Artist Of The Week – Stik Figa

The trip from Stik Figa’s hometown of Topeka, Kansas, to Kansas City, Missouri, only takes about an hour, but the city most known for great barbeque, George Brett and fantastic running backs, hasn’t proven to be the hotbed for Hip-Hop that other major cities have been. Tech N9ne is basically the only MC people know from the area and even he isn’t considered mainstream by any stretch of the imagination. There’s good news for the city’s Hip-Hop scene, though, Stik Figa is looking to join Tech N9ne in the quest to show people KC has something to offer musically. Stik Figa first became interested in Hip-Hop as a child listening to Run-DMC and LL Cool J, but didn’t want to participate until he heard The Fugees. A huge fan of Wyclef, Stik Figa was inspired by the way he played a number of instruments and flowed slightly off-beat at times. Recently Stik Figa released a mix CD titled The Skinny, and the EP Looking Good, showcasing his own talents and he’s preparing to release an official album in 2008. This week I’m sitting down with him to discuss his work, what other genre of music he would compare the current state of Hip-Hop to, and what kind of a Hip-Hop scene may be hiding in Kansas City.

Adam Bernard: Kansas City isn't exactly Hip-Hop’s epicenter. So two part question; one, is there a scene in Kansas City that we're all just unaware of, and two, what's it like coming up as an emcee in a city that's not known for Hip-Hop?
Stik Figa: There is definitely a scene that some Kansas City-ians aren’t even aware of. There is a bevy of talent performing and grinding hard just like myself and I think we'll be heard sooner than later. It’s definitely a struggle, sometimes show attendance is sparse, but with resources like the internet it’s becoming a little easier to get the word out. Granted people still stereotype and generalize, you can’t imagine how many times people say "they’re black people in Kansas?" It’s hard, but I love the music too much, so I'm up to the challenge.

Adam Bernard: You mentioned there are shows going on in KC. So bars and clubs open to having Hip-Hop at them?
Stik Figa: As of late some touring acts have found there way to the area. I personally have opened for MURS and Blackalicious, so those opportunities are there. Other than that we make our own opportunities at bars and small venues in the region. Some venues are very adamant about not having Hip-Hop, but they’re warming up to it.

Adam Bernard: One very good aspect of being from a scene nobody knows about is that there will be no preconceived notions regarding what you'll sound like. With that in mind, and knowing that nobody knows what the "Kansas City Sound" is, how would you describe your music?
Stik Figa: I try to let listeners to decide that. I just try to make the best Hip-Hop music with the most integrity and hope that it reaches someone.

Adam Bernard: With everyone seemingly having a rap album out, how do you plan on separating yourself from the crowd?
Stik Figa: To a fault I am probably the most personable, down to earth, MC west of the Mississippi. I think we’re also currently in an era of ringtone rap, or pop-rap. If we were to relate it to rock music I would say we’re in the hair metal phase. My music is meat and potatoes with a focus on skills and honesty, something sorely missing from today’s current market.

Adam Bernard: Finally, why'd you go with the name Stik Figa? Any special meaning?
Stik Figa: The name Stik Figa actually came from my mother, she saw me walking around the house with no shirt on and said I looked like a stick figure. When I went through a bunch of names I thought that one looked the best on paper. Ha ha.

For more Stik Figa check out myspace.com/stikfiga & innatesounds.com.