As hip-hop shifts into its next era, and as current acts struggle on pleasing both: veteran fans and the next generation, Phoenix, Ariz.’s upcoming MC Burnz bridges the gap between both audiences. Born and raised in Phoenix, AZ this 27-year-old MC has a vision that extends beyond trying to make a catchy radio single and pulls his music inspiration from a wide variety of artists ranging from: Redman, DMX, 2pac and Nas, all the way to John Coltrane, and Billie Holiday. He displays an honest, skillful and eager rap method, as he fortunately lacks the overused material braggadocio technique that most rappers lean on nowadays. His swag and rhyme flow are quite refreshing and Burnz is blessed with the ability to take his life experiences and perspective on different subjects and transform them into a song; in which his pain, goals, drive and his lessons learned can all be heard and absorbed by listeners.
His roots go back to the origin of The Zone’s (AZ) hip-hop scene in the notorious stomping grounds of, Maryvale -one of West Phoenix’s grittiest neighborhoods. He was fortunate enough to be introduced to the culture at a young age through his older brother/mentor, Pound (R.I.P.) one of The Zone’s first producers that helped establish the local urban scene in the late 1980’s through the early 90’s. With his brother’s influence Burnz fell in love with the culture, and he soon found himself jotting down rhymes on hall passes, and battling fellow MCs during recess. Growing up he had a fetish for fashion, graffiti, skateboarding, and just hanging with his crew. But with his father out of the picture and his single mother left all alone to raise her family, he turned to the streets for guidance.
After getting kicked out of his mother’s house and roaming the streets of Phoenix for several of years, he packed up his bags and was able to voyage across the country at a young age allowing him to experience places like: Virginia when the Clipse and Pharrell began to make their moves, and Sacramento during the height of the hyphy movement. The journeys across the country contributed to his growth as an MC, and the outcome left him with a more diverse rhyme scheme.
When listening to Burnz’s music, his grittiness and his swift lyrical word-play will easily standout, giving him the upper-hand against his competitors. While some MCs are limited to one category or rhyme style, Burnz restricts himself from all limits, as he displays his versatility in his music. At times he may exploit the streets through his eyes or tell an experience that many individuals can relate to; in other cases he produce a potential hit or serve listeners with his “thug- revolutionary” anthems. “My music is like ghetto poetry, anyone hustling, painting, banging, or that just loves hip-hop will enjoy it,” he says confidently.
When it comes to the culture that he grew up on, Burnz compares the current state of hip-hop to a relationship between a man and a woman. “When you think everything is going real bad, something happens that surprises you. And when you think everything is going good, something happens that makes you say, ‘man this is horrible!’” Nevertheless, he remains on the path to improve himself and his music. “It doesn’t take a genius to make money, but it takes a true artist to make good music. In 2009 going into 2010, hip-hop is about artists that are in love with it.”
