Getting into the groove

Concert in Charlottetown on Sept. 25 designed to promote local hip-hop artists

More than a dozen hip-hop artists from across P.E.I. are putting on a show at the Victoria Park stage in Charlottetown this weekend.

The Small Island Dreamers concert takes places from 6-11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Kerry McCarthy, who goes by the stage name of Kay Em, said this is the second time the show has taken place this summer.

“It’s a brand that I’m trying to launch on the Island,’’ McCarthy said in a recent interview with The Guardian.

“Basically, we almost act like a record label to promote (local) artists but we don’t distribute the music for them.’’

He said the mandate for Small Island Dreamers is to promote local hip-hip artists and help kickstart their careers. That also includes providing help with things like making videos and finding studio time for artists.

McCarthy, who graduated from Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown this year, is hosting the Sept. 25 show with the artist who goes by the stage name Dee Saint.

There will be about 14 artists performing. The set starts off with an open mic at 6 p.m. where anyone can get up and have some fun. Each artist will get about 20 minutes to perform.

“We don’t have the biggest names in the Island showing up but we have lot of talent. I think it’s going to be a good opportunity for a lot of people to get some exposure that haven’t established a really huge fan base yet.’’

McCarthy plans on performing some of the songs off his upcoming album Between the Lines, which he expects will drop on music platforms on Oct. 31.

Brian Lawt, a first-year UPEI student, will also perform, describing himself as a rapper who gets his inspiration from U.S. musician Kendrick Lamar.

“A lot of the new rappers, the new gens … a lot of them seem to like rapping about fake stuff; gang stuff,’’ Lawt said.

“Why are (artists) putting up fake facades? I rap about what I know and my personal experiences.’’

Lawt said his set will likely include two or three of his songs, one of which has captured about 30,000 views on YouTube.

Lawt said he didn’t have the easiest upbringing. Some of that will translate into his music.

“My music … it’s lighthearted and joking but I have a few songs where I talk about struggling with fitting in or being in uncomfortable situations … dark thoughts,’’ Lawt said.

The first Small Island Dreamers show was held in July at Holy Redeemer’s Jack Blanchard Family Centre in Charlottetown, attracting a crowd of more than 100 people.

“I didn’t think anybody was going to show up, so to think we got over 100 people ... that really gave me a boost,’’ McCarthy said.

The Chief Public Health Office does not have to approve the Sept. 25 outdoor show. Under public health guidelines, in an outdoor space, organizers can hold the event as long as there are fewer than 200 people in attendance.

“There will be sanitizing stations and pylons showing people have to stay six feet apart,’’ McCarthy said.

“We’ll also be changing out the microphone after every set.’’

The show is free to attend. Organizers have also been in talks with the P.E.I. chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation to accept donations on site.