AASU hip-hop artists approach full speed

Savannah contributes many up-and-coming artists to the world of hip-hop, including some of our very own AASU students. 3 Up, a three-piece student collaboration, aim to get their names on the map.

3 Up consists of three Savannah students – Ed "E-Klass" Williams, who attends school at the main ampus; Shawn "Kidmurk" Kerr, a student at an AASU satellite campus, and Casey Jones, a student of Savannah College of Art and Design.

With influences like Public Enemy, Eminem, Drake, Linkin Park and Mos Def, members of 3 Up said they want to mesh the lyrical ferocity of old-school hip-hop with the quality production of contemporary artists.

Despite this, the trio wants to maintain the creative integrity of their work without the pressure of delivering to a mainstream demand.

"We don't care much for going mainstream," said Williams, lyricist and rapper of the group.

"It's fun for us. We love it. We take everything with a ‘full speed ahead' attitude."

"We plan on taking it far, but right now we're focused on getting our degrees," Kerr said.

According 3 Up, their goal-oriented disposition inspired the name of the group.

"The ‘3' just means there are three of us," Williams said. "‘Up' stands for the motivation you have to maintain to be positive, to stay up through the bad times and the good."

3 Up has performed at open mic sessions but has yet to book a live performance at a local venue.

"I only recently started with the local scene, just met a few guys at those open mic sessions," Williams said. "I'm an Army brat. I'm not from around here."

Spending much of his life in Germany with his military family, Williams hasn't had the chance to get involved with a growing hip-hop scene.

"Germany didn't really have a scene," he said. "It was whatever came on MTV at the time."

Both Williams and Kerr have been into hip-hop since they were children.

"I've been a fan for as long as I can remember," Williams said.

He said his love of the genre has also affected other facets of his life.

Apart from writing music and lyrics for 3 Up, Williams spends a lot of his time writing poetry.

"My poetry goes hand-in-hand with my rapping," he said. "They both tell stories, but the poetry goes a bit deeper."

Recently he submitted several of his poems to Calliope, AASU's literary magazine.

Both Williams and Kerr are also members of the Army Reserve.

"I wanted to join not only because it helps with school, but it's all I really know," Williams said.

Despite leading such busy lives, much of Williams' and Kerr's time is focused on writing music.

"3 Up has a mix tape coming out soon, hopefully next month," Kerr said. "We are also each working on solo mix tapes. I'm trying to get my own production gear, so I can make my own beats and write more of my own songs."

These solo mix tapes will be released together, allowing for further accessibility and showcasing a bond between the group members.

"The band mix tape will come before the solo tapes," Kerr said.

When not producing new beats or writing lyrics for the group, Williams likes to explore the Savannah streets and the Internet to find opportunities for 3 Up to branch out.

"I try to network and find events or open mic sessions," he said. "Any and every open mic, all three of us will be there."