When Blueprint (aka Al Shepard) and Manifest (aka Jermain Johnson) began Weightless Records in 1999, it was as the simple endeavor of putting out tapes by their group, Greenhouse Effect, and others in the crew with which they collaborated and hung out. Seven years later the imprint has blossomed into a full-fledge label that’s at the epicenter of the Columbus hip-hop scene. While the recognition Print has received for his partnership with RJD2, Soul Position, and as a solo artist has helped bring attention to the label and the city from which it hails, the 10 albums Weightless has under its belt have also certainly put Columbus on the map as hip-hop hotspot. Still it seems Weightless will only get bigger and better. With their seven-year anniversary show this weekend, WeColumbus sat down with Blueprint and Manifest to take a look back and into the future.
(PS: Yes, we know it says “To be continued” twice in the video. It’ll be fixed soon enough.)
(Part two will be posted next week)