Al Kapone (@ALKaponeMemphis) Brings It Back to Where It All Began @BealeStMusicFes #BSMF13

In many ways, the emergence of Al Kapone in the early 1990’s corresponded to the rise of Memphis rap as a unique subgenre of hip-hop, and it is he that has had the most longevity of any Memphis rap artist. From his earliest solo songs, Kapone has brought an intelligence and warmth to street rap, informed by his own personal positivity and his love of Memphis’ soul and blues legacy. As time has passed, his music has changed in sound and scope, sometimes incorporating live instruments, or even a full symphony orchestra, as he did with two ground-breaking performances with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra a few years ago, and his fan base has changed as well, now comprising people of all ages, races and nationalities, with many of his fans overseas. But despite all the opportunities and accolades, Al Kapone has never forgotten his Memphis roots, musically or otherwise. He returns to the city as a source of inspiration in his production and writing, so it was fitting that he was chosen to represent Memphis at Beale Street Music Festival before Public Enemy’s appearance. It was also fitting that there was a break in the rain, and that a very diverse crowd of his fans were present to hear him perform a number of new songs (one featuring another Memphis artist Muck Sticky), and a few old standards, especially the rousing “Whoop That Trick” from the movie Hustle and Flow, while his son Young AJ handled the DJ duties aided and abetted by two guitarists and a bassist. It is also typical of Kapone’s spirit of selflessness that when his show at the FedEx stage was over, he was off to the Orion stage to fill in for the aptly-named band AWOLNation, who missed their flight.