There haven’t been many rap musicians rise from the rolling ranchlands of the foothills, but one Longview resident is proof country roads do not always make country musicians.

Longview hop hop artist Chase "MC Deception" Hummel, left, and Vancouver DJ Noah "Beatsmith Bear" Bellavance play Cougar's Sports Bar and Grill in Turner Valley on Friday, and Dee'z Sports Bar in Okotoks on Feb. 27.

Chase Hummel grew up in Longview, a third generation foothills area resident, but while living in Vancouver three years ago, he hooked up with Noah “DJ Beatsmith Bear” Bellavance. They began to create rap and hip hop music with Hummel writing the lyrics as MC Deception. Together, the duo performs as The Random Humans.

A set list came together while in Vancouver and then The Random Humans met sound engineer Rob Shallcross, who has worked on albums for metal bands such as Gwar and Strapping Young Lad.

The chemistry worked and last year Hummel released two recordings including a solo project as MC Deception and a three-song EP with The Random Humans.

Hummel decided to return to his hometown, get a concrete company going and continue collaborating with DJ Beatsmith Bear while living on either side of the Rocky Mountains.

Creating music long-distance works, however, as Hummel commutes to Vancouver to lay down tracks and to perform gigs.

“Bear makes the beats, I write the lyrics, we send it to Chicken (metal music producer Rob Shallcross) and he approves it, then we record it in the studio,” said Hummel.

The Random Humans’ music sticks close to what they know about life. They steer clear of the kind of themes at the heart of music by gangsta rap stars, who dominate the genre, such as Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50 Cent.

Hummel doesn’t write about grappling with racism and the effects of a life of poverty.

“We’re not trying to be gangsters, we’re not trying to say anything we can’t back up. It’s true hip hop,” said Hummel. “Our EP focuses on love for the fans, government involvement – as nasty as it is – and diminishing natural resources, stuff like that,” said Hummel. “My lyrics are quick and crafty and the beats are intense. The issues are real. Living in Vancouver, owning my own concrete company, living it up. And I think a lot of people can relate to our topics.

“We’re just random humans, random as you, but look at us go.”

Hummel said as a Caucasian making a type of music dominated by African Americans isn’t any more of an uphill battle than succeeding in any other type of music.

“There was some skepticism that white guys can’t rap,” said Hummel. “Ten years ago the majority of rappers were black, it was expected before that you had to be black to be a good rapper. But a lot of great white rappers have proved that wrong, so now it’s not expected that you have to be black to spit the words.”

Hummel said while their songs speak to themes people can relate to, there is a difference between finding common ground and cliché. Some hip hop finds wide appeal with smooth beats but lacks stimulating ideas, he said.

“We stay away from main stream. The main volume of people in Calgary want R&B-style hip hop with dumbed down lyrics that are easy to listen to,” said Hummel. “Our goal is originality, unique style, that no one has heard before. And having a metal producer on top of Noah’s beats adds great flair.”

The Random Humans perform in Turner Valley on Feb. 20 at Cougar’s Sports Bar and Grill, the free show starts at 9 p.m. They will play in Okotoks on Feb. 27 at Deez’ Sports Bar at 10 p.m., doors open at 8 p.m. and cover is $5.

To check out The Random Humans go to www.therandomhumans.com or www.myspace.com/therandomhumans

tneely@okotoks.greatwest.ca

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