The Big Boom is presented by Fort Knox Recordings, Capitol Hemp, and TVD, Sunday, July 3rd (9pm – 3am) at U Street Music Hall. Come celebrate your freedom with us and Nappy Riddem!
“Keep it Nappy, Baby!”
Fact: Funk music is sexy.
Fact: My grandma told me so.
Fact: Funk music is getting sexier.
The two crowd charmers, Rex Riddem and Mustafa Akbar, sat down with me at their Thievery Corporation home-base, Eighteenth Street Lounge. They operate as a unit, a joint force that smiles as the Nappy Riddem movement.
Their relationship started as casual aquaintences at a local DC bar where Akbar was working the late-night door and Rex had a monthly DJ gig. The two later linked up while collaborating with the local musical powerhouse, Thunderball.
Nappy Riddem | Rastar (Ursula 1000 Remix)
They soon learned that they both have a passion for hip hop, funky bass, and “whatever feels good,” they say. In addition, they share a mutual desire to be socially conscious, truthful, and honest. Together, in conjunction with third party Ashish “Hash” Vyas (who rocks a live bass), the movement is owning a new sound.
They openly encourage their crowd to, “free up, be you, and accept the music,” says Akbar. “We have these mantras, I’ll say them to the crowd … ‘Free-up, free-up’ and ‘Keep it nappy, baby!'” They just want their crowd to be comfortable and to have a good time. Rex adds that the better the crowd is feeling, the better their performance.
Fact: You need to be at U St. Music Hall this Sunday, July 3rd. Rex will be DJing and Akbar will be joining up with Fort Knox Five to provide vocals.
To tide you over until Sunday, Fort Knox Recordings is offering an exclusive free download of “Rastar (Ursula 1000 Remix)” to TVD Readers. Give it a listen above, and download it below. You will find this no where else!
Photo Credit: Lauren Jaslow, Snarky Studios
