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To the devoted listener, the state of Hip-Hop just isnt the same anymore. Its been a while since the world has been blessed with an incomparable talent. The game needs change. At this point, no one has accepted the challenge to make a difference until now. Meet Northern Virginias own premiere artist, Wise.
Born in Kansas City, MO, Wise grew up in a military household moving across the country for the most part of his childhood until finally settling in Virginia. I spent half of my life here, says Wise, 26. This is home to me. I feel like I belong here. Wise feels strongly about repping his local residence and is determined to become the first to put his area on the map. To most he is just known by his moniker (which was given to him because of his large vocabulary and his ability to cunningly deliver stories with insight), but to the people in his hometown, hes know as The King of the 7-0. If anybody is worthy of exposing Northern V. to the world, its gonna be me. I own the crown down here. Its 703 all day, he boasts with confidence.
However, it has been a long road for this aspiring artist who has been developing his craft since the age of 10. After appearing in and consecutively winning numerous local and national talent showcases, Wise almost gave the rap game up for good when he learned that his brother (co-creator of the now established 4 Alarm Entertainment) was gunned down in his own neighborhood over petty drugs and money. My brother was the only person besides myself who had faith in my dream, says Wise. I literally broke down and lost my direction after that. Without him things just werent gonna be the same. Finally after a two year hiatus due to depression, Wise was convinced to resurface his talents and return to the music that he loved. This time vowing to make a change and deliver a positive message in his music, in hopes to open the eyes of the listener so they wont follow the same path his brother took. If my music just helps one person at the end of the day, Ive done my job, he says.
Six months later, Wise had developed a local buzz in the streets and landed an opportunity for national exposure. Earning himself a slot on BETs first ever SpringBling Freestyle Battle Competition in 2003, he later went on to become the victor and was also the first mc to represent his hometown on national TV. Based off of the response BET received from the show after it aired, they invited Wise back to appear on 106 & Parks Freestyle Fridays. Although he never became champion, he made sure his presence was felt that day and it was. So much so that the producers at BET later expressed their interests in placing him in a segment on The Center, in which Wise jumped to the opportunity. During the frequent visits to New York, Wise also placed himself in another growing freestyle battle competition held at the legendary Beat Street Records in Brooklyn, NY where he went on to become a semi-finalist. I represented Virginia well in NY. They didnt see me coming, he exclaims.
Since then, Wise has been taking Northern Virginia by storm with his independent mixtape releases, Straight out the 703, The Global Warning, The Global Warning pt.2, and is currently preparing his debut album, "The Big Picture," set to drop November 14th 2006. He believes that he has what it takes to make a change in the game. Industry insiders and critics alike have already compared him to some of Hip-Hops heavyweights. He is truly a force to be reckoned with.
4 Alarm Entertainment. 2006
"PAPER" - WISE 2006
SHOT BY STEVE ZEIDERS aka MR. 703 (TOP 8). HOLLA @ HIM FOR YOUR VIDEO SHOOT IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.
"STRIKE A MATCH"
MARCH 3RD SHOW @ CLUB BRAVO BRAVO/WASHINGTON, D.C.
