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"Anything I love, I try." That's exactly what emcee Adam12 did with Hip Hop music. This native Northeast Philadelphian has gained notoriety through his authentic glasses and his limitless love for rhyming. Like me, you may wonder where Adam12 adopted his signature number 12. One of the explanations is the 12 mood swings he can slip into at anytime. Not to confuse you; more on that later. While attending Frankford High School, Adam found himself surrounded by different races and nationalities. That naturally exposed him to different cultures. He began to write lyrics and get a deeper sense of what Hip Hop personally meant to him. After writing solo for nearly two years, he met Digs Darklighter, another fellow emcee. Out of that collaboration, a group called The Dead Pigeons was born. "That was my idea for the name. It was tough trying to convince Digs to accept, which is why I liked it." They performed at an assortment of shows around Philadelphia. Their one and only official record came out in 1993 entitled Pots & Pans. They sold a couple of releases through the internet and local record shops. After that release, a friend and producer, Stape Mega joined The Dead Pigeons. As things started to progress, Stape and Adam dropped the name Dead Pigeons, and the two of them became known as Dept. of Rec. (DOR). The first release under the new name was titled And Welcome to Philadelphia. "It was made totally in a basement. The songs were more for the years to come." He even let me in on a secret. Occasionally he performs songs off of that album. DOR then linked up with PCP of Arrakis Records, as well as emcee K-Mass to release the EP, Will We Ever Be Famous? The third and latest DOR album was Raising Illatropolis, which was released in 2001. Currently Adam has plans to keep making music and performing with DJ Panek from the Ill Vibe crew. In the future, he'll go where the wind takes him. Wherever it is, it'll be a part of the Illadelph underground.

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Let me get back to the mood swings. Adam was diagnosed with Bi-Polar Disorder at a young age. This condition makes him appreciate life on a whole different level. His lyrics can range from one emotion to another. "I make honest songs about pain and truth." His condition is a big factor in his life, but music balances him out. The Adam you see ripping the mic is the same Adam that won't even initiate a conversation with you. Don't take it as ignorance; it's just his personality. "Until I chill with you, I'm a petrified deer." One thing that makes Adam unique is his positive attitude about the Philadelphia scene. "I love Philadelphia Hip Hop and this city. I'm never leaving. We don't realize how much talent we have here." Within that group of talent, he mentions Prophets of the Ghetto, 40D, and last but not least, his Arrakis family. The Roots are another group that he's had love since the good ole' days. "They are the epitome of art without abandoning Hip Hop." Adam has done songs with many known underground lyricists, but that doesn't go to his head. Having money isn't a major goal, but he wouldn't mind. "I rather get my foot in the door to collaborate with other emcees." You know what they say, patience is a virtue.

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Adam makes it a point to fill in the uncharted gaps of Hip Hop, and it shows through his constant devils advocate attitude. "If cats are making a record about what they have and how it gets them mad girls, then I want to write a joint about what I don't have, and how it's tough to talk to a girl if you're shy." That's why the masses may not adjust or adapt to his rhymes right away. They don't know how to take it, perhaps because they haven't heard anything like it. Adam is currently working on his solo project with various artists. Adam considers this album a challenge of his skills, because of the variety of people adding ingredients to his pot of creativity. On what he has to offer Hip Hop, his answer is, "Non conformity, everything poetic and revolutionary - quote that."

arrakisrecords.com

Deesha Dyer
December, 2002