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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 1993)
Lincoln. Omaha m_ to compete in Rapfest ‘93 By Greg Schick he University ofNe braska-LincoIn campus will rock Saturday night when Rapfest '93 takes hold of the Nebraska Union Ball room. Sponsored by the Afrikan People's Union and Alpha Phi Al pha, the festival highlights area rap groups as they compete for cash, trophies and air time on a local radio station. Nasim Fariqsu Suhayb, a UNL sophomore business major and chairman for Rapfest, said the two hour show, which begins at 7 p.m., will "basically be a compilation of Lincoln artists and some Omaha groups.*’ "There are a lot of rap artists in the Lincoln and Omaha area who have no outlet," he said. Suhayb, who is also APU’s sec ond vice president, said he wanted to help rappers showcase their cre ative talents. Artists scheduled to perform in clude: Flow E-Z, Ray Rae, Deja Ranks, Jacques, the Basement Soci ety, the Prime Minister Wisdom, Da Sistazz, the Almighty C, King Solid, Baby T and Suave. While all of Rapfest’s artists are now based in Lincoln or Omaha, many did not grow up in Nebraska. Points of origin include Chicago, Mississippi, the Bahamas, Houston and the Bronx. But they all came to Lincoln for one reason or another. Concert ri preview Hi ■ V# many to attend UNL. The artists also have different reasons for getting into 04) music and for participating in Rapfest. Some will be there just for fun, while others see it as a step towards a career in rap. Jerel Ford, a sophomore art ma jor from Omaha also known as Flow E-Z, plans on making rap his pro be had r fession. Ford said he had recorded some demos, but that his work hadn’t appeared in record stores yet. Ford is part of die duo Su preme Soloists. His partner is out of town at another college so he will perform alone Sat urday. “I didn’t know there was a rap scene in Lincoln,” Ford said, “but in Omaha there are shows every once in a while.” Another scheduled performer is Ernest Ray Jones, also known as Ray Rae. Jones, a freshman architecture major, hails from Chicago, but he moved to Omaha when be was in junior high. Jones, who plans to become an architect, not a rapper, said rap was a hobby for him. “I just have fun,” he said. Jones said his influences included rappers Ice Cube, Snoop Doggy Dogg and MC Eiht. Consequently, his rhyme style leans toward die hardcore. ___ .. See RAP on 10 Tom Mainklu Barbershop duet Lincoln hairdresser spends nights making 'soul-funk-lounge-type music ’ □ y day — a mild-mannered hairdresser who takes a little off the side, shaves the neck and sends you on your way. By night—a soulful fiinkster, bom to perform. He is Tom Ficke, owner of Mr. Tom s Lincoln Hair. He is also the lead singer and bassist of the Tom Ficke Group, which will be ap pearing at The Edge on Saturday night. Ficke, a Lincoln native, has been interested in mu sic for quite some time. In fact, he said he originally intended to make it ms career. “When I started off, music was my direction. Eventually I decided to learn hair as a trade — to help support me while I did music on the side.” Ficke has cut hair for about six years, the last three in his own shop at 1417 O St. Over the years Ficke has played in a number of local bands, as well as the Chicago-based group “Think Tree.” He met Richard Eggar Jr., when the two played together in the local band Bob Popular. Nearly seven years laier, the two continue to enjoy making music together. Eggar is the Tom Ficke Group’s drummer and the only other member of the band. Having only a bass guitar and drums makes for a dis tinct sound, Ficke said. it is reauy a unique orana oi mu sic,” he said. “It is a kind of soul-funk lounge-type music. It’s very danceable — and it is fun to watch.” Ficke said he didn’t want to com pare the group’s sound fo any other bands. “We have our own sound — there isn’t a good comparison,” he said. The group performs all original material, Ficke said. He and Eggar work together to compose the music; then Ficke pens the lyrics. “Most of the lyrics are improvised,” he said. “Mostly they just happen — they come from the soul.” Ficke said the group was working on its first CD. He hopes to have it available for purchase in the near fu ture. Until then, fans will have to pay for a haircut — and hope he sings — or else catch the group live. The band opens Saturday night’s over-21 show at 9:30. Also scheduled to play are Straw Dog and Such Sweet Thunder. Cost is $3. MalaeM is a scaler aews-cdltorial major and the Dally Nebraskaa Arts £ Entertainment editor. Brian Shell ito/DN