Nashville rapper tries to make his way with innovative approach
By Ron Wynn
Editor, Everything Underground

    Rapper B. Hill doesn't feel that the interests, viewpoints and
perspectives of regular folks are being expressed in a great deal of
contemporary hip-hop music. His current CD Guaranteed (Chiminus/Crisis
Situations) is designed to reflect what he deems a more realistic 
attitude
towards many things, especially everyday situations. Though he's not 
exactly
the "average" individual by any stretch, Hill feels too much current 
fare
has become predictable and tepid.    "It seems as though many artists 
either
want to be thugs, or they make conscious music," Hill said, during a 
recent
interview. "I approach things more from the standpoint of just saying 
what I
feel about various subjects, whatever I'm into at a particular point or
time. It might be topical, it might be romantic, but I'm not just 
tailoring
it so all I'm saying is either political or just talking about shooting 
and
killing. It's more the thoughts of the people on the block, my friends, 
and
what we're kicking back and discussing."
    Hill's new approach isn't limited to only his verbal presentation. 
He's
also experimenting in the technical end. His rap style nicely mixes 
elements
of the "Dirty South" sound with the verbal fluidity, thematic 
versatility
and flair of protest MCs and spoken-word commentators. The disc's title
track can be heard regularly on Blazing 106.7FM, while the follow-up 
cut
"Give Me Some Mo" has burned up many local clubs and has steadily 
become a
regional radio favorite. However, the disc's most provocative number 
might
be "What's Your Reason," a cut blending a striking musical base with an
equally powerful theme.
    Hill, now a Tennessee State University student, is a native 
Nashvillian
who grew up on Shelby Street. He's especially anxious to ensure 
listeners
and fans that his songs truly represent his lifestyle and experiences. 
"Most
people I meet aren't either thugs or politicians, but they have strong 
views
about a lot of things. Rap is a versatile art form; there's ways to 
present
different messages without doing the same old thing over and over." 
He's
also quite realistic about the music business and his chances for 
success.
"I'm taking business management at TSU; if you're going to get into 
this
game, you better know everything about it. Only a select few ever reach 
the
top. I love rapping and music, but I'm not putting everything on just 
making
records. If you do reach the top, you also better know about money
management, publishing, controlling your career."
Nashville isn't exactly regarded as America's rap capital, but Hill 
says the
city has plenty of talented performers. "There are a lot of rappers 
people
don't know about. The public has only heard about a handful of artists, 
but
the underground scene here is getting bigger and I think there's going 
to be
some big hits coming out of here soon."
    If Nashville's emerging rap community eventually does explode,
Guaranteed should certainly be acknowledged as one of the discs 
responsible
for the city's rise in hip-hop circles.

 (Parts of this article were originally published in the Nashville City
Paper.)