Here's some coverage we got on KSLA on "Big Willie Style 3!" at NSU in 2003.
Here's us on KSLA for BWS Port City in 2008
Here's a news package Pops Fresh threw together for local TV stations.
Here's Batman and I on KTAL's show in the early mo'nin'
When most people hear the phrase, "Big Willie Style," they think of the Will Smith album. Well, no strike against Will Smith, but rollin' "Big Willie Style," is something Hip Hop heads have been doing since the golden age of Hip Hop, when talent and substance in the art form stood for something... and the universality of this culture has embraced every race and religion, becoming a world phenomenon. Hip Hop, like other things that become popular and financially lucrative, has, not surprisingly of late, been heavily commercialized, and the music that mainstream pop culture passes as Hip Hop on radio and TV today, I believe hurts the brilliant art that flourished in the 1980's and 90's. That being said, I believe, as a fan of quality Hip Hop for many years, that good Hip Hop music can be enjoyed and respectfully utilized to teach valuable lessons to a younger generation, and not just song after song about how big your rims and guns are and how many hoes are in the club. That kind of empty music certainly has its place in the club and serves that purpose well, but Hip Hop is a culture of infinite depth, and is so much more than just a tight hook, a way to sell products, or the next hottest ringtone. Going back to the valuable lessons, the "Willie" in OUR "Big Willie Style," is that of one of literature's most skilled playwrights, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. What? "Shakespeare's Boring!" "Man, that sh*t is dumb. I don't even know what that stuff means." A lot of these kinds of statements come from the dull approach to Shakespeare many young people were subjected to in high school. Well, with a fresh approach and an exciting new angle to reach those intimidated by the words of "Willie Shakes," The Bard of Stratford-On-Avon's work can open a whole new world that is inspiring, intellectually stimulating, and very entertaining. That's where the genius of Hip Hop comes in. Though you may not see it on the surface, Hip Hop and Shakespeare share many major qualities in their base characteristics. They are both universal: Shakespeare's plays though written in Elizabethan English, their themes can be adjusted to fit in almost any time in human history (the movie "O" or the Leonardo DiCaprio movie "Romeo & Juliet" are good examples of moving the stories to modern settings). Hip Hop shares that universal quality, as Hip Hop, like Shakespeare, is performed in almost every language on Earth. They both offer infinite depth: Over his 30+ plays that he wrote, Shakespeare explores every human emotion with passion and eloquence, much like the work of Hip Hop's most gifted lyricists like Rakim, KRS One, and many others. Busta Rhymes said it best in his album with Leaders Of The New School, "T.I.M.E.," when he said "Rap is business music. Hip Hop is cultural music." Ass-shaking pop rap isn't meant to get you thinking and I understand that, but intelligent Hip Hop lyrics can skillfully reflect the world around it, and, joined with tight music and an ill back beat, there's no stopping its appeal. I'm getting long-winded here, but what I'm getting at is the purpose of our show, "Big Willie Style." It's not a stripped down commercialization of Hip Hop. I respect Hip Hop 100% and want to use the art form to educate others about another literary art form, that, when approached in an exciting way, can be very entertaining, and, in the process, open a few minds along the way. We are not rapping Shakespeare. My motto is "100% Hip Hop. 100% Shakespeare." We treat both with equal care and respect. We fuse the two together to attract each other's followers and teach them about the other. Hip Hop heads: come see a great show with seven MC's bustin' tight lyrics over some of Hip Hop's greatest musical offerings, some top of the line Hip Hop dance and check out some ill graffiti on our stage, and in the process, learn that Shakespeare's not as wack as you thought. Shakespeare Scholars: Come see a showcase of the Bard's brilliant scenes and monologues, covering every genre, by a group of great young actors who know what they're talking about when they perform and, in the process, learn more about this wonderful culture called Hip Hop that you only see on TV portrayed as mindless and monotonous club music and self-absorbed materialism, which, at its core, is not the case at all with Hip Hop.
Big Willie Style: Port City...come learn somethin'. -----James Palmer, writer and co-director
Still comin' down from the rush. The show is fab. Seein' all of you still chasing the dream brings a measure of satisfaction to this sometimes ambiguous existence. Peace,Love,Art
I'll be up there sometime in the next couple of weeks to see the show. Gotta see which day fits best into my schedule. Glad you're doing well. Can't wait to see you guys!
Blisam! man it looks like you got a great cast for this. SHIT i wish i could be there. I'm so proud of you james and everybody. y'all got a gang of shows. SEND'N LOVE FROM CALIFORN I A!!!!!!!!!
What up homie! Man i wish i could be there. I hope all y'all gettin your swerrve on and kick it old skool style. Best wishes. FACE THE FANTASTIK VERBAL ASSASIN!
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