Boardwalk Rapping

HBO’s series Boardwalk Empire has inspired a lot of conversation and at least two rap songs, one by an aspiring hip-hopper from Egg Harbor.

James Poteat has been trying to make a name in the hip-hop world for several years. At 27, Poteat—whose hip-hop handle is Selfmade—has created more than 100 videos and skits for his YouTube channel “Maxouttv.” His latest creation is his most popular to date.

The song is called “Boardwalk Empire” and part of the video was shot in September at the site of an 800-square-foot Boardwalk Empire marquee in the lobby at Caesar’s Atlantic City. Check out the full-length video (which contains some explicit lyrics) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-ZDz7vG5Mk

Poteat came up with the idea for the video and song after watching the trailer for the TV show. The video, directed by Anthony J. Archetto of Atlantic City, includes clips from the trailer. Another Jersey scene takes place in Antonino’s Jo-Jo’s Ristorante in Northfield, where Poteat and fellow rapper Roger “Kodak” Prescott of Galloway Township rap while smoking cigars and sipping red wine.

Poteat’s “Boardwalk Empire” isn’t the only song inspired by the HBO series. YouTube also features a similarly named clip by West Coast emcee Crooked I.

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