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The notion of “traditional hip hop” has changed forever. Whether you’re talking about genre bending projects from superstars like Kanye and Lil Wayne or new artists like Kid Cudi hip-hop has reached a tipping point and it’s followers are expanding their horizons. Chiddy Bang is a Philly based duo comprised of Chiddy (emcee) and Xaphoon Jones (DJ/producer) who combine elements of indie and electronica with some good al fashioned “spitting”. The result has been described by some bloggers as a “hipsters wet dream”, but Chiddy Bang prefers to think of themselves as “kings of the basement party jam”.| |While Chiddy grew up in the dangerous streets of Newark, NJ, that’s where the stereotypical rapper story ends. Raised by hard working parents who left the villages of Nigeria in pursuit of the American Dream he saw first hand the value of hard work. Early on, Proto used his way with words to create opportunities for himself. In the classroom he excelled and earned a scholarship to the prestigious Northfield Mt. Herman High School whose alumni run the gamut from Diplomats to the founder of Burger King to the CEO of Citibank. After high school his family relocated to the Philly area Proto eventually enrolled in Drexel University where he met producer Xaphoon Jones.| |Xaphoon’s production style stems from his wide array of musical tastes and a true respect for the art form of sampling. As a kid he spend his time running errands in legendary Philly studios, picking up tips from the local Jazz legends and sneaking sessions after hours. He became proficient at several instruments but, to quote Chiddy, “really made magic over Logic and Reason”| |Sometimes using samples from artists like MGMT, Passion Pit and even Mary Poppins for inspiration, Chiddy Bang completely alters the tracks turning them into something of their own. While Chiddy’s lyrics touch upon some heavy subjects like politics or conflict in Nigeria (“Sooner Or Later”), they find balance in feel good jams like the playful “Fresh Like Us” or the triumphant MGMT copping “Kids”.| |As the confinements of urban music become looser and looser Chiddy Bang are out to prove Hip Hop aint dead…it just ain’t the same. And maybe that’s a good thing. |
