Dirty Irby follows DIY mold
By Susan Pugh on Jul. 16, 2008
By Nanci Dodson, The Burg
There were indie rockers, belly dancers, fire eaters and fire twirlers. Then came hip hop acts, which began with a drum circle that included all the rappers.
It was a Friday night show at the Starlight Café headlined by local rappers Dirty Irby and With High Hopes of Sleeping.
Dirty Irby, aka Christopher Malcolm Irby, has been writing and performing with his partner and best friend, Magik One, since 2002. Both artists make beats, play instruments and rap.
Irby described the music as “super-psychedelic space funk, which represents the four elements of hip hop: Graffiti, DJ, emcee and breakdance.”
They have released two albums, with four more in the works under their own record label, Unga Bunga.
“We have our own recording equipment, and we believe in the do-it-yourself aspect,” Irby said. “If you can’t do it yourself, you can’t do it at all.”
Irby has been known to hand out free CDs. The move introduces people to his music and, he said, it’s a way to try “to open people’s minds to the concepts of something strange, different and political.”
So it’s no surprise that most of the group’s songs are about the government, the struggle of the everyday man and the culture. In addition to addressing issues like religion, politics, money and work, some of the lyrics touch on tough imponderables, such as death - both that of Irby’s father and the suicide of a friend and fellow rapper.
Dirty Irby emphasizes the power of the positive, truth and unity while crossing some boundaries in lyrical content.
“Some are afraid of the abnormal,” he said, “but others are attracted to us.”
Irby is focused on playing more shows to promote his four albums, all due to drop by the end of the summer. He and Magik One also play some open mic nights around town.
“I want everyone to respect each other and find some inner peace with the creator and the world. Time is only of the essence,” Irby says.
“Open the doorway to your heart and bring a friend.”
For more information, go to http://www.myspace.com/dirtyirbyandfriends
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