When you think of hip-hop artists in the Pacific Northwest you tend to think about pop music. Sir Mix-A-Lot and Macklemore have charted extremely well and no other locals have really come close.
While our local hip-hop scene is as diverse and beautiful as the region in which it lies, true hip-hop has always been more recognized in Seattle. Overcoming that obstacle, Tacoma’s Clemm Rishad has remained in the middle of these two spectrums and is ready to take the spotlight.
Clemm Rishad and his Sky Movement business partner, Rich Penton, have also mingled all throughout the industry. They have industry credits with the likes of Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Meek Mill, Yo Gotti and more. Not to mention they have also thrown one of the largest independently produced hip-hop shows in the country. And they’ve done it three times now.
With Dope Music Festival 3 happening this weekend and an album on the way with Street Runner, I got to sit down with Clemm and ask him some questions about the last few years leading up to this moment.
‘So Far So Good’ is the album coming with Grammy award-winning producer, Street Runner. Street Runner has produced for Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, John Legend and countless other industry stars. A true sample inspired producer, Clemm and SR share a love for ‘real hip-hop.’
Outside of working together, Clemm and Street Runner have formed a writing partnership. With Street on the beats and Clemm writing hooks and melodies, the two have scored credits with Meek Mill, Yo Gotti and Zoey Dollars.
Clemm Rishad – What A Feeling (Prod. by Street Runner)
Starting to release music in 2006, Clemm Rishad has a came along way. From touring and performing, to stepping behind the scenes, his new partnership is the best of both worlds. Stating that while he enjoyed early success in Tacoma and Seattle, “we’ve done the local scene, let’s build where we’re uncomfortable.”
“You got to get uncomfortable to get to where you got to go…we did this artist thing. What’s next?”
During the years spent grinding on the local scene, Clemm and Rich gained numerous industry connections after putting on major events and working with talented producers. They are looking to now bring their connections back to Tacoma and spread the wealth with their new company, Sky Creative.
“Its time to get behind the city, not just one person.”
Sky Creative is going to be a new agency and creative space in downtown Tacoma. Although the Sky Movement team is currently building out this fantasy factory, the vision has been in place for years. The space is impressive and these two will be doing something very special for the Northwest. They want to build the community around the music, not just their movement.
“It’s inspiring to be rapper but it’s a different thing to know what you’re doing. It’s easy to look like a rapper, but it’s tough to be your own boss and do everything it takes to get there.”
Not too many years ago, Rich recalls splitting a booth at summer jam with two other companies to sell merchandise. Just a few years ago they had their own stage at Summer Jam. At the last Summer Jam, Sky Movement was thee presenting sponsor for the entire festival. Dope Music Festival has now become another platform that has brought industry connections back to the Northwest.
I recently caught up with Sky Movement’s Rich Penton and asked about his thoughts on Dope Music Festival. When pressed about the most important part of this year’s festival, he said the following…
A. No other independent artists has put on his own festival. Drake has OVO Fest, Trae The Truth has Trae Day. Clemm Rishad is throwing Dope Music Festival. —- he’s brought out Chris Brown, School Boy Q, Lil Wayne, K Camp…this is major.
Alongside Clemm, Rich and the Sky Movement team are quietly making Goliath moves. With ‘Wall Street’ as the next single on the way, a national campaign is inevitably coming for Sky Movement. As Rich would say, “taking small ideas and making them big,” is going to continue to happen.
