| Artifact (ärt’? fakt)
n. any object made by human work
One of Hip-Hop’s many claims to fame is the knack for redefining and re-spelling words found in Webster’s dictionary. A true byproduct of the culture, California-based lyricist Artaphac (inspired by his deceased uncle, Art, and “the Art-Of-spitting Fact”) not only puts a unique spin on the noun that is his name, but he also offers a much needed new perception of the modern rap artist with his debut album Uninfluenced: (The Hard Way).
The first of many soundtracks to Artaphac’s roller-coaster life, Uninfluenced: (The Hard Way) is not just another album with a trumped up title. It’s the perfect stamp for a story of self-teaching and independence that started in Los Angeles, California and was supposed to end in tragedy years ago.
Growing up listening to everything ranging from Anita Baker to Public Enemy to Cameo, this sonic variety would serve as the backdrop to a life that saw Art raised by his South Central-native mother, and Black Panther and Nation of Islam aligned extended family. With so many influences, and not mention the hostile Long Beach and South Central environments he was raised in, Artaphac naturally scoffed at any notion of authority leading to his expulsion in the second grade and eventual banning from the State of California school system at a young age.
After relocating to South Carolina and then Atlanta with his grandmother Artaphac had plenty of time on his hands now. Through hustling to make ends meet Artaphac was drawn to Hip-Hop and it wasn’t long before this hustler by nature was heading up his own company, Militant Mind Frame Records, now known as Thug Armada Worldwide, in 1996.
Success wasn’t immediate as Artaphac’s allegiance to the streets brought him hurdles like having musical ideas stolen from him, attempts on his life, and even going to jail. He resurfaced in 2000, mentally stronger, less destructive, more focused with his skills refined.
Through five years of highs (opening shows nationwide) and lows (a stint of homelessness) Artaphac conjured Uninfluenced: (The Hard Way) which showcases a blend of the knowledge of 2Pac, the gangster mentality of Snoop Dogg, the word mastery of Jay-Z, the hustling spirit of Clipse, the brains and brawn of Benzino, the party vibe of Chingy and the swagger of Bishop Magic Juan to create not a super-rapper, but a Kingpin.
Executively produced by God and hugely co-produced by Artaphac himself Uninfluenced: (The Hard Way) features a unique mesh of harsh reality, hope and instruction for a better future. Autobiographical songs like “Confessions of A Kingpin” shows Art at his finest, walking listeners through a past, present, and future journey of his life. The emotion-charged “Murdermentary” demonstrates Art’s uncanny ability of compacting a lifetime into a matter of minutes as he comments on how the Willie Lynch philosophy has destroyed, and continues to destroy, the youth through the public school system. He also takes a moment to boast his coast on “Ghetto Superstars” where he raps, “Everybody loves to bite the west, because we pulling cards we ain’t ever had no equals/we live like savages and die like sequels.” And in a true hustler’s fashion he also comments on male/female relationships on “Smile Bacc” which is also the name of his women’s clothing line.
Touting his debut as the “first street album from L.A.,” Artaphac is poised to destroy and rebuild the image of today’s Hip-Hop artist.
“I don’t promote gangbanging or being a drug lord. I promote the street life. All of the stuff that Hollywood hasn’t glorified,” he says. “I promote being a kingpin
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