| Karma
It takes a lifetime for some of us to figure out what
we want to be when we grow up, and where we belong.
The emcee known as Konstant has found a place in this
world, in a culture we call Hip Hop. At age 10, RUN
DMC, Doug E. Fresh and music he heard on Power 99 FM
influenced Konstant, . In middle school he met Jay Gross,
and formed a group called the Def Crew Boys. Konstant
tells me his early fascination with the stage, "I
remember entering a talent show lip synching to Walk
This Way." Not only was music Konstant's enjoyment,
but it literally kept him in school. When he would act
up and get in trouble, he'd make up songs about that
subject for extra credit. Too bad that theory doesn't
work now that he's a grown man. After 8th grade,
Konstant moved with his father to Colorado. Colorado
isn't known for the jumpin clubs or bangin DJ's, but
it provided Konstant with room to expand on his talent.
Konstant describes why he successfully blew up in Colorado,
"They were into Midwest gangsta rap. There wasn't
anyone bringing the East Coast style." While rhyming
was his livelihood, Konstant realized his education
was also a priority. He graduated from high school in
1992 and transitioned to Metro State College to study
child psychology. During this time, he became part of
a crew called Xperimentals. Although they did things
on the underground Denver scene, Konstant wanted to
make a name for himself.
His launching pad was a DJ that snuck him into a club.
This particular club didn't allow live emcees. I should
rephrase that; they never tried to have a live emcee
accompany the DJ. "I hid in the booth and freestyled
over the beat. People didn't know what to think."
The owner of the club took notice to the love and attention
Konstant generated, and made him a regular. Little did
Konstant know, word of his lyrical skill spread across
Denver like a wildfire. He became a trendsetter in live
local Hip Hop. Various clubs started a bidding war over
him, which increased popularity even more. It all came
down to money, as many things do in life. Konstant decided
the
money and local fame was good enough to quit college.
His notoriety gave him a chance to open for Jay-Z,
Ghostface Killah, Kid Capri and our hometown boys, The
Roots, when they were all passing through the Midwest.
Konstant indulged a little too much and trouble caught
up with him. In 1997 he left Colorado and moved back
to Allentown. Going back to Allentown was a reality
check. No one knew or cared about the level Konstant
achieved in the middle of the country. They say starting
over is a second chance to do things right, to take
mistakes and turn them into lessons. He found out that
everything you do, good and bad comes back to you.
Learning Process
Conquering the underground scene was a goal Konstant
had set out to accomplish when he returned. He didn't
waste any time. Immediately, he started calling various
studios & production companies. He passed on an
advanced deal, but there was another opportunity on
the horizon. A record label (which shall remain nameless)
offered Konstant a deal. Without consulting a lawyer,
Konstant jumped the gun and signed every page of the
contract. "That was a huge mistake. I was promised
the world and got nothing!" He had a little buzz
on radio shows and in different department stores, but
nothing that furthered his career. Konstant admits he
wasted three years waiting and waiting. In 2000, he
was blessed enough to get out of that contract and vowed
to never make that quick of a decision again. "When
I left that company, I decided to do it all myself,
from the studio to promotions, everything!" I've
learned if you want something done right, you usually
have to do it yourself.
Konstant's efforts paid off this year, when his album
The Foundation was released in August 2002. At the time
of this interview, he was sold out! Being frustrated
with the current state of the business aspect of Hip
Hop has caused him to create Moving Target Entertainment
Company. MTE not only dips into the world of Hip Hop
music, but it gives us some flavor of urban fashion.
There are Konstant/MTE sweatshirts, hats, bags, and
even baby doll tees for us girls. Not saying that all
of us girls can fit those tiny shirts (cough!cough!),
but they are available. Konstant is making sure he is
seen and heard in every way, including being a member
of The Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance.
Joy & Pain
A fellow Allentown emcee reminded me this week that
their town is so great, Billy Joel made a song about
it. Unfortunately, Konstant doesn't agree. While he
holds it down and represents our neighboring city, he
has his own opinions about it. "I do plan on leaving
Allentown someday. It's so small that the hatred is
intense." He insists the hate attitude is perceived
by some as success. Konstant doesn't see through that
narrow vision. Instead of creating tension between local
artists, he collaborates with them. Examples of that
philosophy will be present on his upcoming album Free
Agent, which is due out in spring 2003. We will be blessed
with collaborations from O-D-D, and talent from L Perfexion
Entertainment, pending ongoing
negotiations. You can get a preview of the above mentioned,
as well as sprinkles of underground Philadelphia talent
on November 2nd when Moving Target Entertainment fuses
forces with The Founders of the Formula to present Konstant's
birthday/record release party at G's Blackhouse.
Big L, Common, and Nas are among Konstant's favorite
emcees. He stays faithful to his quest to make it happen.
He accepts and understands that before things get good,
they have to go bad. He describes his rhymes as his
life inspiration and a personal conversation with the
listeners. Although he has not reached the point of
satisfaction with his career, he is on the right path.
His determination has kept him going. "This game
has lost so many contenders through death and incarceration."
Konstant could have gone in other directions that may
have proved fatal or promising. Instead Konstant chose
Hip Hop and he got lucky because graciously enough,
Hip Hop chose him.
Check out Konstant online
Article by Deesha Dyer
PhillyHipHop.com
October 31st, 2002
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