Can you point out New Bern on a map of the United States? What if we told you that it was in North Carolina? We don't blame you if you're still lost. Out of New Bern's population of about 30,000 (2013), one rapper is fighting for his way to the top of the pile of what seems like an unending growth of rappers around the country. And he's not doing it with marketing gimmicks, glitzy music videos, or big name features. Instead, he's relying on his true self shining through his music and the strength of his storytelling. That rapper is Ron Beatty.
You may have heard of Ron Beatty's music before but not under his current name, which is also his real name. If you have, it was under Tray Pound, Point Blank, The Advocate, or Chedda Chapp. Through the years, the message hasn't changed: "Real 'anti' whatever is going on. Defiant. I stand by what I do regardless of the 0 so called “co-signs” I currently have." But before he was Tray Pound or Chedda Chapp, he was Ron Beatty, living with his hard working, middle class American parents. Seeing their work materialize in better living situations (apartment to a condo to a house they built themselves), inspired Ron to get after what he wanted without waiting for help from others. While the streets' influence was ever present in Ron's life, he stuck to his rhymes and grades and sold "a little weed and bootleg Jordans." He quickly whispers, "Don’t tell Mike, man."
As most rappers mature, they pick up the basics from some of the greats: Wu-Tang Clan, Outkast, and Mobb Deep. But it wasn't until Ron met Sam Foye from Rocky Run that he had the idea of rapping himself: "He was dope. He was lyrical. He spit a rap to me at the basketball court that inspired me for real. Of course famous rappers, we all look up to them, but it’s nothing like seeing that raw face to face." Then when he noticed around 18 that he was investing more in himself than anything else with equipment and studio time, he realized that it was time to make the decision to become a full time emcee: "The music creation process is never about the business, but once it’s done…oh it’s suit and tie mode."
But Ron Beatty wouldn't get to where he is today without a team behind him. As our last interviewee, Benny Camaro said, "Behind every director, every movie, every song, there is a talented team that together creates miracles." And behind Ron Beatty is the impressive trio of Noland Hicks, Nervous Reck, and Bobwire--all people who helped another North Carolina artist by the name of J. Cole early in his career. Noland, also a teacher, met Ron at the New Bern High School and convinced him to take rapping seriously. He linked Ron with his cousin, Paris, who was connected to Nervous and Bobwire. While Ron Beatty may not have "made it" in your eyes nor his, yet, he is determined to let as many people listen to his music as possible so that they can decide if it's worthy of going down in time immemorial.
On first listen to Ron Beatty's music, there aren't a ton of bells and whistles in the production or effects added to his voice. And why would there be when he's giving you himself, uncut in the raw? When we asked him about authenticity in Hip-Hop, he passionately explained:
"I shoot videos in a Crown Victoria that I really drive. I go where I want, I do what I want, I live how I want. So I’m cool. [...] Everybody who raps seems to be living in this 1% of people who have all this money; and I know it’s not true. At times, I’m sick of this game because I know what I’m up against. Other times, it’s inspiring to know I’m completely far left and have the ability to inspire from being who I really am, myself. Even when my team becomes millionaires, which won’t be too much longer, I can’t see myself bragging and boasting about ignorant shit. I know too many people who are good people and they’re struggling out here man. Like ramen noodles need to borrow $20 bucks ‘til Friday struggling. I can’t do that to them. I can’t do that to myself."
As a result of his rhymes reflecting his life so much, Ron only records when inspired by daily life. He used to record more often to find his voice but now it's about making sure that the right stories get told. Part of that is also through his music videos. He recently released a three part story broken down into three music videos that show a creativity many rappers lack. For Ron's next project, he plans on an EP titled King In A Crown until his company Life's Grand can secure an imprint deal similar to Cinematic Music Group and Sony RED Distribution. Then at that point he will release his album, Manifest Destiny, to prove "how all of this was already written. This wasn’t an accident. We manifested every step of the way." That's the determination we've come to expect by now from the New Bern representer.
Keep up with Ron Beatty on his Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, website, and Youtube.
Bryan Hahn hopes that there have to be more rappers like Ron in the world. He's on Twitter (@notupstate).