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Afrodeezyackz review
Afrodeezyackz/The Mumblings of a Madman Review: On Procrastination and Mysterious Ways of Destiny "I
want to be the opposite of darkness, so that I have been meaning to write this spoken word CD review for a couple of months now, and although I listened to it many times in the privacy of my home, and absolutely loved it, I never got around to writing the review. Somewhat similar to Sekou Tha Misfit wanting to put together a hit-filled spoken word CD for quite a long time but never getting down to it until this summer. Sometimes procrastination has its payoffs. Sometimes procrastination is not procrastination at all, but divinely inspired act of waiting. Waiting definitely paid off for Sekou. His timing was perfect as well: quitting his job as a 5th grade teacher to pursue his poetic/hip-hop aspirations full time, issuing the double CD of spoken word and things related, beginning to host his own poetic venue at Fais Do Do… All of that was just a prelude for the first rumbles of a Big Bang: Sekou Tha Misfit winning the individual National Poetry Slam competition in Minneapolis this August. And this is just the beginning. Watch for this brother changing the face of hip-hop in the years to come. Humbled by his experiences as a struggling artist (aren't we all?!?), Sekou still cannot fully take in the importance of his accomplishment in Minneapolis. However, his CD is a living proof that his success on the national level is well deserved. It is hard not to love Sekou. You can love him for his outrageous erotic poems, or his deep spiritual struggles, or his shameless honesty. No matter what your preference, you will certainly love his double CD. Side "A," titled Afrodeezyackz is for those love-hungry, love-hurt, or plain old horny among us, while side "B," The Mumblings of a Madman strikes different but no less powerful chords. All of that is wrapped in a skillful blend of spoken word studio and live recordings, and rap/hip-hop flavor that is solid enough to be played on any major hip-hop radio station. But let me not jump ahead of myself! Let me take you by the hand, and lead you through the sanitarium one step at a time… Kou-Kou!!! Afrodeezyackz (or "a journey through love, relationships, heartbreak and erotica in the sanitarium") contains all of Sekou's crowd-pleasers and favorites. From the 3-part 7th Grade Chronicles over Insecurity, A Love Poem Called I Hate, If Not That, I Love You and hip-hoppish Puddles on Your Belly, Every Girl and Udonedone to the Nationals winning piece Dumb Sh-t (part 2 of the 7th Grade Chronicles), Kou proves he is a master at blending raw emotion with linguistic acrobatics, and hip-hop with humor subtly shining through his lines. From the profoundly poetic 7th Grade Girl and Insomnia, (where he admits to "prickly tingling in his belly," those "cocoons in his belly now that he wouldn't be able to take when they become full-grown butterflies"), Kou's light shines so brightly that we can see him "through our eyelids." He is that "bird who took flight one day and found out there is no place to land, but who had no intention of landing when he took flight anyway." Whether he poeticizes or tries to hide pain behind the face of humor, whether he raps or admits to "planning to be a dirty old man," Sekou holds the listener entangled in the fine web of his words and mesmerized by his energy, never wanting to break free anyway. Atmosphere of Afrodeezyackz is further enhanced by beautiful guest vocals of Gina Loring on Dumb Sh-t and rap by Menage and Joel Perry on 7th Grade Girl and Puddles on Your Belly. Still, no matter how amazingly good side "A" sounds, it is only the lighter side of the Misfit's CD. The Mumblings of A Madman take us deep into the sanitarium, where we meet four personalities that comprise the whole usually known as Sekou Tha Misfit: Mr. Rockwell - the conspiracy theorist, Purge - the purgatory therapist, Bizzare - the dementia dweller, and Uncle Four-Lips whom we have already met on side "A". Side "B" opens with the powerful - and National Slam winning - When I Grow Up. ("I don't want to be the astronaut, mommy, I want to be the space that he explores. I don't want to be a doctor, mommy, I want to be the cure…") Can't Be Broke, one of the L.A. poetic crowd favorites, follows in the form of a rap, and then we are treated to the live performance of I dunno. Gina Loring and her ethereal vocals join Kou again in What 2 Do, followed by the live performance (National Poetry Slam 2001) of The Rapper. Good Morning Pain featuring Dax would probably climb into the top 10 within a week if it hit any of the hip-hop charts right now, and Asphyxiation Fetish will get anyone thinking about the meaning of being alive. Masterful rap remix of Troubled Man and a live spoken version of Let Me Know take any doubt from the listener's mind that Sekou is and continues genuinely speaking "to the silence, singing in the dark." The Mumblings of A Madman officially wrap up with the powerful rendition of Kou's tear-inducing The Lesson. For those wanting to go beyond the last word in the book (or on the CD cover), there is a treat in the form of bonus tracks on both sides of this double album, which your humble reporter won't reveal just so she can get you to buy Kou's CD… for pure curiosity if nothing else. And believe me, it is worth your every penny. This poet definitely be slamming! Afrodeezyackz/The Mumblings of A Madman CD can currently be purchased at Amoeba Records, Midnight Records, and directly from the artist at www.blindfaithrecords.com or at his venue, Rise @ Café Fais Do Do, or by e-mailing him at bf8th@aol.com. Article with reader's comments available at: http://www.getunderground.com/underground/columns/article.cfm?Article_ID=665
Seven: A Kwanzaa Soundtrack Review Kwanzaa is the most rapidly growing holiday in the United States and the largest non-heroic holiday observed by African American people. Up until now, the music that has represented this powerful, positive holiday has been limited to primarily children's music (nursery sing-alongs) and world music (Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, African, etc.) Blind Faith Records, and executive producer, Sekou (tha misfit) is proud to present: "Seven: A Kwanzaa Soundtrack" This first-of-its-kind, full length, compilation CD celebrates the spirit of Kwanzaa through contemporary music. Positive and uplifting? Yes! But we're not talking about popcorn, bubble-gum songs that are generally associated with positive music. This CD was written and produced by one of California's hottest independent music artists/poets - Sekou (tha misfit). It features beautiful lyrics over hot music and features some of the countries powerful independent vocalists and live musicians to create an R&B, soul, hip-hop, spoken-word, pop, and jazz musical compilation that rivals the best popular music out today! Not only has this CD been praised and enjoyed by all ages, from teenagers to elders, from gospel fans to rap fans, but its selections are being used in schools around the country, being sung by school children at graduations, and was even honored with the 2000 JPF award for Best Holiday Album by the nations second largest music organization. Holiday music has officially been redefined! Whether you have just begun celebrating Kwanzaa, have been celebrating for years, are interested in learning more about the holiday, or just want some good-quality, yet uplifting music to enjoy during the season and throughout the year . . . Get your copy of Seven today and join the celebration of this powerful musical presentation! |
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