On De la Soul's classic debut album, "3 Feet High and Rising," the Long Island trio declared, "Everybody wants to be a DJ. Everybody wants to be an emcee." More than 20 years later, that still rings true.
The Internet is flooded with wide-eyed hopefuls, fresh-faced newbies and star-struck dreamers all in pursuit of fame. Personalities from Paris Hilton to Tyler James Williams (star of the 2005-2009 TV show "Everybody Hates Chris") have proved that, indeed, everybody wants to be a DJ, and everybody wants to be an emcee.
But how does it happen? For aspiring doctors, there's pre-med. Attorneys graduate from law school. Even barbers pass through certification courses. But what about aspiring rappers? Where do they go? What trade programs do world-famous DJs graduate from?
San Diego indie-rap legend Orko Eloheim has come up with a solution, and on Tuesday, Feb. 24, the hip-hop veteran held a creative poetry-writing and emcee workshop at ThChrch in Barrio Logan. Speaking on a wide range of topics that included touring tips, home recording, digital distribution, breath control and vocabulary, Eloheim shared insights gleaned from his personal experiences in music and answered questions from up-and-comers starting out on their own paths.
It was a two-hour crash course for those interested in rap as a profession and a basic overview for anyone looking to expand their knowledge of the music industry. Local producer Resist coordinated the facility at ThChrch. "It's a little thing Orko put together," he said, to help aspiring young rappers find their way and gain some insight into the business of music.
J. Smith, aka 1019, is a San Diego native, rap fan and one half of the rap duo Parker & the Numberman. You can follow him on Instagram at 1019_the_numberman or on Twitter
