Darien L. Fripps
aka mighty FlipSide Esq.
Biography
According to the Philadelphia Metro, this “Philly Underground Legend” has been involved with the art of MCing since he was 8 years old. He developed a style so diverse that he shared stages with Xzibit, Nelly, Jedi Mind Tricks, Kool Keith, Del the Funkee Homosapien, P-Funk All Stars and members of the Grateful Dead. That diversity stems from growing up in the “Golden Era” of Hip Hop with artists ranging from De La Soul to N.W.A, from Public Enemy to Kid N Play. The artists and sound of that era had a huge influence on his lyrical style and his global point of view. That view is; “Know what you mean, mean what you say, don’t be afraid to say it, but say it in your own voice.” As a teacher he uses his point of view to encourage his students, and as one half of the group Electric City (along with DJ Skipmode) he shares his view through lyrics to show goers. Electric City’s 1st release “Everything, Everywhere, All the Time” (2007) on Rope A Dope/Bro Kin Records received accolades for mighty FlipSide’s “energetic lyricism.” The latest independent release “King Friday” (2010) had underground heads buzzin’ for his “intense style and delivery.” Along with MCing, mighty FlipSide has received awards for his Freestyling and Beatboxing, talents. He is also the founder of “Hip Hop Lives,” Philadelphia’s longest running Hip Hop live music monthly showcase, and the co-founder of the “Beats and Rhymes” producer showcase in Philadelphia. mighty FlipSide Esq. stays busy creating music, promoting and hosting shows, and educating the youth.
