Remove The Cloud

It's something about Pittsburgh music particularly rap music that fires the city up. The unbelievable raw talent, the dedication to the craft as well as, the level of therapeutic expression, either way it lights the city up in an unusual way.

His feelings are further translated into the visuals, allowing for the music and production process to prove therapeutic for him.

— Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 6 Apr. 2021

Often visualizing Pittsburgh artist at the forefront and top catalyst of any arena that they partake in, is by far a tremendous vision as well as task for various reasons.

Folks will never begin to understand the passion that stir in someone in regards to Pittsburgh Music unless you've set up for twenty four hours and watched young men and women unload their raw thoughts on paper to a loud beat of pulsating sounds of where they've been, what they've experienced or what they may be trying to get a way from. Their hurt, their pain and what they are trying to get through all while the beat is raging and slamming off the walls. It's a Different form of therapy, there's no doctor and there is no couch, just raw therapeutic expression coming from their mouths.

Having the privilege to witness some of this raw talent first hand in my very on home for many years, I have a fond appreciation for the craft, the young folk and the level of time and raw emotion that goes into a finished project from pen to production and many are not granted that opportunity.

It's a great joy watching these artist from different backgrounds with different journey's and different stories to successfully complete a project, a performance or even a video. Because it takes time, effort, money and skill to execute and hit all the targets in relation to their craft.

Looking on from a far how these young men and women take their craft and courageously share it with a city that has such a deep condemnation of hate and lack of respect it makes it hard for the folks on the outside looking in to respect the craft here. Although when you truly take a deep dive and explore the many artist that is here, I'm sure more than most will agree and or discover that they truly are the best. Unfortunately, many great lyricist go unnoticed so it leaves them fighting for their spot and to be noticed literally.

Here's the thing, there is no one spot or the spot when it comes to Pittsburgh artist, individually as well as collectively they are a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Their pens, their intellect and their abilities to flex their cerebral muscles in spite of the things that they deal with on a daily basis that no one knows about. Coupled with Raw passion, very unique skill and the ability to move the crowd.

There are many levels to Pittsburgh music as it pertains to black males and females that fall by the wayside in their craft due to lack of respect for the craft itself and the meaning of necessity and therapeutic expression. The Fact that these artist's crafts are indispensable, past, present and future with great ability to strike the earth with sound frequencies that can change the narrative entirely is more reason to speak life in hopes that it will take root. Although, more than most won't understand, because it look and sounds different, that however is what makes Pittsburgh so unique these battle rappers, artist, league owners don't have to fit in anyone's box, because they are the box. Each and artist has their own reason's of why music is their choice and for some music chose them.

Either way it has to be celebrated because it goes so much deeper than just music, it goes well beneath the surface battle rap, late night studio sessions, video productions It's an outlet of therapeutic expression.

Young men and women in music to unload their thoughts and for many their pain. Sure you can spend thousands of hours in an attempt to get to the bottom of what makes these artist tick. When to be honest, it's skill set, music, words, penmanship, raw talent, passion, the loss of loved ones and for some to make it out of the city to the big leagues, is what lights the wick.

Unfortunately, some are coming from a place that back petals and criticize as it relates to celebrating them and their craft not because it's not good, not because the artist are bad it's just another form of Therapeutic expression and it's misunderstood, it doesn't fit the description of what is known as norms.

When I see these young folks I see strength, courage, a creative powerful energy resonating from them. It's bigger than just battle rap, music, street cred it's what I see in their core. I don't see boys and girls, men and women I see Young Kings and Queens that want more across the board.

What ever life obstacles and hurdles are in your path, As Long As You Can Peacefully Overcome them, You Will Always Be Great! Chins Up!

Echo Marie Bryant

Pittsburgh Artist All Categories