Toot
Omaha-based rapper Toot's infectious hooks and hard-hitting lyrical style have been his calling card for almost eight years. And with the world of hip-hop music moving steadily toward a state of stagnation between mindless party anthems and "bling-bling" state- ments of mic superiority, Toot's sonic tales of life struggle mixed with an almost spiritual yearning stand out amidst a sea of wannabes.Toot's tracks demonstrate a versatility seldom found in hip-hop music. His best concoctions maintain a tension between sparse instrumentation and flourishes of melodic inventiveness. "Take A Picture Of Me" and "What's Da 412" have harmony and still hit hard. And just when you're about to be seduced by one extreme or the other, Toot's lyrics hit you with a message that elevates you above the street and into a vision of "Sunny Days." Simply put, Toot's original jams bump and bruise and make you think all at the same time.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Since breaking onto the Omaha hip-hop scene in 1998, Toot has quickly made great strides to become the city's -- if not the region's -- most popular rap act. After being featured on a Full Clip album cut, Toot was signed as a solo act to New Orleans label Utopia Records and released Omaha To New Orleans in 1999. The disc did well locally, but was only a hint of good things to come.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Have been doing a lot of events since dropping the CD. All around the Midwest just on my hustle. It don't matter where ever I can perform I'll do it.
Your musical influences
I like to listen to everybody. as long as they're doing their thing.
Anything else?
Get at me and go get that CD "World News" in stores now. or contact me to get it.
