Al Kapone, Memphis Music Legend
A native of Memphis, musician Al Kapone follows in the footsteps of the greats from STAX, Hi Records, and more. He developed a new Southern hip-hop sound that would later become the Southern rap standard. But outside of groups like Three 6 Mafia, Eightball & MJG, and Yo Gotti, Al went unnoticed by the rest of the country until Craig Brewer and John Singleton’s cult classic film Hustle and Flow. Al wrote and produced three songs for the film and soundtrack, winning a Critic’s Choice Award for the Hustle and Flow theme song It Ain’t Over. His signature composition Whoop That Trick has become one of the most memorable crunk songs of all time.
Al has gone on to write and produce music for other films such as #1 box office movie Stomp The Yard, and co-write top 10 Billboard hits with Lil Jon, E40, and T-pain. He is the first hip-hop artist to become president of the Memphis Chapter of the Grammys. Al Kapone is also an associate producer and featured artist on the film documentary Take Me To The River as well as the music executive producer of Memphis refugee film JACIR. In addition, one of his biggest passions is mentoring students from elementary to college and all grades in between.
On Episode 18 of Just Bluffin’, we talked to this Memphis hip-hop legend about the history of the Memphis sound, his start in music, and how he was influenced by collaboration with other artists.
Al Kapone started out with a love of music in general, before falling in love with hip-hop specifically. “I was doing music-related performances before I even had a clue that I could be in the industry,” he said. “I’d perform in the neighborhood or in the school, and I did it out of my love and fascination for music. Eventually I actually got into the industry.”
Al said there weren’t that many rappers and DJs in Memphis when he was growing up: “The few of us that were out here, we all gravitated to the same places. We’d go to places like the 21st Century Youth Club and OTS Studios in Orange Mound and we met a lot of other people that became bigger names later. Everybody was just showing their talent, and they gave us a place to perform. We all cultivated this new sound that eventually became the standard Memphis rap sound to this day.”
Al added that, although he has traveled to many places, he loves to shine a positive light on Memphis: “I'm always proud to know that I can attract a lot of very diverse audiences in the city. And when I see that, I see the whole Memphis. I want my audience to know that you are part of the Memphis that I see and love: you all are part of it.”
As a major player in the Memphis music scene, Al said friendly collaboration – and competition! – was a key component in developing the now-famous Memphis sound. Working together, playing off each other, sharpened each artist’s skills. “We were fans of each other. But we wanted to be the best,” he said.
“I will say the sound was trying to make sure we make the music that makes people gangsta walk,” he added. “And there was a certain rhythm of the beat that we had, certain tempos that we added through the music. We started developing our own rap style, a unique style that only we did here in Memphis.”
As for Al Kapone’s favorite Memphis memory? He recalls attending Grizzlies games, performing at the Liberty Bowl, and seeing the M bridge first light up as amazing memories. Speaking on music memories, he said: “Working with Craig on Hustle and Flow is a great memory. Being with the guys in the early days creating this Memphis rap sound is a great memory. I can go on and on with the Memphis memories!”
To listen to our full conversation with Al Kapone, click here. And don’t miss any of our future conversations with Memphis leaders! Subscribe to Just Bluffin’ wherever you get your podcasts, and learn more about the team behind the mic at buildacampfire.com.
