The H&N Crew (Thanks Samuel Queen IV)

Going through trials and tribulations just might be the best inspiration for a writer to draw their anecdotes from. Keith Hutchins, a.k.a. Keilo, Leroy Graudney, a.k.a. Face Mobb, Ronald Saunders, a.k.a. Lil’ Ronnie, and Samuel Queen IV, a.k.a. Don B., unfortunately knows this all too well. Collectively known as The H&N Crew, these East Baltimore MC’s have quickly recognized that there are more important things in life than the flash and glare of celebrity, and they have decided to put those accounts to music. These young men were hit directly by the Dawson Family firebombing tragedy that occurred on Cecil Ave. in 2003. Instead of letting the memory of the family fade in the wind, they decided to give a concert for the affected community that found healing and comfort through their music-if only for the duration of the group’s performance. Since then, H&N have committed to keeping their music profanity-free, and encourage anyone willing to listen to become a positive enforcement in their respective communities. It seems their leadership has paid off, as their newest song, “Tip-Toe”, is currently being requested on 92Q. As they prepare to release a new album in November through Itunes and Amazon.com, H&N looks to continue to empower their city with words of truth, encouragement and hope.

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Tell us about the history of the H&N Squad. Why did you guys want to start making music?

We are all cousins who started this group living on Harford Rd. and North Ave (H&N). We felt that rap could be more of a positive motivator for young people like us, instead of putting a match to the fire like most negative rap does as of late. Rap used to be about fun and expression, and we wanted to kind of bring that back. We first started H&N as a way to make music and unite our community, and we quickly gained members and support. [We] have done shows for Anthony Jeter Productions, the Uplifting Minds Conference; [we also did] the Mayors Crime Prevention Night Out party to raise awareness to crime in our communities and the African American Heritage Festival.

Why did you decide to make your music without profanity?

To try to make our message of fun and talented expression drive home to a wider audience besides the same listeners of hardcore rap. [We wanted] to have adults listen as well, to believe and support us again.

I noticed that you were involved with some community work involving the Dawson Family tragedy. Why is supporting the community so important for H&N?

We had a similar fire take place in our family, as Ronnie has lost his 7 year old brother in a fire as well. The lost of life has weighed heavy on us and this is how we have handled our grief. Our similar experiences have made us want to get involved in our community and try to make it better than what most believe it is like.

What message do you want your music to spread?

Our message is for rap to be a way for today’s youth to reconnect positively to the world and not to exclude themselves as they do now. We want the music to inspire other young people when they are feeling down or like outcasts. We want the music to say to the world, ‘Here we are and we have talent.’ We think and feel, and we want to be apart of the world’s solution and not apart of the problem.

What are the goals for your future?

Hopefully we can have a positive influence on the hip-hop scene that will help it bring the fun back to the music. {We hope} this influence will spread amongst other new groups as well. As far as our music, we plan on making two more albums; we will rap as long as our fans will support and believe in us.

To keep in contact with the H&N Crew, visit myspace.com/hnrecords

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