If you’re a hip-hop blogger reading this, it’s almost guaranteed you know the name Praverb. Earl Patrick Mcnease, known to most as Praverb The Wyse, was a pioneer of underground hip-hop through the use of blogs, connecting unknown artists with bigger blogs, and connecting smaller blogs with the eyeballs of many more. I never met the man, but over two and a half years ago when my friend started EveryDejaVu, Praverb was one of the first dudes to organically discover us and start spreading our content and putting us in touch with artists trying to get blog coverage. We were such a small entity, but he respected us as much as he did 2DopeBoyz. And more importantly, he respected every other artist, as well. He was great with his relationships, and that’s key when trying to help market an artist to the blog-o-sphere. He was an artist who just got it.
A year ago, Praverb passed away, though everyone still remembers the name. Some of the artists who he helped out along the way are making a tribute tape called PTheWyse Vol. 2, and all the proceeds from the project are going to help his family. Skyzoo, Rapper Big Pooh & AWKWORD join together on the project’s lead single, “Cruel Intentions,” produced by Jakk Wonders with scratches from DJ Fonz Solo. You can head to Bandcamp to purchase the single.
Rest in peace, Praverb.
