For almost half a decade now, First Avenue’s Get Cryphy has been the monthly destination for local fans of rap, getting stupid, and/or shaking their things. The dance night, whose name is a homegrown mash-up of “crunk” and “hyphy,” celebrates its four-year anniversary on Friday, February 24 with guest performances by Brother Ali, MaLLy, Astronautalis, and more. Cryphy’s four resident DJs took a break from preparing to tear a new hole in the fabric of Minneapolis hip-hop (well, we assume) to share some memories and favorite jams.
Photo by Kevin O’Meara
Plain Ole Bill
Where else you’ve seen him: DJing for P.O.S.; providing transitions on Lazerbeak’s album Lava Bangers
Favorite banger: “So many bangers… Right now, I love ‘King of Diamonds’ by Rick Ross.”
Favorite slow jam: “Let Me See That Booty” by The-Dream featuring Lil Jon. “I love that song because it’s a slow jam, but still kind of a banger.”
Cryphy’s beginnings: “Cryphy came together as something Jimmy and I started after our previous night, Party & Bull$hit, had ended. The club that hosted that party, Foundation, had abruptly closed. We were anxiously looking for new home to throw a dance night where we had more creative control. Foundation’s promo manager, Dave Stai, was a big supporter of our DJing and party, and helped us to connect with First Avenue. He put in a good word for us right as a first Friday slot opened up, and we landed it almost immediately. After a few months, the party really picked up. The first year, we featured many guest DJs, but our friends Last Word and Fundo were the most frequent guests of the night. Around the time of Get Cryphy’s first anniversary, we became a four-person group and have been rolling that way ever since.”
One dance night, four DJs: ”It’s all about communication. We’ve all been DJing together for a long time and understand one another’s approach. Jimmy and I have been doing four-turntable routines for over seven years now, so a lot of the time we can rely on experience.”
Craziest thing that’s ever happened at Cryphy: “Fundo.”
Photo by Kevin O’Meara
Jimmy2Times
Where else you’ve seen him: As a resident DJ on KFAI’s RSE Radio
Favorite banger: “Ima Boss” by Meek Mill
Favorite slow jam: “Pony” by Ginuwine or “Rockin That Shit” by The-Dream
Cryphy vs. KFAI: “Radio is a far more relaxed type of DJing. It’s also a platform that gives me a chance to play all types of hip-hop and even soul and funk, which is obviously a departure from the high energy style of Cryphy. However, I still like to do doubles and tricky stuff on the turntables while doing radio DJing. That keeps it exciting.”
What the scene needs: “More folks willing to take chances and make music they’re into, rather than whatever sound they think will get people’s attention, or whatever they think they’re supposed to be doing.”
Craziest thing that’s ever happened at Cryphy: “In the interest of keeping this SFW, I’ll pass on that question.”
Photo by Kevin O’Meara
Fundo
Where else you’ve seen him: DJing for Prof
Favorite banger: “Get Low” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz
Favorite slow jam: “One in a Million” by Aaliyah
On the King Gampo tour: “I love the new people I meet every day, seeing new places, and sharing a bed with Prof.”
Favorite mix: “The Cryphy Four Year, because all four of us got together and created something amazing.”
Craziest thing that’s ever happened at Cryphy: “When Har Mar Superstar went behind the DJ booth, stripped to his underwear, and started dancing.”
Last Word
Where else you’ve seen him: DJing for MaLLy and sometimes for Prof
Favorite banger: “I should let Bill answer this one for me, but my favorite banger is T.I.’s ‘Bring ‘Em Out.’ I own the Cryphy rights to that song.”
Favorite slow jam: “MY FAVORITE SONG OF ALL TIME TO PLAY IS ADINA HOWARD’S ‘FREAK LIKE ME.’ I usually play the remix.”
What the scene needs: “I would like people to make the best quality music they can. Go out and grind, and build something, and not just expect things to be given to them. I love our rap scene. The Twin Cities indie scene is something that a lot of cities don’t have. I think the excitement that people have for it is very special, and we should appreciate that.”
Favorite eats/drinks in Minneapolis: “Right now it’s Muddy Waters. I mess with their sour ales there. I don’t usually eat. That stuff costs money. How do you think I keep this figure?”
Craziest thing that’s ever happened at Cryphy: “Umm… The three-year [anniversary], and hopefully the four-year on Friday.”
