Asheville rapper Eaze Dogg hosted a party on Nov. 11 at Sovereign Kava to premiere the music video for his song, “Reminisce (Good Ol’ Days).”
“It’s wonderful. I actually put my heart and soul into it. Renato Rotolo shot the video, but I actually made the video, editing and everything,” Eaze Dogg said.
At the video’s premiere, Eaze Dogg invited several local rappers to perform. The line-up included: Free Da Glitch, King ArtiSin, J Gunna, Chris The Averageman, Big Emage, Withdrew Tha Design, Amazin, Kirby MFK Kaye, Atboy Pete, Lil Yungsta, Lul Blackkk and Eaze Dogg himself.
“Asheville legends, veterans, upcoming, it doesn’t matter who they are. As long as they get on the stage and represent,” said Eaze Dogg. “All the artists coming out and the fans of Asheville hip hop turned up. They are the ones that have actually been representing Asheville hip hop and holding it down. That’s what I love to see.”
Eaze Dogg said fans can expect a new project currently in production.
“I’m actually working on my next project, ‘Asheville’s Finest 4: The City,’” Eaze Dogg said.
J Gunna, an Asheville resident of 23 years, shared his perspective on the premiere party and his relationship with Eaze Dogg.
“You got to support all. When they invite you, you come out and have some fun,” J Gunna said. “Me and Eaze Dogg have been doing music for a long time. We’ve been doing it, and there’s nothing we can’t do. Real recognizes real, so we just want all the energy to be good. It’s all about your energy.”
According to J Gunna, Asheville hip hop remains neglected by the city, which itself has changed significantly.
“A lot of venues don’t want hip hop. We got to produce more hip hop. It’s a big deal,” J Gunna said. “A lot of things have changed in the city of Asheville. A lot of gentrification and a lot of people moving in from other cities. There’s new everything so you have to adapt, but when you adapt you get lost,” J Gunna said.
J Gunna offered his support for Asheville’s hip hop scene, and said people should be open in approaching what the rap community of Asheville has to offer.
“Support us. Believe in what we do. You got to love yourself. You got to love people. Got to be balanced. Got to leave your egos at the front door and you gotta maintain. Shout out to the world, shout to everybody,” J Gunna said. “Show up and be yourself. Be organically yourself. Every event, someone’s going to be getting hype and doing something different. Maintaining, that’s what it’s about.”
Kirby MFK Kaye, an Asheville resident of six years, said that despite the premiere’s large turnout, more attention must be paid to Asheville hip hop. According to Kirby MFK Kaye, hip hop is often misrepresented and falsely perceived.
“I think the city should be more open-minded to the next generation. I don’t believe that every time rap is being played there’s going to be a shootout or violent situation. This is how we express ourselves. This is how we vent. This genre started in the streets and I respect the genre and the streets,” Kirby MFK Kaye said.
According to Kirby MFK Kaye, he began rapping at Sovereign Kava, performing at open mics.
“I’ve been taking it seriously for about a year and a half now. I started in Kava bar here so shoutout to Sovereign Kava. I was doing open mics. I actually got my first show here. It’s been fire ever since,” Kirby MFK Kaye said.
Kirby MFK Kaye shared his support to Eaze Dogg, thanked him for the invitation and gave a shout out to producer and collaborator, Sp8ce.
“Eaze Dogg hit me up and said hey brother I got a set I want you to open up for: my video premiere. You ain’t really Asheville if you don’t support ol’ Eaze Dogg. He the finest. Shoutout Eaze Dogg,” Kirby MFK Kaye said. “Sp8ce, that’s my boy. He’s a producer, engineer, all that. He does his thing hard.”
Withdrew Tha Design, a New York native who has lived in Asheville for 15 years, expressed his support for Eaze Dogg, Asheville and the music culture.
“Supporting my brother Eaze Dogg and his new music video and his new album release. Showing love to the city. Showing love for the music. This is what we do,” said Withdrew Tha Design.
Withdrew Tha Design said that living in New York was a transformative experience in forming his appreciation for hip hop.
“I’ve been a lover of music since I was like four or five. When I was five or six I got my first tape deck from my older brother. I got 36 chambers as the first tape to listen to so Wu Tang is really my biggest influence. Growing up in New York in the early ‘90s, I got exposed to a lot of the golden era of hip hop,” Withdrew Tha Design said.
Withdrew Tha Design shared his thoughts on Asheville’s current rap landscape and shouted out several artists.
“I think a lot of the talent here goes unnoticed. It’s an artist-filled city and there’s an abundance of talent, but it’s an idle-way city for the elites. A lot of real attention doesn’t get brought to the city,” Withdrew Tha Design said. “Shout out to the Witch Gang. Pack, Witchboy, Herb the Wizard, TP, Kirby MFK Kaye, Plug, Snoopy, Sick Minds Designs and Butcher Kids. That’s how we roll.”
To watch the “Reminisce (Good Ol’ Days)” music video, Eaze Dogg said to check it out on his Youtube: “@EazeDoggyDogg.” Additionally, Eaze Dogg expressed support to all of the artists that came out for the video’s release.
“Wherever they are performing, in venues or in open mics, everything. They are the ones that have actually been representing Asheville hip hop and holding it down,” Eaze Dogg said.
