Federation Records drives Detroit hip-hop

It was a long time coming, but the city of Detroit is finally getting recognized as a hip-hop hotspot. Interscope artist Eminem was the first of a trio of major acts to represent "tha D" worldwide. Next to come is Tribe Called Quest-affiliate Slum Village, and Eminem's bad half Royce da 5'9 recently signed a deal with Tommy Boy records. It can be argued, though, that none of their successes would have been possible had it not been for the underground foundation laid by many of Detroit's hip-hop trailblazers like Esham, AWOL, and Awesome Dre. One of the founders and still one of the leaders of the Detroit revolution is regional label Federation Records.

Started by a four-man partnership, Federation seeks to develop, distribute, and promote the best underground hip-hop that Detroit has to offer. Their roster includes underground legends Infinite, Bizarre, Da Ruckus and many of their artists, like Bi

Courtesy of Federation Records Paradime, a new face in Detroit rap.

nary Star and SUN, have done shows at the University. Astute listeners may also hear guest vocals and production by some of Federation's more well-known affiliates, like Eminem and Slum Village's superproducer Jay Dee.

"Eminem and Bizarre are both members of the New Jersey-based Outsidaz group," said Federation President Mark Kempf of their relationship to the Dr. Dre Protégé. "And they are also part of The Dirty Dozen, which is an all-star team of Detroit rappers. Eminem and Bizarre grew up together, and have been backing each other at shows. He appears on one of Bizarre's songs, and he also appears on a song with Da Ruckus, who he also hangs out with." Kempf notes that he used to manage Eminem, and that Jay Dee produced one of Bizarre's songs.

With distribution at about 120 different stores in the Midwest, as well as stores in New York, Los Angeles, Japan, Germany and various Internet music sources, Federation plans to introduce Detroit hip-hop to the world. But Kempf still feels Detroit's hip-hop scene needs to become more mature to be taken more seriously by the rest of the hip-hop community.

"I think everybody could benefit from cooperation," he said. "Everybody in hip-hop sees each other as competition, (and they need to) get over it. Everything Federation has done is to inspire unity between artists, stores and DJs." Kempf feels that for Detroit to compete with the major hip-hop markets, local talent needs to show more respect for each other, stop measuring themselves by their peers, and set higher standards for themselves.

Kempf also addressed a hip-hop identity crisis that plagues the Midwest and Detroit hip-hop specifically. "Artists have been followers of other music," he explained. "Detroit rap has been East Coast-styled lyrics over West Coast-styled music. Where's the energy directed to, and who are you aiming your music at?"

Kempf said he believes the recent wave of major Detroit rappers indicates a change for the better. "People are doing original stuff now," he said. "The radio DJs and program directors used to show disinterest towards Detroit hip-hop, but now Detroit is gaining more recognition."

The future looks bright for Federation Records. Not wanting to rest on the success of Bizarre's debut (their most recent release), Federation plans to release a debut album by Paradime - whom Kempf describes as a "drunken bully on the microphone" - that features Detroit star Kid Rock. Federation wants to eventually expand their distribution past the Midwest, and possibly negotiate a distribution deal with a larger label. Ultimately Federation wants to be totally self-supported, giving much-needed exposure to rap acts from the whole Midwest, while keeping its focus on spotlighting Detroit hip-hop. Thanks in no small part to their efforts, Detroit is poised to take its place next to Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta and Chicago as a legitimate area for hip-hop - and it's not a moment too soon.

04-01-99