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How It’s Going Down - Bellingham
Ah…Bellingham, the land of mountains, trees, Western and Hip Hop? Yeah, I guess there is Hip Hop in "The Ham." The mostly laid back and park-ridden college town has its share of Hip Hop heads and outlets for the music. This is the same town that hosted Tha Liks from Pacoima and the Black Eyed Peas from LA to some hardcore and faithful fans.
First off, when you get to the Ham, heads immediately mention the spots. The Royal holds it down for a little Hip Hop and R&B. When asked who the deejays are, the DJ at the Royal did want to reveal the names of his turntable architects, but was right when he said, "Hey this isn’t L.A., or Miami man – this is Bellingham!" True dat. It is Bellingham, in a real way, but the beat goes on.
A local superstar by the name of J-Tyme holds it down for the local Hip Hop scene, was instrumental in bringing out artists like Tha Liks, and kicked off the year with a back to school jam at Club Fiesta. Don’t sleep! J-Tyme is bringing it live every Friday night at 8pm on KUGS 89.3. Following his show is another Hip Hop show, and although these appear to be the only two urban music shows, they go against the grain and provide exposure to local and underrepresented artists. Do the damn thang! Word has it that this consortium is also one of the connections for those who flow and create beats.
Strolling through Bellingham’s Bellis Fair Mall, you might also (like I did) run into the cats from North Cackalacka and Arkansas puttin’ it down for No Joke Records. The homeboy Derrick says, "There isn’t a whole lot of action as far as Hip Hop, but No Joke is working on an CD from ITUG." ITUG is a collaboration of two groups, Individually Together and Under Ground, both bang bangin’ from the down dirty south. "What we puttin’ together is some new level shhhh...," says Derrick aka Remote. TP, another member of ITUG, was very enthusiastic about the project and says to look out for it later this year.
A recent Bellingham transplant, DJ Luvva J. (Olympia/LA) who recently moved to Bellingham after earning his Masters Degree from WSU in Pullman, is also working on the second volume of his critically acclaimed mix CD, Live From Merman Drive Vol. One, and working with Bringthenoise.com on the second longest running Hip Hop radio program in the Pacific Northwest – his "Ginzu Styles Show." Luvva J has recently rocked the spot at Down Town Johnny’s as well, and has ripped shows for Wojack, Mr. D.O.G. and Yukmouth - not to mention the off-the-hook Summer Jam Camp Party.
Oh yeah, don’t sleep on the town across the border. Vancouver is the place to be with spots like The Starfish and an international vibe - making a visit worth your while. Shots out to Maximus Clean, a respected member of the Hip Hop in Canada, and Dylan Harrington of Crazy Pinoy Promotions doin’ the doo up there in Vancouver. And big shots goin’ out to a real cool cat from "The O." What up to that playboy keepin’ hot at the cornerback position for the Western Vikings football team – #5 Anthony Daulton.
Maybe Bellingham isn’t the most interesting and exciting place to be, but how many places are to us high-expectation-havin’ peoples? It is good to see cats making an effort to do their thing in such an isolated area - and if you touchdown, don’t forget to check out the spots like The Factory, The Royal and Downtown Johnny’s. So yo – it may be goin’ stronger, than this report states, in the Northside 360 and if it is, just let Seaspot know. Peace in the Middle East and heads high.
~Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.
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