If you're keeping tabs on what's hot on the campus-band scene at Bowdoin, then it's time to add another band to your list.
Bowdoin College's own rap group, Egyptian Gold, has been making music for over a year. While there maybe a lot of buzz regarding this new sub—genre of hip-hop music on college campuses, anyone who knows them will certainly testify that they are a far cry from your average Asher Roth.
Egyptian Gold is comprised of Rutledge Long '10, Peter McLaughlin '10, and Alex Healy '10. Long is the group's emcee, Healy produces, and McLaughlin adds live drums to the equation.
The group has juggled names in the past; Ol' Money Gentlemen is another name by which they have been known, but according to Long, Egyptian Gold was the original. "O.M.G. is our second name," he said. "We were originally known as Egyptian Gold, which, when you think about it, is some pretty old money."
"Ancient, even," added McLaughlin.
The name Ol' Money Gentlemen, however, explains part of the group's collective philosophy. "We are the anti [Lil] Wayne and Young Money," said Long. "The spelling of Ol' Money comes from Irish Gaelic, meaning drinking money, and the band doesn't make much dough, it mostly just pays for the beer."
Long himself has been involved in rap music for a long time. "I've been freestyling and writing raps since 8th grade," he said. "My freshman year, I won the Busta Rhymes Freestyle Contest in Virginia while on the trip back up to school from my home in Charleston, South Carolina."
While his primary influences originally came from standard hip-hop legends like Dr. Dre, Wu-Tang Clan, and Notorious BIG, Long has recently been drawing on other genres of music for inspiration.
"Now, I listen to more non-rap than rap," Long said. "I'm mainly influenced by moments in my life. I started as a freestyler. Then I became a poet. In the past few years I've found a nice synthesis of those skills in rap music."
McLaughlin's role in the group makes perfect sense from that standpoint. He is well versed not only in hip-hop, but also in many of the musical genres and traditions that have contributed to modern rap music. He cited "the finest 60s and 70s soul, tons of jazz, and a billion other things" as his own influences.
McLaughlin's versatility is showcased by his participation in several other campus ensembles, including, but not limited to the Milkman's Union, the Phunky Phresh Band, and the New Music Ensemble. "In short," he said, "I'm a busy man."
Healy, who hails from Brooklyn, N.Y., brings the flavor of one of hip-hop's most famous breeding grounds to the group. He goes by the moniker of Alexander the Great and already has numerous production credits to his name, including collaborations with well-known names like New York legend Kool G Rap and West Coast rapper Crooked I.
Healy is currently working on his own compilation album, "The Talented Tenth," the title of which is taken from the writing of W.E.B. DuBois, and the proceeds of which will be donated to the J Dilla Foundation, named for the late great DJ, and benefiting music education programs at inner-city schools.
Healy, whose musical ambitions evidently stretch far beyond Brunswick, quoted Associate Professor of Music James McCalla in saying, "If you can be a lawyer or doctor or an accountant you do that, but if you're a musician it's because you have to."
"Long story short, I'm into making good music, period," he said. "And Rutledge and Peter are very much constantly making great music."
Though Healy has numerous recordings to his name, Egyptian Gold does not yet have any formal recordings as a group. However, they forecast imminent work in the studio.
"We should have a mix tape finished in the next couple of weeks," said McLaughlin. "Hell, maybe even next week, if we get our act together."
While they have performed from time to time at Bowdoin and in the Brunswick area, the group plans to expand.
"We plan on hitting Portland this semester," said Long, "Especially the Big Easy where I go for the open mic night every Wednesday."
It's impossible to say what the future holds for Egyptian Gold, but it's clear that they are venturing beyond the tiresome frat rap subject matter of kegs and smoking weed to blaze their own trail in the genre.
To see the group in action, visit Spare Time in Brunswick on March 4 to enjoy Brunswick's most popular hip-hop/bowling fusion experience. Look out for additional upcoming performances.