July 1, 2007 - July 7, 2007

Bernard Walker ("Short Lunch"), R.I.P.

I've just heard that Bernard Walker, better known as Short Lunch, has passed away in Texas. Walker (click the above photo for a larger version) was a Minneapolis/St. Paul hip-hop pioneer who appeared on the cover of City Pages on August 18, 2004. Taken by the late Charles Chamblis in the early '80s, the cover photo made Short Lunch the perfect icon for our oral history of Minnesota old-school hip hop: "One Nation, Invisible" (more here).

But Walker appeared that week unidentified: The original photo, which is archived at the Minnesota Historical Society, carries no caption. So it was left to the man's children to spot their father on the cover of City Pages and contact us themselves, eventually putting us in touch with Walker himself. It turned out he was one of the Twin Cities' first rapping DJs: Read his story here (with a little more here) to learn where local rap began. I only spoke to Walker a few times on the phone, but he seemed like a good man, and he died too young. Our condolences to his family, including his daughters and sons Prechezz, Talon, Bernard, Timiko, Orion, Aria, Nekesha, Jasmine, Ajja, Janhi, and Lasheese. We'll pass along any news we get of funeral arrangements in St. Paul or elsewhere, here and at cpculture.com.

UPDATE 7/10: Bernard Walker, 49, died of natural causes. His funeral will be held Thursday, July 12, at 11:00 a.m., at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 1078 Rice St. St. Paul. A memorial fund has been set up to help pay for the funeral ("He passed away with nothing," says his son, rapper Showni Mac, a.k.a. Bernard Shaw): Donations can be sent to U.S. Bank, Grand Avenue Office, EP-MN-0210, 1071 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105, Account number 104-777-122-177.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at July 3, 2007 6:09 PM | Comments (1)

Farewell from Sarah White

Below is an email from local hip-hop/R&B artist Sarah White, whom I interviewed at Culture to Go last week about her recent departure from Black Blondie and imminent relocation to New York City:

Hey Peter,

I just wanted to make sure to clarify in writing a couple of things (whether you do the article or not) because it was a little hard to think on a 3 min break at work via phone.

A. I have no beef with Black Blondie. They are what they are and will be what they will be. Tons of talent in that band. My leaving is for my personal growth as an artist and musician. I feel like I've gotten SO much out of Minneapolis and my fans that come along with this splendid city, but i need to reach out my "tentacles" (for lack of a better word) and connect and network with others to progress. I fuckin LOVE the support and creativity that lives in this city. I will be back...eventually

B. I will still be working with some of my favorites up and comers in Minneapolis from the east coast. Some of the collabs I'm currently working on are with Maria Isa, Aby Wolf (previously with Omaur Bliss--fucking amazing check her out on my top friends on myspace), Manifest, Desdamona, etc. I'm looking to hook up with some fresh recording studios, labels, etc in NY right when I get there so I can get out a full length but if not, I will put out an EP on my own this winter.. Jan/feb 2008 I'm guessing. And yes, me and Rico Mendez aka DJ Don Cuco are doing it all from our home as of now...no money once you pop out a baby...gotta pinch those pennies.

C. Other favorite memories from Minneapolis include: Heavy winds at the first hiphop and Harmony Playing Dre Day 2007..shit, playing any show at the Triple Rock lets get electric dance parties Bgirlbe Old Loring Pasta Bar parties ...and all the house parties I got a little to crunk at.

Posted by Peter S. Scholtes at July 2, 2007 3:24 PM | Comments (0)

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