I Self Devine Presents The Culture Series: LA STATE OF MIND
Rhymesayers Entertainment is proud to announce the release of I Self Devine's second official studio album The Sounds Of Low Class America, due out May 8, 2012. The album paints a narrative of those who carry the nation on their shoulders every day and the struggles they endure. The release will be prefaced by I Self's Culture Series, four free digital mixtapes that drop each month from January through April. To celebrate each release, I Self Devine will perform each mixtape live, front to back at First Avenue's 7th Street Entry with a collection of special guests from around the Twin Cities. The first mix in the series, LA State Of Mind, is available now for free download. Each subsequent mix will be available on the first Thursday of each month. The fourth and final mix will be available for free download exclusively from Fifth Element with the pre-order of The Sounds Of Low Class America.
I SELF DEVINE
I Self Devine returns with his highly anticipated sophomore album The Sound of Low Class Amerika. You can feel the passion I Self Devine delivers on topics of community, class and social injustice in America as he spits truths to inspire the masses. The album is both a narrative for the current state of the world and a telling history as to how we arrived here. I Self Devine's truly unique voice and style create a sense of urgency and call to action while leading and equipping the listener with the tools necessary to act and dissent. Production from Jake One, Vitamin D, Medium Zach, Benzilla, DJ Todda, King Karnov, and Proh Mic drives the entire album. It comes in strong and never slows or wavers as it takes to the listeners ear and marches them to the end. It's an album that ultimately solidifies I Self's position as a leader -- not only in his own social community but that of the music community.
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Chaka Mkali, also known as I Self Devine is a musician, MC, community organizer, racial justice trainer, graffiti artist, muralist, program coordinator and director of organizing and community building at Hope Community Center in Minneapolis. As an MC, I Self is known as an integral part of the Atlanta and Twin Cities underground Hip Hop community as ½ of the duo Micranots, ½ of Semi Official, ¼ of the Dynospectrum, and as a soloist. Over the last decade I Self has released over 10 albums of political conscious socially aware music capable of moving the crowd as well as uplift the spirit and sustain the movement.
As a graffiti artist and muralist, Chaka Mkali is recognized as one of the crucial figures in the revitalization of graffiti art in the Twin Cities using the skills developed in the streets, alleyways, walls, and store fronts of Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Atlanta. As The Director of Organizing and Community Building Chaka has developed impressive work with very diverse largely low income teens and young adults that is impacting individual lives and collectively helping to bring change to a challenged community.
BROTHER ALI
Brother Ali has no reservations in saying that he’s “trying to be one of the greatest of all time” (on the Molemen track “Life Sentence”). Inspired by golden era legends like KRS-One and Rakim, this undisputed Master of Ceremony began rapping as a means of survival. Growing up albino (colorless hair, skin and eyes, poor vision, and extreme sensitivity to the sun) in a world of cruel kids made it strikingly obvious to Ali that he needed a high-powered way to earn some respect and prestige among his peers.
MUJA MESSIAH
Muja Messiah was named City Pages Best Hip-Hop Artist 2009, Star Tribune's Best Local records 2009, The Onion 's Local Artist of the decade. Muja Messiah was featured on Atmosphere's Strictly Leakage on "Crewed Up", URB Next 100, with "Beautiful" ft. Samahra (Black Blondie). Muja Messiah released MPLS Massacre vol.1. in 2008 with its more hardcore, aggressive tracks including the internet jumps "Amy Winehouse" and M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes".
ALICIA STEELE AND THE ENDEAVORS
Being raised around music, hearing her father sing Harry Belafonte every morning, influenced Alicia's transition to formal vocal training; studying opera, jazz, and choral ensembles. At a young age, Alicia earned significant rolls in college musicals and studied performance at the Children’s Theater Company.
KOOL AKIEM
From underground mixtapes in the early nineties and the various Micranots releases, to 2006's Mixtape Deluxe, DJ Kool Akiem formerly of the Micranots and DJ for MF DOOM has been providing a steady diet of funk to the public for years now. Lacing ornate and eclectic samples over rugged drum hits and 808 kicks, Kool Akiem's productions have a distinct feeling that provide just the right amount of stimulation not to take attention away from the lyrics of his various collaborators.
