Bas One-"For the mentally astute" LP

KLASSIC MATERIAL:
SPOTLIGHT ON BAS-1
by Arthur Jefferson

Talking to Oakland emcee Bas-1 is like talking to a historian of Hip Hop. He is a reflection of the culture in its entirety. From graffiti to breaking, emceeing to DJing, Bas-1 is a manifestation of Hip-Hop from the roots. More than anything, the dreaded lyricist is a breath of fresh air to many people who remember Hip-Hop music at a time when it was about creative styles and lyrics and hypnotic beats. With his latest album titled For The Mentally Astute "A Theory Of A Throw-Up" out on Heratik Records, Bas-1 is a true shining light in this era of monotony.

Bas-1 has a history of involvement in Hip-Hop as rich as the culture itself. Growing up in Oakland, California, Bas-1 has been a fan of Hip-Hop music since its early beginnings. Breaking since late '81 to early '82, he developed skills as a popper and locker in the Bay. Around 1985 Bas-1 began to rhyme and shortly to follow would be his ability to master incredible skills as an emcee and reputation to verbally slaughter rappers with his highly creative lyrical content. Bas-1 gained top respect as a battle mc. Although he has been tagging in the Oakland scene since junior high school, it would be later that Bas-1 really went in depth with the art of graffiti and began to deal with highly respectable writers such as Crayone as well as crews such as TMF. Scratching also became an interest to Bas-1. He learned to scratch, and to this day he still holds a firm ground.

No stranger to paying his dues in the Hip-Hop game, Bas-1 has been putting in hard work over the years. He joined the Style Elements crew around early 1997 and has also had the chance to tour the world with dancers from the world famous and legendary Rock Steady Crew. Bas-1 worked with producer Dion Evans (of 2-Pac fame) in 1989-1990. He has been featured on numerous mix tapes by famous deejays such as DJ Q-Bert and more. Not only serving as an MC, Bas-1 has also put in work producing. "I produced a guy named Shing02. He's from Japan, signed on a Japanese label. He did a song with EL-P from Company Flow", says the multi-talented lyricist. The vocals of Bas-1 have also been on various breakbeats by DJ Swamp as well as a list of other incredible DJs. This is a pretty impressive resumé.

The state of Hip-Hop today is a far cry from the glorious days of the past. Bas-1 is a witness to the turns that the music has taken. "I truly think that independent rock sounds more close to the original sound of the 80's," says Bas-1. "As far as jungle, trip-hop and trance, that all stemmed from where we were with Mantronix. If it weren't for Mantronix, you wouldn't have any of that. That's what the Bay Area is. The Bay Area is reflective. We're a mirror image of those who used to listen to what our sound was." Maybe that is the reason Bas-1 took the time to perfect his album as well as his art. Before hip-hop artists were making millions of dollars, they were basking in the richness of its culture. "If you really know Hip-Hop, I don't care if you dress in a three piece suit or if you're butt naked, you're Hip-Hop. You know it. Then there are those who think they are Hip-Hop because they rock saggy, baggy pants and a back pack and they think they are Hip-Hop," says Bas-1. If there is one thing that is certain, no matter the state, Bas-1 is determined to keep the true elements of Hip-Hop culture alive.

For the Mentally Astute "A Theory Of A Throw-up" is a masterpiece for those who appreciate Hip-Hop music in its purest form. Produced by Fanatik (Planet Asia, Kubiq and more), the album's musical content compliments Bas-1's vocals perfectly. One highly notable aspect of "A Theroy of A Throw-up" is the arrangements of the songs. The moods of each song blend really well to the next. There are guest DJ's that scratch on the album such as DJ D-Styles, DJ Spair, DJ Quest and many more. Bas-1 demonstrates why he is one of the most versatile lyricists out of the Bay by flipping rhyme style after style. This is music for the writers, dancers, emcees and DJs. This is Hip-Hop. "I happen to do rap music and I just happened to have lived where I lived, when I lived it and how I lived it, which made me part of this culture in the manner that I am in."

 
email Arthur Jefferson at: artsvibe@yahoo.com