NYS Music 202​0

Category: NYC Metro

  • Wu Tang Wednesday: The Foundations of Wu Wear

    Wu Tang Clan have long been innovators within hip hop culture, whether it came from their music, style, or their lingo. Before the masses draped themselves in popular streetwear like Supreme, V-Lone and Bape, Wu Wear occupied that space within the streetwear community. Always the trendsetters, this was the first of many clothing lines by rappers. Its impact was worldwide, as each article of clothing was designed to showcase the most iconic logo in the history of hip-hop, the infamous Wu Tang Clan “W” which combined their love of kung fu and hip-hop. 

    wu wear

    A unisex clothing line, Wu Wear offered a variety of fleece jackets, long sleeve t-shirts with graphics, crew necks along with sweatshirts — all of which donned the iconic logo. While RZA is regarded as the group’s de-facto leader, the idea for Wu Wear stemmed from Oliver “Power” Grant, a close associate of the groups who has executive produced every Wu-Tang Clan album.

    In 2008, they faced a counterfeiting scandal, hurting the brand’s credibility. Consumers were under the assumption that they were getting ripped off with fake clothes that they were paying a lot of money for. The brand has since bounced back and has made a relaunch to their website. Partnering up with the likes of Nike, ALIFE and other popular clothing brands.

    To recognize the brand’s cultural significance, RZA recorded a song titled “Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance.” which was included on the High School High soundtrack, as well as RZA’s greatest hit album. The record also features Wu tang affiliate Cappadonna and Method Man.

    Method Man’s laid back and rhythmic hook (along with his charisma and style) gave the record much needed flavor that balanced RZA’s scientific flow and lyricism.

    “Ain’t what you want baby

    It’s what you need baby

    Ain’t what you want baby

    It’s what you neeeeeeeed”

    Setting a calm and relaxed tone (which was needed) before RZA began his verse. The famed producer begins the record with a breakdown of what makes Wu garments unique, and why it had been deemed a renaissance for streetwear.

    “Yo,  diamond crystal rings sharp like icicles, nickel plated pistols

    official Wu-Wear covers my physical”

    RZA begins his verse describing the jewelry and diamonds that cover his body, concluding with Wu Wear as a way of associating the clothing brand with the valuable jewelry he dons.  

    “You can detect the true and living God from the score

    Keep your sword straight, maintain your weight

    But he ate too much monosodiumglutumate, and polysorbate

    and drug rate concentrate, with sodium benzoate

    By the chicken thighs and tryglycerides

    And this bitch advertised her breast size

    Eighty-five didn’t realize, til the truth opened up his eyes”

    He begins to breakdown all the things that is poisonous to body and wellbeing of his body and of others. He is also referencing the “five percent” teachings when he speaks on searching for the God within. The five percenters focus on how the Black man is the original man and how they are Gods on the earth. That’s why it’s important to keep and maintain your health from many of the substances in this society that destroy your mental and body, which RZA references while also discussing his recent wealth. He refers to is as “chicken” that fattens his thighs which in tun, leads women to show their “breast size,” a clever play on words. He finished the bar off by letting the masses know that  he was once one of the 85% until he searched for his own truth.  

    “Then he became highly civilized,

    and spent time amongst the wise,

    went through a garment renaissance

    and stopped wearing Benetton, Tommy Hill, Perry Ellis, Nautica,

    or Liz Claiborne, Ocean Pacific, Fila, Bill Blass and leave fitted

    Quit the Armani sweaters with the Gucci wool knitted

    Mecca, Pelly Pell, 88, North Q, Bear and a few others

    For the new year, strictly Wu-Wear

    Once he opened up his mind, he spent time with wiser men and gained a greater understanding of his purpose. His garment renaissance came when he stopped wearing name-brands clothing and focused his efforts on the success of Wu-Wear and other Black owned clothing brands. With the renaissance signifying 

    While the theme remained the same, Cappadonna’s verse was much more straight-forward, relying less on philosophical references.

    “The Century 21 son, the new portfolio dunn

    Now it’s my time, Asian Wu-Wear, Cap and fleece wear

    One wear plaids the Don will hold the best for all wear

    plus blue wear, Wu-Wear, what’s going on

    We’re the best of this year, Wu-Wear and fleece wear”

    While RZA focused on the meaning behind his beliefs, Cappadonna spent more time detailing his exploits as a well-dressed man, aligning Wu Wear with other recognized name-brands. 

    “Just hold your own baby

    and just rock on baby

    I got this wine on my mind

    feelin fine darlin

    Now all you see baby

    ain’t what you need baby

    I wanna know just how low it goes

    Official nasty asses, straight shots in dirty glasses

    Wu-Wear fleece for you and your stinkin piece

    Hard time and killer tactics”

    Known for having more crossover appeal, Method Man took a took a different approach to his verse. Unlike the others, he demonstrated how the allure of the clothing line can be used to allure women, a major point of contention for most men. 

    The record sampled The Soul Children and their 1972 single “Don’t Take My Kindness For Weakness,” spending 17 weeks on Billboard charts and peaking at number 20. While it served as great promotion for the clothing line, it also showcased the diversity that made Wu Tang Clan so iconic. There’s knowledge-of-self and wisdom from RZA, “fly talk” from Cappadonna, and the smooth slickness of Method Man. 

    Wu-Tang having their own clothing line and iconic logo has been ingrained in the fabric of hip-hop since the brand came out. They were innovators taking their interests and creativity outside of music and making it into a business to profit off of other than just recording music. You can say this was the model for artists such as Notorious B.I.G and Bad Boys records, Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella records, rapper Camron and his Dip Set clothing line and Kanye West with his Yeezy brand.

    Companies have also used rappers to promote their companies clothing lines such as the rap group Clipse with Bape and the late Tupac Shakur with Versace. All of this can be traced bac to the Clan and their influence on the culture. 

  • Hallie Spoor Releases Inspirational New Music Video for “City Angels”

    Brooklyn based folk/rock singer-songwriter, Hallie Spoor releases her newest music video which inspires joy, youthfulness and unity despite the global shutdown.

    Cover art for Spoor’s newest album, “New Ground.”

    Spoor’s song “City Angels,” promotes a feel good attitude, during a time that many of us are struggling emotionally because of the pandemic.

    “The idea I had was that during this time of isolation and separation, I thought we could use more joy,” Spoor said.

    Growing up in Denver, the young musician is now based out of Brooklyn. She has played at several famous music venues like, Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook and Rockwood Music Hall.

    Spoor completed her first national tour last fall through playing small performances in unique locations with the well known music events start-up, Sofar Sounds.

    Spoor’s website describes her as an “old soul,” who possesses similar sounds to Joni Mitchell. That part of her personality comes out in the music video where she created a collage of pictures and video clips sent to her by friends and family. The collage promotes memories and a cheerful outlook on life in the city.

    According to her Youtube page, Spoor wrote “City Angels,” after experiencing a lonely day in NYC. Her mood changed after running into a few, “New York characters.”

    “All these very human moments made me feel like I might belong after all. So, this video is dedicated to them- the city angels that make us feel like we’re home in this exciting, scary, beautiful place called New York,” Spoor wrote.

    Hallie Spoor asked her friends and family to send her nostalgic pictures and video clips.

  • Hudson River Park’s Virtual Summer of Fun is Underway

    NYC’s Hudson River Park is bringing the fun into our homes. Ideal for the bored quarantiner, their Virtual Summer of Fun program offers weekly concerts, fitness classes, STEM lectures, and children’s events. Streaming for free on Facebook Live, there’s something of interest for every age and music taste.

    Hudson River Park
    Hudson River Park

    Hudson River Park’s concert series, Sunset on the Hudson, streams every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. It launched on July 9 with The Big Takeover, a seven-piece reggae band from the Hudson Valley, and is continuing weekly until September 3. On August 27, twin DJs Coco & Breezy are taking the stage. Also known for designing luxury eyewear, their pieces have been worn by the likes of Prince and Lady Gaga. All Sunset on the Hudson performers are local, and the full list reflects a variety of genres and backgrounds.

    “While the world has changed, Hudson River Park remains committed to bringing the joy and excitement of summer to old and new friends from New York City and beyond” said Madelyn Wils, CEO and President of Hudson River Park Trust. “Summer of Fun programs offer more than just education and enjoyment – they provide our community with a way to connect with the Park, their favorite local talent, and each other.”

    Besides the main concert series, the Summer of Fun is also hosting Sunset Salsa on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. Led by Talia Castro-Pozo, who appeared on The Today Show, each event begins with instruction and leads into an hour featuring world class dancers and DJs. And for the jazz-inclined, Annette A. Aguilar is performing with her band StringBeans on Thursday, September 10. Aguilar has previously played percussion for Stevie Wonder and The Grateful Dead.

    The Park’s Hudson RiverKids program runs until the end of August. At 4:00 p.m. every Mondays, a new weekly guest leads a singalong, magic show, or story hour.

    Check out this stream and more through our series NY Stream and Support, where you’ll discover artists around the Empire State streaming nightly, and ways to support musicians and charitable groups close to home!

  • Exploring Storytelling in Music with The Ninth

    With large gatherings banned for the foreseeable future, fans of musical theater and full-band live music are on the search for musical fulfillment and interesting story arcs. Enter the concept album- a perfect cross between long-form storytelling and studio recorded music. Albums like The Who’s Pinball Wizard and Green Day’s American Idiot hold their place on the pedestal of great rock operas. Over time, fans of musical theater have seen soundtracks becoming more contemporary. Musicals like Once and Hamilton make for otherwise great studio soundtracks to listen to apart from their visual stories. It’s a tall task for bands and composers to be able to write soundtracks in this long storytelling form. One NYC based band is doing it right here, combining catchy tunes with technically brilliant songwriting and performances.

    The Ninth are a dynamic, often changing group of musicians. Ben Halperin (Guitar, Songwriter), Tim Russell (Vocals/Keys), Stephanie Genito (Vocals), Tim Galvin (Drums), and Jeff Ostroski (horns) make up the core of the group. The talented crew of musicians have two stellar studio works in their catalog, The Answer (2018) and Olympic Dream/Nightmare (2019). For the most part both combine elements of funk rock and musical theater. The outcome is wonderfully groovy and incredibly intricate. Catchy hooks unify every song, keeping the listener coming back.

    The Answer 

    To begin with, The Answer is a short and sweet trio of songs clocking in at just over 10 minutes. The group’s propensity to uniquely combine the minutiae of classic rock, funk, and R&B is showcased in this initial release. Funky beats match with masterfully crafted bass lines to drive the songs and provide a delightfully dance-able groove. For instance, huge brass and string parts mesh well with the core-band. This gives each song a sense of grandeur. 

    Vocalist Tim Russel steals the show with his soaring vocals. Meticulously performed guitar and bouncing bass reinforce the technical expertise that the band possesses. Guitarist Ben Halperin remembers how the songs acted as a jumping off point in the first place. He recalls “We were just getting our bearings and feeling out our sound…we love those songs, but there isn’t anything to them other than that we thought they were good and ready.” Halperin had been working on something special however, before the band had even assembled.

    Olympic Dream/Nightmare

    The Ninth released their first full album Olympic Dream/Nightmare in October 2019. The album tells the story of the Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding Olympic scandal. Ultimately the story was adapted and written by Halperin. The songs were also written in collaboration with the band over time. Halperin’s wife had recently opened his eyes to Broadway, theater performance, and all the possibilities the medium presented. The album idea came quick.

    Having watched the Hardy/Kerrigan debacle unfold as a child, and after watching an “ESPN 30 for 30” special years later, Halperin was inspired to write about the event. He focuses especially on a couple main themes. One being how difficult it is to achieve lofty goals. The other about the damage public judgement can have on a person. Together with each other, these themes are of principal focus in the lyrics. Album in hand, Halperin started to put together his troupe. 

    Halperin was able to assemble an incredible crew of musicians including the likes of Broadway pit performer Jeff Ostroski, who played trumpet and also arranged the horn parts for the album. Adding in musical theater performers Tim Russel and Stephanie Genito on vocals gave the project’s lineup an extra kick. Consequently, they were outfitted to sound like a Broadway ensemble. The Ninth’s music consistently exudes influence in funk rock and jazz. The band’s consistency in genre lends to their tight-knit sound. With the clear album topic and a great sound in mind, the project could move forward with a common goal.

    Putting it All Together

    The re-imagination of such a dynamic event allowed the group to leverage emotional complexity to create large compositions that reflect such bittersweet themes. The real life story is about as wild as any Hollywood script. Particularly, The Ninth do a great job of capturing the chaos and beauty of the story. Every track is a roller-coaster, with highs and lows dominated by the intricate composition and wonderfully crafted lyricism.

    Halperin remarks that “almost the entire first half of the album comes back some way or another in the second half.” For instance, “the title song introduces themes that recur in Limelight and Oksana, with Limelight also having a Trailer Park reprise.” Everything ties together splendidly, despite the long story arc. No strangers to big studio projects, the band offers up hit after hit.

    Halperin mentions specifically how “the emotion and characters translated well to the funk and rock music that I love.”

    Full brass and string sections give each song a larger-than-life feeling. This is something that the band strives to deliver. Songs such as “Saving Grace” and “Trailer Park” provide character introduction and juxtaposition between two of the story’s main characters. Namely, the band uses different vocalists for each character. Each vocalist offers a magnificent performance on their tracks and also mesh well together in harmony.

    The guitar work shines marvelously throughout the entire work. Halperin matches tone to every small part of the story thus acting as a sort of narrator in the story. He provides a magnificent performance all around. Cory Wong-styled funk lines opposite soaring solos. Generally the guitar foretells the mood of the song. A sleazy funk song like “Crowbar” emulates the Jeff Gillooly character wonderfully.

    Successes and Challenges

    Although projects of this size don’t come together easy. It was great preparation and a solid cast of musicians that helped Olympic Dream/Nightmare come out so well done. Halperin mentions that it wasn’t so much the undertaking of the music that made the recording a challenge. He says “making music in a great studio with great musicians always has and always will be a complete pleasure.” The band recorded everything Steely Dan-style. Putting painstaking detail put into each instrument’s recording and layering is a point of pride. Indeed, the hard part was the scheduling and financing. This was no rush job, and it shows with the final product. Everything was meticulously planned and executed.

    Playing Live and The Pandemic

    It’s no surprise that the group has a big live sound too. They have played some of NYC’s iconic venues such as The Bitter End. Their tight grooves keep live renditions of their songs dance-able and exciting. High energy is a big defining characteristic of The Ninth. Together, this unrelenting powerhouse of a group can perform with stellar execution. “Boy do I miss crowds”, Halperin says. Specifically those crowds including musicians who are digging the music.

    The off time has been ultimately slow for the band since everything is shut down. For instance, Halperin has kids and a day job. Consequently, with no access to child care right now it’s tough to focus on music. Though he is optimistic about the future. He says “we’re itching to perform once it’s safe.” In the meantime, he says the band has new music to record. Otherwise, he is available to help out with other projects, and is available to write if anyone has an idea and needs music. 

    You can find both albums streaming on services such as Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Pandora, and Bandcamp. Follow the band on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for updates.

  • Broadway Buskers Concert Series Returns Virtually

    The Times Square Alliance’s annual Broadway Buskers concert series will pick up again virtually this year starting on July 21 and stream every Tuesday at 7pm until October 27. 

    broadway buskers

    Since its start in 2018, Broadway Buskers has brought Broadway actors and composers’ original work to NYC by hosting live performances in Times Square times so that audience members and Broadway workers could watch before heading to a show. While in-person concerts are out, theatre fans can still watch these weekly concerts to experience the talent the Broadway community has to offer. 

    Tons of familiar faces will be featured over the coming weeks: Rachel Potter (The Addams Family, Evita, Wicked) and Heath Saunders (The Great Comet, Alice By Heart, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert) on July 21, Melissa Li & Kit Yan (Interstate, MISS STEP, Cancelled) and Ben Wexler (Washington Square, 2019 Jonathan Larson Grant Winner) on July 28, Lauren Elder (Mary and Max, Hair, Side Show) and James Harkness (Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, Chicago) on August 4, Joey Contreras (Love Me, Love Me Not, Break from the Line, Joyride) and Tamika Lawrence (Caroline, or Change, If/Then, Come From Away) on August 11, and additional performers to be announced. The concerts will be streamed every Tuesday at 7PM until October 27. 

    Ben Cameron returns as the curator and host, and for the second year, the Musical Theatre Factory (MTF) co-curates with queer, trans, and BIPOC artists from the MTF community. While the concerts are free, viewers are encouraged to donate to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund and the Broadway Advocacy Coalition. 

    Watch the Broadway Buskers concerts on Tuesdays at 7PM from July 21-October 27 at TSQ.org/BroadwayBuskers or on Facebook.

    Broadway Buskers

    Tune in on August 4th at 7pm ET for Lauren Elder (Mary and Max, Hair, Side Show) James Harkness (Ain’t Too Proud, Beautiful, Chicago) and Nathan Salstone (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child OBC)

    and on August 11th at 7pm ET for Joey Contreras (Love Me, Love Me Not, Break from the Line, Joyride), and Tamika Lawrence (Caroline, or Change, If/Then, Come From Away).

    The August 18th performance will feature a Next to Normal  mini-reunion with performances from both Alice Ripley and J. Robert Spencer.

    Looking ahead to September, Adam Pascal, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist‘s Alice Lee, and more, will take the virtual stage in September.

    Broadway Buskers continues Tuesday evenings at 7pm ET through October 27 at Additional performers will be announced at a later date.

  • Interview: Natalie Claro’s Inspiration for “Discomposure”

    After seeing Paramore in concert, the then-14 year old Natalie Claro was inspired to take on a music career. Claro writes and produces her own music, integrating genres of pop, rock, folk, R&B, and country into her songs. 

    Natalie Claro

    Claro grew up in Tampa, Florida starting her career as a local musician when she was 15. By the time she was 17, Claro released her own music and started performing shows in New York. She explains what she loves the most about the music industry:

    The aspect of being able to have an outlet where you can just say whatever, speak your mind, and have a platform to be able to do positive things not only for your community but just as many people you can reach in general. I’ve always loved that part of it.

    In her album, Disconnect Claro describes it as her “analysis of the world.” Her EP Selfish Topics “is an analysis about myself,” Claro says. Her songs discuss issues such as depression, insecurities, and uncertainty. She uses her music to speak out about the positive and negative aspects of life.

    Claro is currently working on new music and has released the music video to “Discomposure.” “The song is about anxiety and stress,” she says. The music video for “Discomposure” illustrates Claro expressing fear and worry, yet finding solace in music. She communicates through her songs that we can find positivity and strength through some of our darkest moments. Claro shares what she wants her music to represent:

    I always use my music as a message towards anyone that is listening to it. I try to be a positive influence to my listeners.

  • Mickey Leigh’s Mutated Music presents “Two Kinds of Law”

    It’s a tale as old as time: the rich, famous, and privileged get a slap on the wrist for offenses that would ruin anyone else’s life. Previously observed by Truman Capote and Martin Luther King Jr. in the mid 1960s, the assertion that there are “two kinds of laws” still holds true today. NYC rocker Mickey Leigh employs the phrase again in Mutated Music’s new single, just as current affairs reiterate the divide. Nationwide protests have highlighted the police’s double standard in dealing with Black and white Americans, and President Trump has commuted his friend and former campaign advisor Roger Stone’s prison sentence.

    Mickey Leigh

    About “Two Kinds of Law,” Mickey Leigh told SPIN,

    “Music is magical in so many ways. Rock and roll is one form of it that, magically, can be purely fun, but, at the same time can be a way to spread a message. And, aside from having a lot of fun with it, me and my fellow Mutated musicians think both are equally important – as long as it’s an important message […] The importance of “equality” and “justice for all” has come to the forefront of our lives like never before. and, it’s a message that needs to be repeated…repeatedly. There aren’t many ways to repeat a message repeatedly without boring people to tears, aside from immersing it in a catchy chorus and irresistible rhythm.”

    Mickey Leigh

    This immersion is definitely successful. While its lyrics and melody are simple, “Two Kinds of Law” still packs a punch as a socially conscious earworm. The video opens with Leigh playing guitar on his couch, but quickly shifts to footage of a police shooting. The spreading of such videos can potentially be reckless and traumatic, but here it’s blurry, brief, and non-graphic. Next, Leigh sings “Hush now children, don’t you cry; daddy won’t be home and I’m telling you why” as a Black mother mouths the line to her children. The video concludes with a cameo from a certain disgraced athlete from the 90s, perhaps the quintessential example of the two kinds of law.

    Mickey Leigh is partially known as the brother of Joey Ramone, but he’s had his own prolific career as well. He’s been a longtime fixture to the NYC music scene, and was previously in the bands Birdland and The Rattlers. He also published a book in 2009 called I Slept with Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir.

  • Burning Bicycles Release Debut Single “Moonlight”

    One of the newest bands to come out of New York City‘s Indie underground, Burning Bicycles makes their debut with the single “Moonlight.” Originally released April 13, this track serves both as an acknowledgment of NYC’s crisis with COVID-19 and a call for hope amid the chaos.

    In this track you can hear the Burning Bicycles leaning into their psychedelic rock roots, crafting a dreamy track that pairs a mellow glimmering guitar with a laid back beat. Burning Bicycles states that “Moonlight’ encourages our fans to be aware of the world around them, but not to give up on their dreams and ambitions: regardless of the conditions we face.”

    I couldn’t agree more with their assessment and the chorus perfectly exemplifies their intent, further adding to the inspiring and uplifting tone of the track.

    “Don’t break away, Look around at the world that you stay, Living in and, Don’t let them take, All your dreams it’s the reason why you live”

    Be sure to check out Burning Bicycles newest single, “War” and find them on their Facebook for updates on their coming releases.

  • Freaks Action Network announces “FAN Musicians Relief Fund” to benefit NYC-based professional musicians

    The Freaks Action Network (FAN) has announced the launch of the FAN Musicians Relief Fund, which will administer one-time grants to New York City-based professional working musicians whose livelihoods have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For the fund’s initial 25 recipients, $10,000 has been earmarked by FAN for one-time grants of $400 each. 

    To celebrate the launch of this endeavor and help support fundraising efforts, Karina Rykman will kick things off with a special “Freaks Night In” online performance on Thursday, July 16, 2020. FAN is dedicating it’s efforts for the remainder of the COVID-19 pandemic to raising additional funds to assist as many musicians as possible during these difficult times. 

    freaks action network

    “FAN is all about turning the positive energy of live music into positive change in the world,” said FAN president Aaron Stein. “The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down and now it’s the live music world that needs help and that’s why we created this fund.” 

    FAN was formed just over three years ago as a way for New York City-metro music-lovers to give back to the community that has given them so much joy and happiness. When the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic ground the formerly thriving NYC live music scene to a screeching halt, the FAN Board of Directors immediately came together to try to figure out how they could help area-based musicians. Out of these discussions, the FAN Musicians Relief Fund was born. 

    Interested musicians who are residents of NYC and derive at least 50% of their income by performing live music in 2019 should visit the FAN website to apply for the one-time grant and learn about the full application process. Applications for the first phase are being accepted starting July 17. If you have questions about the fund, including potential partners and sponsors, reach out to musicrelief@freaksactionnetwork.org.

    Freaks Action Network finds their roots in a group of like-minded New York City live music aficionados, NYC Freaks, who share their love of live music with a growing community. At first, the NYC Freaks would rally around annual anniversary concerts featuring their favorite bands. As they swelled to a group that is now 850 members strong, they discovered a desire to give back to the community that had provided it with so much joy. Through FAN, NYC Freaks have raised tens of thousands of dollars through concerts, auctions, and its sister organization, the #LiveMusicChallenge.

  • Wu Tang Wednesday: GZA and Killah Priest teach about the B.I.B.L.E

    While recent racial tensions surrounding police-brutality have garnered the general public’s attention, another divisive issue has picked up steam as of late. Public figures such as, Ice Cube, former NBA player Stephen Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson have posted social media doctrines acknowledging that the first of the Jewish people were indeed Black, and those we recognize as Hispanic and Native Americans, are actually decedents of the Black Hebrew Israelites. This sparked backlash with some labeling DeSean Jackson and Ice Cube as anti-Semitic and accusing them of spreading misinformation. While present-day celebrities take the brunt of the repercussions, these claims have been uttered by influential figures in the past. 

    liquid swords

    On November 7, 1995, GZA of the Wu Tang Clan released his second studio album, Liquid Swords. With no made-for-radio records, the project still debuted at number 9 on the Billboard charts and has since been certified platinum. A critically-acclaimed album, Liquid Swords is multi-faceted and backed by complex lyrics, it explores themes such as crime, philosophy and chess. And although GZA is recognized as the most lyrically potent of the Clan, the most compelling of the 13 tracks – and the album’s outro — came from protégé Killah Priest. Aptly titled “B.I.B.L.E” (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), the 4th disciple produced record explores the religious fallacies that have been instilled within the Black community, as well as the hypocrisies within organized religion that many children are forced to accept.  

    In an interview with Righteous Disorder Tv, Killah Priest divulges how his record made the cut,  “it was a process, I just kicked a rhyme for GZA one day before it was even a song and GZA always loved that verse,” and soon after, it was turned into a full song. With the album’s producer — and Wu Tang Clan leader — RZA not sure of its placement within the project, it was turned into a bonus track.

    The song begins with Killah Priest repeating the acronym four times before transitioning into the hook 

    “Life is a test, many quest the Universe and through my research I felt joy and hurt, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Basic instructions before leaving earth.” 

    With two lines, he sets the stage for the record’s theme. Acknowledging the joy in finding out the truth about his race and the feelings of sadness that come with the truth. The hook ends with “the first shall be last and the last will be first.” A reference to Genesis chapter 25, verse 23, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’”

    killah priest

    Priest begins the first verse discussing his interest in the bible and why it is so important to him,

    Explored my history that was untold and watched mysteries unfold and drop a jewel on them like Solomon, but never follow men cause if you do your brain hollower than space oblivia or the abyss.

    He is ignoring the teachings of the church and doing his own research on the bible and what it means, as well as, who it is meant for. As he learns more, he uncovers new mysteries that he was never taught, and he begins to teach others what he has learned. “Never follow men,” speaks to the ideology that God should be the only entity leading one to salvation. 

    He carries on,

    I speak on Jacob, it might take some time up, and too much knowledge, it might break up the rhyme. I did it anyway, just to wake up the mind of those who kiss stones or prays on carpet. Those who sit home or sell books by the market need to chill and give their mind revived for years religion has done nothing but divide.

    The first line serves as a double entendre, as “Jacob” is a known biblical reference, while Jacob Arabo is known popularly within hip hop circles as “Jacob the Jeweler,” for his unique designs of Jewelry — specifically watches — The last two lines throw stones at those who pray and profit off of selling the bible yet, know little of their true history. 

    On the second verse he advances with his earlier rhetoric on religion and how it has been used to confuse him and his people, while also speaking on the true origins of the White race.

    I even learnt that Caucasians were the tribe of Edom the white image of Christ is really Cesare Borgia. And uhh, the second son of Pope Alexander the sixth of Rome and once the picture was shown that’s how the devil tricked my dome.

    He alleges that Caucasian people are the decedents of Esau (the first son of Isaac and the first White person in history, according to The Old Testament) and his tribe Edom, a stance recently reiterated by Ice Cube and Desean Jackson. 

    On the last verse he says, 

    I prophesized to save man, but no one gives a damn for my nation, the seed of Abraham blessed with the tongue of Hebrew now we strung on needles and some plunging evils. So, study and be wise in these days of darkness, peace to my nephew Marcus.

    With a desolate first bar, Killah Priest gives insight into the thoughts of a man who is trying to warn yet, the more he tells people the true history the more they don’t care or take what he says seriously, leaving him frustrated. On the second line, he says that his people are descendants of the biblical figure —Abraham, ascribing to the chosen seed that God prophesized he would be blessed with. At one point his people were blessed in their history and knowledge of Hebrew. Now, they are strung on needles — referencing the many drugs that have been pipelined to Black inner cities — and committing other evil acts. Finishing off by encouraging them to take their knowledge into their own hands.

    While Black entertainers continue to receive backlash for their thoughts on Judaism, the authenticity of their claims must be acknowledged. With this record being a quarter-century old, how many more people have already accepted Killah Priest’s claims as their truth? It’s easy to accept the status quo as the truth, challenging accepted ideologies is the only way we can grow as people, and that begins with exploring the possibilities of different origins to every religion, as none belong to any one race.

    With contributions from Alain Clerine.