* Culture Flow *: The Hardest Working MC in Delaware

Funky Friday's is finally here!!!

Each and every Friday, Re.Definition is showcasing the best in local artistry, restaurants, bars, and events.

Today is the premiere of Funky Fridays and we have a special feature for you to enjoy.

Without further adieu, we present to you our first feature highlighting 'the hardest working MC in Delaware'---RICHARD RAW

If you know Delaware hip hop then you know Richard Raw. If you don’t know Richard Raw then you don’t know Delaware hip hop.

Raw hit the Delaware music scene in 2004 and has been a lyrical whirlwind ever since. Hailing from Wilmington, Delaware, Richard Raw has graced the stage with poetry and hip hop greats such as The Last Poets, Immortal Technique and Dead Prez. He is a multifaceted musician who has released more music, more consistently than almost any other artist in his area. After learning about his music history, versatility and current work, we have named him “the hardest working MC in Delaware.”

Raw’s lyrics are often coated in intellectual prose and revolutionary expression yet Raw is far from a cookie cutter “conscious rapper”. He has had his fair share of club hits, street bangers and radio hits. He is well respected locally but also recognized internationally as a solo artist and member of the internationally acclaimed hip hop group, Lost Children of Babylon. Upon first listen, some may try to label Raw a street rapper, a conscious rapper, a poet or a hip hop teacher, but you would be hard pressed to find a label that adequately suits his talent. Raw refuses to subscribe to any one genre of music or type of lyrical flow. He is best known for his versatility and ability to produce music that extends beyond the realm of hip hop. Raw can knock you over with some “deep shit”, serenade you with an R&B ballad, take you to the streets with a street banger or channel the best of James Brown with a funky-soul track. It is impossible to categorize Raw’s artistry.

Currently, Raw is focusing on his career as a solo artist. After years of releasing music to please his fans, Raw has decided that he must reevaluate his music and follow the path he was destined to travel. And what is that path, you ask? It is a path of honesty and integrity. If there is one thing Raw has learned throughout his years in the business, it is that producing real music from his soul is the most gratifying music that his fans can hear and he can create. With this mindset, Raw has international fans, unmatched versatility and respect from his peers. Reputable hip hop concerts in his local area know who to call when they need a real performer with quality music. Richard Raw is his name, creating musical masterpieces is his game.

We love the wide spectrum of music that Richard Raw produces. Many artists can learn from Raw’s talent and drive. After discussing his music, it would seem that there is little more to be said about this hip hop extraordinaire. But alas, there’s more.

In the footsteps of hip hop great such as KRS One, Professor Griff and David Banner, Raw has taken his voice to new heights. He is now a lecturer. In his home state of Delaware, Raw (under his cultural name Re-Mose Atun) is gaining local popularity amongst the attendees of the African Diaspora Study Program lectures. Presented by community organization The Culture Restoration Project, Inc. (of which Raw is the co-Executive Director), ADSP is bringing an awareness of African diasporic culture and history to the city of Wilmington, Delaware. With expansion of The Culture Restoration Project on the horizon, we asked Raw if he thinks music will ever take a back seat to his lecturing and community work endeavors. " I will always be involved in music.” he said. “Whether I’m producing, ghost writing or engineering, music will always be a part of me.”

Check out some of Richard Raw’s music below. Also, look out for his upcoming album The Renaissance to be released late April 2011. For more information about Raw’s music releases, upcoming shows and other events, please visit www.richardraw.com.

Also, if you have never heard Re-Mose Atun lecture, you must check out the snippet of his lecture, The True Story of Carthage (see below). If you are interested in purchasing CDs and DVDs of his lectures please visit www.wix.com/africandiaspora/sp

*Re.definition Staff*

Official single Live A Lie from the upcoming album The Renaissance