It’s a rap! Hip-hop dads release album
TWO forty-something dads have put together a hip-hop album after 20 years of making music together.
Marc Jackson, 46, and Nick Connors, 43, both from Macclesfield, who make up band The Dopes, bonded over their mutual love of oldschool hip-hop, including bands such as Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Farside, and De La Soul, who ruled the 80s hip-hop scene.
Now, they have put together a 10-track album, 111% FRESH, which they will premiere at the Snow Goose in Macclesfield on Friday, November 15.
The album will be released on pink tape cassettes to keep in with the retro feel and the recent renaissance tapes have enjoyed, but will include a download code for those who want to listen to it digitally. Marc, who works as a cartoon illustrator, and also runs a graphic design company with his wife, said: “I have been a life-long fan of hip-hop.
“It was the first music I heard that was my kind of music.
“I have known Nick [who is a partner in an advertising agency] for about 20 years and about two years ago we decided to start doing this, just the two of us, although the first time we played live together was 20 years ago.”
The duo have played in numerous clubs and bars across Macclesfield, including the Snow Goose, Mash, and even the Treacle Market, including further afield venues such as a festival in the Lake District.
Marc continued: “Our album is a selection of the songs we play live.
“People have previously said we should have an album. We have written a song about the 60s Batman actor, Adam West, a song about a giraffe, and one about 80s TV show The Golden Girls.
“The album is funny, but it’s not a joke.
“We put it together in about a month - we’re professionals and have done this kind of thing before.”
The album will be available to buy from Vinyl Planet on Chester Road.
A local photographer, Richard Buck, will be filming the album launch in the hopes of making a documentary about The Dopes, which they plan to launch at the Manchester Film Festival.
Speaking about the launch, Charlotte Baxter at the Snow Goose said: “Until The Dopes played at the Snow Goose we thought the only nuts in the place were the organic ones we sell on the bar!
“So we’re thrilled their launching their first album at our venue.”