Web site celebrates artists in the Indiana Hip-Hop movement

Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Eminem all have something in common -- and its not that they are all part of the same record label. They are all from big cities with tremendous exposure. \nAlthough Los Angeles, Detroit and New York are known for producing hip-hop's latest and best talent, the Midwest region is beginning to gain exposure from artists such as Nelly, Kanye West and Twista. \nIn contrast to cities such as Chicago and St. Louis, Indiana has been largely ignored when it comes to finding hip-hop talent. Thomas Millsaps, Indiana resident, founder of the Indianapolis hip-hop movement and owner of www.indianarap.com, a Web site dedicated to the Indiana hip-hop movmement, said the state is underrepresented in hip-hop culture. \n"We will change that with this song we are doing called 'Indiana Roll Call,'" Millsaps said. "This song is going to have over 25 artists from Indiana on it, and we are trying to put it in the Guinness Book of World Records." \nThe site www.indianarap.com gives visitors an opportunity to hear Indiana's up-and-coming talent by providing them with audio clips of Indiana's newest artists. Visitors to the site can also chat with other local hip-hop fans, advertise on the site and link to other city's hip-hop Web sites.\n"The music is getting out there and I hear it more since I put up the site," Millsaps said. "In just two months, the Web site has received over 66,000 hits with no major promotion besides word-of-mouth."\nMillsaps said the Indiana hip-hop listener has changed over the years, as Hoosiers are now interested in what their state can produce in terms of talent by using Web sites as www.indianarap.com as an outlet. \nAccording to www.indianarap.com, the overall goal of the site is to promote various hip-hop artists throughout the state. The site will also be starting an affiliate program with other music Web sites to expand their fan base and artist exposure. \nSome Indiana artists listed on the site include Ric Jilla, Komain and Lyrical Lizard.\nSenior Timothy Musho , who took F252, Survey of Hip Hop last semester, said Indiana natives at IU have seen an increase in hip-hop exposure over a short period of time. He went on to say the level of sophistication and devotion Hoosiers have for the genre has been amplified over the years.\n"South Bend has a lot of good talent, which has received exposure by artists moving to areas such as California, New York and Washington, D.C.," Musho said. "There have been artists from my area who have been recognized and signed by record outfits from different parts of the country."\nFor more information on the Indiana hip-hop movement, visit www.indianarap.com.\n-- Contact staff writer Eric Tash at etash@indiana.edu.