Eric Biddines
Faint but visible in a sea of ignorant bliss as it tries to push its way back to hip-hop’s shore is lyricism — beautiful, luminous rap lyricism. Ocala-born, Palm Beach-based Eric Biddines is a bold, unapologetic voice building a beachhead for lyrical hip hop even here in the phallic peninsula.
As the stomping ground of everyone from Uncle Luke to Trina, South Florida will never be accused of representing hip hop’s poet-philosopher wing. Yet Biddines proves you can hit hard, be dirty, talk money, have fun and still make people think. His music is provocative, artistic, and above all it jams.
From his 2017 album, “The Local Cafe,” to his new single, “Minimalist,” his sound is original and distinct, and at the same time honors his influences. Biddines weaves a tactful blend of the Southern slanguage of first generation Dungeon Family, the bop of classic Motown and the deep soul of Al Green. The slippery rhymer of “Peeuurrnn” — as in the cartoon sound of a ricochet — is also the singer of the haunted verses and refrain of “Town’s First Storm.”
“As far as opportunities [as a lyricist] are concerned it can be frustrating feeling like you have to downgrade to ignorance in order to fit into formats,” Biddines tells PureHoney. “But once you get past that you understand there’s a much longer shelf life being thoughtful and more conscious.”
Biddines has always operated in a DIY, necessity-based spirit. At age 14, the aspiring rapper walked two miles from his home in Delray Beach to a newspaper stand to research listings for an accessible recording studio. “I then took the train from Delray to Fort Lauderdale to record and get my music on CD,” he says. “From day one I was focused and about my business and doing correct.”
Of his No Pulp Tour with fellow South Floridian (born in California) Malc Stewy, Biddines says, “It’s very grassroots and DIY. Truly unique in that sense because there was zero professionals involved. Just some rappers doing it and figuring it out as we go.”
Eric Biddines and Malc Stewy perform 8pm May 23 at Voltaire in West Palm Beach. ericbiddines.bandcamp.com ~ Freddie Zandt
