ASH:
ASH has been down with hip-hop music and culture since the mid-1990’s. He quickly found that he not only appreciated and enjoyed rap, but had a unique skill for writing and delivering rhymes himself. College days in California in the early 2000s brought ASH greater exposure to underground rap, and built his understanding of hip-hop’s culture. Development of his talent and perspective during this period included continued notoriety and recognition garnered through festival appearances, regular Club shows, college and underground radio selections, and the privilege to meet and work with various pioneers in hip-hop… Now this firmly solidified ASH’s direction in hip-hop.
Everyday exposure to hip-hop as a culture (beyond the mere music) in the streets of its birthplace provided ASH with indomitable respect for its origins and history. Meeting his Cousin Showtime while living in the City forever ingrained ASH’ already strong devotion as a true-school hip-hop purist. Showtime Shared the Same Passion for Music as Ash did. “It was crazy when me and showtime clicked up, we had this chemistry, we were feeding of each other, we shared the same goal and vision for music” said Ash…
In 2005 / 2006 Ash dropped a couple Of mixtapes under the umbrella Hylite Records which Showtime established in 2005, as an outlet for his projects. Growth as an MC and a Man of God, and the huztle from rhyming to gain popularity and props to MC’ing for the purpose of glorifying the truth and providing an alternative to morally bankrupt commercial hip-hop. It’s an attempt to be open to God’s purposes in drawing others to Himself, sharing the ways in which He has forever changed and bettered his life, while still bringin’ the rugged styles that lend street credibility and reflect pure, raw hip-hop. You will surely enjoy the result on many levels.
SHOWTIME:
“I’m not conceited. I’m cocky and confident that my music will speak for itself” says 23-year-old rapper and producer, Showtime. Being an Indian-American born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, nobody expected Showtime to be a rap artist. Surrounded by a vast blend of music since childhood, Showtime started out with a passion for R&B before being introduced to hip-hop. He soon became immersed in the sounds of NWA, Tupac, Run DMC, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, and the Notorious B.I.G. Perhaps this fusion is the reason for his versatile and lyrically engaging style.
”I started off in the 7th grade writing poetry, that was my first passion”. That soon changed when Showtime purchased an instrumental CD and became fascinated with creating his own versions to hit songs. Surrounded by people who shared a passion for hip-hop, Showtime was introduced to MC battles. He began battling and freestyling in high school and was heard by a local DJ who asked him to record material for a mixtape. Showtime went on to record some freestyles and even had his original songs featured. “I was surprised that I went from just entertaining my friends with rap, to having it showcased to a larger crowd. I got a lot of love and a few people in the industry even showed interest”.
Maybe this could have led to something; however, Showtime had to work and attend school to support his mom and brother. When he finally graduated college, he was confident that his skills as a rapper and businessman were reaching a new plateau; he was determined to push his rapping further. Having no access to a producer, he created his own recording studio and began crafting his own beats. This led to a collection of songs he could perform wherever he could get a gig. “By the time I was 21, I had met a lot of people in the industry but I wanted to get back on the mixtapes. I believed that was where unknown artists could be heard.” Competing in battles, talent showcases and doing odd jobs, he put together the revenue for a better studio and his first album.
Showtime’s achievements did not go unnoticed, leading to features on Dubcnn.com, HoodStarMag.com, and local magazines. Continuing to put out music for the underground circuit, he gained respectable online airplay on internet rap stations. He was also gaining recognition for his production talent as Bay Area artists Selau, Big Rich, and 18 were collaborating on Showtime’s beats. All this was achieved while having no major song out to the general public. However, in the industry Showtime was being talked about and considered a talent for the future.
The future is upon us now and joining up with DPG Next Generation artist and close affiliate B. Montana, Showtime has made an outlet for his music; establishing Hylite Records. At this point in time, Showtime has an instant street single entitled (“Wett”) produced by Scandalous, which will definitely draw recognition as a catchy hit. With only a few mixtapes and a group album notched in his repertoire, the most notable of his projects “The Hylite Reel” which sold over 1500 units, it’s time for Showtime to demonstrate his talent and tell his story to the world. It’s Showtime!
