Ian Hill / 209Vibe editorPosted on pril 2
You know, that crunk-like hip-hop subculture that started in the Bay Area, stirred controversy in Stockton and Modesto and appeared ready to take over the country in 2006 and 2007 only to fizzle out?
Da Scrayper Boyz certainly remember. The Stockton rap act created a buzz with its catchy hyphy single "Go Dumtastic," a yellow bus trip to Texas and a show in Las Vegas. As hyphy peaked, Da Scrayper Boyz were working on their first full-length album.
"I really sat down with these guys and said, 'We need to make more timeless music. Hyphy's turning into a fad, and fads come and go,' " said Czar, born Ansar Muhammad, the group's manager and founding member.
The result is Da Scrayper Boyz' debut CD, "4 Tha Hard Way," which dropped this week. The album demonstrates how the group has transitioned from a niche subculture into a more mainstream act.
Tracks like "Sexy" and "Take It to the Flo'" take hyphy's main trait — the simple beats meant to make a crowd go dumb with delight — and gives it a smoother, Ying Yang Twins-esque glass that makes it friendly for today's clubs.
"God's Song," meanwhile, features a soul sample that sounds straight from a Kanye West production, and "Pea Coat On" has an R&B influence that might as well feature Akon. As the beats roll, Da Scrayper Boyz come with a rolling, thudding verbal flow that gets your head bobbin'.
And they haven't abandoned hyphy. "4 Tha Hard Way" features "Yellow Bus" and a remix of "Go Dumtastic." You can also easily spot the group driving around the area in their scraypers, the preferred car of the hyphy movement.
Scraypers are old rusty cars, preferably Buicks, that have been restored into colorful street machines. Some of Da Scrayper Boyz' scraypers are decorated with Pepsi and Sprite logos and colors.
"Where we come from (hyphy) is just a way of living," said group member Clint "Prince" Verge, 24. Czar added "it's bigger than the cars, it's bigger than the clothes, it's bigger than the look. The music's what it's all about."
Da Scrapyer Boyz also include twins Jeremy "JWill" and DeMonte "Young Tay" Wilson, 24. Czar formed Da Scrayper Boyz about two years ago after meeting Jeremy Wilson at work.
Now the group members are hoping "4 Tha Hard Way" will help them cultivate their individual talents and lead to future success.
"We're back. We're going to hit them hard," Prince said