While a lot of artists and critics like to discuss whether or not Hip-Hop is dead, how many of them are actually doing anything about the situation? Hushh is one group that’s been taking action and they’ve been drawing quite a lot of interest from Hip-Hop’s elite for their efforts.
Hushh, which is comprised of the Connecticut duo of Status and Diadem, stands for Help Us Save Hip-Hop. The list of old clichés and recent phenomenons that Status and Diadem are looking to save Hip-Hop from is a long one. Hushh wants to save Hip-Hop from corny songs that revolve around creating a new dance or catchphrase. Hushh wants to save Hip-Hop from gangster posturing and posing. Hushh wants to save Hip-Hop from straying too far from its essence. The duo are attempting to reach these goals by creating music the way it’s supposed to be done, skillfully and from the heart.
There’s no marketing gimmick with Hushh, although they know they have one at their fingertips. Well, maybe “at their fingertips” is a poor choice of words. Diadem, one of the fiercest MCs you’ll ever hear, was born with no arms or legs. Hushh has been offered numerous opportunities to exploit this, but they’ve turned down every one. They’d rather be known for their musical abilities rather than any physical disabilities.
Status has his own story to tell, having gone through coping with the murder of his mother when he was just a boy. Diadem can commiserate, he never knew his birth parents until recently and when he finally found them they told him to never come back. With histories such as these one might expect to hear some depressing lyrics in Hushh’s music, but Status and Diadem flip their life stories and create something positive out of everything they’ve been through.
When someone puts a Hushh album on they hear an amazing fire and intensity, but they also hear a unique ideology that’s woven through it all. Even though the two MCs have had hard lives they’re surviving and can see the good in things. The hope Hushh has is that listeners, the vast majority of whom have had it much easier than Status and Diadem, will look at all the positive things they have going for themselves in their own lives before letting feelings about what they may not have affect them. Diadem points out he has to open doors with his mouth, an act most people would never do, but he must do out of necessity. He doesn’t say this to shock people, he says it to show them how lucky they are to be able to do something as simple as work a doorknob.
The duo’s positive attitudes through trying times and unbelievable work ethic, which includes hitting three Summer Jam concerts in three different states every year just to network, has earned them placements in a number of major publications, including XXL (issue 71), and the respect of a number of high profile artists. Method Man of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan is one of Hushh’s biggest supporters and Wyclef Jean has brought them up on stage to open for him a number of times. At a recent Summer Jam Cassidy even rolled down the window of his car while he was driving by just to give Status and Diadem props.
Those who may be concerned about the possible death of Hip-Hop have no need to worry, Hushh not only knows how to save it, they’re rounding up everyone who sees their vision and making it happen. The only question left for listeners is the one posed by the title Hushh’s 2005 debut LP – Are You Down For The Cause?
no guys thank you for showing people what they refuse to see. Ever since i got a hold of "are you still sleeping" from my boy at the taste of enfield a few years back, ive been lookin for more. great sound and great message guys
>
