Mr. Hooper
The Highs and Lows of a Hero For Hire
By Aaris A. Schroeder
Sacramento, CA — The last three or more decades, Mr. Hooper, also known as Crazy Ballhead has been there and done that in hip-hop with a new album featuring local talent, new songs and songs we hold close to our hearts as fans and friends.
“A lot of the message in his music is taken from his personal life. Being able to say that, it shows that he has a deep life,” says our friend and belated Kirk Parker of Sacramento, CA; poet, writer, artist, screen printer, local activist and most of all, for a great few of us, one of our close friends. [Taken from “The Highs and Lows of a Hero For Hire,” “Kirk Parker pt I.]
“The Highs and Lows of a Hero For Hire;” released in 2014, is one of the best released by Mr. Hooper, also known as Crazy Ballhead. The album starts with our dear friend, Kirk Parker talking about Mr. Hooper’s music style and what it means. Kirk’s voice, brought to Mr. Hooper’s album courtesy of Van Go O’Bryan and Gil Silva shows up a total of four times.
“He genuinely wants them to have a good time,” says Kirk Parker, “Kirk Parker pt2.”
The style is a bit dark but still allows for a touch of anthem style, driving to phone calls and back to writing and recording. Mr. Hooper updates his sound with clearer beats and yet still brings that Ballhead style.
“Fall,” one of my favorite songs on the album, features Jennifer Martinez of ZHP, her beautiful voice slips in and out of the song with Mr. Hooper’s lyrics and a standup sound following both of them around in a circular song of passion and finding out how they fit into the space they are at in their lives.
“He’s got this uh great work ethic where um if no one is helping him out or stepping it up, he will just do it himself. I think a lot of people don’t even realize that he wrote all the songs that he performs. I think a lot of people may not even realize his sense of fun, that he is a person that likes to laugh kinda have fun in his down time.” says Kirk Parker, “Kirk Parker pt 3.”
“Taught to Be Tough,” reminds me of a 2-Short beat with the live action Mr. Hooper brings. You can see his energy the most at his shows when he really gets down.
There are those classics Ballhead songs, “Nine One Six,” “Snakes,” and “Man Machine” that keep us moving throughout the years.
“Intelligence in the form of hip-hop, clever lyrics, music that you can dance to. Um, a variety of sound, songs you can get excited bout. And his live performances, to me are just legendary.” Says Kirk Parker, “Kirk Parker pt 4.”
http://www.mrhoopermusic.com
Social Media: “MrHooperRaps”
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