Help Hip Hop Grow

Hip hop is starting to make a big splash in Fargo, whether it is showing its influence in new different styles of music, or all the great local hip hop groups in town. Well, on May 7th it’s only going to get a little bigger with Kansas City rapper Mac Lethal coming to town.
He’s a rapper on Rhymesayers, one of the most influential indie labels. Other big artists on the label include: Atmosphere, MF Doom and Sage Francis. Mac Lethal only has only made two full LPs and already has managed to garner a lot of national press.

Before ever recording a record Mac Lethal made his name as a freestyle battler. He was winner of Scribble Jam in 2002., which is pretty much the biggest freestyle competition in the country. His rhymes are loaded with sharp wit and humor, the occasional serious song. Whether funny or serious, both styles show his high intelligence and great use of language.

His lyrical brand of hip hop fits in nicely with the rest of the Rhymsayers crew. Lethal has toured extensively with label mates Atmosphere and Sage Francis.

I recently asked Mac Lethal what was it like doing shows in smaller Midwest cities such as Fargo as opposed to rapping in larger cities. He responded “I love playing smaller cities. It’s good to come out to a place where they don’t get kind of what other people are over exposed to you know. It’s good to provide them with something that they don’t get—its better for everybody. It’s better us, it’s better for them.”

“It’s a fun time. I like playing the big cities.” He meant small, not big. “The small town love is just great. It’s more of an intimate crowd in front of the stage pushing, and they know most your lyrics. It’s fun. As opposed to ‘I don’t know if I’m going to go to a hip hop show. I just saw the far side last weekend, why go see Mac lethal?’ Smaller venues are better. You get to meet the people more. It’s more fun when you don’t just get buried in a sea of people”

The Aquarium should suit his needs nicely. Lethal has performed in Fargo before and is already a big fan of Fargo’s own Me and You Crew. If you’re a fan of smart lyrical hip hop you cannot afford to miss this show. So mark your calendars may 7th and be at the aquarium above Dempsey’s. Not 21 yet? No problem, there is an 18 and up show at 6:30 p.m. The 21 and up show starts at 10:30 p.m. So you have two chances to catch it. An insanely fun MC Grieves will be opening up for Mac Lethal. So come out and help Hip Hop grow in Fargo.

If You Go

WHAT: Mac Lethal
WHERE: The Aquarium
WHEN: Wed., May 7, 6:30 & 10:30pm
INFO: (701) 235-5913