Hip-hop’s ‘Baby Bash’ brings his style to area

By John Benson

The California native has a wealth of collaborations to his name.

Before hip-hop artist Ronnie “Baby Bash” Bryant agreed to join Pitbull for the monthlong “MTV Tr3s Sucker Free Latino Spring Tour,” which plays Cleveland on Tuesday at the House of Blues, the California-native, Texas resident made sure satellite television was part of the deal.

“I just said, ‘Let’s do it, let’s jump on the bus, Gus, and go,’” said Bryant, calling from Houston. “‘But let’s make sure my bus has satellite TV, so I can watch ESPN wherever I go.’”

Considering it is March (thus filled with madness) and Bryant is a big hoops fan, you better believe he’s following the NCAA Men’s College Basketball tournament. He’s thinking North Carolina will rise to the occasion.

Something else on the rise is Bryant’s career. Beginning with his 2003 debut “Tha Smokin’ Nephew,” the Latin MC/singer has found himself surrounded with some of the industry’s biggest names. He’s collaborated with the likes of Coolio, Mac Dre, Akon, Nate Dogg and Fat Joe, contributed vocals to Paula DeAnda’s self-titled debut and written lyrics for Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson and Frankie J.

Then there’s Bryant’s most recent album “Cyclone,” which has yielded two top 10 rap hits (the title track and “What is it?”). In fact, “Cyclone” the single enjoyed more than 750,000 ringtone and digital downloads. The 32-year-old artist, who feels it’s his diversity that has afforded him so much varied success, is looking forward to finally bringing his live concert performance to the Rock Hall City.

“I think I’m more of a rhythmic artist,” said Bryant, who knew Cleveland Indians Pitcher C.C. Sabathia when they were both growing up in Vallejo, Calif. “I’m less aggressive. I’m more of cool, slick music. I do have a club banger with the ‘Cyclone’ record that’s aggressive, but I still have my same cool, slick monotone voice over it.

“I’m not really a yeller or screamer, but my music has rhythm and bounce to it. I consider myself a songwriter more than a rapper. My songs have hooks and a bunch of stuff with a little Spanglish innuendo.”

Positioned alongside the aggressive and East Coast-based Pitbull, the West Coast Bryant feels the “MTV Tr3s Sucker Free Latino Spring Tour” really offers the best of the Latin hip-hop world.

“The Latin scene is still building,” Bryant said. “It seemed like for a while everything was so black and white. Consumerwise, Latins buy a lot of records, so its kind of weird how we’re left out. We always have to prove ourselves double time to white and black audiences. And I think me and Pit[bull] are at the forefront of doing that.

“Now it’s crossed from hip-hop to R&B to pop, which I think our music is. And I love it. I have no qualms trying to be categorized. That was my issue when my career started, like, ‘What is this guy? White, black, half white and black, Latin, Cuban?’ That was an issue and people didn’t know how to respond.”

That’s not the case now with Bryant looking forward to his upcoming Northeast Ohio date. Aside from some magic and comedy, he said he’ll be performing hits such as “Suga Suga,” “Baby I’m Back,” “Obsession [No Es Amor]” and more.

“You’ll hear a lot of positive songs,” Bryant said. “It’ll be an evening of discovery, and a nice breath of fresh air. You won’t just see rappers on stage grabbing themselves and sitting there bragging.”

And exactly how will Bryant ensure that this evening remains, as advertised, sucker-free?

“Because I don’t hang with no suckers,” Bryant laughed. “I stay sucker-free regardless, and I’ve been sucker-free since I was a youngster. I hang with good people. I’m a down-to-earth dude, and not really Mr. Hollywood. With me, it’s all about the music.”