My big sister in Carolina hip-hop, Nanci O, had the opportunity to interview one of my Southern hip-hop heroes recently. The incomparable 9th Wonder of Winston-Salem, North Carolina was nice enough to sit down with Nanci O and answer a couple of her questions including one that absolutely has my panties in a bunch: 9th proposes the creation of “The Middle East“, a fictional geographical hip-hop region that would contain North Carolina, Virginia, and the already labeled DMV (District of Colubmia, Maryland, Virginia).

I think this is a silly idea.

In fact, let me just pull my comments from her site so as to give you some insight to my thoughts on the subject.

ME:

ok.

the “middle east” is obviously a marketing/packaging thing–because from a culture and GEOGRAPHICAL stand point, North Carolina is a Southern state. period. but i can see where he’s coming from in the sense that dudes from NC do seem quite “New York-ish” and for that reason NC isn’t really “Southern enough” for the rest of the Dirty, Dirty.

i don’t agree with it but i do see the logic in doing something like that: create the demand and others will follow because of his background. i’m interested in seeing what comes from it honestly.

Nanci O:

so what do you think about the Karolina South movement? is that a marketing/packaging thing too?

Me:

of course it is. and it’s just as silly as this “Middle East” thing that 9th is pumping. giving yourself a new name isn’t going to get people on–the mentality has to change. the talented artist of North and South Carolina need to do shows (which means they need venues to perform in), they need to work with artist outside of their cliques (and their home State), and they need to learn how to “service” radio stations so that they can get radio spins.

9th has the power and influence to do all of that and I wish him the best but it’s kinda disheartening to hear one of my hip-hop heroes all but disown his Southern heritage. why not create a CAROLINA movement that includes both States instead of aligning yourself with people (DMV) that call you “bama”?

First of all, North Carolina is a Southern state. We all understand that. It’s clearly below the Mason-Dixon Line and even though the Census Bureau doesn’t have official labels for each region of the US, the Federal Government considers the state of North Carolina to be in the  Southeast. So, 9th, I love your music but your totally making stuff up. What’s crazy about this whole thing though is that even though it rubs me the wrong way–I think he has a valid point. Most Southern hip-hop fans (author included) don’t really consider North Carolina or Virginia “Southern enough” to be apart of the Dirty South. 9th obviously knows this and is doing what any smart businessman with any sizable measure of influence would do when they recognize an opportunity like this: define it, then quantify it.

It’s a crazy idea alright. Crazy like a fox. In fact, it’s just crazy enough to work.

What he is doing is not unlike what I’m doing with H1GHER LEARNING, I found a demographic that wasn’t being properly serviced (the Southern streetwear enthusiast) and I decided to cater my site to their liking. The difference between me and 9th besides being taller than me, being from North Carolina, being famous, and having more money than me is that as a Grammy Award winning producer, he has the influence to get his movement off the ground ASAP, which means he can capitalize financially off his “Middle East” movement and create that “Middle East” conference that he wants to do. And every rapper/singer/producer/promoter/model/stylist/engineer/video director between Charlotte and our Nation’s capital will pay their registration fee to be in attendance.

9th, if you’re reading this, I think it’s a brilliant idea. I think you’ll get things moving in the direction you want and all will be right in the “Middle East”. I guess I’m just not happy with the fact that a Southern state would much rather align themselves with the DMV than, oh I don’t know, South Carolina! Maybe you can make it the “Middle East plus 1″ movement instead. Geographically and any other way you want to look at it North Carolina is in the South but for anyone that has spent an extended amount of time in the Tar Heel State they know that you’re doing the right thing. I understand.

I just don’t like.