Austin, Texas is a small college town known as the Live Music Capital of the World because of its strong blues- and rock-driven concert scene. Also one of the worlds best tour markets for established acts, Austin is not known for urban music. Yet damn near everybody in town has something good to say about four-man rap super group Basswood Lane.
When people talk about Texas rap, its a given youll hear about media darling Paul Wall. And everybody knows about Mike Jones. But who is Basswood Lane?
What? the best rap group in Austin. Were a family, said group founder Jamie Lee. Basswood Lane is a family in the literal sense because it was built around Jamie and his younger brother Tony Wayne. You could also consider them family because the Lane which also includes Razi (pron. rah-ZEE) and Ice B is that tight of a unit when you see them in the street.
Basswood Lane is a Southern street-hop act named after the street where Jamie and Tonys grandmother lived until five years ago. She passed away shortly after the four members all met freestyling at parties in early 2002 and began recording on Jamies equipment. By the summer, all four of them were living in Grandma Ruths old room, where they made 25 songs in a matter of weeks.
For the past few years, theyve been recording flows and songs at that same hectic pace. Whether its Jamies tireless work on hooks or the Lanes underground flows and original tracks, they clock five or six days of studio time a week.
We do songs for any and everybody people raised from hard times, people from the drug life, party music said Razi, who moved to Austin from his hometown of Bryan, Texas in 1999.
Razi met Ice B in 2000 playing basketball at the YMCA, and Ice moved in with him the same day. Back then their life consisted of hoopin, freestyling with friends and crime. Trouble met them at their front door when the apartment got raided, and to make a long story short they ended up on Basswood Lane.
Basswood Lane means family, said Razi, because their mama took me in, and she didnt have to do that.
It seems like everybodys a rapper now, and hundreds of Austin acts have caught the bug. But there are still no breakout stars. The bars and clubs mainly play Top 40 rap, and local usually means Houston. On commercial radio, youll hear Austin rap instrumentals being talked over much more than youll hear actual songs. So word on the street is the town dont support us.
Judging by major acts and major label reps responses, Basswood Lane could change that Austin stigma soon. Not only are they compatible with the Southern and Midwestern sounds dominating mainstream television and radio they do it better. With songs and flows that cater to clubs, cars and radio, Basswood Lane has a near-unlimited range of talent to offer the rap game.
Its about letting your feelings out, releasing your stress. It could make you smile or cry, instead of punching somebody in the face or robbing somebody, said Tony Wayne. Its like a movie production, our artwork.
Their first underground CD, Cap City Vol. 1, numerous DJ Rapid Ric and DJ Grip mixes, and countless live shows in the last couple of years have earned a strong response, an ever-growing fan base and respect. Now its time for the Lane to break out from Texas capital city.
If something happens in Austin, it normally stays in Austin, said Tony Wayne. They keep it under wraps because its the heart of Texas. In this city, there are a lot of secrets.
Basswood Lane doesnt plan to be a secret much longer, so keep your eyes and ears open. Here comes the Lane!
--Dubya Smith
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