Article by Harlin Anderson, Photos by Will Milne
We recently ventured out on a school night to catch the hardest working entertainer in Denton, Chris “AV the Great” Avant, doing his thing. It had been too long since we checked out the thriving, local hip hop scene, and the raucous energy radiating throughout the venue made us feel like fools for staying away so long. Avant’s undeniable talents, and the passion he brings to his trade, are sure to keep us coming back again and again and again to see what AV the Great has in store for Denton – not to mention the world.
AV, how would you describe your flow?
AV: I wrote this the other day, and I think it best describes my style: "Is he Gangsta rap, street rap, trap rap, or concious?? Why I gotta choose one? I like having options!"
What's the current state of hip hop in Denton?
It's as strong as it's ever been. Gold mine if you're looking into investing in entertainment. The artists are together. We just have to get the public to stop feeling like if I listen to this DFW artist, then I can't listen to this DFW Artist. That’s the dumbest shit ever. Like, you listen to all of these other musicians from New York, Miami, Cali, ATL, Louisiana, but you act as though you can't listen to more than one rapper from your own city. That is dumb as hell.
How have you honed your craft over the years?
The premise is the same, but the confidence has grown and made my delivery better. At some point in time, I just said IDGAF what nobody says or thinks about my music. I’m talking about my life and the things that affect me – not what is politically correct or the trend in pop culture.
What comes first - the rhymes or the music?
Both. There is no preferred method. With “9th Grade”, I found the beat first, then I wrote the 1st verse, free-styled the hook, the 2nd verse then came out, and then I wrote the third verse.
You mention “Brenda’s baby” at the end of “9th Grade.” Is that a Tupac reference?
Yep.
“...putting this city on the map permanently in the Hip Hop world, and becoming The Greatest artist to ever come out of this area”
Who are your musical influences?
Erykah Badu, Tupac, Jay Z, Nas, Temptations, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Scarface, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Billy Joel, Al Green, Luther Vandross, Jodeci, UGK...a lot, I guess.
“9th Grade” is a cautionary tale spiked with anger and passion. Why is it so important for a song like this to be heard?
“9th Grade” is all facts. People relate to facts, and everybody relates to High School. It puts the older listener in a reminiscent state, a deep emotional drift to the past, and it puts the current student in either a trance of "I feel what he is saying, this is happening now at my school" – or "I know what to look out for.” A song like this allows me to connect with the audience because when you hear it, you know I'm not lying. It's not really angry it's just emotion.
Would you call yourself an entertainer or an educator?
I’d call myself a hip hop ARTIST.
Tell us some artists that we might not have heard of - but should definitely check out?
My whole Trunk Pop Team is coming, and Shaheed Flow is a kid at Denton High School who has a lot of drive and ambition.
What's next for AV?
New album in 2014, bringing bigger and better shows to Denton, more videos, more money, and a nationwide presence. Helping as many people as I can, putting this city on the map permanently in the Hip Hop world, and becoming The Greatest artist to ever come out of this area – that’s that's the overall goal.
AV the Great is a man with a plan. His recent track record of success – he was one of the highlights of this year’s Rock Lottery, and his video for “9th Grade” racked up over 20,000 views in the first week – suggests his master plan has a damn good shot at becoming reality. Don’t sleep on this one, Dentonites. Get out to the club, and watch AV the Great blow the doors off the joint. You’re next chance isn't far off. AV is playing all the time - keep an eye on the Den10 for his next local show. Be there or regret it for the next 365 days.
9th Grade by AV the Great
Who woulda thought.
Back in 9th grade.
Zerry be back in jail
He caught a double fault
Niggas that I grew up with is smoking wet
Kinda sad they used to be college prospects
Yeah, my Cousin Zerry almost got killed
In the pen this is real saying how it is
Over skrill and some bullshit
Niggas really dying and this game is bullshit
Yeah, they treat us like projects
Throw em in the hole and see if they make it out
That’s why they call it projects
That’s why niggas scream when he make it out
Bitch I come from a good family
We did dirty deeds but still we a good family
Granny raised me right
I know what’s wrong
But still I had to make mistakes to become my own
Man, no hating in this mufucker
I pray for everybody in this mufucker
No telling when he gonna judge us in the mufucker
Who woulda thought I’d have a family in this mufucker
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who would a thought
Back in 9th grade
Back in 9th grade
Back in 9th grade
People getting money
People getting locked
Homies smoking rocks
Hoes on the clock
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who woulda thought
Back in 7th grade
Uncle Kev when to the pen
Back again
I was nineteen when he seat me
Going in the wrong direction so he tried to reach me
I told him, hey I got kicked out of college
Cops wilding on me cuz I was speaking knowledge
Much later
I got them pills
I got that dro
I got skills
Then the nigga got on probation
And he was standing there with that look just waiting
The look said enough
Ever since I been eating instrumentals
Good stuff
Good luck
It’s a war zone
DFW, yeah it’s a warzone
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
I’d lose my Aunt Jean and my Uncle James
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who would a thought
Back in 9th grade
Back in 9th grade
Back in 9th grade
People getting money
People getting locked
Homies smoking rocks
Hoes on the clock
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who woulda thought
Back in 9th grade
Who woulda thought
Black president
2011 and the rich still getting rich
Politician is a politician
Real niggas stand up and stay out of prison
Give my dawg a gang/game
When he come home
Stay away from him
This block more than lukewarm
Hug your girl
Kiss your kids
Look at a map
And lets plan how we gonna take this bitch
Smoke in the chest
Screaming fuck stress
Look around the club
We all want success
9th grade
This shit’s crazy
Who would thought we still ain't found Brenda’s baby