Tufts artist does it all

"I believe certain artists have this charisma," remarked freshman musician Christopher Hope, "this talent that's undeniable."

Talent and charisma may be all Big Cris looks for in another musician, but there's no doubt that this dynamic artist expects much more from himself. Hope is looking to take the Tufts music scene by storm with his commanding presence, his own rap CD, his new radio show, and a powerful message to send to the community.

A true renaissance man, self titled artist "Big Cris" mentions poetry, the spoken word, music, and classic literature among his many passions, along with his own solo rap album, Big Cris: Something BIG is Coming. In an effort to combine these interests and accomplishments, he is currently involved in organizing and hosting his own on-campus hip hop radio show.

The WMFO 91.5FM program, which will air later in the month, has been appropriately dubbed, "The Big Cris Show." During the two hour slot, Hope plans on spending the first half drawing the audience in by focusing on already popular and mostly mainstream hip hop and rap acts. However, that's just the hook. Hope will devote his second hour on the air to lesser known underground artists hailing from the Tufts campus, as well as the greater Boston area. This portion of the show will be designed to showcase unknown talent as well as to host a weekly guest.

In addition to providing a media outlet for musical unknowns, Hope plans to use this opportunity to promote his own rap music and is looking to "lock down the audio-video sensory theaters of Tufts." Hope purposely left the door open for the radio show to take any direction he chooses, and he has already spoken to TUTV about producing a "visual interpretation of the radio show."

Hope gained experience in both radio and television when he spent a year off auditing classes at Brandeis University. Utilizing campus resources, he was able to create a radio show and accompanying TV program, which were similar to his current undertakings here at Tufts. Hope used the radio show as a foundation for a "mock reality" TV program where real cameras and "fake" cameras alike trailed Hope and his radio show partner around campus. The reality TV crew spent time following the events (most of which were not reality) of Hope's "supposed" life as the show blurred the lines between reality and imaginary.

This concept may seem a little too complex for your average Tufts viewer. But not to worry, Hope is willing to try something different. "I'm thinking of doing something a little less confusing," Hope said in regards to his plans for a future program on TUTV.

What that is, he isn't quite sure. But that isn't an obstacle for Big Cris as long as he is in control and is able to convey his message to a willing audience. Aiming to cater to every possible listener and viewer, Hope called his anticipated campus media monopoly a "multi-media conglomerate."

Striving to be an artist, DJ, and television star all neatly packaged into one, Hope comments, "What better way to get your name out there than by controlling your media outlet?"

Hope's mission to get his name out and to apparently run the world is driven by a strong desire to show a society misconstrued by media presentation that art and the mind are more powerful than violence and embedded societal labels. As an artist, Hope seeks to deface certain social stigmas and stereotypes and emphasizes the importance of knowing the history and implications behind pop culture. "Rap started with political intentions," Hope said, referring to the genre's origins before "the media got hold of it."

With musical influences ranging from Mozart to Nigerian artists Fela Kuti and Ali Kahn, Hope's own hip hop music, as well as his artistic ventures, is about more than catchy beats and clever rhymes. "Young, Black, and Dangerous," a song featured on Hope's album, epitomizes his goal of showing society the power of passionate art in lieu of violence and deeply embedded social caricatures. His lyrics, like "not a victim of the system," fight against the media's "vicious" depiction of hip hop culture and the violence strongly associated with it.

"I've got something for everybody," says Hope. And who can say that he doesn't considering that he has practically every artistic venue covered? There's no doubt that the Tufts community should keep its eyes, ears, and mind open as Christopher Hope attempts to break in, take control, and revolutionize the campus' artistic outlets. However, you probably won't have to try too hard to notice him; believe me, this artist makes himself heard.