The magazine of the art-form of the photo-essay
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Oct 2014 back issue
by Andrew Renneisen
Hip-hop music in Syracuse is marred by a history of violence. Making it big is a seemingly impossible task, especially
in a city at its peak poverty level. According to the Syracuse Post Standard, "The percentage of all people and all
children living in poverty in the city are also at a high for the past four years. More than a third of the city was living in
poverty in 2012. For children, the number is almost 55 percent." Despite the city's situation, Moneybag Movement, a
group of rappers from Syracuse's North Side, is trying to make it; living almost double lives as workers and fathers by
day and rappers by night.
DC, left, calls Kuntry while waiting outside Kuntry's apartment complex on Willow Street in Syracuse's Northside. The
block which the apartment complex sits on is well known as a place to buy drugs on the Northside.
Kuntry smokes a blunt while driving around the Northside of Syracuse with DC, listening to their own music through the
car's stereo. The two are a part of the rap group called Money Bag Movement, a group of young rappers that want to
use hip-hop to achieve a better life.
Kuntry, and DC, wait for Neishma, Kuntry's "Baby Momma," second from left, to go to the store in order to get
Halloween costumes for her kids. Without a steady income, Kuntry struggles to provide for Neishma and her two kids,
all while preparing for the birth of his own son.
Kuntry buckles Dion into his car seat after picking him up from school. Kuntry picks up Dion everyday after school to
help Neishma take care of her kids.
Neishma and Kuntry go separate ways after dropping off the kids at Neishma's parents place. Neishma's parents help
watch her kids when Neishma and Kuntry need a break. The two also need breaks between each other to prevent
fighting.
Kuntry records in a small studio on the Northside. "Man, we gonna be coming up on the scene," said Kuntry.
Syracuse's hip hop scene is marred by a violent past, making it extremely difficult to make it as a rapper in the city.
Kuntry works on a computer at Money ENT studios after recording a part of a track. The studio will help record and
produce a song for only $40, making it a viable option for Kuntry and the rest of his group to produce music.
Pauly, left, one of the rappers in Money Bag Movement, and Kuntry take a smoke break outside the studio, while
looking at how much money they have to spend on partying that night.
Indio, Kuntry, and DC compare different types of weed while waiting for customers inside a car parked outside Kuntry's
aunt's house.
Kuntry's cousin's kids watch Kuntry make a phone call during a visit. The boys look up to Kuntry since he is a rapper.
Kuntry waits with Neishma before their child is born.
Kuntry tears up as he holds the hand of his first son Da'jour after he was born. "It's all about us, I love you Da'jour," he
said. "Real men cry."
Kuntry and his friends blast music, drink, and smoke marijuana outside their parked car on Carbon Street before
making their way to a party on the West Side.
Indio, a member of Money Bag Movement, smokes a blunt while showing off his money and bottle of Hennessy. The
group raps about street life, money, drugs, all common themes in hip-hop music.
DC and Rellz wait to film the video for their song "Cold Weather" in Kuntry's old apartment. Even though Kuntry moved
out the apartment continues to be used to sell and use drugs.
Pauly grinds with a girl while a rap song plays during a basement party on the West Side of Syracuse. "This is how we
do, Money Bag Movement," said Pauly.
Partygoers pose for an image at a basement party on Syracuse's West Side. Since most live music venues in
Syracuse don't host hip-hop events because of the genre's violent past, basements are one of the only options left for
hip-hop parties.
Kuntry and his friends eat at a pizza place before making plans to go out for the night. The group eats there a lot
because its so cheap to fill up a stomach. Syracuse reached a four year high in poverty this year, with more than a third
of the city living below the poverty line.
Neishma watches Da'Jour while talking on the phone and texting. She is often left alone to take care of her kids while
Kuntry is on the streets.
