Removing The Blindfold

Connecticut’s hip-hop scene is filled with a bevy of talented artists, but being situated right in-between the mecca of hip-hop, New York City, and another large scene in Boston, hasn’t been helpful to the state’s emcees as they struggle to be heard hailing from the strip of I-95 between the two cities. Exposure is one of the keys to success, and our local talent is looking for just that. This is where local hip-hop showcases, such as the one that will take place at Toad’s Place on Wednesday, January 27th, come in.

“When you go to these showcases,” explains Broadway Dolla, who is one of the artists performing on the 27th, “you find different styles. It’s all hip-hop, but it’s different types of hip-hop.” That variety is one of the reasons he keeps coming back to perform.

Another reason Broadway Dolla continues to make return appearances is that he feels attending and performing at local hip-hop showcases has provided him with a huge leg up in the game. “I see a lot of hip-hop artists that I’ve never heard before, but in their own town they’re popular. That kind of puts my mind on another level like OK, you know what, I’m not the only one here, there are a lot of other hip-hop artists. It kind of connects us in a way.”

The complete lineup for the 27th includes Broadway Dolla, Box, DapDon, Live Lyricist Society, Toney-B and Wolf and the Wolf Pak. Docta Jones of Live Lyricist Society agrees with Broadway Dolla’s assessment of the scene, saying “people need to get together for common goals more often.” His partner in rhyme, White Cheddar, seconds this, adding “that’s how a movement starts.”

While that movement is starting, Toney-B notes that there are plenty of opportunities to be had along the way. He performed at a Toad’s showcase in October and it ended up netting him a feature in documentary. “Some people from New York were doing a documentary,” he remembers, “they saw my performance and actually threw me on their documentary right after the show. They liked my music and wanted a little freestyle from me.” With those kind of opportunities potentially at every show, Toney-B notes that even if an artist’s set is only 15 minutes, they need to bring it. “It’s not about how long you were on the stage, it’s about what you did with your time.”

Box is confident he’s going to give fans a performance they won’t soon forget, saying “I live for the stage. That’s my thing. I can create a lot of good songs, but I can make em come to life on stage. I really get into it.” For the 27th, which happens to be his birthday, Box plans on making a special guest a part of his show - his five year old son.

DapDon, who is known for his live performances, which oftentimes include dance crews as he has a close relationship with a female dance team called The FEDS and a longtime friendship with local dancers/dance instructors Double Up Dance Group, shares Box’s love of the live show. “I definitely plan on bringing someone on stage. It might not be the dancers. Maybe it’ll be another local artist who I have respect for. You never know.”

After all is said and done, success, according to DapDon, can be measured in a very simple way. “I want somebody to take something away and at the end of the day remember that act,” he says, “that’s the best feeling, when you leave the stage and people say ‘that was hot.’”

Story originally ran in the FairfieldWeekly.