Jhye Hopkins wants 麻豆社国产to know that the community does indeed have a vibrant hip-hop scene.
He should know, too.
As part of local hip-hop collective Dynamik Emperorz (Dyna Empz), Hopkins and his crew have spent the past six years creating music in Squamish, and just released a self-produced third CD on May 6.
Hopkins (a.k.a. Spesh) said the new album is the culmination of experience and experiences from the past six years.
"Our first album, One Year and Running, was rushed," he explained. "We had no experience. But we learned and we invested in the second CD. We took our time with that one, and it sold well. We also promoted the second album a lot with shows."
Those good CD sales enabled the Dyna Empz to invest even more into the most recent release, Small Town Soldiers.
"There is really a difference in quality," he said. "We invested in proper equipment and really took our time. We're completely self-taught. But it is always a battle to get the music that recognition in the community. That's why the album is called Small Town Soldiers because we are battling to get our music heard."
The Dyna Empz, whose members also include Hopkins' twin brother Kodi (RuNt) and fianc茅e Lindsey Fowler (the Empress), have backup, though.
"We also have a side group we work with in California," Hopkins said. "It's called West Coast Alliance and it features members of the Jedi Knights, who originally inspired us to create music ourselves and we've looked up to creatively."
Hopkins and his brother have been fans of underground hip-hop since they were teens.
"It's the first music I listened to," he said. "I didn't like the gangsta stuff that was all about money and violence. I liked the underground stuff that had a more positive and uplifting message. I could relate to it more."
So when online sites like MySpace popped up, allowing Hopkins to contact some of the bands he liked, it opened up a whole new world.
"It was incredible to be able to contact the people I had looked up to," he said. "And after contacting them and talking with them, we were inspired to make our own music."
Six years and three albums later, the Dyna Empz also want to give back to the 麻豆社国产community that has supported the band so far.
"We want people to know there is a hip-hop community here," he said. "We're going to be hosting a hip-hop night every two months and it will feature people from all over the Lower Mainland, as well as give local talents a chance to hit the stage."
The venue for the planned hip-hop night is still to be announced.
Hopkins said the crew was also available to do other shows in Squamish, including free, family-friendly community events.
But in the meantime, the Dyna Empz have a new album to support with an upcoming mini-tour of Squamish, Whistler and Vancouver, as well as some guest work of their own on the Jedi Knights Circle's next album.
You can pick up the new Dyna Empz album Small Town Soldiers on iTunes, or go to dynaempzmusic.weebly.com for music and other Dyna Empz products and information.
