DJ iShine and the rest of the gang from 1SIDE Music Entertainment will “drop it like it’s hot” Friday to celebrate the recording label’s four-year anniversary.
The legacy began during DJ iShine’s — otherwise known as Christopher Summers, a senior studying music production — senior year of high school after he taught himself to emcee following a high-school prank.
“In high school I wasn’t really good at anything. I wasn’t the star jock and I wasn’t really interested in acting either,” Summers said. “I just accidentally got involved with music when I snuck into the recording studio at school and recorded a song and a beat and I decided to go off with it.”
After Summers created 1SIDE during his freshman year, local emcees decided to join the label. It currently has 11 employees, in addition to six emcees including Jéan P, Benny Boom and IZ.
“When I had the chance to join 1SIDE, I knew it was a big opportunity for me,” said freshman Zach Eisenfeld, who performs under the moniker DJ IZ. “I wouldn’t have any other way to record my music without him and 1SIDE.”
Although Eisenfeld said the label is “chill,” 1SIDE looks for certain traits when recruiting artists, including values, talent and performance.
“1SIDE is more than just a label,” Summers said. “We want to impact the world with our music. We just don’t sign anyone. You have to have a certain creativity or attribute that sets you off from the rest. You have to be a peacock in a world of pigeons.”
Although many might think a recording company would need a headquarters, Summers stands strong behind his belief that a headquarters is not necessary for success. Instead, the label uses the Internet to share files and produce tracks.
“Everything is going to the clouds,” Summers said. “You don’t need a headquarters to be heard and the Internet allows us to do so.”
The four-year anniversary party kicks off Friday at 11 p.m. at The Union Bar and Grill, 18 W. Union St.
“I think what he is doing is unique and special,” Dr. Akil Houston, a history of hip-hop professor at Ohio University, said. “I think if he continues what he is doing he will definitely be one of those people on the better end of hip-hop.”
lf328610@ohiou.edu
