Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
(KSDK) - Rap music has been around for 25 years, but it wasn't until Nelly hit the charts with Country Grammar, that the music industry took a second look at St. Louis.
It's also inspired young rappers to reach for the stars. Lunch time might as well be called rap time at Hazelwood East High school. Leading the pack are juniors Clayton Fowler and Mark West, better known as "2 City."
They are two teenagers from St. Louis, trying to make it big in the music industry. Sounds familiar doesn't it?
"Three or fours ago if somebody came out of St. Louis, it was like there wasn't nobody thrilled," says West, "But when you get Nelly and the whole sound that they had, it opened up doors for people."
2 City may be following in the footsteps of fellow St. Louis rappers, but they've got a style all their own.
"I'm more of a laid back rapper. I'm real low and he's kind of hyped, real energetic," says Fowler.
Put both of those sounds together and DJ J-Nicks, Q 95.5, says you've got something special, "It think they hot. I mean think they're young, they got a lot of energy. You know what I'm saying? They're going in the right direction," says J-Nicks, "A lot of people just think it's rappin', but it's more than that now."
Several record companies have inquired about 2 City. Both boys have back-up plans in case the music doesn't last. Clayton plans to work in the family's auto body business and Mark is interested in computer drafting.
For information about "2 City", contact2city@aol.com - By Kelly Jackson (KSDK 5)
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Don’t let their ages fool you. 2 City, made up of 17-year-old rappers Clayton “Hollywood” Fowler and Mark West, sound like polished artists with years of experience. Their advanced lyricism, confident flows and rugged yet smooth production makes them one of hip-hop’s most promising acts.
Already buzzing and receiving radio airplay in their native St. Louis, the two city boys are in the midst of recording their debut album, which stands to be one of the most impressive debuts from a teen hip-hop act. Indeed, Hollywood and West had enough clout in their region to secure production on their album from e3 Music who currently working on Murphy Lee new album as well as new Asylum artist Potzee.. They’re also heating up the local St. Louis scene, having performed spot club dates, opening for several major recording artists as well as at a benefit for football legend and humanitarian Jim Brown. .
2 City takes it to the clubs on the hyper “Stomp,” an addictive party cut that establishes Hollywood and West as hit makers. They flex their lyrical muscles on “Big Trucks” a street driven club banger that features both rappers.
2 City then smoothes things out on the funky “Home Alone.” The pair explains their position on relationships and how life would be if a female got with them. The song fits in well with 2 City’s mature musical mission.
“We’re young, but we’re trying to make it so the older audience will want to listen, too,” West says. Adds Hollywood, “We really want to do everything. We don’t want to just stay on one type of thing.”
Both seniors at Hazelwood East High School, Hollywood and West used to battle each other with their potent rhymes. They soon realized that their talents would be better used in unison and formed 2 City.
As fans of 2Pac, Eminem, Bone thugs-n-harmony and The Notorious B.I.G., the members of 2 City draw inspiration from some of the genre’s best artists, as well as their families, who have supported their musical dreams. “A lot of people were looking at me, telling me that I had a talent that I should try to pursue being a rapper,” Hollywood says. “I grew up listening to a lot of other people doing it and I wanted to experience it myself.”
But being a high school student and an aspiring rapper presents more challenges than just trying to earn respect as the school’s best rapper. “It’s different when you’re doing freestyles and everything when you’re at school,” West says. “That’s just a competition. But you’ve actually got to take time to make your songs tight and to get your performance right for the shows. That’s what we’re doing right now.”
Fortunately, 2 City’s infectious sound has already taken St. Louis by storm. The pair work so well together because their styles compliment one another. Hollywood is the laid-back, smooth rapper, while West’s presentation contains a compelling energy.
With St. Louis earning accolades as a hip-hop hotspot thanks to the platinum success of Chingy, Nelly and the St. Lunatics, the rap world is ready for St. Louis’ chosen rap sons, 2 City.
“St. Louis is pretty hot right now,” West says. “We’ve got some artists coming out and we’re just trying to be the next one. We’re just getting out, making St. Louis the spot right now.”
Now you know.
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