Use hashtag #d00dURgr8 and put someone on positive blast today!  We can all use a good word, so share the encouragement and make it a little loud.

Just in case it doesn’t roll off = “Dude You Are Great.” 

In many ways hip hop has become a caricature of itself, where so many rappers are playing and singing hard but living soft. Not to say that the “hard life” is a desirable style, but it is inspiring to meet someone who has walked the dark roads, found the light and works through music and motorcycles to help others to change course. Whether its hitting the road with the Gorilla Gospel MC, writing rhymes cast in real life for Gorilla Gospel Records, or speaking in venues from prisons to schools with Gorilla Gospel Ministries, Todd G is putting his life story and talents to work to bring good news where it can change lives. Todd G’s latest album, The Light, is available now stacked with 11 tracks of the signature method and message of Gorilla Gospel Records featuring artists such as JB The Don (A.K.A. Preacher J), KB The New, Cool Nutz, Arjay, J-Philly, Michael Kay, Hi-Q and more.

People often hear Christian rapper and are quick to dismiss it as second class to “real rap”, how do you maintain the essence of hip-hop and share a positive message?
Todd G: I have always just rapped about my life and what I am going through. I did that as a secular rapper, and I now do that with the music I make as well. I just put the truth as I know it above everything else and record. Like Cool Nutz once told me, “There is no recipe for being real, you just are or your not.” That’s what’s up.

You are proud and ready to share your life story with others, what did it look like in your life when you first felt God moving in your life?
TG: When God first began to move in my life I didn’t want to move with Him. I had been in a groove of negativity and crime for so long that I was more comfortable there. But, God is bigger than that and had other plans for me. All the credit goes to Him because I pretty much didn’t do anything but obstruct His plans.

How do you keep fresh in your pursuit of Christ and the purpose you believe He has designed you for?
TG: I follow what we call the three legged stool. Three things: Prayer, Reading His Word, and fellowshipping with other believers. I feel like you gotta practice all three with consistency in your life to maintain balance – like a three legged stool. If things start going haywire, I can usually pin point it back to one of those areas lacking in my life. Me, personally, I gotta read my Bible everyday. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. It’s necessary, for me….and as far as His (God’s) purpose, I find that you gotta slow it down pretty often, get away, get in the quiet away from all the noise of the world that keeps us distracted. God will speak to you, it’s our job to get to where we can hear Him…Word?

Where do you draw inspiration from and who keeps you accountable to your purpose?
TG: I have a Men’s Group Bible study that meets each Tuesday. It’s basically an accountability group. I also lift weights with a guy that helps me be accountable in the gym and in life…I get inspiration from Church, The Bible, other believers, and sometimes from music. I just listened to a Lecrae album the other day and it was major as far as getting spiritually “fed”.

Gorilla Gospel is one aspect of what you do, for those who are unfamiliar with these efforts – what is Gorilla Gospel and what are you and your team doing through this medium?
TG: Gorilla Gospel is our ministry, record label and MC (Motorcycle Club). We put out records and the club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity where we ride hard and help our brothers get assimilated back into healthy lives after prison, crime, drama, whatever. It’s a brotherhood for guys like us who are headed towards the right direction and want to make our lives and the world better. Give, rather than take. My Gorillas have done a lot of taking. Now we give back. I still travel and do speaking engagements as well.

You’ve been involved with Northwest hip-hop since 1989, what have been some of the most significant changes you have seen in the scene?
TG: Shoot, the Northwest has went from a few rappers to a few rappers on every street. That’s cool. Although it does tend to get a bit over saturated and at times the over all quality of the music suffers. Home studios were the best and worst invention ever for Hip Hop. But I will say that I love the Northwest and I represent that culture and vibe world wide, literally.

You have performed locally, nationally and internationally, what are some of the fondest memories from touring outside of your base here in Oregon?
TG: My fondest memories of touring are the first time I performed over seas in a huge venue. The crowd couldn’t even speak much English but thousands of kids were chanting my name, thanks to the Norwegian host leading them, and I stood back stage holding my cordless and tried not to cry for real. I was overwhelmed with where God had taken me to share what He has done in my life and I knew in my core I really didn’t deserve it. A second chance, a second life. It was crazy. Then I went out and chopped it up! It was good. My second tour over seas “Gangsta Boogie” with Cool Nutz was amazing. We had so much fun every day and Soren, who was the chief editor of Source Magazine came with us to cover the tour for the magazine…let’s just say before we even touched down on foreign soil, the flight attendants had asked us more than once to quiet down. We argued about who the greatest rappers ever were almost the entire flight! All in good fun though. *Next time you interview Nutz, ask him about turbulence above Greenland. Now THAT’S a story.

To Die For Records is your own label, when did you start TDFD and who do you work with to produce music?
TG: To Die 4 Records was started by me, Balou The Sasquatch and Tone Only back in 1999 to release Lisa Towner’s self titled debut CD. After that, Tone went to prison for murder and we moved out of the R&B game and got back into rap. We knew that market better and we had tried to market a pop/r&b project through hip hop channels and avenues and it quite honestly didn’t work. It was fun though. Then we put out Northwest Game the Compiliation – back when independent records actually sold with very little promotion. The rest is history.

The Light is your latest release dropping in 2011, will this be classic Todd G or do you have some new elements to unleash with this album?
TG: The Light is out now. And it is an album I am very happy with. It is a bit more aggressive in parts, but again, it is very true to where I am at right now. All my records really document the time and season of life I am in. Chopper Music is Gorilla Gospel album #7 and it’s crazy! It’s like hardcore west coast rap for new school bikers mixed with my testimony and our club biz. It’s cool. At least I think so. lol.

What else is in the mix for Todd G in 2011?
TG: This year we are going hard with the motorcycle club. We just got back from the Laughlin River Run in Nevada and we are on a roll. We got a lot of runs and events coming up soon. Check out www.gorillagospel.com for the updates.

Todd G (Hip Hop – Porltand, OR) latest album The Light (Gorilla Gospel Records) is available now at CD Baby, keep up to date at www.toddgministries.com

Hurdcore.com is local music, local art and local entertainment. Local music reviews, interviews, event promotion, art and entertainment collaboration. Whether hardcore, punk, indie or rap. Check in throughout the week, friend us on myspace and join us facebook.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

Build – Destruct – Rebuild – Destroy is the current path for the members of Northern California based hardcore band, And Came Back Brutal. Garnering the attention of labels such as the Artery Foundation and working with bands the likes of Norma Jean, the young men of And Came Back Brutal continue their fight to make Bearcore a mainstay in the heavy music scene. Hurdcore.com presents this follow up with And Came Back Brutal, you can also catch the 2010 full length interview with vocalist Scott Gallagher.

One of your songs that personally means a lot to you and why? They all mean something to me. I really couldn’t pick one out of the line-up. If I had an extra $1000, the first piece of equipment I would purchase for the band is… An 808 machine and triggers. Current trend in music/scene that bugs you… Commercial ideas. Copying what is seen. Lack of originality. Current trend in your scene that you think is a positive evolution? The music has been getting noticed more, which is nice. Currently reading… Hell Blazer, John Constantine and Berserk Comic Books. Currently watching… Hellsing – Anime. Top 5 songs in your personal iPod right now? That’s a hard one, I can name 3 albums that are continually playing: a) Outcasts: Speaker Box; Atliens. b) Nicki Minaj: Mind Tape Beam Me Up Scotty. c) Impending Dooms newest CD. Any crazy pre-performance rituals? No, none at all LOL. I do like going out to listen to the opening bands and supporting them. Best memory that comes to mind from a show? Best memory was being picked up to play at the Boardwalk. We had a great turn out and got Artery’s attention. Worst memory that comes to mind from a show? Probably our earlier shows, playing for virtually nobody and close minded people who are only interested in current trend and local fad.

And Came Back Brutal (Hardcore – Sacramento, CA) is: Scott – Vox; Marc – Guitar; Peter – 7 String Leads; Will – Bass; Eric – Drums. Check the ACBB FB for music, concert dates and news.

Applying the hurdcore.com spin to album reviews, band bios and artist interviews. Covering local metal, hip-hop and indie artists and events from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Illinois and far beyond. Interviews with local bands posted every Sunday, friend us on myspace and join us facebook.

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul? - Jesus

Hurdcore.com is “fans supporting local music.” To refresh your memory on the year that was in 2010 we offer these recaps of interviews, reviews and events. Reconnect with the best of local and national music that shared bits of themselves through the medium of hurdcore.

Interview w/ Josh Gilbert of As I Lay Dying [Metalcore - San Diego, CA] As I Lay Dying has definitely been one of those rare groups that has risen beyond their genre’s core fan group. We recently had the chance to complete our first phone interview which just so happened to be with AILD bassist and background vocalist Josh Gilbert, a young man who is foremost a fan of music and also happens to be a member of one of the hottest acts currently in music.

Interview w/ Regiment 26 [Hardcore – Portland, OR] Regiment 26 has been on scene locally since 2006, a force in motion throughout the state of Oregon enrapturing fans with a biting hardcore sound, crisply weaving speed with range and energy with sheer brutality.

Interview w/ Hopecore.com [Webzine] From its origins in 2009, Hopecore.com has launched itself head first into the music scene with an innate ability to capture the inner workings of some of today’s premiere positive/Christian indie artists.

Interview w/ Legionairre Apparel [Clothing - Medford, OR] The creative team of Joe Moxley and Mike Herrera (of MxPx and Tumbledown) have assembled a team that stands in a prime position to optimize the relationship between music and apparel. If you live outside of Oregon, you may have seen their feminine line in Zumiez stores or any number of their stellar designs on several of their faithful friends such as nationally known bands as Kutless or local rising stars like Tallboy. Join Rob Van Winkle (aka Vanilla Ice) and the rest of the Legionnairre Army as they continue to spread the Legionnairre goodness one torso at a time.

Review: Abel – Lesser Men [Indie - Poughkeepsie, New York] The members of Abel artfully weave angst and calm to craft a sound that challenges while it soothes. Kevin Kneifel’s vocal styling is a restless blend of salty, soothing and inspiring complemented harmoniously with various mixes of acoustic and electric instrumentation.

CHECK OUT Hurdcore.com 2010 Recap Part 2; Part 2

Applying the hurdcore.com spin to album reviews, band bios and artist interviews. Covering local metal, hip-hop and indie artists and events from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Illinois and far beyond. Interviews with local bands posted every Sunday, friend us on myspace and join us facebook.

What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul? - Jesus

Hurdcore.com is “fans supporting local music.” To refresh your memory on the year that was in 2010 we offer these recaps of interviews, reviews and events. In Part 2 of the Hurdcore.com 2010 Recap fans can reconnect with the best of local and national music that shared bits of themselves through the medium of hurdcore.

Interview w/ Ivan De Prume of Metalopolis [Radio Personality - Portland, OR] In reverse chronological order, Ivan’s accomplishments include: radio host for Metalopolis on Rock 101.1FM KUFO (Portland, OR), currently playing with metal bands Healer and Kreep and, oh yeah, former drummer of White Zombie. Prepare to be blown away by the passion, humility and depth of content that Mr. de Prume has shared with hurdcore fans.

Interview w/ Tallboy [Metal – Medford, OR] Tallboy is a band generating a lot of momentum for themselves. With accomplishments such has as playing live to large crowds with known national acts the likes of Papa Roach, Hinder, Kotton Mouth Kings and Floater. Refreshingly, these Medford, Oregon rockers manage to keep enough down-to-earth presence to remain connected with their local following.

Interview w/ A Hope For Home [Progressive/Hardcore - Portland, OR] Portland based progressive hardcore artists A Hope For Home, add a depth to the movement within the hardcore scene which has been fighting against the syncronicity of sound that has been eating away at any progression or diversity in tone that might otherwise drive the scene to flourish as a creative beacon. 2010 saw the release of AHFH’s third full length album, “Realis”, on Facedown Records.

Suganuts and Hurdcore.com Present – The Everything Show [Event - Albany, OR] The Everything Show set out with an ambitious goal to host a night that would offer “something for everyone.” Without catering to any specific crowd or scene, The Everything Show’s promoter Danny Morgan, Jr. (aka Suganuts), assembled a diverse blend of Oregon’s finest local talent for a night of musical variety. Featuring acts such as Tallboy, Pynt Syze, Wetsock, KTR, Tru aka Tha Hustla, Greenlander and DJ Unofficial. (Interview w/ Suganuts in preparation for TES)

Interview w/ The Great Exploration [Alternative – Eugene, OR] Hurdcore interview with Kit Day, of The Great Exploration, who shares a bit of the story of how he has made his imprint in the local scene through performing as well as promoting local music through his other venture TreeHouse Venue.

CHECK OUT Hurdcore.com 2010 Recap Part 1

Music news, reviews and interviews posted weekly at hurdcore.com. Partnering with artists, fans and venues to fan the flames of local ambition. Hurdcore supports local rock, pop, hip-hop and metal from Northwest to the Midwest. Keep reppin’ local, friend us on myspace and join us facebook.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. – Proverbs 14:12

So, we haven’t hurd from you and you haven’t hurd from us in a while…been having some trouble with internet connections since moving to Eugene, Oregon in addition to the general transitions associated with relocation and employment. Hurdcore will be up and running as long as the internet fairies continue to sprinkle antiquated service to my paradise of isolation. We hope to continue to develop a platform for fans to support local music. What have you HURD lately?!

[HC:Wire] Former Solidstate Records spazzcore standout Showbread has released a trailer for their upcoming album Who Can Know It to be released on November 16th, 2010 on Come & Live Records. Huge changes are in progress for the genre eclectic band, which has always dabbled in various sounds and will premiere their 6th album on a new label and in a new format – available in its entirety for free download through comeandlive.com.

The band has stated, “Even considering the sorry state the industry is in, the move wasn’t about reinventing the wheel, it was about believing in a message of hope so sincerely that you’d much rather hand it out as a gift than charge someone for it.”

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9.

Music news, reviews and interviews posted weekly at hurdcore.com. Partnering with artists, fans and venues to fan the flames of local ambition. Hurdcore supports local rock, pop, hip-hop and metal from Northwest to the Midwest. Keep reppin’ local, friend us on myspace and join us facebook.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. – Proverbs 14:12

Whether it’s to real to be real or it’s parody hip hop, this video is sure to cause at least a heartfelt chuckle. As an opening video for their Father’s Day service, some talented peeps at churchonthemove.com wrote, produced and performed this Daddy trend inspired rap revelation. With over 1.8 million views and only 35 haters, there must of been 35 dads for whom this video just hit too close to home.

Partnering with local bands, artists, venues and promoters to support local music, hurdcore.com posts fresh band interviews every Sunday as well as additional content throughout the week. Covering local bands, concerts and venues from Seattle to Portland, Medford to Spokane, Eugene to Idaho and as well as the Midwest and California. Hurdcore.com supports local music ranging from hip-hop, metal, pop, punk, hardcore, indie and more. Stay tuned to hurdcore.com, friend us on myspace and join us facebook. To request album reviews, band bios, interviews or to discuss advertising opportunities email us – hurdcore@gmail.com – be specific in “subject” line.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6