Dopplegangsta is 'totally dedicated' to Myrtle Beach

Knoxville rap duo Dopplegangsta

KNOXVILLE — Knoxville hip-hop duo Dopplegangsta eludes interpretation.

The Urban Dictionary describes a doppelgangster as one's "alternate self as a gangster," but the secretive pair who comprise Dopplegangsta, Reginald Birch and Lil' Lord Faulteroy, insist this definition doesn't apply.

The act's intentions are sketchy, and dealings with these physical embodiments of white-rap perception do little more than further conjecture. One thing can be confirmed: These rap phantoms keep issuing singles, the latest of which, "Myrtle Beach Y'all," is getting increased local radio attention.

While the two soulful poets divulge little on their lives outside the rap game, they are adamant in professing their love for large women, Myrtle Beach, S.C., and the large women of Myrtle Beach. Of course, these passions are already discussed in graphic detail on Dopplegangsta's current singles, "Miss Biscuit" and "Myrtle Beach, Y'all."

The latter was composed as a summertime anthem, giving props to one of the South's most renowned beaches that, until now, has gone shamefully unaddressed by the hip-hop community.

"I'd say the main idea behind the music is to talk about all the (stuff) we like," expounds Birch of his inspiration. "If you're really passionate about something, your art should reflect that. Like, we love getting those ... back rubs you can get in the middle of the mall, so the next song we do might be about that."

"We consider our music to be 'filthy dirty South.' It's a term we coined. It's basically a convergence of everything people love about rap music, but we make it a thousand times better by targeting subjects that a lot of people don't understand. Take Myrtle Beach, for example. Not everyone has been there, especially people who aren't from the South, so we put everything we love about the place into a really awesome song. It's like we're unearthing parts of Southern culture that some just don't understand."

"We hadn't heard a proper summer anthem since Tag Team's 'Whoomp! There It Is' in '93," adds Faulteroy. "We decided there was no sense in waiting around for someone else to make a new jam, so we took care of it ourselves."

As with most hip-hop, Dopplegangsta is all about the scrilla (money). Despite having additional flows penned, Birch and Faulteroy withhold their gifts until the most recent release has run its course. According to the duo, this is the most business-savvy means to deliver its material, and it ensures no middle-album gold is overlooked by the Grammy-selection committee.

"It's all digital, and it's through Bandcamp and Soundcloud," says Faulteroy. "When we need more money, we'll record another song. We've got a list of songs waiting for the studio. That's how it works with Dopplegangsta."

The "Myrtle Beach Y'all" track has received support from local college radio through regular rotation, according to Faulteroy. But Dopplegangsta alleges other local radio outlets have been less enthusiastic, interpreting requests for "Miss Biscuit" as prank calls.

Gaining respect has been a struggle for Dopplegangsta, whose subject matter draws cockeyed looks for its heavy-handed take on shallow, status quo hip-hop topics. However, to presume this is done with tongues in cheeks draws ire from the sensitive artists, who firmly assert this is no joke.

"People should just enjoy it," Birch explains. "There's an aspect of humor to our lyrics, but hip-hop has always been that way. People take it too literally. When Biggie Smalls says, 'Birthdays was the worst days/now we sip champagne when we thirsty,' he doesn't literally mean he only drinks champagne. That would kill you..

"When we were vacationing in Myrtle Beach, we didn't literally go around 'marching in the sand' like a 'Myrtle Beach army.' That's just a funny way of saying we're totally dedicated to the place."

Full versions of both Dopplegangsta tracks are available at dopplegangsta.bandcamp.com and soundcloud.com/dopplegangsta, and radio edits of each are available for free.

n Honorable mention: On My Honor plays an all-ages show at The Valarium on Friday evening. The bill also includes Your Favorite Hero, Chokeslam, The Hits and High Tide. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is $5, with a $2 surcharge for those under 21 years old.

n Plague-r-ism: Friday night Preservation Pub hosts The American Plague, Tabula Rasa and Luminoth. The show is slated for 10 p.m.

© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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