Hip-hop music itself is still somewhat of a baby among other popular musical genres, so the name of the 4-year-old "Baby Steps" hip-hop show is fitting. But it also proves that enough baby steps can get you pretty far.
Baby Steps began in February 1999 in Buffalo and every Thursday since then, Broadway Joe's has held the popular event that boasts the No. 1 hip-hop night in Buffalo. Last Thursday, Baby Steps celebrated its fourth anniversary party, featuring veteran scene DJs LoPro and Tommee and emcees like the Buffalo-born Ajent-O.
Coordinator and founder Josh Brown, a senior English major, more commonly known as Emcee Sick at Broadway Joe's, said, "We are using this four-year anniversary as momentum to take on larger endeavors in order to validate, diversify and enrich hip hop's contributions to urban arts and culture."
Brown explains the name Baby Steps was chosen in hopes to shake off the stigma of braggadocio - the over-confidence that hip-hop seems to invoke in the public's mind.
Since its birth in 1999, "The Baby" has fostered a consistent and quality hip-hop scene in Buffalo, and now operates with monthly events in New York City, San Francisco and Boston as well.
"Baby Steps has earned the reputation for throwing unique and very inventive events which possess the intangible vibe which could only be termed as 'freshness,' carrying on the tradition of hip-hop when it was in its earlier stages; youthful and less sensationalized for mass consumption," said Brown.
For people who love true hip-hop and appreciate the music for its original roots, Baby Steps is the place they can find relief.
Baby Steps co-host "The Ketchup Samurai" (Angel Q. Acevedo), who has been with the organization for almost two years, has always been into hip-hop and its culture.
"I grew up with a positive outlook on hip-hop," Acevedo said. "What people see of hip-hop today is damaging and commercialized, all it does is add negative stereotypes to urban music."
Thus, hip-hop is a word that to most people sparks thoughts of Ja Rule and Jay-Z rolling in their whips, chanting, "money ain't a thang." But for Baby Steps veterans, true hip-hop is not about commercialized music; it is a culture celebrated through words, rhythm and movement.
Yet nowadays, anyone can watch a rap video and see money thrown around like candy at half-naked women driving around in million dollar cars. Acevedo said this is why people are confusing that version of hip-hop with true hip-hop.
"If these guys did the stuff they said they all did, they wouldn't be rappers, they would be in jail. They are more actors than artists," said Acevedo.
For the people involved, Baby Steps is like a full-time job, with a reward that is far greater than money. They have established one of the only places to get pure hip-hop, the essence of breaking and emceeing, that you can't get anywhere else.
"Bars usually consist of a bunch of people standing around bopping their heads. This is a show with a purpose and everyone has a great time," said Acevedo.
In other words, it's a show that brings so much more than a music video ever could. The show understands that to fully appreciate hip-hop, participants must immerse themselves in its culture.
Baby Steps have their share of both regular performers like DJ LoPro, DJ Kreme, DJ Rich and Emcee Sick, as well as featured performers like Ajent-O, DJ Tommee, and 3rd Son, who many "steppers" consider to be Buffalo's finest emcee.
"Because Baby Steps has been around for four years now, we have seen a lot of faces and have a solid fan base, so this show is more like a reunion than anything else because everyone is such good friends all coming together in the name of true hip-hop," said Brown.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
