The Impact of Africa Sam and The L.O.F. crew! Hip-Hop Stories, By:DENT #IAmDENTBlog

I'm always a student of the game, a fan of the culture. I'm always learning, teaching, and exploring our enriched, Hip-Hop terrain, here in Denver. I carry on tradition, from those who I've learned from and those who've paved the way. Each one of my friend's have taught me some very valuable lessons and codes, when it comes to the game of Hip-Hop and life in general. Bombing the streets with paint, was the quick rise for fame, being a young Hip-Hop head here in Denver. I came up with a cool bunch of homies we called ourselves, OAK (OneOvAKind). A bunch of kid's from North Denver, being inspired by the art and the music.

(Throwback picture, 1997, Ranum H.S. Denver, C,O, Some OAK Crew, left 2 right, DENT-Curse1 (RIP) Sal-Merk-Cosmo)

After years of payin dues, getting my rep up within the scene, I was noticed from a Legendary Denver Hip-Hop Crew. I am honored to represent that crew, L.O.F. (Lords-Of-Finesse). A home-grown All Elements Hip-Hop Crew outta Denver, C.O. that started back in 1993, by Two Hip-Hop Brothers From The North Side, Fienz and Chonz Rodriguez. They got the torch passed down from NYC pioneer b-boy, Kwickstep from Full Circle crew, and other members from Rock Steady crew, during a in town Dance event called 'Ghetto-Originals'. This Crew was the Crew, you were striving to be a part of when you were coming up as a shorty in Denver. Everyone who was passionate about the art, has learned something, or was inspired from Lords of Finesse. I got down with them in 1996. It was a DOPE feeling to be recognized for your skillz on the microphone by your peers. in 2013 L.O.F. Crew celebrated 20 years of being a Hip-Hop crew!

Check out a short insert from the O.G. Fienz nterview he did with Hip-Hop Roll Call.

"LOF has a strong core of foundation and to be honest I don’t really know how we lasted 20yrs cuz there’s has been a lot of disagreements and fights over the years lol. Maybe cuz we all truly got love for hip-hop and each other. Most of us were writers at first. Most of us came from the NC crew and DSK crew we came together and shared our love for hip-hop. LOF members have branched out in so many ways, man. From tattoo artist, Radio, movies, Emcees, Djs, writers ect. We was never one dimensional.. We have members who threw legendary events like bboy summit, done by Asia One and Easy Rock we was her original crew, Lady Jules in the beat freaks & BGirl we was her OG crew as well..I think we all do it for our Love of the culture and wanting to spread and share our knowledge." (press to read full interview)

Take A Look back at 20 years with the L.O.F. crew, with fam and friends!

'LOF Song By:DENT, Curs by: DJ Chonz, beat by: Frank Dukes

Back in 95/96, there were always monthly battles at this spot called S.O.S. I had a really cool home girl named 'Aura1' aka Leandrea, We went to church together, and we shared the same passion for Hip-Hop culture. She saw how much love I had for word's and battling and told me about her brother MARZ. Big MARZ was in L.O.F. & was the one who kicked me down in the crew, after seeing me serve up rappers, month after month at these battles. When I got put down, I was very honored and humbled to be apart of some amazing Hip-Hop fanatic's who represented my city . I remember all the member's in the crew, called me up to introduced themselves. I felt accepted and blessed to be able to share and learn knowledge with these brothers and sisters of Hip-Hop. Back then, L.O.F. was a group of graffiti brothers from the NC ( No Claim)/DSK (DopeStyleKings) crew. Fienz,Voice,Swek, Phued,Milk,Crock, CASTLE, Sacred, MARZ,KID, ASIA1, and others. (check out this old school DSK Roll Call pic)

There was only one MC in LOF at that time. He was a Artist, a graff writer, and a hero of the weirdo's of sorts! His name was Africa Sam. This dude was like my long lost separated Siamese twin . We connected on so many levels! We built and hung out everyday for years and years. He taught me a lot, made be more of a critical thinker, and more in tune with my spirit . A true visionary, encouraging, knowledgeable of different styles of music. I looked up to him, and he had a huge influence on my life growing up. We carried the L.O.F. flag, as The Leaders-Of-Freestyle, We didn't have the internet to gain fame. We had to plot and scheme on those so called MC's who said they were Fresh in our city. From house parties, to open mic nights to school yard cypher's. We were there representing our crew with skills and to let all the wack rappers know we were The Freshest Kid's in town. From Colorado Springs, to Grand Junction, back to Boulder and all through the state. We pushed ourselves to always stay original , creative, tremendously witty with words,styles and deliveries. The Inevitable Rhyme Skwadrun we became, and we were the conversational giants in Denver's RAP Game.

We started to record, endless hours of freestyles in different studios, Freestyles for DJ's mix tapes,as well as a few cameo appearances on some local rappers projects. Sam and I were in motion to stay focused on our musical mission, and planned on releasing a series of projects. In 1999 We had a feature on the Ecko Unlimited mix tape series called 'Underground Airplay' which featured our friend, PREVAIL ONE From Swollen Members & cuts by: DJ Chonz. It was distributed out in Australia and it was a good opportunity for US. I'm very blessed to have have come across such a humble, talented, funky, unique, everlasting friend in Sam. Today, Sam, is still busy, creating, and helping others around the world with his lifetime mission of loving people to life. With his endless works with the people of Africa, dedication and ambition with his musical spirit and designing mind frame, Africa Sam is humbly driven with his art. He's international motley crew of exotic and eccentric characters up his sleeve and is perpetually ready to unleash them at moment's notice. In 2007 he was Known for his roles of Lalo and Francois in the Pixar movie Ratatouille, he fails not to astound those within earshot and eyeshot on the silver screen or whatever alley, cliff side or sampan you may encounter him in the world over. He is the world's answer to losing Peter Sellers and will unload his special brand of brouhaha for those who haven't experienced him very soon.

I'm very proud of him of all his accomplishments. This is one of many, Hip-Hop stories to come. Check Sam out , and watch this Pixar interview with him, and take a look at his demo reel of other roles and cameo's he has played.

Check Sam'd Website out: http://www.juliuscallahan.biz/

PEACE TO ALL THE LOF CREW MEMBERS WORLDWIDE!