These days the music industry is a sinking business infested with way too many mundane cookie cutter MCs, often fearful of losing their street cred—holding no true identity. But that’s far from Red Dot’s case—and for those primary reasons, the trio and their sound are highly-respected by the streets, and steady peeking the interest of many music industry notables. Although Red Dot’s current members embody Harlem life to the fullest degree, they inevitably posses a polished sound that distinguishes them from that of quintessential Harlem rappers. The East Harlem, New York-born Duo is compromised of 2 biological brothers of Puerto Rican decent.
MoneySkemz (the political mastermind) and Smash (the no nonsense hype man), are popularly known as The Evil Twinz. In high school, The Evil Twinz, who were raised in Harlem’s Taft Housing Projects, linked up with Jim Jones, a resident of the neighboring Housing Projects. “It’s been an up and down roller coaster ride for us,” Says Smash reflecting on the hard work the group has put in over the years. “Every time we perform we get the same reaction. Everybody loves us,” he later added when recollecting the night that the multi-platinum producer Chris styles became intrigued by Red Dot.
Admitting they weren’t as polished at the time, in 2004, Red Dot performed at a New York City talent showcase, hosted by music mogul L.A. Reid at the renowned Rocket Rehearsal Studio. Red Dot’s remarkable on-stage aura immediately caught the attention of Midi Mafia (compromised of Dirty Swift and Bruce Waynne). After their hi-powered performance, Midi Mafia wasted no time approaching Rich(Sato)Salters, a founding member of RedDot. “Bruce Waynne said, ‘They are real hip-hop,’” Sato recalls. “And you really can’t argue that fact.” With aspirations to work with Red Dot, Midi Mafia gave Sato two tracks for the group to write to.
Having already released a series of “Red Dot mixtapes,” of which they pressed up and distributed 20,000 copies each, in the fall of ’04, Later in ’04, Salt, facilitated a production agreement for Red Dot with another multi-platinum hit maker, and former business partner, Darrell “Digga” Branch. The Harlem producer’s discography includes tracks such as: Many Men (50 Cent), Dope Man (Jay-Z), Can’t Stop Won’t Stop ( The Young Gunz) and Cam’ron’s slew of hits prior to signing with Roc-A-Fella Records, among many other works. “Digga has always been way ahead of his time,” says Money Skemz, reminiscing on his first encounter with Branch on the set of Cam’ron’s “My Hood” video shoot in Harlem 2001. “Back then, he was already predicting the trends in hip-hop that are happening now. He taught us a lot; how to make a song from beginning, middle and end. He helped us polish our sound.”
Although no longer under contract with Branch, he continues to work with Red Dot, and maintains heavy supports of their movement. Rap star Jim Jones, the group’s high school buddy who grew up with The Evil Twinz in the same Taft Housing Project high-rise, also expresses his admiration frequently. Over the past several years, Jones has made numerous promises to collaborate with Red Dot, whom he typically refers to as his ‘Little brothers.’ “Jimmy is still my big brother,” says Smash, who Jones often indirectly refers to when mentioning many of his self-proclaimed street life scenarios.
Nonetheless, true talent can NEVER be denied and Red Dot is definitely shining among the rest. They’ve got it all: street smarts, drive, dedication, stunning crowd control ability, hits for days, and an army of supporters and followers behind them, to say the least. Is hip-hop dead? Nope, guess again. With Red Dot on the rise, the “real hip-hop music” standard has now taken a much-needed turn, for the better.
