By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop culture, a significant African American creation that has transcended the media industry. Similar to other African American creations, Hip Hop has evolved into one of the most revolutionary cultural phenomena since the Civil Rights era.
Governor Jay Inslee has recently acknowledged the profound impact of Hip Hop by declaring November 11 as Hip Hop Day in the State. Furthermore, he proclaimed November 3 as Sir Mix-A-Lot Day in honor of Seattle’s Grammy-winning rapper, songwriter, and producer, Sir Mix-A-Lot.
Sir Mix-A-Lot, affectionately known as “Mix” on the Hip Hop scene, is recognized as one of Hip Hop’s original ambassadors. He gained fame with hits like “My Posse’s On Broadway,” “My National Anthem,” and “Baby Got Back.”
“I don’t know if I am an ambassador; I know I am old, but I am happy,” Mix replies with a laugh. “This is a great honor, but it would be even greater if I could get the people a day off.”
“This is intimidating when you are honored with something like a ‘Mix-A-Lot Day,’” he continued. “You know what I mean? I don’t think I ever wanted to be that guy. For me, this is a beautiful thing, but that is why I give love to the Emerald Street Boys because if it wasn’t for them, they brought professionalism in hip hop to Seattle. Back then, I wouldn’t have given them credit because, you know, we were battling all the time. But I wouldn’t have put my best foot forward if it weren’t for them, they were really the first ones to hold the city down.”
As a special guest at the MoPOP 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop event held last Saturday, Mix spoke about his Hip Hop journey, as they celebrated him as one of Seattle’s first Hip Hop innovators. Mix’s style, his ability to tell stories, set him apart in Seattle’s Hip Hop scene infancy. Mix was able to define his style through elaborate descriptions of growing up in Seattle.
“When I started, I wasn’t even thinking of receiving such an honor. We were young and just looking to find a label,” Mix recalled. “Who knew? I remember producing ‘Baby Got Back,’ and I remember I didn’t like it.”
“But what I do remember is going to New York to experience and learn about Hip Hop,” Mix added. “I was so curious about what New York was like because it was the source. Once I got there, I learned that I had to discover myself, my own style. I was so immersed in the culture; it was the first time I experienced true Hip Hop culture.
Mix, through his interactions with figures like Chuck D of Public Enemy and Ice Cube of NWA, discovered his unique cadence and rhythm.
“I met Chuck D in New York and toured with him and Cube,” said Mix. “Chuck D, that dude was so cool and so understanding. The advice I got from Chuck and Cube was to be yourself. I never forgot that.”
Mix remains committed to the Hip Hop culture’s heritage. From accumulating breakbeats and discovering his skill set, with Mix it was still always about pure culture.
“When it comes to the history of Hip Hop, I remember bringing home what are known as ‘breakbeats’ and I was handing them out to people so they can hear and experience what Hip Hop was,” says Mix. “Back home, again, the Emerald Street Boys were tight, they reminded me a lot of the early Furious Five, their skills were on that level, they were so good I thought at the time that I should just fall back, maybe go back to working at the arcade, handing out change.”
“But then I thought, wait a minute, I can’t be them, so maybe I should be me and I had to find out who I was,” Mix concluded.
While Mix’s accomplishments and contributions to Hip Hop are undeniable, he continues to give credit to those who influenced him and recognizes that no one is bigger than the collective that is Hip Hop.
“These kinds of accolades scare me,” admitted Mix. “I always feel like I need to stay as humble as possible. I have been around the kings; I have seen them. I might say around this town I might be something, but that’s it. Keep it humble, and you’re good.”
