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By LAUREN GARBUTT
Staff Writer

“There is a difference between being a rapper and being an artist”.

This is a belief strongly held by St. Catharines emcee, Femapco, who fills all the qualities of being an artist. To Femapco, you can be a rapper, but to be an artist is all encompassing. People remember that guy, they can tell his music from anothers, and he has a certain character that shines through in all that he does.

A professional inside and out, Femapco began making beats when he was just 16, bored in college without any real goals for his music. However, as time went on, he became more serious, rapping about life, family, situations and drama.

At 18, Femapco formed his own record label called Tetrahedra Records (not currently active), in which he produced for the artists signed. In 2004 he released his first and only full length release, “Suck My Mic”- the first and possibly only professionally pressed hip hop album to come out of St. Catharines. Throughout the years he has also released a number of small demos and has collaborated with a number of artists on different tracks and compilations.

In his early 20’s, he tragically lost his great friend and partner in music and producing, which set him back for a time as he found it difficult to write and record.

With so much experience and reputation, one might wonder why he has only released one full length to date, but the reason only attests to the artist's professionalism and confidence in his work. For Femapco, every record needs to be solid, an explanation of a section of his life or thoughts. A cohesive collection of material that he can be proud of. Femapco says that he won’t release an album for the sake of releasing something, and he is meticulous about his music. He also believes that the wait only benefits the album's release, creating anticipation and expectation in listeners.

“I don’t rap about mean things,” Femapco says, explaining that his songs, “always have a joking side” but still remain serious and meaningful. This approach to his work, and the fact that he is a genuinely nice guy, have earned him a great amount of respect from artists in the Niagara area.

There was once a time when live hip hop acts were virtually non-existent in the Niagara Region, but with the recent surge of activity in St. Catharines, this is all beginning to change.

In the last year there has been a concerted effort by a number of individuals who are more than willing to put in their time and effort in an attempt to get a hip hop scene going in the region.

Until just last year, Femapco was one of the only local hip hop artists to ever play SCENE music festival, an annual St. Catharines event that features over 100 bands from both near and far. It was at this years event that, for the first time ever, an entire stage was dedicated to local hip hop artists.

“It’s great, this year there were a lot of locals so it was that much better and it’s still hurting for how many people are around here that are interested. But before this there was no way anyone could get a show, now it’s multiplied by 100, 000.” Femapco excitedly explains. “In order to grow I think it just needs to continue, the more people the stronger we are. It’s more of a community now and there are a lot of people involved who are very talented.”

Femapco is a respected member of this group of artists, and it was clear as we sat on the side of St. Paul St as friend after friend approached him, but even those who aren’t exactly fans can’t phase him.

“I don’t give a fuck! The more hate that derives from my work, the stronger it is. Part of being an artist is doing it for yourself and not other people. I don’t give a fuck what other people think about my music.” Femapco earnestly explains.

But with so much of his efforts invested into hip hop and the scene in St. Catharines, it’s hard to believe anyone would ever have issues with the guy. He was 2009’s Hip Hop Group of the Year at the Niagara Music Awards, has been producer for a number of hip hop artists, and does what he can to promote them, he was a judge for the 905 Hip Hop Battles at L3 and helps do sound at shows. He is also producing a record for his sister's rap group, Vagina Management, a group that was originally started just to get into SCENE Music Festival as somewhat of a joke, but has blossomed into a more serious venture. An album is planned for release next spring.

And they aren’t the only ones.

Femapco, himself, will be releasing his second full length album in April 2010, an anticipated record he claims will be better than the last (and that one was good to!). Also, to look forward to, is the Battle of the Beats in the near future, as well as more collaborations with local artists and maybe even some music videos.

Check out these sites!

www.myspace.com/femapco

www.tetrahedrarecords.com