CAUSE AND EFFECT

posted in: Artist Features • Urban

The game of hip hop is one that’s fraught with disses and beefs, rodomontade and schadenfreude. These aren’t friendly waters for a newcomer, and many don’t survive first impact. When a young MC steps up to the mic, the hip hop community pauses”poised to either erupt into hisses and jeers, or break into thunderous applause. Those few seconds are where careers are made and broken ¦ and only the strongest survive.

When it comes to New York rapper CAUSE, prepare to start clapping. The 22-year-old phenom explodes out of the gates, showcasing a bright young mind and an old soul. CAUSE is straight from the boogie down Bronx, a crucible for legendary hip hop acts during the early 80’s. On his searing single In Too Deep, he promises a renaissance for his community. Hip-hop started in my borough now I’m bringing it back to get it on. With a serpentine, lightning-quick flow and ceaseless wit he establishes his reign over his home turf: I’m a king, I could never be a pawn. It’s not an empty assertion”CAUSE already has a Billboard songwriting award under his belt and was cherry-picked by Bow Wow as the Hip Hop Channel winner on OurStage. In other words, this kid’s no joke. Don’t believe us? Check out the single Banga, where CAUSE name checks Tribe Called Quest over an irresistible vintage funk soul beat with a refrain that sums up his mission statement: We’re bringing back what was missing so long.

Welcome CAUSE. Now get to work.