JON HOPE

Jon Hope, Styles P and the God MC Rakim - Live from Providence, RI
Posted by MSD on 06.14.2006

Ain't no mistakes allowed - cuz "MC" means "Move the Crowd"...

I came in the door, I said it before –
I never let the mic magnetize me no more.
But it's biting me, fighting me, inviting me to rhyme.
I can't hold it back – I'm looking for the line.

Saturday, June 10th 2006 – Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, RI. Jon Hope, Kid Capri and Styles P live on stage – headlined by the God MC RAKIM.

Lupo's caters to a more upscale clientele, such as fans of Ryan Cabrera and Les Claypool - and their atmosphere reflects this eclectic mixture. It's real clean, with no visible graffiti or wallpaper made of promotional stickers – the epitome of Ra's "dark patterns displayed on Persian rugs" line. A real modernized setting with art house paintings, leather sofas and four fully-equipped bars where you could order so much more than just beer. I would continue to frequent each of these bars for the rest of the night. It was a real chill setting, even with the dozen or so armed police officers that patrolled the sidewalks and club entranceway. But I assure you they were gone by the time the show started.

Taking off my coat, clearing my throat
My rhyme will be kicking it until I hit my last note.
My mind'll range to find all kinds of ideas
Self-esteem makes it seem like a thought took years to build…

Upon entering the club, we were exposed to a 60-minute loop of classic Hip Hop songs such as "Sound of da Police", "Enter the Arena" and "Vapors". The stage area contained only the bare essentials – DJ booth and a mic. By 8:00 pm EST the house was as filled as it would be all night, for a show that began ½ hour late. I'd say it was about 80% capacity, with a crowd that was 70% white and 20% female. There was only one altercation during the evening, and it was just a little skirmish by the front of the stage before the show even started (security removed a dude with a bloody lip and torn shirt).

Jon Hope opened the show with the first sign of life all night. His style is what his name espouses – hope for the ghetto. His set was full of "peace-signs" and fists in the air. He opened with a few of his own works, including a memorable verse he spun off a single rhyme. But for the most part he came off like any other hungry rarely-heard MC – good, but nothing out of the ordinary. That is, until he took a brief moment to remind us why we love Hip Hop music and discuss the feelings certain songs capture in our lives. This segued into Jon spitting well-known verses by Nas ("The World Is Yours"), Willie D of the Geto Boys ("Mind Playing Tricks") and even the hook from "U.N.I.T.Y" (Queen Latifah) for the ladies – getting the house to follow along and sing every word. So when he continued his set with more original work (including a song in which he spells his name out), it had the crowds complete attention. Good call-and-response driven show with plenty of crowd interaction.
- 411MANIA.COM

Rapmullet.com welcomes Jon Hope to the review section. This joint is hosted by S-Class who def has a gift of gab but he held the CD down. Jon Hope hails from Providence Rhode Island, they def got a lot of talent out in RI. Peep the title of the CD and understand the concept, can't walk you through this one readers, gotta think a little.




First track that got my attention is "By My Self ", with the creeping piano and knocks it's a straight head nod. Peep the flow people as he "valet parks on the beat", I like that line. My favorite joint is "I'm Not A Rapper". Just some real shit for the people, nothing glossy, straight rhyming for self. Jon Hope is another MC that knows who he is and ain't catering to nodoby. Usually interludes bog down a new artists mixtape but Jon Hope is dropping jewels on these interludes for real. I'd tell you what he said but it more than fits the theme of the CD and you're not getting the spoiler from me. The best one was the "we-bout-to" cats, shit had me rolling. One of the best tracks I heard in a minute on any CD is "Brad " (the Scarface Dedication), paying homage to a MC who's actually a living legend, emphisis on "living". Peep it. DJs get a Jon Hope: www.jonhope.net and www.myspace.com/jonhope401...don't sleep.




To whom it may concern....Jon Hope is talking to some of ya'll reading this, stop frontin'. I got one phrase to sum up this whole CD, the whole vibe, the whole concept.....To whom it may concern...cat's are scared to be themselves! True fucking story man, stop frontin' for no reason and do you. Jon Hope is doing Jon Hope, he's not a rapper....he's just a man. (7/4/06)
- RAPMULLET.COM

Jon Hope: The Foundation
Interview by: Nigel Evangelista
4/5/2006

Rhode Island, the smallest state in the union is not known for its Hip Hop artist however; Jon Hope is aiming to change the way people view Rhode Island similar to Nelly's impact on Missouri. Jon Hope's perspective and outlook on his song is commentary of the experiences of ‘Common People.’ He supplies a raw sound and meaningful lyrics outside of today’s bling bling culture. He is slowly stamping his name in across New England. We had an opportunity to sit down with Jon to talk about the pressure of putting his state on the map, the ‘Common People’ and Café Society.

Rappersroom: You are currently a rising star in the Hip Hop world, can you tell me how hard you have been working these past couple of years?
John Hope: I have been working extremely hard these past couple years. I have been in the lab working on new records. I have been grinding, you know, not coming from a major city, not having the clique background (you know not being shot or arrested), it’s like I gotta work twice as hard to get my music out there.

Rappersroom: You go by the name Jon Hope, can you explain how this historical figure influences you?
Jon Hope: John Hope had many principles, and an ideology that I respect. He did not conform to what everybody else is doing, and I think people recognize when someone is being true to themselves, and not being fake.

Rappersroom:Can you remember your first experience with Hip Hop?
John Hope: The first time I encountered and understood lyrics was EPMD’s album “Business Never Personal”. When I heard that album I was like “Wow”. It was raw, it was street, that album laid the foundation for what I feel is raw Hip Hop. Hip Hop being the music from the soul. Hip Hop starts in the streets and goes on for an eternity. With that potential, (laughing) I want to be the first artist with fans on Mars.

Rappersroom: Which artists, but not just in the sense of emcee, but any type of artist do you consider yourself a fan of?
John Hope: I am a fan of so many artist. Nas is a brother I really admire. Some other artist that I consider myself a fan of are, Phil Collins, Billy Joel, Gill Scott Heron. But right now someone that I thinking is just killing the game right now is Lil’ Wayne. I really respect all those guys because their always looking to be innovative and inspire me creatively.

Rappersroom: Now some reporters might use the word influence to describe you being a fan of them, however I believe as people we are influence by many different things, so who and or what influences you to keep going?
John Hope: The everyday person. You know everyone has their own story. These stories inspire me to make music for the common man. There is nothing better when someone comes up to me and complements me about my material. I could have been working a nine to five job, but when these people come up to me it just inspires me to keep writing.

Rappersroom: I was on your website and there is a picture on there of you taking out the trash. Now I know you consider yourself the "Common Man", but was there any type of message behind the picture?
John Hope: Honestly, no message, but I was trying to show my humility. Some people think the picture is these wack rappers in the trash bags, but that’s the not case. There’s not real a message behind that picture, just trying to show my humility.

Rappersroom: You also have the Golden Anchor as your logo, and for people that don't know the Anchor is the symbol for Rhode Island, and Hope is the state's Motto, so some may presume that your trying to put the whole state of Rhode Island on your shoulders, do you feel any pressure?
John Hope: My whole message isn’t just to showcase Rhode Island's talent but to show that there is talent everywhere. Look at Bone Thugs, they come from Ohio, and when N.W.A. first came out, no one would have looked for a rapper in Compton. I am trying to continue with that, showing that you can find talent everywhere. With feeling pressure trying to bring Rhode Island out, I just don’t feel any pressure.

Rappersroom: Now you also have a song entitled, "Breathin". I have seen you perform this song and the reaction from the crowd is crazy, what do you think it is about "Breathin" that people responded to?
John Hope: I think it’s the realness of the song. Basically, it talks about the social make up of life. Yeah, everybody goes through their “ups-and-downs” but at the end of the day your still “Breathin”. You are still alive. It showcases the strength of a Human Being.

Rappersroom: Now I have to admit when I saw you perform it seems like you put everything you have on the stage, where I have seen other performers and they basically go on the stage, do their few songs and run off stage. Why do you put so much work in being an on stage performing?
John Hope: Well, that’s the whole point, we as artist, don’t really get a chance to interact with the people. They see us in videos, pictures, magazines, and the internet. When i'm on stage I can be intimate with the crowd. I give them 200%, if its one song or a 30 minutes set, getting the crowd to react to my rhymes, is the whole point of being on stage.

Rappersroom: So what is on deck for Jon Hope in 2006, any projects, any particular people you are working with?
John Hope: First up is the mixtape; “To whom it may Concern”; it’s the street album. Then I got my colossal project; “Café Society”; the LP. Its my introduction to the world. Its produced by my man Taktix, its real crazy like, like I want to liken to the classics like, “The Chronic”, “Doggy style”, Fifty’s joint “Get Rich of Die Trying”. It’s a solid debut something that people are gonna be talking for a long time.

Rappersroom: Where did the name “Café Society” comes from?
John Hope: The name was inspired by Billie Holiday. Back in her time, there was a lot of segregation being that she really wasn’t embraced in the venues that she performed in. However, there was this one place in Harlem called Cafe Society that embraced people and their artistry from all over. It didn’t matter where you were from. With this project, there isn’t a certain demographic I was trying to target. This is for young, old, white, black, East, West, North, and South. Its truly for any fan of dope music.

Rappersroom: There is a new breed of emcees coming into the game, like Lupe, Saigon where do you feel like you fit into this new breed?
John Hope: I fit in with those guys, those guys show that you still have to have skill to be an emcee, and that’s what I am, an emcee. I bring a different perspective; I have a different insight and a different story that hasn’t been heard yet.

Rappersroom: Now a word association to get more of a feel of who Jon Hope is, I'll say a word and just tell me what comes to mind.

Rappersroom: Hip Hop
John Hope: Jon Hope

Rappersroom: Commercial
John Hope: Geico Insurance

Rappersroom: Underground
John Hope: Ground Hog

Rappersroom: Providence
John Hope: Jon Hope

Rappersroom: Rhode Island
John Hope: The Beginning

Rappersroom:Emcee
John Hope: Jon Hope

Rappersroom: Street Credibility
John Hope: Overrated

Rappersroom: I want to thank for your time and would you like to add anything, any shout out, and messages?
John Hope: Shout outs to the whole entire Renaissance City, my producer Taktix, my man Mr. Roger, LJC. My crew The Imperial, AGC, my family and the Streets. Visit my website JonHope.Net.

- www.rappersroom.com

http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=jonhope - HIP HOP GAME

http://blogs.sohh.com/myspot/archives/2006/01/jon_hope_from_l.html - SOHH.COM

John Hope: What's In A Name?
Monday - August 08, 2005
Brian Sims
If you’re like me, you don’t know the 2nd thing about Providence, Rhode Island. Thanks to John Hope that is about to change.

Already being compared to the likes of Kanye West, John Hope spits with the conviction of a serious, calmed down mic veteran. Yo, I grew up on guys like Nas, Common, Pac, (Scar) Face, and Redman. I’m a lyric driven kinda guy. With the help of the Essence Music Group (EMG) he’s generated a considerable buzz in the Northeast opening for Missy Elliot, Talib Kweli, and John Legend.

Like many, John Hope grew up as an athlete, a basketball player. The first name he made for himself was on the court, a street-baller and eventual Division I star at the University of Rhode Island. But if ball was his wife, then rap was his mistress. I always loved hip hop and when I was coming up I was real good at basketball, so I played basketball a lot, but whenever I came home I would always write and be rapping. But I was so good at basketball, (not to toot my own horn) but I played ball my own life, hip hop was a love affair: I liked basketball, but I loved hip hop. I like to call it a love affair, I liked ball but hip hop was my girl on the side.

Those close to him picked up on his talent and passion for writing, and constantly encouraged him to get serious about hip hop. People were telling me that I should do it ant try to pursue something in music and then one day I was like let me just try and pursue it.

However, he quickly learned that credibility in this industry does not come easy. It seemed as though his divorce from basketball had left his former wife bitter and out for revenge. His local hoops fame actually proved to be an obstacle. The transition from playing ball to rapping was crazy, people was like you play ball and you rap? Who are you, Shaq? (laughs) So a lot of people probably didn’t accept me at first. Plus when I first started getting a buzz around here in the Boston area, the obstacle was that I didn’t have a big team behind me. I didn’t have a manager or a street team, everything was myself. Whether it was trying to get an interview or a session, it was me.

And then there was the name change. John Hope went by the name Geezy, until a certain Young Jeezy (you may have heard of him) rose to national fame earlier this year. The name thing was crazy too, cause there was mad confusion. (Shout out to my man Young Jeezy for doing his thing). John Hope has always been my alias, so we felt like we should just make the change official.

Despite all of the setbacks, he’s patiently shopped his upcoming solo project, Café Society for a major label distribution deal. I don’t want to sign with just anybody. I know I’ve got something to say, something that people need to hear, and I want to do business with somebody who’s got that in mind. It’s too many artists out here who just want a deal. I want a career.


Inspired by the Billie Holiday era of segregation and racism that once forced black artists to perform in seclusion, Café Society represents a realistic look at the life and times of a new hip hop generation. I felt really inspired to put something intelligent down, something that could be embraced by people from all walks of life.

Indeed, the name John Hope, speaks volumes about his message. Dr. John Hope, was an 1894 graduate of Brown University and a former President of Atlanta University. As a prominent black leader Dr. Hope made huge gains for African Americans during the early 20th century in a state known for its slavery, which dates as far back as 1652. John Hope is a huge historical figure where I’m from, you know…my music is very personal, very homegrown. I want people to get a feel for who I am.

Underneath the serious exterior is a funny, easy-going kid with personality. At 22, he has the ability to blend thought-provoking ideas with a genuine sense of humor that makes his music unique. Bred on the mean streets of Providence, Hope developed his sharp-tongued lyrical style out of sheer hood necessity. Everybody has their own story, you know? You got yours, I got mine. I think that there’s a lot of clichés, one thing I’m seeing a lot of is how so many people rep the streets, so many rappers wanna seem hood. I don’t look at it like I’ma be serious or I’ma be funny. I’m just myself.

What’s ironic is that for someone with a historical name, John Hope is not a big fan of reinventing the old school. In his view, hip hop is an opportunity to forge new ground creatively, to build and invent, rather than marvel on past accomplishments.

Now I’m seeing a lot of this “I wanna bring it back to ’94… back to the real hip hop”. That’s all well and good, but you can’t duplicate something like that…you can’t bring back 94…Illmatic, Boot Camp Clique, etc. That was a moment in time that’s gone. There’s stuff that may be reminiscent, but to dwell on that is pointless. And I’ve heard so much of that. As far as myself, all I can do is be myself and keep it moving. For example, It’s all about progress. Nowadays you can’t just have a CD. Now you gotta come with a DVD, a trailer, and so forth to keep up with the Jones’. Everybody has to assimilate on some level, but just be an individual, be as close and grounded as you can. I think people cling to that and recognize that. My story is one from the perspective of someone from a smaller state in the whole damned nation.

He’s got a hand in the mixtape market, and has appeared on tracks with some of the industry’s biggest artists. His next mixtape To Whom it May Concern is due out in August.

Hope is in the studio working with Statik Selektah from the Smash Squad ( Nas, Method Man, Royce the 5'9). Plus, he’s grinding out performances along the east coast, and is considering relocating to New York. I feel like I gotta stay busy, stay hungry. I mean, I’m doing what I love to do so I can’t complain. I don’t sleep.

And neither should you.

- HIPHOPDX.COM

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