Big Rec, the founder and ambassador of the Real Hip-Hop Is Back (RHHIB) movement, has used his influence throughout underground hip-hop to create “5ive Degrees of Separation,” a supercrew of emcee battle aficionados. A wordsmith and lyricist, Big Rec, aka BigReczilla, has performed alongside rap icons KRS-ONE, Raekwon and Buckshot and is currently the only person to ever rap on the game show, “The Wheel of Fortune.” Big Rec gave rolling out a no-holds-barred exclusive on real hip-hop versus radio, his upcoming album, Renaissance Man, and his thoughts on B.I.G., Nas and Damien Marley. –alex green
How do differentiate yourself in the rap game?
I try to keep it simple and use a few proven methods that I know actually work. [I] evaluate the scene [or] market, identify the voids, find where I can realistically add value, and aim to fill the void[s] that make the most sense for the advancement of my career.
What does “5ive” stand for? What brought you together?
THE 5IVE is the said number of solo hip-hop artists [emcees], joined by a mutual respect for one another’s artistry and a common love for hip-hop. We are a real brotherhood, similar to a fraternity. We all have our respective visions and goals as individuals and maintain those through our union as a collective. I believe the real purpose for our union, especially to the public, is to be an example of unity and brotherhood in hip-hop. Five fingers folded together make one helluva fist …
Why is RHHIB important to the legacy of hip-hop?
Man, this is the single most important question of my career to date. When I think of the word “legacy,” I immediately think of the love of my life: my 5-year-old son, Gideon. I think of how important the example of me pursuing my passion is in laying foundation for him to know, not just believe … but to know and understand that he can do anything he desires. When I say “Real Hip-Hop Is Back,” it’s not just a song or hopeful thinking, I believe it’s prophetic and an anthem for a movement. Just as the tides of hip-hop music have been cyclical, revolving throughout the duration of the culture, signs are pointing toward a return to an emphasis on lyricism, a rebirth of soul in the music, a return to substantial content in hip-hop music. I’m a part of that rebirth, that hip-hop renaissance.
