Bekay
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Bekay

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"RapReview of the Week"

Bekay's name is far from a coincidence - when you say "Bekay" you say "BK" a/k/a Brookyn. This rising star of underground hip-hop has been repping his home to the fullest ever since he first stormed on the scene in December 2004 with "Where Brooklyn At?" featuring the late great Ol' Dirty Bastard. At the time I could be counted among the skeptics who thought Bekay was simply riding the coattails of a fellow Brooklynite without really being established in his own right, but in the five years that have followed Bekay's worked extra hard to prove he's his own man. One thing hasn't changed though - he still reps for Brooklyn just as much or more than M.O.P. The Posse tends to focus on Brownsville, while Bekay favors supporting the borough as a whole, and he's moved from rhyming with late greats to Juice Crew greats like Masta Ace who are still alive and kicking. The DJ Babu produced and scratched "Brooklyn Bridge" showcases both nicely:

Bekay: "The big city of dreams, feel pity for fiends
Gritty shifty in schemes, pretty shitty it seems
But we walkin on the gold mine, lovin this place
Ace, Babu, Coalmine, up in your face
Along with - introducin Bekay on the mic
I stare right at Flatbush Ave when I'm prayin at night
Some pack gats, leavin other cats blasted
And even the white chicks be rockin fat asses
Always hot, not just when the summer here
Coney Island cyclonin it, or jumpin on the wonder wheel"

Masta Ace: "I'm from the B-R-double-O-K, L-Y-N
If I wasn't, then why would I yell I am?
You see, this be the home of Spike Lee
Folks think it's dangerous - I don't know it might be slightly
But that depends on which blocks you be steppin down
Cause certain neighborhoods they never put they weapon down
I lived in Flatbush, grew up in Brownsville
And every now and then you see me around Steele
I used to hang a lot in Bushwick, Decatur and Evergreen
Some of the best parties you ever seen"

Both rappers reminisce fondly about their past days in Brooklyn, while noting that their love for their borough is tempered by gritty reality: "there's crime everywhere, it ain't fair, but who care?/Not the governor and not the new mayor." Still you can't help but feel upbeat over the bouncy piano chords, and the cuts in the chorus from MC Lyte and MC Shan stitch the whole presentation together nicely. Even the fadeout of the song is exceptional - the music gradually drops out just leaving the finger snap that kept the tempo of the rap. This Brooklyn tribute has legs long after "Hunger Pains" comes and goes from store shelves, but so does the rest of the album. It may be that Bekay wrote "I Am" to avoid being stereotyped as "the rapper from Brooklyn who only talks ABOUT Brookyn," but whether or not that was his intention he's certainly captured the universality of hip-hop over the Alchemist provided keys:

"Yo the feeling you get when you hear an ill line
The pad you scribble your rhyme into to kill time
I guess I'm kind of Summer Jam
I'm the larger rap than Kid 'N Play and the Running Man
Nowadays everyone wanna be this
From, MY, A-DIDAS!
Shell toes, I'm Luda throwin elbows
How you wear your pants, where you rock a cell phone
I'm battlin for hardcore props
I'm breakdancin daily on a cardboard box
What other flavor could, have kids pumpin
N.W.A. in an all white neighborhood?"

Solid production, well crafted rhymes and memorable guests are three hallmarks of dopeness throughout "Hunger Pains." The eerie whistling backdrop of the Marco Polo produced "Pipe Dreams" perfectly suit Bekay and special guest R.A. the Rugged Man. Illmind lives up his name, as only someone demented would take some seemingly folk/hippie music samples and make them "Crazy" enough for Bekay and Heltah Skeltah to rip on. It may be that Saigon, Inspectah Deck and Bekay were an unlikely hip-hop trio, but Street Orchestra makes them sound like a brand new offshoot of Wu-Tang on "The Raw" and links it all together with Notorious B.I.G. and U-God samples. Even the album's closing bonus track keeps the hits coming, as Dilated Peoples come heavy on the "I Am" remix to bring New York and Cali together on the same cut. All of this is doper than a mo'fo but it's still nice to hear Bekay flow on his own, and songs like the Shuko produced "Bloodsport" prove he's more than up to the challenge:

"What's a battle to you with savages too?
I don't just win 'em, I duplicate what cannibals do!
Leave you locked in the basement, man on fire
Cut your fingers off, sew 'em back in opposite places
Type sick when I mic grip
and shave your face with the same knife quick you just got sliced with
You whine a lot (PUSSY!) Find your cock
Yo these biters jock, even my writer's block
I'm rap's last oracle; kinda like
if I didn't want my pen to write, God would force it to!"

DAMN. So what more can we possibly say about Bekay? He loves his borough - check. He's got great punchlines - check. He has an all-star team of rappers and producers helping him shine - check. He's great on his own even without them - check, check, check. It's time to put that skepticism aside that Bekay simply gets over by where he's from or who he associates with - he's as universal as the hip-hop vibe he so eloquently articulates on "I Am." Whether you're from Brooklyn, Boston, Boise or Belem, Bekay has got some hip-hop shit that you've been hungering for whether you knew it or not. One hit will make you fiend for more, but the only cure is to get his album and get one hundred grams of his uncut to the gut.

Music Vibes: 8.5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 8.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 8.5 of 10

Originally posted: November 3, 2009
source: www.RapReviews.com

- RapReviews.com - by: Steve 'Flash' Juon


"Bekay - Hunger Pains"

AUGUSTA, GA - Bekay, like many emcees, is in the progress of trudging through obstacles to become one of the best in hip-hop. Throughout his career, the Brooklyn native has rubbed elbows with producers and artists such as Shuko, Masta Ace, DJ Babu and the Alchemist. With these collaborations, the emcee is bound to be on the right track.

Bekay possess drive, and it is evident from track to track. Not often does the intensity fail to smack you in the face. The best performances on “Pains…” include pictures of struggle in order to become a burgeoning artist and individual. It’s evident on “Rapstar (Hunger Pains).” With a forceful flow and intense fire, he barks out his frustrations, including a few things that the public didn’t know, including the fact that he was a finalist on the MTV series “Making the Band.” The rapper also brings the “pain” on “Young,” where he details the horrors of growing up.

Other highlights include “Brooklyn Bridge” featuring Masta Ace, a mid-tempo, piano-spiced track that features the touting of his hometown; followed by the comedic skit, “That’s Brooklyn.” By the way, “if you ever threw an ice cream cone down a mailbox ‘cause you couldn’t find a garbage can…that’s Brooklyn,” he says. The violin-covered “Realest That Run It” features a rapid flow full of explosive wit (with an air of Eminem essence). With Bekay’s latest offering, he most definitely shows you how hungry he really is.
- Metro Spirit - by: Frazia Lee


"The Other White Beat (Four random caucasian MCs better than Asher Roth)"

BEKAY | Highly influenced by such fellow Brooklyn bombers as Necro and Ill Bill, Bekay is an unrelenting dick-in-your-mom's-mouth nihilist with raucous breath control to match. Two years ago, he opened a Heltah Skeltah show in Boston and roofed the crowd without a hype man. His Horror Flick LP (Coalmine) was equally impressive, full of fright and battle-ready banter. Bekay's dramatic arrogance might catch up with him in the street, but on record it's ruthlessly delicious. - The Boston Phoenix - by: Chris Faraone


Discography

Discography: *(we do have tracks that have radio airplay- at current, his November, 10th release of Hunger Pains is charting for CMJ)

The Horror Flick LP (Coalmine/Rawkus) - Bekay's second full length LP

The Foundation (Coalmine Records) – Mixed compilation produced entirely by Shuko. Bekay is featured on “Do This” feat. Canibus & Chino XL and “Ohh Well” (iTunes bonus track)

The Horror Flick Remix EP (Coalmine Records) – Includes three remixes taken from The Horror Flick LP (production provided by Domingo & M-Phazes)

On Deck (hosted by DJ Kay Slay): Bekay's most recent mixtape which includes previously unreleased material, freestyles and remixes

"Where Brooklyn At" feat. Old Dirty Bastard (prod. by Konman Productions) B/W “Young” (prod. by Shuko): 12" Vinyl

"The Raw” feat. Saigon, and Inspectah Deck (prod. by Street Orchestra), 12: Vinyl

The Future of Hip Hop is Now: Bekay's debut LP

Phuck U...Sign Me: Bekay's debut mixtape

Photos

Bio

Bekay, the Brooklyn native, hence the moniker, has been an active participant in hip-hop culture since he penned his first rhyme at just ten years old. It’s not hard to listen to one verse from Bekay to realize that he has skills. Bekay personifies the changing definition of hip-hop as someone very passionate about this culture and eager to let the world in on his story. Bekay's writing talent, punch-lines and unique perception have not only enabled him to become a cult personality, but have also brought credibility and power to the issues found in his music.

Truly a product of his environment, Bekay first drew inspiration from his Brooklyn-bred childhood. As Bekay started to mature, he began to write rhymes as therapy to help him escape from his troubled home-life. Being a white Jewish kid from Nostrand Avenue chasing down the dream to become a rap star is not an easy task. In fact, his journey is one that has endured opposition through nearly every turn. Ultimately, Bekay made the decision that he would not only endure such opposition, but that he would defiantly rise above any resistance to his pursuit through battle rapping. It’s the very culmination of these early experiences combined with his inner rage and defiance that molded him into a ruthless competitor in New York’s battle rap scene. Before long, Bekay’s skills were embraced and he found solace in feeling accepted by the same culture that once rejected him. After realizing that his career would thrive more prosperously by recording songs then through battling, Bekay turned his verses into songs and started working with various producers. Before long, Bekay was offered his first record deal through T.S.O.B. Records.

During Bekay’s short-lived affiliation to T.S.O.B, Bekay was introduced to the late Old Dirty Bastard. Instantly, a friendship developed that eventually led to a collaboration of the anthemic “Where Brooklyn At?”, which was one of the last songs that ODB ever recorded prior to his untimely passing. The song was well received, but neither a video nor any radio promotions ever materialized. After several requests from T.S.O.B. to move forward with a video shoot for “Where Brookyn At?” after Ol’ Dirty’s passing, Bekay decided to leave the label, “I wasn’t about to profit from his death, so I requested to be released.”

Bekay wasn’t on his own for long. Through the buzz that he created in the underground, Bekay was offered a deal through the burgeoning New York City based indie label, Coalmine Records. Under his new deal, Bekay has added more hits to his list including collaborations with Saigon and Inspectah Deck on the underground smash 12” titled “The Raw”. The buzz of this record reinforced the growing strength of Bekay’s name in the indie radio community. DJs worldwide were excited by Bekay’s vinyl debut and begab to realize his future potential. “I’m happy to have something from Bekay on wax now, cuz I’ve played a lot of his joints on CD a while back.” (DJ Ethx – Seattle, WA - University of Washington). “Bekay is an exclamation point, rather than three periods, it’s Bekay!, not Bekay...feel me? (CJUM- Brandon – Winnipeg, MB, University of Manitoba).

To start ’06 with a bang, Coalmine teamed Bekay up with mix-tape legend DJ Kayslay on a 22 track mix CD that includes new recordings, remixes, freestyles and previously released material. “I just wanted to make sure I keep it real hip-hop and kill’em with lyrics. In my opinion real hip-hop music is dying out and as part of the new breed of MCs, I feel that it’s my responsibility to keep it healthy. I love this culture, and it’s all I got. It was great to be able to work with Slay and all the other features, and there’s only more heat to come.” Coalmine hit the streets with this mix-tape and was successful in reaching out to new audiences that have since embraced Bekay’s talents.

After realizing that a radio push for the previously released “Where Brooklyn At?” was necessary, Coalmine was able to ink a licensing agreement for this record, thus allowing a radio campaign that that helped focus the just deserved spotlight on Bekay and the late Ol’ Dirty. “…On ‘Where Brookyn At’, Bekay rides the divide between dope punch lines and leftfield introspective flows, drop in the late Dirt McGirt and this joint is smoking.” (WPRK – Keith Jackson – Orlando, FL -Rollins College). After another successful radio campaign, Bekay climbed the college charts to a number two position on a record that had strong supporters from the very beginning.

By 2007, the renowned Rawkus Records began an artist driven revolution comprised of the 50 next important hip-hop artists. Bekay was selected among all applicants to be among this elite crew and subsequently released his acclaimed Rawkus 50 album, The Horror Flick LP. This project further catapulted Bekay’s reputation in the hip-hop community as one of the more dynamic battle rappers that can produce a conceptually balanced album