Its roots sprung from South Bronx, New York in the late 1970s. Artists such as Grandmaster Flash, the Sugarhill Gang, and Afrika Bambaata soon carried out the new culture known as hip-hop, originally modeled after African tradition, not just music. The music, known as rap, has spread its South Bronx roots all the way to MHS.
Five students trying to make it big list rapping as one of their top priorities.
Ross Frankenfield, senior, said at first he didn’t take rapping seriously, until his music gathered interest from friends. Frankenfield uses the name “Saucy Rossy” for his raps.
“I started about two years ago just as a joke,” Frankenfield said. “Then people told me my raps were pretty good.”
Frankenfield released his first album digitally last year on his MySpace. It was free to listen to. “Hands Down,” was the number one played song on Frankenfield’s MySpace. He said he tries to record about once every two months, each time putting forth more effort.
Alec McVehil, junior, said he is an avid listener of Frankenfield’s music. McVehil enjoys how well Frankenfield uses his lyrics with the beat.
“[Ross] does a great job with his lyrics,” McVehil said. “They’re catchy and well thought out.”
While Frankenfield has been known for about two years, he is not the only experienced rapper at MHS. Josh Crutchfield, junior, has been rapping since his freshman year, but hasn’t recorded albums for sale just yet. “J-Crutch” lists Eminem and Mac Miller as his influences for entering the rap game.
“Early on, I knew I wanted to rap,” Crutchfield said. “There were so many rappers doing great things that I wanted to be a part of.”
Crutchfield is currently in a rap group called CMP, or Chad Michael Productions, named after the original manager, Chad Prsha, junior. Crutchfield said the group’s best song yet is “Lemonade Party,” based off of rapper Gucci Mane’s “Lemonade.”
Joel Schoenecker, junior, is also a member of CMP. Schoenecker said rap is right for him because it ties emotions to a catchy beat and fast lyrics, something other genres can’t offer.
“I knew I wanted to rap after listening to rappers like Eminem growing up,” Schoenecker said.
While in the recording studio, Schoenecker said he wants to accomplish what most other aspiring rappers cannot-sell albums and have the whole community recognize his group.
“I think we’ll eventually be good enough to gain a lot of publicity,” Schoenecker said.
Justin Cook, senior, is not currently in a group. Hesaid his main goal isn’t to be famous.
“Rapping is a great way to express yourself,” Cook said. “That’s what people don’t realize.”
Cook said he likes to express himself through free styling rather than recording. Free styling is rapping, except the lyrics aren’t planned out, and sometimes background music is not present. Cook said this requires a lot of talent.
And for the people who don’t think talent and rapping go together?
“You have to be so talented to rap,” Cook said. “It’s harder than any other type of music.”
Macauley Monahan, senior, also known as “Kid Cully,” often raps with Cook, and said there is a lot of rap potential at MHS, but students look past it.
“There are some good rappers here,” Monahan said. “People need to start recognizing.”