Believe that Charlotte, NC is a Hip-Hop city, despite what you might have heard otherwise

Specifically, Charlotte’s underground circuit, no matter where it might be pushed to, has been consistently cooking beneath the surface, with boiling points showing out in not such unknown places. As far back as I can remember, even before I first picked up a pen and keyboard to start my journey into journalism, there have always been events scattered throughout the city. The Chop Shop in NoDa, Snug Harbor and the original Common Market in Plaza-Midwood, Crown Station in both locations (Elizabeth Ave & North Davidson); these small-to-mid size venues, and more still, have allowed the culture to be cultivated way back when, and up to present day (R.I,P., Chop Shop).

Many of these same places not only housed shows featuring local legends and up-&-coming creatives, they also helped by being a place to sharpen the skills necessary to be better in the craft. Through the city’s open mics, lyricists, slam poets, BBoys, producers, and instrumentalists have been honed into many of the artists we have today. While the city still has yet to have a unique place to call home for the genre-art, the scene’s leaders have made plenty of spaces their own, carved out by sheer will when the need has arisen.

Where there was once B.A.M. and D.O.A.P. at Crown Station (the latter still pulls up yearly) & Knocturnal at Snug Harbor, there is Beatfreaq at Starlight on 22nd, FLOW at Common Market Plaza-Midwood, R.A.R.E. at Common Market Southend, and Digital Graffiti at Uptown’s Gallery House. The city is thankfully never completely without, and of recent, one more person has come in to help carry the torch; Merry Mitch.

I came across his event series, 3EE THERE, through the usual weekday listings and noticed a trend, namely that there had been consistent showcase events starting at The Milestone Club, another hub of the Charlotte scene that does so much to grow local talent. The last time I can recall a consistent push of new hip-hop being displayed at the venue was through Nige Hood, one of Charlotte’s stand-out legacies, when he had lived in the city and started working on curating. Phaze Gawd, another local MC from the current generation of leaders, also cut his teeth there in putting together showcases when he wasn’t helping host open mics at Bart’s Mart along the Eastway Plaza.

In the same way that these two (among others that I may not recall and have come before & after) have chosen to extend a hand to the next set of talents in Charlotte & NC hip-hop, Merry Mitch continues that trend.

Over the weekend, I reached out to Mitch in order to find the origins of 3EE There, as well as where the new showrunner would like to see it go. Here is our interview;

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1.) What is the 3EE THERE series?

Originally a humble house show, BEE THERE quickly became something more than I envisioned. I attribute that to my friends and community. After BEE THERE 2, my friends remarked on how it felt like a big moment for Charlotte underground hip-hop. Their words really opened my eyes to a purpose BEE THERE could serve. Now, I aim for BEE THERE to act as a
home for underground artists, and to make every event under the name something worthwhile, an experience our community won’t wanna miss. Bees serve their queen, so I say let’s BEE THERE to serve the Queen City.

2.) Where did the idea for this showcase series come from? Where did the idea first spark things into motion?

I began attending and performing at local Charlotte open mics early this year and found that the city is full of incredibly talented underground artists. I was invited to one of Fender’s (@cleopatrasangrybees) house shows and realized I too could create a space for my fellow starving artists to shine. The BEE THERE name and brand simply stemmed from my family’s personal attachment to bees. See, our last name is Larrabee. I call it BEE THERE because what better name is there than one that invites?

[ Previous 3EE Series Events, from House Show to Venue Showcase]

3.) What are you hoping that the 3EE THERE series inspires those in our music scene and those looking from the outside-in to do?

First and foremost, I wish for it to spur people to show up for Queen City hip-hop. I think it has the potential to show our city all the corners of what hip-hop has been and can be for us. I see it fostering our underground culture and helping shape what people see when they think of Charlotte hip-hop.

Next, I want to inspire others to carve out time and space for more underground genres we host here in CLT (folk punk, garage rock, hyper pop, et al.), or discover who in the community already does so. I chose hip-hop simply because that is where my ears lean. A rising tide raises all ships, so it is so important that us showrunners support one another, to keep the good thing goin’.

Lastly, I pray it inspires people to create and share their art with Charlotte & beyond. The best thing I know to do when I hit a creative rut is pop out to a local show, or open mic.

4.) What are your thoughts on the current hip-hop scene in Charlotte and in NC overall?

I’m excited about the moves I see being made within the community. Some notable groups pushing their way into the scene are B.A.R. Academy, T.S.T. and FreeMindSociety. Keep an eye on these three because they have heart. B.A.R. has variety, soulful instrumentals, talented producers, and some genius minds behind their rhymes. T.S.T. Has energy, bravado, and
cunning dripping from the speakers every time they perform. FreeMindSociety has been brought to my attention recently and I love their thought-provoking resolute take on conscious rap. Plus Seekie has been an incredible host of a series he calls the Charlotte Thrift Gala, hosted at
Common Market Southend.

Next let’s talk about some of the O.G.s in the scene, because they are still here pouring love into the scene they’ve called home for much longer than I. I asked Tony P. the PHAZE GAWD, about his Thursday night open mic he hosts at Common Market Southend and he had this to say,

A good friend of PHAZE and lifelong rapper Joe Sig hosts a weekly open mic, as well, called Family Jams. It’s as raw as possible, a simple mixer and computer on a table, a big speaker, and mics outside an abandoned warehouse. I absolutely love it. I asked Joe about the event and he told me,

If not for them I may have not grown as close as I am now with the community, and it is a testament to how welcoming and kind-hearted these two truly are.

I’m a BBoy with 6 years of experience and recently my mentor Randy Dang has been pushing to breathe new life into the breaking culture here in Charlotte. His open sessions at Camp North End are alive and something well worth checking out. Plus there is a certain event in the works that will go live next year that will have every Charlotte dancer bolting to the door. So stoked for it.

With all of us putting in work and pouring energy into the scene, I’d say hip-hop has a bright future here in Queen City.

5.) How can up-and-coming artists reach out to be a part of the future showcases?

Put together an artist portfolio and link me clips of you performing live. It is important that I know what you bring to the table so that I can build shows properly. The absolute best way above that is to come to an open mic when I’m there. Get people in the community and, in turn, me to know your name and what you are about. Be authentic in your approach, be honest with what you hope to gain by working with me. As my guy iTurb0 would say, “keep it a bean” please.

Be persistent. If reaching out cold doesn’t work, think of next steps to push forward. (i.e. go to open mics, collaborate with other known artists in the community, and keep showing up) It’s hard work, takes time, and it’s worth it. I know now from experience. ~

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TONIGHT (Monday, Sept 21st) is the next installment of Mitch’s 3EE THERE showcase series, starting up at The Milestone Club around 9pm. Get your Tickets HERE or Pay at the door. ~ $12)

At The Milestone Club
– 3EE THERE Feat. Phaze Gawd, B.A.R. Academy, J.Rod, Joe Sig, Merry Mitch & Cleopatra’s Angry Bees at 8pm

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