Victoria Johnson
Hip-hop has a number of movements in different cities. Future and Outkast are two of Atlanta’s biggest acts, DJ Khaled and Rick Ross will forever represent Miami, Chance the Rapper and Big Sean rep Chicago heavy, Kendrick Lamar is currently leading California, and there’s a slew of rhymers from New York including Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Joey Bada$$, and more. Now, Burn Money Music is attempting to do the same for Portland with the Bridge City Cypher series.
“We started creating Bridge City Cyphers to unite Northwest Hip-Hop artists and showcase their unique sounds and styles in a collaborative way,” read an e-mail statement from Aleca of Burn Money Music. “Artist’s meet at Burn Money head quarters (sic) to write and pre-record the cypher, and then film at a location all in one night/session vs. how a traditional cypher often films a live freestyle.”
This year’s cypher features four rhymers: kayelaJ, Swiggle Mandela, Nick B, and RC $pitta. And tbh, each rapper brought it. Over the boom-bap beat crafted by deadxbrainz, the four rappers spit their rhymes about how dope they are and putting on for their city. One standout line comes from kayelaJ: “Probably haven’t heard of me but now you hearing me/Are you intrigued/Certainly, and soon you’ll be fearing me” Check out the cypher above.
