RAP Local duo release tape, become heroes.

By JULIE WASHINGTON. PLAIN DEALER REPORTER.

Howard Perl and Bill Rainey, a couple of recent Orange High School graduates were hanging out at Randall Park Mall one day, just chillin like everyone else. Then a couple of kids came up and asked for their autographs. Perl and Rainey aren’t basketball stars, television personalities or Bill and Ted look-alikes. But they are local rap recording heroes. Their cassette “Drop That Mace” is hitting local airwaves and record stores.

Perl, 18, of Pepper Pike, said he enjoys autograph seekers more than making money. But Rainey, more introspective and conservatively dressed than the gold-chained Perlmuter, shrinks from the limelight. “I don’t really care too much for it” Rainey said.

These two opposites combined their talents in More Points Scored, the name they use for their rap duo. Perl – also known as DJ P.E.R.L. (Pumpin Effects Right ‘n Left) — is the deejay, with a fair for combining different sounds or musical snatches into a catchy beat. He’s been deejaying at parties since he was 13. Rainey – alsn known as M.A.C.E. (Mental Abstract Creating Eloquently) — is the rapper who writes the lyrics.  I just write about stuff that I would like hearing,” explained Rainey. 18, of Woodmere.

“What you have to do is catch someone’s ear said Perl. Ears that like a heavy bass beat and positive lyrics will like “Drop That Mace.” Rainey avoids obscenities and anti-women boasting in favor of upbeat, thoughtful raps over Perl’s relentlessly funky samples. The most unusual cut is “Mystic Monologue,”which has no music and features Rainey rapping some words backwards. “It’s something I’d like to hear.” he said.

The $7.99 cassette, distributed by Cleveland One Stop. has been in several area stores since June, including Record Revolution on Coventry Rd. in Cleveland Heights, and Doll’s Rapid Creations and Record Den in Severance and Randall mails. “From what I see, it’s moving pretty well,” Perlmuter said

He and Rainey decided to form More Points Scored during their senior year at Orange, as part of a senior class project. Perl recalled he knew Rainey shared his interest in rap music, and the two had discussed a project earlier. “I said, ‘It’s timc.'”

More Points Scored refers to the competitive nature of the rap music business, they said. “Rap is a game; we’re trying to be the best” Rainey said. After Rainey spent two months writing, he and Perl recorded the demo tape in a four week stint at Cleveland’s Reel Thing Studio. “We did almost everything ourselves said, adding that he used to do production work at the studio. “I was our engineer.” In the studio. Perl contributed his talents to the songs. “Drop That Mace” includes about 60 samples, or snippets of songs, from tunes by James Brown. Janel Jackson, the Beastic Boys. Kool Moe Dee and Ice-T.

The demo cassette has been distributed in selected cities. including Sandusky, Akron and Detroit. Perl said. And student radio stations at John Carroll and Cleveland State universities have aired some of the songs.

The project’s cost – between $5,000 and $6.000 – was kept down because they did so much work themselves. Perl said he was able to finance it with profits from his deejay business.

Despite college pians that will separate the rap duo, More Points Scored has on intention of ending the game early. They hope “Drop That Mace” will spark interest from a major record company, and are working on a new album that will be ready next year.

Perl plans to study radio and television sales and station management at Ashland University. Rainey plans to study psychology, but is undecided on a college. They plan to work on new projects when they’re both home from school.

Rainey and Perl said their parents were supportive of their careers in the rap game.