Gotta Husle shows its versatility, swag

By John Benson

The group was nominated for an Ohio Hip Hop Award last year.

In the world of Youngstown-based hip-hop act Gotta Husle, it’s all about having swag.

“It’s something people can relate to, and nowadays, everyone has their own style,” said MC Will “Spoon Dawg” Howard, a 1999 Rayen High School graduate. “It’s their own swag, and we feel like we’re the swag kings. Our swag is like the move right now.

“Swag basically means confidence. We believe in what we do. We know where we’re from and we stand on that. We don’t budge.”

Having a certain swag or swagger is what the members of the Gotta Husle trio – Howard, Ralph “Da Riddla” Morales and Ken “Benny Grimm” Jackson – are feeling these days. Four years after forming and a year after releasing their debut album, “G.H.N.I.C.,” the threesome is already back with its sophomore effort “Youngstown on Deck. The Album,” which features guest appearances by local up-and-coming MCs Uncle Skar, Bobby Peso and Young Kay.

Howard said the 16-track effort finds the act showing off its versatility. Whereas “G.H.N.I.C.” can be characterized as a hard-edged hip-hop album, the new disc branches out to include street anthems (“My Life”) and club tracks (“Get Like Me”).

“We didn’t really do those types of songs before,” Howard said. “We touch on a more personal level. We’re touching on more of our families on the album, and just getting more grown up, but still keeping our swag to it.”

Granted Howard may come across as being swag-centric, but don’t confuse confidence for bravado. Not only has Gotta Husle grown a fanbase in Akron, Sandusky, Toledo, eastern Pennsylvania and Cleveland, but last year the outfit was nominated for an Ohio Hip Hop Award.

However, unlike the Cleveland CD release party the act threw for “G.H.N.I.C.,” this time out Howard said the threesome has booked a hometown CD release show for tonight at Club Duka’s in Youngstown.

“The way we feel about it, we let the music speak for itself,” Howard said. “We don’t do too much of the outlandish stuff being out in public and being crazy. We stay in the studio and work, work, work. That’s why our music is so good, we got a heavy work ethic and we don’t stop. And when our time comes, Youngstown will be on the map because of Gotta Husle.”

He added, “And we will put Youngstown on the map, believe me.”

XFor more information about Gotta Husle, visit www.myspace.Com/Gottahusle.