Hisop Hip-Hop
Danielle McFall
Hip-hop is a touchy subject for a lot of people. The powerful lyrics of underground hip-hop can be intimidating to some people, and mainstream hip-hop can be offensive to a lot of underground artists. Hood student Tyler Hisop, who writes and performs hip-hop music under the pseudonym SacriFICE, prefers thought-provoking music.
"In my mind, a lyricist in hip-hop is a poet and a story teller that really takes hold of the art of rhyming, and rather than focus strictly on the catchiness of a chorus," Hisop said. "The content of the lyricism is much more important."
Hisop, who began his creative writing in elementary school, first started recording when he was in his early teens. His songs are an eloquent blend of classical musicality, memorable beats, and thought-inspiring lyrics.
On songs such as "Crux and the Source", Hisop warms up the audience with a slow introduction consisting of electronic violin harmonies and keyboard. This song is just one example of Hisop's unique style; each song brings a different idea to the listener, whether it is musical or intellectual.
While he gives credit to artists such as Mos Def and Aesop Rock for inspiring his hip-hop sound, he now enjoys classical music. "Nowadays I spend the majority of my time listening to Chopin, Rachmaninov, Jeremy Soule, Michel Petrucciani, Naser Cheshmazar," Hisop said.
He has recorded approximately 500 songs over the span of 20 albums since 2004, and he does all the work. "I feel so… blessed that I've been able to take the recording my music into my own hands; I've taught myself over the last decade the ins and outs of audio recording, production and engineering, and truthfully, I don't know where I'd be right now had this wonderful craft not appeared before me."
So far, he has done a few shows with other artists in Frederick, Hagerstown, Baltimore, and D.C., and his next performance will be on February 13th at the Hard Times Café on Route 40. "Rarely do I set out to accomplish a specific agenda in a song," Hisop said, "rather, I just write my thoughts."
Check out Hisop's music on the following websites:
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