Hip-Hop can be found standing tall in New York City; can be seen floundering for presence in California; struggling for acknowledgement in the southern states, and growing steadily everywhere in between. Hip-Hop in its current state is due for a make-over. The current music climate calls for change and differences in preparation for the weather. Times are changing; methods of creation are evolving, and the patience of acts in lesser known areas wearing thin.

Artists who would previously need to make moves in larger, more industry populated areas, are taking advantage of the independent culture of music. Success, it seems, is everywhere and defined by those who are willing to work for it.

Denver, Colorado is not for the faint of heart. The weather is touchy, the mountains high, the air thin and the Hip-Hop impenetrable. The official elevation of Colorado's capital is 5,280 feet above sea level, exactly a mile high. Initial thoughts of the "Centennial State" are of the snowboarding or cowboy variety, yet, there is a culture bubbling beneath the usual fusion that is sure to change the perception of the landscape.

Geographically placed in the western region, don't expect Californian or other west side antics, for that matter. In a four part series, Yo! Raps will examine artists from Colorado that are turning the tides in Hip-Hop making waves in their own rights.

We begin with The Pirate Signal. Composed of rapper/producer Yonnas and DJ A-What, the Hip-Hop duo smash everything on the planet through live performances and maniacal production. Arguably the best group out of the CO, The Pirate Signal chops it up with Yo! Raps on regional dynamic and why they rep the latest to blow.

What's the point of doing this Hip-Hop thing?

What's the point of breathing, sleeping, eating? The point of doing this Hip-Hop shit is simple: It's what we are supposed to be doing. It is our purpose. There is not much we know in the universe, but that much, we are sure of.

How does being from CO change the character of your art? Or does it change it at all?

I always felt that the extremely hyper-active and aggressive energy of our music came from the general air of apathy in our local Hip-Hop scene, sort of like a knee jerk reaction to crowds of frowning faces and folded arms. Also, sometimes, when we tour and we are taking these long drives through our state and region, I think the expansive scenes of nature, just being so close to a very beautiful great outdoors, maybe implored us to make ambitious, melodramatic and majestic music. Who knows though, I've always been sort of a ham, so that could be it too.

What's the premise of The Pirate Signal's music?

"The pirate signal is not who we are, it is what we are doing." The name came from an original member who has since left, but his inspiration was from The Matrix. The last rebel batch of real humans were operating on a pirate signal. So the idea that there would be a group of people attempting to transmit different information, that is not industrialized or corporate, even if it's not a distinctly political message, is a powerful act of revolution. Us writing music about how we honestly feel and think regardless of popular consensus or outside influence or even personal gain is the impetus behind the pirate signal.

What are you currently working on?

Currently, we are finishing recording our debut full-length with this line-up, entitled No Weak Heart Shall Prosper. Next month we begin mixing and the project will be released May 1st, 2010. After that, we will work on a Blackhearts full-length, and I (Yonnas) personally, am working on a sextape. Seriously.

What is competition like when you encounter artists that may not be aware of the CO brand and stature?

Well, the only real stature most are aware of is either The Fray, Flobots, or 3oh!3, which is all incredible in its own right, but not considered to be Hip-Hop by most of the Hip-Hop community. So usually they're just shocked that we kick so much fucking ass while keeping it this raw. It's two turntables and a mic, so it's Hip-Hop, but rest assured, nobody has ever heard anything like it. So all in all, it's very positive feedback.

The Pirate Signal is often discussed as the hottest group out of the box state, is there a pressure to "carry the state on your back?"

Yes and no. Ultimately, the pressure lies in being successful for and to ourselves. We can't be held responsible for what anyone else is doing. But realistically, of course we want to represent where we're from and make people think that the place we're from is not like they thought. We want to cultivate a sound that is unique to the state and hopefully this place gets considered a hot-bed of unique and high-quality Hip-Hop. A few artists here have managed to make what for could be high-quality, but I do feel like even those artists have yet to truly develop a sound that is unique unto them.

The band has reached a level of success opening for several major acts and playing music festivals like Monolith and others, has success been redefined by the current music climate?

Not really, I think everyone still considers success to be at the very least, sustainable careers in one's chosen profession. Far and wide though, a platinum plaque, a swollen bank account, a beautiful home, and harem of top-flight (or at least one real bad one, shout-out Amber Rose!) ladies at your beck and call is still considered success.

What is it like when you perform in other cities?

At this point, it's amazing. There's something about being really underestimated then blowing the crowd's collective fucking mind that is always extremely fulfilling.

Is where you're from really that big of a deal?

Less and less I believe, but bottom line is, the really major cities just have more resources, but also much more political subtext.

Why is what you do special?

Because there is absolutely nothing like it. It's fundamentally very strong, extremely accessible and to top it all off, we are only getting better.

What is there to prove, if anything regarding ability and talent?

Every day is a challenge to prove to the world what we already know. That we can very well be the greatest band in the world -- all we need is time and a bigger platform.  Maybe that just means more people believing in us that have the financial ability to help launch this ship properly.

Where is your music going?

Our album No Weak Heart Shall Prosper is definitely some of the harder edged shit that mixes our electronic, industrial, and heavy music influences, and for the next year, we are going to stratify our different sounds into smaller projects. For instance, an EP that leans more toward our funk and soul influences, then maybe one that leans more toward future music like the new beat culture that both me and A-What are really interested in. Then there's the porn soundtrack for my sextape, which will be a little more sultry and seductive.

Wow. Aside from the porn soundtrack, what else is up with the crew?

We are playing SXSW this year, at The Mile Hi Fidelity Showcase on March 19. We are working out a variety of tours right now, a few support slots and one headlining joint after No Weak Heart Shall Prosper drops May 1st, 2010. In the meantime, check out www.thepiratesignal.com for details. We have already decided this is our decade, you should too.

- By Maxine Ross

"Next 2 Blow" Potential: