Washington, D.C. - It's no secret that many in the hip-hop world have been a bit addled when trying to pin point the direction hip-hop is taking.  The term hip-hop has even become a cliche with dance/techno and pop weaving its way into the mixture like never before.  With fast money being on the brain of so many new artists, the public is left with forgettable one-hit wonders and a lack of longevity.  New hip-hop artists are thrown into the mix and find it difficult to establish themselves with the Gucci Mane and Black Eyed Pea crowd, leaving us with the 24/7 pumping of rubbish from the radio to the clubs.

Newcomer Bobby Capri prefers to encompass his style with the fundamentals of hip-hop by sound, lyrical content and an ear-catching melodic flow, giving Capri the meat and potatoes needed to stand out in the crowd.  Capri, a 26-year-old who calls Waynesboro, Virginia his home, is not new to the game, but at this point in his career is now aggressively seeking exposure and success.  Capri has released two mixtapes along with a compilation of originals called Ray Bans and Cardigans which includes the infectious hit “Bell Hop” and the who's who of Virginia title track, which features Jetnoisecardi and Charlie Streetz.  The originals tracks were concocted by the patriarch of beats Andrew Hypes, also a native of Waynesboro.  Hypes keeps the vision of Capri in mind without losing the freshness from track to track that he consistently delivers.  I had the unique opportunity to tag along with Capri and his team, Heavy Green Entertainment, to do a show review of him at the 19th Street Grill in the financial district in Washington, D.C.  Heavily tatted Capri reclined in his hotel chair and enlightened me on his life and aspirations.

33: Who are some of you major influences?
Bobby Capri: Timberland was my favorite producer.  Jay-Z and Biggie are major influences.  I like to hear metaphors in music.  I prefer more lyrical content.

33: When did you start rapping?
BC: Started when I was 13.  I was a rap fan.  Ya know, I'm not an athlete or anything so creativity was right up my alley.

33: What do you think of the state of hip-hop?
BC: I wish someone would tell me.  Every song is the same song.  No thought into the lyrics - drugs, guns, and jewelery.  Its like there's a formula.  I think its fucked up because they make the process accessible to everyone, anyone can access a computer program or whatever to make beats.  Its hurting the industry.  Everyone is doing it.  No one does albums anymore, and there's no longevity anymore.

33: Do you tend to include politics or social issues?
BC: If I feel it at the moment I'll put it in there.  Nothing is off limits.  I use what's going on as punch lines.  I'm big on shit like that.

33: What's the biggest surprise on your iPod?
BC: The Doors, Queen, Skynyrd.  Garth Brooks.  I don't want to get stuck with the format of what rap's suppose to be.

33: Have you faced any adversity as a white rapper?
BC: Surprisingly not.  I do me, and I'm true to myself.  If anything, it's been in my benefit because of that surprise factor.

33: Do you have any rituals that help you get ready to perform or record?
BC: Shot of Henny to warm up before a performance.  But recording... Sometimes I throw on a beat and if it hits me, it hits me.  I write the shit in my head and then go in the booth and lay it down.  Yeah, I feel it so no need for rituals.

33: If you could perform with one artist who would it be?
BC: Jay-Z.  I wouldn't even say Jay has an energy; he has a presence.  He draws me in.

33: If you could ban one person from the radio, who would it be?
BC: Gucci Mane would be the one.

33: Who is Bobby Capri when he's not in the studio?
BC: Bobby Capri the same.  I'm constantly on my job.

33: Where would you be if you weren't rapping/doing music?
BC: I wouldn't even want to imagine.  That wouldn't happen; I'm too creative.

33: What is your next big performance?
BC: I'm doing shows in NYC, D.C., and Virginia at the moment.

33: So the big question...As a white rapper do you use the “N” word in your raps or feel that's okay?
BC: No, never that.  It's not my place.  You see how some black people got that one white friend they let it slide with, well, I still wouldn't do it.  That's not me.

I must say the performance in D.C. had energy and really reeled in new fans that couldn't resist the heart thumping beats and ever present Capri.  The show had quite a bit of diversity when it came to the tracks played, and with DJ and MC in-sync it was clean and vibrant.  I've had the opportunity of schmoozing with quite a few artist in my day, but only a handful exude the drive and perfection it takes to reach the top, and Capri is one of those.  After the performance in DC Capri went around the club and thanked as many people as possible for coming, passed out his CD, and had shots with old friends and new.  The rap game is hard for many when it comes to balancing an alter ego with reality and trying to maintain normalcy in day to day life.  Carpi gets it - he can be the nervy performer with an empowered sense of self on stage but also can humble himself without ever losing focus.  I admire that, because it's few and far between when it comes to artists in this industry.  What do I see for Bobby Capri in the future?  The sky is the limit, my friend.  I see big things, and I hope to catch up with him for the ride to the top.  If you're still not sold on this dude, check him out September 3rd at Norfolk State University, where he will be accompanying Trina, Wocka Flocka, and others for a hell of a show that I assure you will not disappoint.  Big up to Heavy Green Entertainment for letting me tag along to D.C. and showing me that true hip-hop still exists.

MySpace.com/BobbyCapreezee

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