Fundamentals
One of the hottest events to look forward to in 2002 is the Suicide Cypher emcee battle. If you don't know about it, you better ask somebody! It just so happens that this week I am interviewing one of the brains behind the cypher, Al Capone. From an early age, Alfred Trotter had fascination with Frank Sinatra and the mob that led to the name Al Capone. He set out to learn the original Al Capone's life story in and out and began smoking cigars. With Alfred as his first name, everyone just started calling him Al Capone.

For those of you that know him, you know that he is silly, fun and always having a good time, but when we talk one on one, I realize Capone has much to say about everything, and I mean everything! Philadelphia born and raised, Capone recollects his start in Hip Hop in 1992, "I actually got involved by accident. One of my best friends from Howard University put together an album, and I got jealous and decided to do a video show." Capone found a passion in being behind the camera. Emceeing was something he respected, but didn't want a part of. The pilot for the video show was shot at Dancers, and sadly with low turn out, the show was doomed from the start. After a few spots on Comcast under the name Rap Spotlight, Capone temporarily hung up his video urges, realizing he was not ready for the video show world, or perhaps they weren't ready for him.

In 1994, he decided to try his hand at artist management. Capone focused on a girl group that wanted to capitalize on the then Onyx fame with a female answer to Slam called Jam. The masses were feeling the female retaliation, but unfortunately, the members of the group didn't realize there was room for their talent, not their egos. The growing tension between them as well as the shortcomings of getting a deal lead to the break up of the group.

Capone figured if you can't beat them, then join them. In 1997, he started his own record label called Top of the World Records, which he hopes can catapult to the status of a Roc A Fella or Murder, Inc in Philly. During his video show time, he also met EZ Jase; "I used to see him all the time at different events. We used to collide on the cool tip." Everyone has known EZ forever, damn..he gets around. Between 1998 and1999, they put their heads together, and decided to form Back2Basics/Real Raps TV. With different distractions, they didn't have the proper time to devote to the show, but all that is changing this year. In partnership with Nu Millennium Entertainment, Capone and EZ Jase have branded themselves the keepers of the formula. In addition to the Suicide Cypher at G's Blackhouse in West Philly this coming October 5th, they have various events going on around the city. On the solo tip, Capone is making it happen with his St.Valentine's Day Massacre album. Really, has love been that bad to you? Capone describes it as, "A CD with all different kinds of music. Wait until you see what I do with a Frank Sinatra song!" Be afraid, be very afraid!


History & Repetition
Capone has got beef with and blames many parties for the underexposure of Philadelphia Hip Hop talent. According to Capone, the problem is the mentality that has infested the radio, politics, cliques and more importantly the egos of the people who have the power to change. Even mentioning the word radio gets him hype, armed and ready. He explains, "Music is about feeling and hearing what you can relate to. Most of us can't identify with radio songs." I ask him is there any fixing this and he simply replies, "Yeah, let us hear Baby Blak, NAAM Brigade, 20th Street Morrocos or Prophets of the Ghetto on the radio once and awhile."

I'm reminded of the granddaddy phrase: It's so easy to complain, and so hard to change. Capone insists it only takes one person to do it, the one that is going to stand up, give back where they came from and be the one to keep it in Philly. Like many others, Capone is trying to make it happen. Unlike those others, he is truly in it for the love of the game. He got to a point in his life where the politics of Philadelphia had him contemplating packing his belongings and family to up and move, but he admits, "I was scared to start over. This is home." Since age of sixteen, Capone dabbled in drug dealing. Once he entered the United States Marine Corp, he figured that would be his answer to financial success, somehow capitalizing on Uncle Sam, but at the end of his military tour, the temptation of easy money crept back into his life. Capone realized although it was a fast easy road, it led to nowhere. It has been three long years since that realization. Since then, he has maintained a job installing Direct TV. Damn, can you hook a girl up?


Simplicity
For someone who wants a change in Philly Hip Hop, Capone admits he is an impatient man, "If things don't happen, then I'll just move on." As a member of The Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance, he feels like he can make a difference. At the same time he stresses that he has a bad habit of taking on more than he can handle, which he is learning how to change. One of Capone's greatest accomplishments in Hip Hop was assisting the Philadelphia Old School Rap Association to get Lady B on the air at Philly 103.9 FM after a long stint in the 1980's at Power 99 FM.

Currently you can find him bangin music from Side Effect (who Capone is assisting in a record release), Jay Z and Jerzee Monet. His children, spirituality (he just rededicated & involved himself with the church) and integrity are held most high in his life, as well as his love for Hip Hop culture. He's got a lot on his plate, but he can handle it, as he puts it, "I just want to make this work."

Article by Deesha Dyer
PhillyHipHop.com
September, 2002