Champtown

Champtown is an American rapper, disc jockey, film director and teacher from Detroit, Michigan. Founder of the Straight Jacket independent record label, Champtown is known for helping establish the careers of a number of Detroit hip hop artists, including Kid Rock and Eminem. He has also worked with Ice-T, Rev Run, Public Enemy and Uncle Kracker.^[2] He is currently producing a documentary film, The Untold Story of Detroit Hip Hop, which will be narrated by Chuck D and feature interviews with notable Detroit rappers.^[1]

Biography

Champtown grew up in the Fairport neighborhood, and attended Detroit Boys and Girls Club with the drug dealers Best Friends. Attending the Boys and Girls Club, Champtown was the subject of much racism.^[3] Champtown's older half brother, John, took him to his first hip hop music concert, the Fresh Fest, at the age of 8, leading Champtown to become enamored with the genre.^[3] In the second grade, Champtown met future rapper Esham, and the two performed together at open mic events at Seafood Bay.^[3] In one occurance, Champtown and Esham were forced to rap for a drug dealer at gunpoint.^[3] Although he was kicked out of high school, Champtown earned his GED at the age of 15, and began a professional music career.^[3] Through his manager, local DJ Blackman, Champtown became friends with a young Kid Rock, and was a member of the local hip hop group The Beast Crew, with Blackman, KDC, Chris "Doc Roun-Cee" Pouncy and Kid Rock. The Beast Crew split after Kid Rock signed with Jive Records, and Champtown formed the Straight Jacket independent record label in 1990.^[4][3] The label operates under a strong DIY ethic.^[3]

Champtown helped Eminem with his earliest recordings, and Eminem made his music video debut in Champtown's 1992 video for "Do-Da-Dipity", but they later had a falling out.^[3][1] A later Champtown video, "Bang Bang Boogie", featured appearances by Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy.^[3] In 2001, Straight Jacket signed a national distribution deal with Sumthing Distribution.^[4] In 2004, Champtown was interviewed by The Source, and criticized Eminem, accusing him and his manager Paul Rosenberg of racism.^[3] In 2005, Champtown wrote the song "I Used to Think I Was Run" for Rev Run's solo album Distortion.^[5][2]

In 2009, Champtown joined the Institute of Production & Recording as a teacher.^[2] In 2011, Champtown began working on a documentary film, The Untold Story of Detroit Hip Hop. The film will focus on the city's hip hop music scene from 1982 to present, and highlight underrepresented rappers such as Awesome Dre, Detroit's Most Wanted,^[6] Big Herk, Rockbottom, Street Lords, Chedda Boyz, Royce da 5'9", Slum Village, Trick Trick, Stretch Money, K Deezy, Verdict, J Dilla and Detroit Hit Squad,^[1][7][8] as well as chronicle the early days of pioneers such as Kid Rock, Insane Clown Posse and Eminem.^[1][9] Champtown has stated that he wanted to resolve his former issues with Eminem in order to keep his documentary historically accurate.^[1]

Style and influences

Champtown's influences include Run-DMC^[3] and LL Cool J.^[3] Champtown was once known for performing in a jester's hat.^[3] He directly influenced Kid Rock,^[3] and is believed to have shaped the styles of Eminem^[3] and Insane Clown Posse.^[3]

Discography

• Racial Profilin (2009)

References

External links

• Champtown at Discogs
• Champtown at MySpace
• Champtown at Twitter