Deaf Jam: Pick Matthew Maxey’s Next ASL Rap Song Posted by Nathan S. on 10/07/13 | Filed under General Awesomeness, Matthew Maxey

As RefinedHype Nation might remember, a few months ago I wrote about the world of Deaf hip-hop. It's a world I didn't, and still don't, know much about, but I do know that just flipping through YouTube videos, I was completely captivated; not because signing was a substitution or replacement for rap, but because it felt like a new element of the culture that blended music and dance as well as any b-boy. Rappers are known for using their hands regardless (right Em?), but when you can't use your voice and have to convey everything through your hands and face, it turns even rapping along to Kendrick in the car into a full-on performance.

So when Matthew Maxey, the artist you just watched crush "Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe" above, reached out to say he'd read the article and dug it, I couldn't pass up the chance to talk to him further, and give RefinedHype Nation the chance to talk to him further as well.

Here's the deal. Hit the comments below with what song you'd like to watch Maxey perform next, we'll pick one, and he'll do an exclusive video for RefinedHype. Keep in mind that he's got some real versatility; check out his YouTube channel for everything, but I'll point that he's done ASL versions of everything from slow R&B like The Weeknd's "Rolling Stone" to anthems like Drake's "Started From the Bottom" to faster and more complex rhymes from Logic (below) and more.

And while we're at it, feel free to throw in any questions you have for Maxey as well and he'll answer them in the follow-up post that includes the new video. At the risk of sounding corny, this is the type of shit that makes me love hip-hop. As much as those outside the culture try to use music to divide us, this culture really can bring people together

Allright RefinedHype Nation, hit the comments below. Enjoy...