life on the streets: the new orleans music scene

LIFE ON THE STREETS:
THE NEW ORLEANS MUSIC SCENE
Written by Bryan Berlin (Media Studies)
New Orleans is full of music venues.
Photo courtesy of Frank Daum
MINNEAPOLIS
Yes, there is the House of Blues, Tipitinas, and
The Howlin’ Wolf, but the majority of the New
Orleans music scene is composed of small,
intimate bars. While there is nothing like seeing
the Rebirth Brass Band play a show in a jampacked set at The Maple Leaf, the true beauty of
New Orleans music happens right on the street.
It’s amazing, the impact the street has on
the New Orleans music scene. Between sets in
bars, musicians commonly play on open street
corners around the French Quarter. The sense of
community between these musicians on the street
is amazing. One night, I saw Davis Rogan, a DJ
who inspired Steve Zahn’s character on the show
Treme, hanging around selling food outside a jazz
is embracing the local community is far more
interesting.
With no coast to boast, the Twin Cities
hip-hop scene has taken to strengthening local
culture. In early October, North Minneapolis
celebrated a “Day of Dignity,” a multi-city event
Written by Colin Peters (Journalism)
Minnesota has generated
prolific songwriters like Bob Dylan and
personalities like Prince, the artist formerly known
as Prince, and again, Prince. Songwriter Dan
Wilson, lead singer of Semisonic – who forever
caused drunks everywhere to sing “Closing
Time” – just scored his first number one hit for
co-writing Adele’s “Someone Like You.”
Minnesotans have a knack for writing songs
and, more recently, writing raps. Minneapolis is
starting to get recognized in the national hip-hop
scene, but the way this budding hip-hop scene
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venue. Two nights later, I saw Kermit Ruffins, who
started the infamous Rebirth Brass Band, selling
sausages on the street off of the portable grill
he had attached to his SUV. These people play
music, but they play in a tight knit community on
the streets of New Orleans.
The epitome of New Orleans street music is
the second line. Found at any parade, the second
line is the brass band that follows the main line
of the people who actually have the parade
permit. Really, second liners are people who just
love playing music and are bringing a good time
to a parade. These brass bands will often play
together on the streets of the city, making their
money off of donations from the street crowd. The
final place you’ll see a second line is amongst a
funeral procession. A tradition that came straight
out of New Orleans, the jazz funeral has the
second line playing a slow but steady beat as
the funeral procession leaves the church with
the casket. I don’t know about you, but having a
brass band playing the final song on your life’s
soundtrack sounds like a pretty sweet deal.
organized by Islamic Relief USA. Minnesota
rapper Brother Ali helped organize and publicize
the event for his neighborhood. The “block party
with a purpose” distributed hot meals, warm
clothes, medical services and school supplies to
needy families.
At the end of the night, Ali performed
on a stage set between his mosque and
the neighboring Catholic church. Label
mate Atmosphere showed up for a surprise
performance. They’re both signed to Rhymesayers
Entertainment, a label started in Minneapolis by
the latter artist.
A collective crew of seven rappers called
Doomtree also performed. They aren’t affiliated
with Ali or Atmosphere by label, but they
frequently work together in the area. Doomtree’s
members met in high school and have remained
friends and collaborators since then. All the
recording, production and promotion for the crew
are sourced from local talent.
Their appreciation for the Twin Cities is
displayed in their lyrics as well as their actions.
Regardless of successes, failures and where the
music may take them, it’s clear these artists have
established a home.