Product of your environment
"Ready for this story?" I take a deep breath and reply, "Yep!" Born in Massachusetts, Tim Savage never had his childhood in one place. His father owned a newspaper, which he sold when Tim was in 6th grade. His family then moved to York, PA. "I was raised near the Susquehanna River. I really don't know if that is something to be bragging about, but I was raised next to the Susquehanna also, so you know what they say about those in glass houses."

Tim went to Eastern York High School where he was in soccer, the AV club, and part of the backstage/soundboard crew for all the plays and shows. Tim didn't realize how that was going to work its way back around to him later on in life. He graduated from high school in 1994 with a 2.0 grade average. "Not one school in Pennsylvania would accept me." I even named schools that I know have a reputation for accepting anyone, and he simply replied, "Nope, not even them." That took Tim to West Liberty College in West Virginia. "Everything you think or hear about West Virginia is true." While in West Virginia, Tim pledged a local fraternity and received the nickname NA for his choice to not drink alcohol. It served as part of his first radio show called, The NA and Bob Show. He would play all different genres of music all mixed together within his hour slot.
While at West Liberty College, Tim attended a Hip Hop concert in Pittsburgh. It was a BET tour starring Mary J. Blige, The Notorious B.I.G., Puffy (my bad...P-Diddy), Bone Thugs & Harmony, Jodeci and many others. Although Tim enjoyed his time in Wheeling, West Virginia, and has mad love for the all his people there, it wasn't big enough to give him space to discover and grow, not only in music, but also in himself.

5 minutes on the microphone
Tim decided to enroll at West Chester University in West Chester, PA. Once again, he found himself pledging a fraternity, playing rugby and the nickname NA was gone, if you know what I mean! Tim started throwing parties at the frat house. Life became complicated when a girl decided to brand Tim as the father of a child. He then was prepared for the responsibility of being a father. He worked, had classes, and was DJing once a week at a place called Live Bait to save up money for his child. FYI, a blood test proved Tim to not be the father.

After graduating from West Chester in Liberal Arts and Communication, Tim got bit with the open mic bug. He started going to Cafe Limbo with DJ's such as 215 and Kwestion. His open mic stint took him to places such as South Street Blues and Rex's. "In South Philly, you had to battle just to get on the mic to battle." He met his good friends, Aul Purpis from Prophets Of The Ghetto, and members from Diatribe en route to discovering his rhyming talent. Tim says, " I used to get to open mics and know what I wanted to say and freeze up." After awhile, Tim got comfortable in front of the mic and started freestyling. He'd perfect his skills in front of his friends just chillin around their apartments.

Eventually Tim decided to throw his own emcee battles and had to come up with a name. That is when ThaPhilliBlaze was born. People can never get the spelling of it right to even find the website. It's an underground site, which you really have to dig to find, but that gives it authenticity. Tim's goal was to get people involved in a Hip Hop show, and September 19, 2001, ThaPhilliBlaze premiered. Since then, Tim has done two other Hip Hop versions and one rock version of ThaPhilliBlaze.

Tim reminisces about when he first decided to start taking the mic and he had to build up nerve. He stresses that he wasn't "insecure"; he just had to get the "balls" to do it. All that Tim is currently learning about the business he wants to use to put out his demo and build a career of his own. He attends almost every workshop or seminar that is being offered. Knowledge of this music scene is something Tim is constantly seeking. Tim wants to keep business and money in Philadelphia. "I want to make an album without having to go to an outside source."
He has guest appearances on up and coming albums including Diatribe. He mentions Diatribe and Prophets of the Ghetto among his current favorite Philly talent. "Added to the good talent of both groups, they have great promotion, and have an involvement with each other and the audience. They have nothing to hide. When you hang with them, they are real and up front." Tim flashes back to when Aul Purpis gave him Prophets Of The Ghetto's Wreckless Writers album after a battle and Tim was blown away immediately. As far as solo artists are concerned, he gives props to K-Mass from Arrakis Records for his ability to connect and rhyme to the audience. "Good people attract good people."

Ill Advised, Grand Agent, Prophets Of The Ghetto along with many others will be performing at ThaPhilliBlaze on May 25th, 2002 which is being held at the Theater of the Living Arts on South Street in Philly. I asked Tim to describe the event and he says, "It's a coming out party for Philadelphia underground Hip Hop. It's an all ages show and you are seeing Philadelphia Hip Hop in its entirety. There will be giveaways, performances, and of course the battle. We want to reach the mass audience. Hip Hop shows are happening and people will come out if there is a major star, but we want to give credit to those local stars, not just in rap, but in the Hip Hop culture all together." YB Entertainment and Savage Creations would like this event to take the Philadelphia Hip Hop culture to the top. If that wasn't enough to convince you to go, Tim informed me that there will be McDonald's PhilliBlaze coupons! Nothing like a discounted Big Mac in the name of Hip Hop, right?

Mistaking kindness for weakness
"It only takes one time." The fact that Tim looks and sees opportunity in anyone is what he considers a weakness, because it provides people with good ammunition to attempt to take advantage of him. He lets people work within the opportunities to allow them to commit to bettering themselves. Sometimes people aren't on the right path and Tim has to pass them by. It's not something he likes to do, but it's required, and he knows that. Tim is by far one of the most energetic positive people I know. He always has a smile on his face, sometimes mischievous, but always pleasant. Tim suggests that if you want to be successful use the word WE instead of I.

"If you go out alone, you will survive and die alone. If you have people behind you, coming out with you, people are more likely to buy your album based on the fact that they know you run with a tight crew. This is supposed to be fun, and I rather eat with 20 people at a table, than 2." He credits PhillyHipHop.com and the Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance for being the backbone of what he's done. "Many people from those two places have gone out their way to help me. The comradery is there, and it's nice to meet people that are on the same path."

When reflecting on musical influences, Tim respects the way Tupac spoke to people instead of just talking and the way he kept himself together. Non-musically, he looks up to his cousin, Paul. "Paul had a child when he was young, had all the odds against him, worked his ass off to get where he is now, which is having his own business, and a beautiful home. He didn't care what other people thought." Family is important to Tim. He is close with both his parents although they live on a farm in Kentucky, and enjoys time with his two brothers.

Before I end this, I must declare to the ladies that Tim is single. Let it be clear that I only asked because more than one person has asked me his status! Okay, player! Tim and I have a connection cause a part of both of us lie in the Kentucky and Ohio region. He is as cool as they come, always greets me with a hug and a kiss, and is just real chill when discussing anything, especially music, and he has the distinct laugh that you can recognize across the room.

thablaze.com

Article by Deesha
May, 2002