Tribute bands have become increasingly popular, with a tribute act available for almost every popular 70s band. Fans love the nostalgic feeling of singing along to familiar songs that bring back memories of years gone by.
However, until The Frank White Experience came along, there were no hip-hop tribute acts.
This unique band has filled a gap in the tribute band category and provides fans with a chance to relive the sounds of their high school and college days with live hip-hop performances.
With the rise in popularity of rap and hip-hop in the early 90s, it would only make sense that a live tribute act would make its way into the scene.
The Frank White Experience (FWE) is the genre leader for live hip-hop tribute bands. Best described as the Dark Star Orchestra of hip-hop, FWE delivers a quality of sound and homage comparable to acts such as Pink Talking Phish, Lizards, Badfish and Start Making Sense.
The first of its kind, FWE not only covers the music of Biggie Smalls but takes listeners on a journey back through the beloved soundscape of 1990’s hip-hop and R&B, making them a guaranteed crowd pleaser sure to rock any audience.
The Frank White Experience is a 7 piece band comprised of DJ – DJ Bizznez, Drums/Musical Director – Emanuel Washington, Guitar – Jay Lock, Bass – Mike Spadaro, Percussion – BJ Terry, Vocals – Skribe Da God & Danielle Mitchell.
We caught up with frontman Skribe Da God this week for a quick interview on all things Biggie and Frank White Experience.
Records On The Wall: What can the crowd expect to experience at a Frank White Experience concert?
Frank White Experience: The crowd can expect a live music experience and performance unlike any other. We are all seasoned veteran artists from multiple genres that have formed like Voltron; everyone of us is a consummate professional and star in their own right.
There’s more than 100 years of combined live performance experience in this group and it shows. Crowds can expect to amazed, engaged, and inspired, all the while being blown away. BIG was taken from us too soon and we take very seriously our contribution to carrying on his legacy. And we gonna take y’all on a journey through 90’s hip-hop and R&B.
ROTW: Biggie used to hang with his neighbor Donald Harrison, who was a saxophone player and listen to jazz music. He gave Biggie homework, asking him to scat along to a Cannonball Adderley sax solo. What is it about Notorious BIG’s music that lends itself to the full band setting?
FWE: The relationship between BIG and his mentor Donald Harrison is such an important story in the total tale that is Biggie’s life.
Before BIG holistically turned to the Avenue to spend his time hustling and running the streets, his relationship with his mentor had him studying BeeBop jazz artists and their work.
The focus on swinging the rhythm, compressing and extending the notes and phrases within, was what made BIG so engaging to the listeners’ ears. These jazz oriented rhythmic and melodic nuances, coupled with his language breaking and poetic license used in annunciating words, made his style extremely unique and that has stood the test of time.
We can highlight the original songs that were sampled when BIG’s music was produced and put emphasis on the music of two generations and the jazz influences that created one of the worlds most beloved sounds.
ROTW: We heard you played at Biggies birthday party for his family, what was that experience like?
FWE: Surreal to say the least.
We had been grinding down to the bone with this project since 2017 and throughout our lives as musicians. We were referred by Lil’ Cease and chosen by Lil’ Kim to play BIG’s 50th birthday Gala in NYC on the same day that City Hall named 5/21 Christopher “Notorious BIG” Wallace day citywide. They also lit the Empire State Building up in the color scheme of the “Ready to Die” LP and honored Biggie at a luncheon. It was a historical day and we were right there at the center of it.
We could see and feel the anticipation of a room full of BIG’s family and most beloved people and it was a watershed moment that we HAD to represent, and oh boy did we. We were officially welcomed into to the family that night, impressing and winning the hearts of BIG’s children, Kim, and a room full of NY influencers and industry heavyweights. The biggest take away was that WE BELONGED THERE.
ROTW: Top 5 Dead Or Alive?
FWE: I’ve got six. Nas, Rakim, KRS-ONE, Wu-Tang, BIG/PAC and MF DOOM (my personal favorite).
The Frank White Experience will be at Heist Barrel Arts this Saturday, April 8th.
Doors 7, Show 8pm.
Purchase tickets HERE