The two halves of Hazleton hip-hop duo Die-Polar met on opposite sides of the battlefield. When relative newcomer Nate Williams and Northeastern Pennsylvania hip hop veteran Blade (to whom most NEPA hip-hop artists are relative newcomers) were pitted against each other in a rap battle, experience won out. Blade saw something in the competitor across from him though, and the two began to collaborate almost immediately.

“I looked to Blade as my mentor because he’s considered a pioneer in the NEPA hip hop scene, so it was a big honor for me to even be on the same stage as him,” Williams said. “We planned to do a song after the battle. One song became two and then we ended up making an album. We’re in the ending stages of getting that together.”

Die-Polar’s debut album, “Super Entendre,” doesn’t have a definite release date yet, but the group plans to release the next single from the album, “Last Request,” soon. “Last Request” will follow up “Hide the Body,” which the group released a video for in April.

Williams describes Die-Polar’s sound as a mix of new school and old school hip-hop.

“Think of the way older hip-hop albums made you feel,” Williams said. “It’s not just generic. I feel like a lot of hip-hop now is just people mumbling and saying words that rhyme, but we have a message. I’m more of the hot head, the more introspective one. Blade is more intricate. Both of us have the ability to make the listener think but mine is more emotional and his is more shock value.”

Die-Polar’s message is about bringing a lyrics-first approach back to hip-hop. Williams hopes that he and Blade inspire other budding artists to work on their craft and focus on real-life, first-hand experiences. The duo promotes that message with a live performance that first showcases each artist performing solo material before the two team up for what Williams calls a high energy, crowd-focused experience.

To keep track of Die-Polar, like them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/diepolarmusic) or visit their ReverbNation page (www.reverbnation.com/diepolar).

Reach Gene Axton at 570-991-6121 or on Twitter @TLArts

By Gene Axton

gaxton@timesleader.com

Hazleton hip-hop artists Nate Williams (left) and Blade are the two halves of hip-hop duo Die-Polar.
https://www.theweekender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_1509148_808683609199904_3040772568403670868_n.jpgHazleton hip-hop artists Nate Williams (left) and Blade are the two halves of hip-hop duo Die-Polar. Submitted photo