Working on a project about the Pittsburgh hip-hop scene, photo journalist Polina Yamshchikov caught up with emcees Beedie & Jon Quest at the studio while they were putting in work on the debut album for their group, Varsity Squad. Here are some of the pictures that she took.
Source: polinavyamshchikov.com
Pittsburgh rapper Beedie has set the standards for Pittsburgh rap since stepping on the scene in 2007. The 24-year-old rapper, born Brian Green, has amassed a following of loyal fans through his music, which is reminiscent of classic New York hip-hop.
With parents who were actors and famous opera singer Mildred Miller as a grandmother, it was almost a given that Beedie would be interested in making a living doing something creative.
Since debuting, Beedie has released several projects, including the critically acclaimed “The Beat Bully" LP.
“What I've come to appreciate most about the album is Beedie's honesty. The album is entertaining, yet personal,” the Pittsburgh City Paper wrote in a review on “The Beat Bully.”
Born in New York City on January 19, 1988, Beedie moved around with his family until settling in Pittsburgh, his mother’s hometown. Before moving to Pittsburgh, Beedie was skilled in piano, guitar and bass and used these sounds to influence his music.
Officially debuting as a rapper alongside Mac Miller in the duo The Ill Spoken, Beedie, who is influenced by J Dilla, Jay-Z, Kanye West, sought ways to improve his music.
He studied tape after tape of hip-hop music and tried to learn as much as he could about cadence, delivery and lyricism. He was inspired by releases from The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem and specifically “Soundbombing 2", a compilation produced by record label Rawkus Records.
“I feel like I'll always be a student. I'm always learning new things and new ways to get better,” Beedie said of his learning process.
After The Ill Spoken, Beedie continued to release music as part of the East End Empire, a conglomerate of Pittsburgh rappers, before forming the duo Varsity Squad with rapper Jon Quest.
The music released by Varsity Squad helped them secure placement on JENESIS Magazine’s coveted music cover in 2010. The magazine also tapped Beedie a year later as one of five Pittsburgh rappers likely to succeed on a national level.
In 2012 Beedie will go on tour to promote his forthcoming project “Above the Weather.”
Buy Beedie's 2011 mixtape-album "The Beat Bully LP" on itunes here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-beat-bully-lp/id447452138
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