BY NAJAH MONIQUE TODD

Tacoma has always been a hub for hidden and amazing talent and Weekly Volcano is here to promote and celebrate these treasures. This month we will be profiling 4 MCs that live, create, and garner pride in the city of destiny Tacoma.

“Captivating hearts with his raw talent, Yung Wolf (aka TJ or Timothy Jr) emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the music scene. From finding solace in music during tough times to becoming a dedicated artist, his journey is nothing short of inspiring. Influenced by the likes of J Cole, Joey Badass, and Kendrick, Yung Wolf is a true storyteller, weaving emotions into his melodies. With live shows at venues like Real Art Tacoma, we have witnessed the growth of his fan base firsthand.

Yung Wolf’s music is a testament to the power of pursuing your passion, as he encourages listeners to embrace their true calling. Dive into the hauntingly beautiful track ‘Lovely’ and embark on a journey through longing and self-discovery.

Our next artist works in more than one mode of art. Say “what’s good,” to Perry Porter or as some know him, Perry Paints. Perry’s portal into music was through his family. His father had a passion for all things DJ equipment and his brother was the original MC Porter himself. Porter was encouraged to rap because of the smooth intoxicating tone of his voice. Perry is musically inspired by George Clinton, Outkast, Curtis Mayfield and Jay Z as well as Lupe Fiasco. Perry is also a painter who has been drawing all his life. His art is inspired by artists such as James Jean and Agnes Cecile.

Perry’s unwavering love for both visual art and music has allowed him to not only create captivating works but also collaborate closely with his family and friends on various projects. His deep passion for art led to a remarkable opportunity when he received a phone call from Takiyah Ward, a renowned local artist in Seattle. Takiyah invited Perry to contribute to the Black Lives Matter mural in the protest area known as CHOP. Perry approached this assignment with utmost seriousness and dedication, resulting in his work gaining recognition not only within the local community but also on a global scale. His talent caught the attention of prominent companies like Adobe, who sought to showcase Perry’s art. Additionally, the city of Seattle recognized the mural’s significance and agreed to financially support its use for the next five years. Moreover, Perry’s musical talents have seen notable achievements as well. His music has been featured on FX’s television show “Atlanta” created by the acclaimed artist Childish Gambino and has even made an appearance in the popular video game “Cyber Punk.” These accomplishments truly showcase Perry’s remarkable abilities and his profound impact on the art and music industries.

Porter wants to convey a message to fans that you can achieve what you want without putting yourself in a box and wants to invite everyone to his show on Jan 27th at Barboza (in Seattle) and to keep your ears open for music that will be released this year. For now, we can check out the project he released with local producer DJ and personality Balooogz. Check out “Reflection Pool,” it gives a smooth soundtrack to your inner thoughts while having one of those really good days ... you all know what I’m talking about.

Up next is an artist I found some years ago. I was impressed by his vocals as well as his melodic storytelling. Vealinium, known to friends and family as Bryan Veal, began his music journey at the young age of 7 when Veal had his first writing session with his mentor Desmond Sawyer and the spark was ignited.

Vealinium’s journey into music began during his sophomore year after taking a video game making class where he had the opportunity to work with studio equipment. Although a mix tape he created during that time was unfortunately lost, it was a turning point for him. Recognizing his deep connection to music, Vealinium’s mom stepped in and purchased a microphone for him. This gesture solidified his belief that pursuing music was his true calling in life. It’s truly remarkable when we uncover our purpose and Vealinium’s passion for music is a testament to that.

Inspired by artists like Nas, Jay Z and Jadakiss as well as Slipknot, Korn, Mac Dre Bloc Party and Messy Marv while also taking inspiration from fashion, activism and Black history, Vealinium is especially proud of playing summer jam in 2014 with former crew Block Mogul Entertainment.

Veal feels his music is a blueprint of his past mistakes. His songs are real, full of emotion and sometimes cautionary. He promised that while it may not always be pretty, the journey will always be real and LIT.

Now, rounding out our list of 4 Tacoma MCs you should know about, I’m excited to introduce BVMMER. BVMMER’s musical journey has been influenced by his upbringing and the tools he had at his disposal. Starting with a mom who sang in a hard rock cover band and a demo version of Fruity Loops on his laptop, BVMMER has evolved his equipment and music over the years and has now arrived. One thing that sets BVMMER apart is his inclination toward discovering and embracing new music rather than dwelling on nostalgia. He finds inspiration in the latest music trends and actively seeks out what is currently being created. Seeing an artist who stays current and looks for fresh sounds to explore is refreshing. Currently, BVMMER enjoys listening to artists like Quantic and Dua Lipa, with the latter being influenced by his daughters, future tastemakers.

BVMMER considers one of the highlights of his career to be the moment when he received a call from Danno Rankin, a respected local business owner and promoter. Danno offered BVMMER the opportunity to open for Dirt Nasty and Mickey Avalon, which was a significant milestone for him. This experience not only boosted his confidence but also exposed him to a larger audience, allowing him to showcase his unique and genre-less music style. BVMMER firmly believes that the future of music lies in breaking down genre barriers and creating a sound that transcends traditional categorizations. He is committed to continuing his journey towards this genre-less approach, as he believes it reflects the evolving tastes and preferences of music listeners. By embracing this mindset, BVMMER aims to create music that resonates with a wide range of people and contributes to the ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.

Keep an eye out for his new project HOLLAND to be released in the next couple of months and take a listen to my current favorite track by this artist “You Don’t Like It,” an alternative love/self-love song.