The name FAM 1ST represents more than just a group title; it represents brotherhood, loyalty, and family.
Since their emergence on the Hip Hop scene, Fam 1st has been a bit of a mystery, an elusive crew of chameleons; now you see them, now you don't. And although it may seem that way, none of it is smoke and mirrors. Rather it's a group revealing their many dimensions and indulging their own evolution.
All born and raised in North Carolina, Fam 1st has made a name for themselves simply by just being themselves. Not with gimmicky, quirky facades, not with hype and hoaxes. Fam 1st has earned the respect of their fans and peers because they are men who reveal themselves wholly - imperfections and all - and still hold it down for the streets with positivity in the face of adversity.
In the summer of '04, FAM 1ST exploded into prominence with the release of their anthem "North Kac-a-lacky" and the explosive club single "ALL I NEED" Featuring Ebony Evans, from their acclaimed album, "FOR THE FAM".
Charting on mixshows across the country,and internationally (Cairo-Egypt,Melbourne-Australia,Ontario-Canada,Tokyo-Japan)FAM 1ST proves their message and music is universal. The stories are all true: the good, the bad, and the ugly... and anyone who thinks they've got FAM 1ST sound pegged had better think again.
On "FOR THE FAM", FAM 1ST dig deep to uncover their true identity, reminding fans and colleagues that, like most of us, they are complex individuals who have far more layers than you can ever see by looking at their clean look. Song after song, FAM 1ST reveal their innermost thoughts , with a different musical charm that distinguishes them from their peers. The goal for FAM 1ST on this CD, they say, was to "elevate the mindstate of the Hip-Hop Culture and the future generations." "We wanted to give people the same emotions, the same feeling, the same intensity, the same urgency, and the same quality urban music, but with a positive twist."
For FAM 1ST, the album's title has a double meaning: "One, we have a very extensive family that has supported our years sacrificed for music and we are doing this to make sure they have a positive future. Two, we consider anyone on this planet our FAMily...not FANS....we are real personal with those who support FAM 1ST....it means alot to us to embrace people from everywhere and spread the family mentality in a hateful and divided world."
FAM 1ST music captures real life moral topics with songs that take us beyond the 'cookie-cutter rap,' away from the senseless beefs and deep inside the corridors of the heart and mind of young urban culture. "We are just letting people know that you gotta learn from past mistakes, and if nobody else ever stands up for the 'streets', if nobody else cares about the kids, cool. We do and we always will...this is not a gimmick."
FAM 1ST will bring a long awaited fire to hip-hop music as never before witnessed in this era of Hip Hop. "FOR THE FAM" is just the first of many examples of the elevation FAM 1ST will bring to Hip-Hop music.
Excerpt and Story by Audrey Colbert
Hip-Hop Royalty Magazine March 2005
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