Humboldt Hip Hop
“I need to make some more money,” he says. “I’m actually looking for a real job right now. There isn’t much of a demand for rappers.” It’s a cruel game that leaves those with the most talent on the bench, but being underground comes with
a price-tag. While Franco may be headlining freestyle battles around the nation, he still has to pay his bills.
The Professionals
The foremost celebrity rappers of Humboldt County (if there is such a thing) are a funky duo called Potluck. Comprised of MCs 1Ton and Underrated, Potluck outstrips other local hip hop crews because the duo regularly tours the U.S. and sells albums nationally. Last year saw the release of their fourth album, Straight Outta Humboldt , with the duo performing more than 150 live shows, including tours opening for the Kottonmouth Kings and Tech N9ne.
In their wood-shrouded professional recording studio, they discuss the changes they’ve seen in their time, first as DJs and now as MCs. Covered in oversized athletic gear, Underrated describes his musical evolution. “The more we have done it, the more we have been able to be ourselves,” he says. “When you start, you don’t even know what is going on. You just like doing it so much. You kind of realize you can be your own style, and learn to be yourself.”
There’s also a lot that hasn’t changed for them. Underrated still makes most of their beats, using samples from vinyl bought at local record stores.
“We’ve spent thousands and thousands of hours on each piece of equipment we have,” 1Ton explains, attributing that familiarity as a contribution to their commercial success on tunes that are West Coast-catchy with sing-along choruses. They also remain true to their Humboldt roots, dedicating a healthy percentage of their tunes to ganja and partying.
Potluck’s recent albums are on Suburban Noize, a label run by the weed-obsessed So-Cal band The Kottonmouth Kings, which makes them feel safe producing tunes like “Marijuana 101” and “Dank Alumni.” Asked about cannabis as a marketing element for their music, 1Ton quickly jumps in, arguing that, “It closes as many doors as it opens.”
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Recent on the cover
May 17
Ring of Fire
Sun and moon will perform a rare pas de deux in Humboldt skies on Sunday
May 10
District Soup
Racing for the top county seat in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts
May 3
A Place in the Woods
As park closure deadline nears, a scramble to save what we can
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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