Lakewood's (Tacoma) Double Vision

Hip-Hop today is full of images glorifying violence, demeaning women, and advocating drug use.  The sad part is that most MC’s use these images just as a tool to sell records.  Double Vision is a crew out of Tacoma that brings a positive message in their music, showing that you don’t have to be a square to serve the Lord.  Now don’t get it twisted, ‘cuz Double Vision still brings the heat with the beats and the rhymes.  They just wanna shine their light in a way that can open people’s minds to the truth.  I recently caught up with MC/Producer Harbinger A.D. while working on his solo project at the AIS Studios.  Here’s what he had to say:

N.M.- So what does your name mean?

 A.D.- AD stands for Anno Domini which means “Year of the Lord”, as in 2003 AD.  Harbinger is one who proclaims the coming of Christ.

 N.M.- How long have you been holdin’ it down?

 A.D.- For about 18 years, from my days with Criminal Nation and the H.I.D.D.E.N., on up to Double Vision with my man Scarred Deep.

 N.M.- So what are your musical influences?

 A.D.- A lot of jazz and old school funk like Cameo and Parliament.  As far as Hip-Hop goes, I came up on groups like Public Enemy and X-Clan who had a strong and positive message.

 N.M.- Aight, so what are your plans for the game?

 A.D.-To get our message out and reach one person at a time.  Sure, we’d like to go platinum and all, but we are here to spread goodness.  Currently, we are looking for a booking agent.  We’ve already been contacted by EMI and my solo project should be finished by early March, so big things should be happening.

 N.M.- So how would you describe your style?

 A.D.- We’re wordsmiths.  We make Gospel Hip-Hop, but still keep it street with rugged industry-level music.  See, every MC is a pastor in their own right.  Words can speak death on someone, just look at Pac and B.I.G.  We put a positive spin on our music to try to let people know that even though it can be hard to turn the other cheek, it still can be done.

 N.M.- No doubt.  So what else are you into besides music?

 A.D.- Music is mainly what I do, but other than that I’m really into playing chess.

Nate@seaspot.com