Champain Era
With many people claiming Hip-Hop to be dead and not at the state it was once in, Virginia Beach’s own Champain Era finds this as the perfect time to celebrate the culture and the new movement he is bringing to it. “We will never [be] able to relive the past but I feel that there are a lot of things that need to be restored. There used to be balance in Hip-Hop. People were making good music and were lyrically in tact, but now you either have one or the other,” says Era. To level the seesaw-like structure of the game, Era mends the combination of conceptual rhymes, just plain good music with a touch of charismatic word play and positivity.
A product of the late 80s/early 90s movement, Era was greatly influenced by Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie Common, Boot Camp Click and the whole Wu-Tang movement. These pioneers of Hip-Hop inspired Era to be more than just a Hip-Hop critic. After taking a “hiatus” from his football career at Morehouse College, Era quickly renewed his vows to Hip-Hop, this time not only as an active listener, but as an artist ready to compete in the game. Watching his peers Pharrell, Clipse and Famlay’s rise in the game helped Era in structuring his game plan. “Being in the studio with them cats while they were recording # 1 singles and critically acclaimed albums has helped me with my grind. I’ve learned so much from being in the studio with them and watching them grow.”
Champain Era delved directly into the rap game taking trips up north to the Big Apple where the hungry MC muscled his way into open mics and showcases. But Era didn’t get serious until he found himself showcasing his ability in front of one of Hip-Hop’s forefathers, LL Cool J. This ignited a relentless drive to succeed in the music industry. Out of this persistent drive, Era has further developed his skills and has received acclaim from coast to coast.
In 2004 Champain released his single “Top of the South” which was influenced by his movement bearing the same name and helped give definition to the upper portion of the south which most of the time is referred to as the east coast. “Top of the South isn’t a certain sound or new dance, explains Era. From the Carolinas to Baltimore to D.C. to the Virginias is the Top Of The South. We not the East Coast and we not the Dirty South, it’s the Top Of The South.” The song received heavy rotation within the region and made its way onto mixtapes from DJ Big Mike to DJ Devastator.
Now it’s time for the celebration. The Champain Era lifestyle is about celebrating the Hip-Hop culture. Through his passion in music and culture, Era celebrates real Hip-Hop, while trying to resurrect it back from its creative graveyard. “Everybody associates champagne with a celebration. When you get married you drink Champaign, when you have a baby you drink Champaign so let’s celebrate our culture and this new movement,” explains Era when describing where his name derived from. Champain Era is set to change this commercialized entity back to its true art form. With all of the right motives and determination that Era has, it is a guarantee that he will bring the basics back into Hip-Hop.
Era’s debut New Years, which he is releasing off his own label, Diamond District Music Group boasts production from Buckwild, DJ Toomp and Virginia’s own DJ Devastator, Bink and Warren Campbell. Now, Era is pushing his new single “Back to the Future” which has been all over the internet and has even made its way to Satellite Radio. His college football anthem “Homecoming” takes us all back to those euphoric Fall days on campus cheering for our home team. Not to mention, it is being featured on EA Sports NCAA College Football 2009.
Champain Era started Diamond District Music Group back in 2004 with co-CEO Prince Conley. And if that isn’t enough, Era is readying his team The District Legion comprised of Top of the South representatives Grunge and Nico Couture. And with a strong team behind him and the right motives and determination, Era truly has a reason to celebrate this new Era in Hip-Hop. The Champain Era!
city
Virginia Beach
state/country
VA, US
time
? - present
city
Washington
state/country
DC, US
college
Morehouse
employer
Diamond District Music Group
position
CEO
description
Record Label
time
? - present
