GOLDEN BROWN ENTERTAINMENT (ARTICLE IN TACOMA WEEKLY)
ARTICLE LINK - http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/4570/
A group of local rappers is combining their Mexican heritage and Northwest attitude into a unique hip-hop style. Golden Brown Entertainment consists of Lil Dreams, Cricket, Chuy Chucks and Neno Brownz.
Cricket and Neno Brownz started the group three years ago. They met while attending Lincoln High School, where they admired each other’s freestyle work. Cricket began writing at 16, recording over karaoke tapes.
Cricket met Lil Dreams in March 2009. They liked the music each other were working on and they began writing songs together. Lil Dreams began writing at 13 and was free styling by high school.
Chuy Chucks joined about a month ago. When Cricket was kicked out of Tacoma Public Schools, he met Chuy Chucks at Walker, an alternative school in Puyallup School District. Chuy Chucks began rapping at parties at 14.
Their group name reflects their Hispanic heritage. Neno Brownz said he thinks they are the first group of Mexican rappers in the Puget Sound area.
“A lot of Latinos that have hit our shows come up to us and tell us we make them proud,” he said. “That makes us feel good.”
“We give people something they can relate to,” Cricket remarked.
“We want all types of people to listen,” Neno Brownz said. “We are not marketing our music just for Latinos.”
Cricket makes up some of the beats. His lyrics are inspired by things he has gone through in life or hopes he has for the future.
Chuy Chucks said one member might write a few lyrics, and then pass a tune on to someone else who will add a few hooks. Some evolve over time based on feedback they get from fans, Cricket noted.
Their individual rapping styles give the group a diverse sound. Lil Dreams might throw in some fast-paced tongue twisters, while Cricket has a more laid-back delivery. Neno Brownz can shift from a harsh vibe to a happy one.
The group just released the CD “Naftwest Mexicans.” Cricket and Neno Brownz wrote most of the material. They expect this to be the first volume of a three-album project. The CD reflects their ethnic heritage, with a few songs switching from English to Spanish, but more importantly their deep sense of pride in the 253. Each of the members has solo CDs they are currently working on.
Lil Dreams went to Houston on the advice of a friend, who said he needed to check out the rap scene there.
“He told me the vibe was wonderful.”
Lil Dreams became homesick and concluded the rap style of Houston did not fit what he wanted to do.
“We are like a family,” Neno Brownz said. “I consider these guys my brothers.”
He credits Cricket for his dedication.
“From the beginning he was determined to do something with this music,” Neno Brownz said. “He has always kept me pumped up.”
Everyone brings something unique to the group. The other three look to Lil Dreams for knowledge on the business side of music.
“We can see our dream happening,” he remarked. Recently they were at a party after their CD was released, and they were pleasantly surprised to hear it playing.
“Little by little we are making some noise,” Neno Brownz said.
Golden Brown Entertainment performs at El Potrero, located at 4314 Portland Ave. in Tacoma, on July 15.
ARTICLE LINK - http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/4570/
A group of local rappers is combining their Mexican heritage and Northwest attitude into a unique hip-hop style. Golden Brown Entertainment consists of Lil Dreams, Cricket, Chuy Chucks and Neno Brownz.
Cricket and Neno Brownz started the group three years ago. They met while attending Lincoln High School, where they admired each other’s freestyle work. Cricket began writing at 16, recording over karaoke tapes.
Cricket met Lil Dreams in March 2009. They liked the music each other were working on and they began writing songs together. Lil Dreams began writing at 13 and was free styling by high school.
Chuy Chucks joined about a month ago. When Cricket was kicked out of Tacoma Public Schools, he met Chuy Chucks at Walker, an alternative school in Puyallup School District. Chuy Chucks began rapping at parties at 14.
Their group name reflects their Hispanic heritage. Neno Brownz said he thinks they are the first group of Mexican rappers in the Puget Sound area.
“A lot of Latinos that have hit our shows come up to us and tell us we make them proud,” he said. “That makes us feel good.”
“We give people something they can relate to,” Cricket remarked.
“We want all types of people to listen,” Neno Brownz said. “We are not marketing our music just for Latinos.”
Cricket makes up some of the beats. His lyrics are inspired by things he has gone through in life or hopes he has for the future.
Chuy Chucks said one member might write a few lyrics, and then pass a tune on to someone else who will add a few hooks. Some evolve over time based on feedback they get from fans, Cricket noted.
Their individual rapping styles give the group a diverse sound. Lil Dreams might throw in some fast-paced tongue twisters, while Cricket has a more laid-back delivery. Neno Brownz can shift from a harsh vibe to a happy one.
The group just released the CD “Naftwest Mexicans.” Cricket and Neno Brownz wrote most of the material. They expect this to be the first volume of a three-album project. The CD reflects their ethnic heritage, with a few songs switching from English to Spanish, but more importantly their deep sense of pride in the 253. Each of the members has solo CDs they are currently working on.
Lil Dreams went to Houston on the advice of a friend, who said he needed to check out the rap scene there.
“He told me the vibe was wonderful.”
Lil Dreams became homesick and concluded the rap style of Houston did not fit what he wanted to do.
“We are like a family,” Neno Brownz said. “I consider these guys my brothers.”
He credits Cricket for his dedication.
“From the beginning he was determined to do something with this music,” Neno Brownz said. “He has always kept me pumped up.”
Everyone brings something unique to the group. The other three look to Lil Dreams for knowledge on the business side of music.
“We can see our dream happening,” he remarked. Recently they were at a party after their CD was released, and they were pleasantly surprised to hear it playing.
“Little by little we are making some noise,” Neno Brownz said.
Golden Brown Entertainment performs at El Potrero, located at 4314 Portland Ave. in Tacoma, on July 15.