like I’m getting a great response. People love the originality, the energy, the flow, and that feeling they once got from earlier stages in hip hop.
Will there be live performances scheduled to promote this video? If so, when? Where?
Bryan Lyrics: I’m definitely ready to perform this live. With the world opening up and masks starting to come off, I’m hoping we can rock out to this really soon.
Cosa Rona: I hope so. That would be cool. I would love to perform live anywhere anytime.