New York, NY (November 6, 2008) – From one Jersey resident to another, I caught up with Mazzi (of S.O.U.L. Purpose and Best of Both Offices) for a segment of Loud Favorites (check for the interview later on) down by Journal Square. Son is a good dude, works hard and is a more dynamic emcee than most people realize. He goes in on four quick verses here, and if you’re not impressed, I’m not sure what to tell you. Son got busy.
New York, NY (November 4, 2008) – While he was tired from a long day of traveling and interviews, the Living Legend took some time to chop it up with us before his Nokia show in NY last week. He revealed his methodology behind the opening track on “Murs For President,” the 9th Wonder-produced “I’m Innocent,” delved into the reason “You Think You Know Me” sounds like a Dr. Dre beat, gangs vs. music and the integration of both, balancing the walk out of the hood with staying down and, of course, his favorite track on the album, “Everything.” Watch for the Interview dropping soon, only on Loud.com. We appreciate you Murs!
Download his joint with 9th Wonder called “Sweet Lord” right here.
New York, NY (September 16, 2008) – The outspoken have always played an important role in society. Whether it’s been simply stoking the fires of unrest among the people at a local level or actually taking up arms and going to war with a government, revolution has been a part of every civilization at some point. Hip-hop is no different.
From the mainstream assault levied by Public Enemy, NWA and more recently Nas (eh), to the constant movement of underground champions like Dead Prez and Immortal Technique, the viewpoints offered are always one of anti-establishment, truth, justice and equality – ideals in society that are often swept away in the name of progress. Success usually depends on how those messages are presented to the public; but in the case of the person leading the charge, they couldn’t give a shit. Their point is to be heard, period. The message is what needs attention, not one person.
Final Outlaw, who calls most of New York’s five boroughs home, may not paint himself as a revolutionary in the same strokes that Immortal Technique or Dead Prez do, but their messages are all very similar. Outlaw decries the politics of the industry, name-checks the artists who left poverty behind and didn’t look back, and laments the influence modern media and technology have over today’s youth. Having dealt with his own financial and familial struggles coming up, Outlaw is a unique voice for today’s streets.
Through hard work and extensive touring NY’s local venues, Outlaw has garnered a good deal of buzz in the city, and his supporters have seen to it that his message has spread internationally, too. Here, he goes in with a ridiculous Full Volume segment that was half-rhyme and half-lecture, rapping and speaking on life with the kind of passion and conviction that can only come from the spirit of someone who’s actually lived what he writes.
New York, NY (August 11, 2008) – The written word is one of our most powerful forms of communication. Conviction is one of the toughest things to convey on paper, though; it takes being able to grab hold of your emotions and opinions and somehow explain them in a clear-headed manner. It’s a lot harder than it sounds, and I think the measure of every great writer is whether that particular emotion comes across the page without sounding trite or overly staccato.
Hasan Salaam has mastered that in his writing, but seldom do you find a speaker capable of delivering even MORE conviction while performing those words than what is already heavy in their meaning. If Salaam’s notebook comes to life when read, spoken, his words feel like rebirth. I suppose it’s fitting then, that his message and movement is laced with references to a creator, Allah, freedom and self-determination.
Courtesy of the homie Majesty, Salaam and I had the chance to politic outside the Knitting Factory on Friday night. While I spoke at length with him about his upcoming album, “Children of God,” due out September 9th, you should also know a few things about him: he released the acclaimed “Paradise Lost” in 2005, earning two Underground Music Awards, one for “Best Live Performance” and the other for “Song of the Year” with the albums first single, “Blaxploitation;” he was featured on The Reavers album, “Terra Firma;” Salaam is an active member of the Grassroots Artist Movement, arranges food and clothing drives in Jersey City with members of his 5th Column movement and has also rocked shows with Dead Prez, Common, Busta Rhymes, Saigon, Talib Kweli, The Rza, The Gza, Slick Rick, Lord Jamar, Sadat X, Smif N Wesson, Grandmaster Caz, Curtis Blow, Immortal Technique, Pharoahe Monch, Naughty By Nature and Digital Underground.
With that said, check out his Loud.com Favorites segment featuring “Tales of The Lost Tribe,” “Children of God” (a cautionary story of abortion) and a portion of “Start A War/If I Wait” until my battery dies (he was beastin!) His album, “Children of God,” will be available September 9th. For more information, hit him up at his official website.
Interview, promo for album release party:
“Tales of The Lost Tribe” comes first, and is a challenge to the listener to find true self; “Children of God,” his second verse, talks about abortion; he gives a snippet of both “Start A War” and “If I Wait” for his third.