PATIENTLY WA ITING
AL BIRMINGHAM,
Modesty XO E
very state seems to have a distinct sound that is ide ntifiable through their arti only problem is that Ala bama hasn’t had many arti st’s music. Alabama is no different. The sts breakthrough the ma may be a little harder tha instream, so identifying n noticing the crunk of Atla their style of music nta or the screw music of Tex as. “Alabama sound is really on some laid-back, player , funkadelic, old school fee “A lot of people think tha ling to it,” Alabama emcee t Alabama don’t got the talent and Alabama don Modesty XO explains. of my music is soulful, it’s ’t got the sound, but it’s heartfelt. But I got some really got a soulful feel. club stuff you’re gonna fee A lot l in the club too.” The Birmingham rapper found his penchant for rhy mes during his high school rappers. He soon took his years, while joining ciph rhymes to the ers and battling other streets, appearing on loca l DVDs like NBA Live (‘N Birmingham Alabam a performing at local shows. Allday) and Over the last few years, XO has been ma king his claim as one of Alabama’s bes t. His single “Bag It Up” and 24/7 Grindin’ mixtape hosted by the Aphilliates’ DJ Infamo us has generated a strong buzz for Modesty in 2007, making him a 2007 OZONE Awards Patiently Waiting Alabama nominee. “My style is on some pla yer shit and some gangsta shit, but at the same time I’m coming at you with lyrics,” he says. “I’m trying to give the world some substance. They can listen to my son gs and say I got something from it, get som e knowledge or some wisdom from it.” Now that Rich Boy has driv en his Cadillac across mainstream lines, Modesty is ready to follow suit and let the world hear what the rest of Alabama Hip Hop sounds like. “After Rich Boy came out , it really helped Alabama wit’ the movem ent,” Modesty says. “He’s the first person that really set it off for Alabama. But at the same time, it really was always poppin ’, it just never got to a commercial and nat ional level. Rich Boy kicked the doors dow n, so it’s opened for all of us to come thro ugh. ” With a 24/7 Grindin’ Chapte r II: Beautiful Struggle mixtape and an indie album Cracked Concrete forthco ming, Modesty is looking to bring more recognition to his slept-on state. “Alabam a is a state that’s from the bottom and a lot of people haven’t respected the sta te,” he says. “Most of the people here are from the Black Belt era, the struggl e. Just be looking out for some artists from Birmingham and be looking out for me .” The streets are paying attention. // myspace.com/modestyxo20
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Words by Randy Roper
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