Sifu VERSUS

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Sifu VERSUS

---

Background = solo_singer
Alias = Bobby Dega
Birth_name = Nikolaos Domvros
Born = Birth date and age|1980|1|29
Origin = flagicon|Greece Thessaloniki, Greece
Genre = Hip hop
Years_active = 1996–present
Label = Boom Box Ent.
Associated_acts = Filiki Eteria

Born Nikolaos Domvros ("Νικόλαος Δόμβρος") in Thessaloniki, Greece (January 29th, 1980), Sifu VERSUS is one of the better known names in Greek hip hop, both in and out of the country.

Considered by many as one of the most influential underground artists, Sifu VERSUS is part of the so-called "Second Wave of Hip hop" in Greece, being active since 1996 as a rapper and a producer.

Biography

Early years

Sifu VERSUS made his first appearance under this handle in November 1996 at a freestyle rapping session, during a Greek group's concert. Earlier recording attempts under different aliases never really saw the light, but his "mini performance" that night was what marked the "official" beginning of his endeavor in music. Hip hop was virtually an "infant" in Greece back then, and Sifu VERSUS quickly embarked on a live performance saga, as well as the "traditional" hand-to-hand circulation of his demo tapes [cite web|url=http://www.hood.gr/article.jsp?id=66|title=Interview with Sifu VERSUS in Hood Magazine (11.2003)|accessdate=2007-08-15] . Being a member of ICU ( [http://www.illcrew.org "Ill Crew Universal"] ) at that time, he contributed the track "E Arkhi tu Telus su" ("Η Αρχή του Τέλους Σου"/The Beginning of Your End) in the organization's third compilation, "ICU 3: The Death of Hip Hop" (1997), right before winning a freestyle rapping contest, hosted by Coolio. This led to his appearance in Greece's premiere television music show of the time, "Jammin"', subsequently gaining more exposure to the local media.

Athens Era

Sifu VERSUS was a firm supporter of Imiskoumbria during a time when Hip hop cores in Greece were "fighting" against the group's popularity. This landed him on a guest appearance in Imiskoumbria's fourth album, "2030" (1999) (the first Greek release through legendary Hip Hop label Def Jam), and on a record deal with "Universal Greece". After moving to Athens and while working on his first official solo album, he joined forces with Imiskoumbria, Dr. Dreez, Sexpyr & Vanilla and Mariletta to form "La Klikaria", the first "super group" in the short history of Greek hip hop, leading to the release of the self titled album in 2000. Under circumstances that still remain unknown to the public, Sifu VERSUS left the group and set his work on his solo album aside.

The Bobby Dega Saga

Bobby Dega was an alias Sifu VERSUS went by between 1999 and 2003. Initially used as a gimmick (the name is a pun on the word bodega), the Bobby Dega identity eventually became an "alter ego". As the artist himself explained, Bobby Dega would be the one keeping the balance by recording underground type of material, at a time when Sifu VERSUS was getting "lost" in the pursue of fame and money, eventually "locking the latter in a cellar". [cite web|url=http://www.hiphop.gr/page/442.cfm|title=Interview with Sifu VERSUS @ hiphop.gr (10.17.2003)|accessdate=2006-08-26] After his departure from Athens, Sifu VERSUS participated in Thessalonian rap collective 031, using the Bobby Dega handle (notably, recording in English), while making sporadic appearances as a performer.

The Bobby Dega "saga" was believed to have ended in 2003, when Sifu VERSUS made a rather strong comeback (more details below). The self-produced "Doppelgänger" chronicles the final confrontation of Sifu VERSUS with Bobby Dega, in the form of a much heated conversation between the two characters. In the track, the artist is directly criticizing his own decisions and actions, also giving one of the best recorded performances in Greek hip hop till date, successfully "playing" the roles of both "Sifu" and "Dega". Critics, peers and audience consider "Doppelgänger" to be Sifu VERSUS' magnum opus. A sequel to that song was included in Sifu VERSUS' last work till date, the mixtape "To Pekhnidhi tu Thanatu" ("Το Παιχνίδι του Θανάτου"/The Game of Death). Bobby Dega comes back from the dead and reconciles with Sifu VERSUS in the track's last verse, leaving the case for more future Bobby Dega appearances open.

It is alleged that a full length Bobby Dega album had been recorded between 1999-2002. However, this has not been confirmed (nor denied) by the artist.

The Comeback

Between 2001 and 2003, Sifu VERSUS' appearances were scarce, mainly due to his service in the Hellenic Air Force. June 2003 was marked by his "official" comeback on stage, at the "No Borders" festival in Sofia, Bulgaria. He crossed roads with Coolio once more, opening for him in Sofia, shortly after his performance at "No Borders". The Internet release of "Hip Hop Dhidhakhi" ("Hip Hop Διδαχή"/Hip Hop Teachings) in January 2004 was nothing but a success, "scoring" more than 20,000 downloads. He contributed the face off with his alter ego, Bobby Dega, titled "Doppelgänger", in the 2004 compilation, "To Dhiastimoplio" (Το Διαστημόπλοιο/The Spaceship), receiving critical acclaim and wide fan acceptance for the lyrical content and his performance. He released the "Yeerasko Ai Dhidhaskomenos" EP ("Γηράσκω Αεί Διδασκόμενος"/I Grow Old, Always Learning) independently later that year, while he extensively performed in and out of Greece. He was featured as a guest rapper in German rap group Soda Rap Set's "Ausfahrt Freihalten" (2004), while he also served as a hypeman for Boston based Hip hop group, 7L & Esoteric.

New Era

In 2005, Sifu VERSUS became the first Greek to perform at the Hip Hop Kemp, Europe's leading Hip hop festival (and still remains the only Greek hip hop act to hold a show on the festival's prestigious "Bbaràk Main Stage"). Later that year, the Greek audience experienced the first large scale MC battle, "The Ultimate Battle of MCs" (in the fashion of the equivalent aspect of the Scribble Jam). Sifu VERSUS left as a winner that night, leading to new found media interest [cite web|url=http://www.hood.gr/article.jsp?id=260|title="The Great Champ" - article in Hood magazine (01.2006)|accessdate=2007-08-13] (ironically losing the title in 2006 by Eksokosmikos, the other '05 finalist). He participated as a guest rapper in Goin' Through's "Vendetta" (2006), short before his tracks were lost again. An announcement in the artist's [http://myspace.com/sifuversus myspace page] surfaced in early 2007, stating that Sifu VERSUS faced a health problem that led him to take a break from active participation in the Hip Hop scene [cite web|url=http://myspace.com/sifuversus|title=Sifu VERSUS' official myspace|accessdate=2007-08-11] . No more info regarding the issue have been released. "To Pekhnidhi tu Thanatu" (2006) remains Sifu VERSUS' last release till date. However, it is strongly believed that yet another comeback is on the way. It is alleged that Sifu VERSUS is the mastermind behind the new supergroup Filiki Eteria ("Φιλική Εταιρεία"/The Friendly Society), heavily indicated by the group's [http://myspace.com/filikieteria myspace profile] .

2006 Controversy

In early 2006, former associates Aliti Grifi ("Άλυτοι Γρίφοι"/Unsolved Riddles) openly "dissed" Sifu VERSUS during one of their shows in Athens [cite web|url=http://www.newstyle.gr/reportaz240306.html|title=Isvoleas & Aliti Grifi: 23.04.2006 Live Report @ newstyle.gr|accessdate=2007-08-09] , criticizing his association with members of Greek hip hop commercial label, [http://www.familythelabel.com Family] . Diss tracks by other 2G (Aliti Grifi's extended crew) affiliates followed, but Sifu VERSUS never responded directly. Speculation of reconciliation occurred in late 2006, when one half of Aliti Grifi, 3D, and Sifu VERSUS made an on stage appearance together, alongsides Brooklyn rapper Freestyle. However, no news on the issue have circulated since then.

Personal life

Not much is known about the personal life of Sifu VERSUS. The artist mainly concentrates on his music in interviews and rarely gives out information about personal matters (a prime example being his recent health issue [cite web|url=http://myspace.com/sifuversus|title=Sifu VERSUS' official myspace|accessdate=2007-08-11] , which, till date, remains unknown). However, he had stated in the past that he was engaged to be married [cite web|url=http://www.hiphopkinima.com/portal/content/view/283/170/|title=Interview with Sifu VERSUS @ hiphopkinima.com (11.15.2005)|accessdate=2007-08-14] , but something like that never happened – again, no details regarding the case were given. In mid 2006, it was widely regarded that Sifu VERSUS was linked romantically with Greek designer/model Ifiyenia K (better known as [http://www.myspace.com/sooosoulful Pearl] ), but an official statement that the two were an item was never made from either. He has often been criticized about, what is considered by peers, "zealousy" regarding secrecy, as well as his constant "disappearing acts", which many Hip Hop fans hold that are nothing more than publicity stunts.

Apart from that, Sifu VERSUS is a practitioner of the martial arts, holding a black belt degree in Bujinkan Budô Taijutsu [cite web|url=http://www.hood.gr/article.jsp?id=261|title=Interview with Sifu VERSUS in Hood magazine (01.2006)|accessdate=2007-08-14] [cite web|url=http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=8479494&albumID=0&imageID=1414697|title=Photo of Sifu VERSUS in BBT Black Belt attire|accessdate=2007-08-14] . He is fluent in English, while it’s often hinted in his work that he has functional command of at least two other languages. Sifu VERSUS also holds a degree in graphic design and personally creates his projects’ artwork, while he also designs most of the promotional items for the Thessaloniki based promotion team, Zoltan Tribe (under the エピ。スカグラフィクス/"Epi.Ska Graphics" handle).

Discography

olo Efforts

*"Γηράσκω Αει Διδασκόμενος (Yeerasko Ai Dhidhaskomenos/I Grow Old, Always Learning) EP" - 2004
*"Το Παιχνίδι του Θανάτου (To Pekhnidhi tu Thanatu/The Game of Death)" - 2006

Group Releases

*"La Klikaria - La Klikaria" - 2000
*"Φιλική Εταιρεία - Μανιφέστο EP (Filiki Eteria/The Friendly Society - Manifesto EP)" - 2007

Compilations

*"V/A - ICU 3: The Death of Hip Hop" - 1997
*"V/A - Το Διαστημόπλοιο (To Dhiastimoplio/The Spaceship)" - 2004
*"V/A - Positive Vibration" - 2007

Guest Appearances

As an MC

*"Ημισκούμπρια - 2030 (Imiskoumbria - 2030)" - 1999
*"Soda Rap Set - Ausfahrt Freihalten" - 2004
*"Ominus & DJ "S" - Ominus Οδύσσεια (Ominus Odhissia/Ominus Odyssey)" - 2004
*"DJ Tyler presents - The Commandmant Breakaz" - 2004
*"Μικρός Κλέφτης - Όσο Ακούς Μαθαίνεις (Mikros Kleftis - Oso Akus Mathenis/You Learn As You Listen)" - 2004
*"Goin' Through - Vendetta" - 2006
*"Funked Up - The Classics, vol. 1" - 2007
*"Λάθος Εντύπωση - Τα Χειρότερα (Lathos Entiposi - Ta Khirotera/The Worst)" - 2007
*"SMA - Το Κειμήλιο (To Kimilio/The Heirloom) - 2007
*"ShoX2 & Deko - Жега (Zhega/Heat)" - 2007

Mixtapes

*"DJ Kombat - Mortal Kombat, vol. 1" - 2001
*"Thessaloniki Mixtape vol. 1" - 2007
*"THHF 2007 Mixtape (with Filiki Eteria)" - 2007
*"Ταραξίας - Δηλητήριο & Φάρμακο (Taraxias - Dhilitirio & Farmako/Poison & Medicine)" - 2007
*"DJ Trusty - T & Friends" - 2007

As a producer

*"Μικρός Κλέφτης - Όσο Ακούς Μαθαίνεις (Mikros Kleftis - Oso Akus Mathenis/You Learn As You Listen)" - 2004
*"V/A - Nu Hop, vol. 1" - 2004 "(uncredited)"

As a Sound Engineer

*"Μικρός Κλέφτης - Όσο Ακούς Μαθαίνεις (Mikros Kleftis - Oso Akus Mathenis/You Learn As You Listen)" - 2004 "(as Beat Sentai)"
*"Βόρεια Αστέρια - Χαλαρότερα (Voria Asteria - Khalarotera/Slackier)" - 2004 "(as Νίκος Δ/Nikos Delta)"

References

External links

* [http://www.sifuversus.com http://www.sifuversus.com]
* [http://www.myspace.com/sifuversus Sifu VERSUS' myspace]
* [http://www.zoltantribe.com Zoltan Tribe] - artist's representation