|
As I conduct more and more interviews, I am starting
to find that a majority of players in the current Hip
Hop community started with the dance element of the
culture, b.boying.
I admit that I was quite shocked when DJ Infinite revealed
to me that he was a pro at uprocks and headspins. I
wonder how much money I'd have to pay to see that now?
Anyone want to contribute?
First Steps
DJ Infinite wears a number of hats in this ever-changing
Hip Hop culture. From an emcee, DJ, poet, and most importantly
fan, Infinite bleeds beats and rhymes. Born in 1976
to parents of various nationalities, Infinite was introduced
to Hip Hop in his South Philadelphia neighborhood that
also included up and coming MC's Beanie Sigel and Journalist.
He dates his introduction to Hip Hop back to the Golden
Era of 1987 - 1992, "The first time I remember
Hip Hop as Hip Hop was sitting on a neighbor's step
listening to RUN-DMC, and watching cats breakdance on
cardboard." Infinite began attending Central
High School, where he not only excelled in football
and track, but established a musical family through
fellow students that rhymed, DJ'd and dabbled in graffiti.
He started to experiment with the other parts of Hip
Hop, "I tried to be an emcee, but I was whack",
he says, "That's when I decided to become a
DJ." Infinite had brief stints in a group called
The Legacy, but nothing came of that. Upon his graduation
in 1993, he ventured down to North Carolina A &
T to study chemical engineering. Being away from home
and a familiar environment led Infinite to slowly discovering
how Hip Hop was going to fit into his life.
Continuing
When the relationship between Infinite and his mother
became strained, his father fought for and won custody
of him and his sister. He was determined to succeed
with the tools of life that his father had installed
in him. Financial difficulty forced him to drop out
of college in 1994; he faced the most trying time of
his life. Unlike many dropouts, he had too much pride
inside, and many expectations from the outside to go
back home. He remembers, "When I left school,
I lived in bus stations down South for a month. At this
point, Hip Hop was the only thing I had stable in my
life." Music served as his therapy and religion
because it spoke to him on different levels and gave
him the motivation to come home and get his life in
order. Infinite went on to graduate from computer school,
and land a secure job. This is where he met collaborative
partner, Ron Moreland. He describes Ron as a man that
is passionate about music, especially jazz. Infinite
and Ron linked up to form an Internet radio show called
Up On That. Listeners caught on quickly and were excited
to hear the latest underground joints on one show, while
feeling funky jazz grooves on another. Unfortunately
politics dampened half of that movement. Infinite recalls,
"At the end of 2001, we had to quite broadcasting
all signed artists, because of legality issues concerning
the RIAA." Infinite and Ron then dedicated
themselves to playing underground, unsigned talent in
the jazz and Hip Hop realm. Infinite makes it a point
to expose the world to the undiscovered talent inside
the local and national underground community. If it's
hot, you'll hear it on his show. I can guarantee that.
Never-Ending
Besides his show, Infinite hosts various talent showcases
and battles across the tri-state. It's his way of networking
and connecting with other in the Hip Hop and entertainment
community. His horizons are set on giving back to the
listeners and artists that have graced and stayed faithful
to the Internet radio show. They are aiming to manage
some of the musicians, as well as produce a few tracks
for a handful of them. He draws his inspiration from
the debt and passion that he feels for the Hip Hop culture.
He further explains, "I owe it to music, because
it held me together and down when I was falling apart."
He agrees that the current state of Hip Hop can be better,
but also points out that Hip Hop goes through waves
like time, "Hip Hop is like a sneaker store,
there's different styles and sizes for everyone. You
have to find something that fits." In addition
to adding humor to every situation, Infinite takes everything
in stride. He's original, and whatever needs to be done,
he's there to help. He's original, honest and no matter
what situation or environment, Infinite is Infinite.
Real most definitely recognizes real.
Check Infinite out 24/7 at www.uponthat.com
or hit him up at infinite@uponthat.com
Article by Deesha Dyer
PhillyHipHop.com
July, 2003
|
