Seattle is the most geographically remote of any American city, and perhaps because of its isolation, it’s developed a rap subculture unlike any other. From Sir Mix-A-Lot to Macklemore to DoNormaal, Emerald City hip-hop has always been notable for its idiosyncratic storytelling, its humor, its huge personalities, and its unflinching commitment to honesty. In this regard – and in many others – MariBased1 is truly a man of his town. Along with his label chief and fellow artist Mr. Benjamin, he’s a proud champion of Seattle hip-hop. These two know exactly who and what they are: they’re carriers of a winning tradition, and part of the next wave of Pacific Northwest hip-hop.
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And while he may not be well-known nationally (yet), in his hometown, MariBased1 has already arrived. He’s an award-winning, hard rhyming, straight-to-the gut emcee with a distinctive flow and vivid stories of the Seattle streets. His Mariotto Volume 1 mixtape is more of what has made him locally famous: tight, tough, illuminating narratives, bumping beats, and undeniable star presence on the microphone. “Doe Boi”, his latest single, is a prime example of his economy and his focus – there’s not a wasted word or beat. He works fast and pulls no punches. He’s got something he wants to put across, and once he’s accomplished his goal, the song is over. There’s nothing left to say. He knows you’ve been spoken to.
The topic at hand is the hustle, and MariBased1 and Mr. Benjamin deliver their tale with complete candor and grim determination. In order to bring this story to life on the screen, the rappers have turned to another local of renown: Sonny Bonoho, who also records as WRLORD. The Tacoma-based artist isn’t just a video director – he’s a rapper, too, and one who has been praised for his uniqueness and his characteristically Northwestern wit by XXL’s “The Break”. Sonny Bonoho’s own videos are hallucinations; they’re simultaneously seductive and bizarre, and they radiate menace, even as the beckon the viewer closer.
