The Temple Club is set to become a breeding ground for area hip-hop tonight as local record label 8th Wonder Entertainment gets ready to take over the club.
The evening, dubbed "Sumpthin' Kinda Wonderful," will feature six local artists and the Ann Arbor group AML at the Temple Club, 500 E..Grand River Ave. in Lansing.
"People should expect to be entertained thoroughly," said Mario Jackson - or 3rd Deggree as he is known on stage - who promises the evening to be high on energy and chock-full of great music from all types of hip-hop and R&B.
"Expect all kinds of variety," he said. "Variety to the point that it's extreme, but not extreme enough to be uncomfortable.
"Every performer should be looking forward to putting on more than a rock show, more than just a person on a mic."
MC 3rd Deggree and R&B singer Christian have become the figurehead artists with 8th Wonder, a relatively new record label gaining notoriety in the local music community. The two artists have found their way onto the rotation of radio stations WQHH (96.5-FM) and WDBM (88.9-FM); Christian with "I Love My Boo" and 3rd Deggree with "Crowd Control."
Drew Lathrop, who manages public relations for 8th Wonder, says the company aims to become a dominant force in local hip-hop. Thursday's show at The Temple Club will help to bring the label and its artists closer to that, he said.
"We want to set a standard for those doing what we're doing in the area," Lathrop said. "We've opened the door for local hip-hop artists with some radio stations and venues.
"We've been the foundation for a lot of that. Expect to see great things from 8th Wonder in the future. We're about to capitalize on the Capital City."
Both Lathrop and 3rd Deggree pointed out the need for artists and venues to support local music, and they commended The Temple Club for consistently booking area artists.
"There's not enough support for anyone," 3rd Deggree said. "You have a 'circle of friends' who'll help each other out, but that's it. I think it's kind of selfish. If venues and radio stations can't support local artists, who will?
"People should see a reason to support local artists more. A lot of people you expect to be nobodies turn out to be somebody. But if you're whack, then you're whack. That's just being point-blank about it."
3rd Deggree said his performances tend to get the floor bouncing, and he emphasized the need to make a connection with the crowd - an influence he says he picked up from family members and legendary rap group Run-D.M.C.
"If you're there and I'm rhyming, something's going to happen to you," he said. "I get the crowd involved. I ask questions. I'm a borderline stage-diver right now. I might have to do it."
On the other end of the show's musical spectrum, Christian, born Christian Odinma, says his performances have a more relaxed tone. Christian said to expect "good energy" and "feel-good music" from his show.
"They'll come out, relax and have a good time, you know, relieve a little stress from the week," Christian said.
Much like 3rd Deggree, Christian said he liked to focus on positive energy between himself and the audience. Focusing on issues ranging from single-parent families to relationships, Christian stressed the notion that his music evoked a strong range of emotions his audience could relate to.
"My music is not secular," he said. "Crowds respond wonderfully. They're always very supportive, always want to hear more. I try to let them know that anything is possible. I think about making a connection with the audience, I want to make them feel exactly what the lyrics are talking about."
All parties involved with the event say they are promising something spectacular Thursday night, an event Lathrop said wouldn't soon be forgotten.
"People should expect the best hip-hop show of the summer," he said.
