(Interview by DCist contributor Justin Kielsgard)
In the late 70s, through forces still unknown, six different mothers on the East coast gave birth to six different babies, all somehow imbued in the womb with the influences of Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, the Beatles, and Dave Brubeck. The children, all boys, were raised on Voodoo Economics, Marvel Comics, RUN DMC records, and the public school system of the 1980s. Later on in their lives, they somehow managed to find one another and create a musical sound that was completely their own. Incorporating elements of hip-hop, soul, jazz, funk, rock and classical music, Restoring Poetry in Music, RPM, has become a vibrant and unique part of the D.C. music scene.
RPM were the 2005 Emergenza International Battle of the Bands Regional champions and have recently opened for Ozomatli and Rahzel. RPM’s next show is July 25th with The Bonapartes and Greenland at Iota Club & Café in Arlington, VA.
DCist sat down with RPM co-founder and MC Raw Poetic to discuss superheroes, Pink Floyd, and the meaning of Hip-Hop.
DCist: How did RPM (Restoring Poetry In Music) Form?
RAW POETIC: Me and my cousin Marlon formed the group about 5 years ago. It started out just the two of us, but then we decided we needed to put a full band together to expand our sound, to make it more dynamic. I mean, loops are cool and everything, but expanding the sound with live instruments is something different. Also, having a band allows you to blend different musical styles and ideas and it definitely makes for a better live show.
DCist: How would you label your music? In what genre would you include it?
RAW POETIC: We don’t like getting labeled as Hip-Hop or Rock and especially not Jam Band. We aren’t trying to fit into any scene, you know. I feel we can mix with a lot of different types of groups, be it Hip-Hop, Indie-rock, Euro-rock, whatever, and that makes me proud. I feel like we’re jumping into something new.
Personally, I would label us Progressive Hip-Hop, which is a term being thrown around a lot lately. But really, we’re a Hip-Hop Band. Everyone mislabels us.
