Hip Hop Habit: 1221
posted in: Features • Urban
Some say that character is defined by certain moments rather than the accumulation of years. Something similar can be said for 1221 (pronounced “Twelve Twenty One”), who believe life is made or broken on inches, not feet. So seemingly minimal but inherently essential, inches are the fundamental fabric that provide structure and direction for whatever comes next. Everyday people struggle, scratch and claw their way through life for an inch. MC Jarod Jersey Richardson says. He goes on to proclaim It’s the guy who’s willing to die who’s gonna win that inch. He knows this because it happened to him, and he’s happy to compose score for the battle on 1221’s debut release, Inches.
Richardson and DJ/Producer Ben Bounce Hawks met at the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe, Arizona eight years ago. Their bond proved unbreakable when after graduating and returning to their respective home states, their visits and collaborations continued. Since then, this artistic partnership has turned into a movement. Hell-bent on resuscitating hip hop with the same elements that lured them to the genre in the first place, the twosome’s OurStage catalog is brief but packed with enough raw personality that we feel like we’ve known them for years after only two songs.
Contrary to what may be expected, More is not centered on the over-indulgence of bills, booze and breasts polluting so many rap songs these days. Instead it’s the story of the underserved blue and white collars throughout our nation’s history, and their invincible more spirit. Spitting I ain’t above it but of it I’m not a product in the opening lines, Richardson asserts his lack of pretentiousness while at the same time making sure we know he’s independent. Whatever his stance may be on the issue at hand, it’s never left unexamined, a habit the transparent MC carries across all his creations. From the white man slaughtering Native Americans to Ground Zero, More traverses a boatload of terrain lyrically, and Hawks is quick to match the journey with equally unpredictable instrumentals. The trademark of this beat is undoubtedly the layered brass positioned syncopated around verbal jabs, but underneath this front is swagger-laden percussion and a desolate, all American warbled guitar. Hawks keeps the same idea running throughout, but splices and realigns the bass kicks and soulful moan samples just enough to keep listeners on their feet. Thanks to his engineering expertise, Hawks’ tracks sound beautiful.
Sporting a raspy bark reminiscent of late ’90s token rap bad boy DMX, Jersey catches listeners off guard by attaching this bravado to softer subject matter, as is the case in love lost piece You Would Have Seen. Head hung with his tail between his legs, the slighted MC reflects on what could have been had he been allotted more time to become the man she wanted him to be. It’s a rare display of humility for rappers today, but a necessary one for anybody intent on staying loyal to their mission statement of breathing the blood sweat and tears back into hip hop. His hurt is spread over a rainy soundscape composed of infrequent synth quirks and a cat and mouse tiptoeing bass line/guitar riff that mirrors the song’s chase plot. Unlike this sonic pursuit that ends in capture, our ashamed MC’s grasp remains empty. Richardson throws his vulnerability on the table unbridled, but through an equilibrium of remorse and condemnation of the one who left, he retains an emotional stability not found by so many other artists in their songs of heartbreak, preventing his whines from becoming inconsolable. I admit you’re not the only one to blame/ I take credit for contributions that I’ve made/ but still I always tried to keep a smile on your face/ you can’t deny that you gave up and turned your back/ but if you would have stayed¦
Having built an impressive network through touring over the past few years, and continuing to expand their now bountiful relationships with collaborators and radio stations, there’s little doubt 1221’s exposure will continue to grow. Inches is available on CD Baby and iTunes. Pick it up now and let us know if you want more in the comments!