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Beyond Race Article
Division X: Hard Knock Rockers
New York has always been a fertile land for artists with change on their minds. The Bronx alone has produced some of the most influential and revolutionary hip-hop artists ever, hence its title, "the birthplace of hip-hop." Raised in the South Bronx, North Star, Mad Dog, and Dr. Dust of Division X know first-hand who and what their music represents. Formed in 2001, Division X is known for their live performances and extensive touring of the United States and Latin America. Unlike many contemporary hip-hop artists that claim to be community-minded, progressive, or conscious, the South Bronx trio has genuine entitlement. "We all work servicing our community," emcee North Star says of the group's 9 to 5's, which range from social work mentoring youth and new fathers in the Bronx to the healing and medical fields. "It's our truth." With North Star's candid flows and almost brutal, self-ascribed "heart of the Bronx lyrics," Division X's hip-hop is "a reflection of what we live and what we live through." Largely focusing on and celebrating the Afro-Latino Caribbean experience the trio shares in common, the group recognizes that it is bigger than New York and the United States. it is a global collective understanding.
After an inspirational tour of the United States and Latin America, Division X began to intimately relate this experience to their community. "The African experience is not just in the United States. The slave trade affected the whole world. Black folks are everywhere. Some speak Portuguese in Brazil, some of us speak Patois in Jamaica, and some of us speak Spanish in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba," declares North. "African people are all over the quote-unquote Diaspora, Black doesn't just mean Black and American." Although North attributes Division X's social awakening through music to "just a natural happening," the group's intellect and well-developed voice is undoubtedly mature. "You have to be aware of who you are and where you are, you can't hide that," says North. Professing their message of staying true to oneself and one's roots, Division X remains intrinsically fixed to setting-off social change by encouraging awareness and consciousness not just in the Bronx, but world-wide.
by Christie Craft - Beyond Race Magazine
The talent at Capicu Poetry was off the meter last Friday, from start to end!
The folks on line waiting to get in to the show were treated to a
random act of poetry as Dean (Street Truth TV) and his troops set out
to perform out in public and capture the reactions of onlookers that
came out of buildings and off of the corners to see what was causing
all the commotion. It was really intriguing as people from the
neighborhood came up and started asking questions about Street Truth,
Capicu and performance poetry in general, and some were even motivated
to come in to watch the show.
In the spirit of a night of Concious Hip Hop, Host Papo Swiggity
opened the show with a monologue to set the tone for what was about to
go down in Area 51.
If God wanted to speak to us today,
in this room and around the world
to reach our innermost being
and affect us at the basic level of our understanding
He would probably drop a Hip Hop album
Such is the strength and reach of our music today
But let it be known that God already speaks to us
not through sword carrying angels or bushes aflame
If you ever zoned out to
Grandmaster Flash,
Slick Rick,
Rakim Allah,
KRS One,
X-Clan,
Queen Latifah,
Poor Righteous Teachers,
Common Sense,
Lauryn Hill,
Mos Def,
Talib Kweli,
Immortal Technique...
Then you have heard his voice!
Tonight was a little bit different as Capicu Poetry had to switch up
the format a bit to accomodate the heavyweight second half of the
show. The Open Mic performers included some of our Capicu loyalists as
well as some new faces to our Brooklyn home. Performances included a
collabo piece between Dean and Brother Derrick, a solo by Brother
Derrick, Bella Trastorna, Conan (with his entourage...I see you
playa), Boricuation artist G-Positive, Royal T, Chilo, OL SoUL,
Essence LaMonde, Poeta Guerrera, and a surprise visit and reading
from the multi-talented and highly revered Sandra Garcia Rivera.
The second half featured a dynamic performance by Division X that
really brought back that old hip hop flavor that unfortunately many of
our young people are unfamiliar with today. Special invited guests
included amazing performaces by Mauikai (you gotta hear Negative
Space...wow), Alvare (complete with tracks and lyrics meant to get
your espiritu flowing) and some real positive words and poetry (The
Product) from the legendary DJ Disco Wiz!
Also, in the audience we saw fellow Williamsburg progressive artists 1 Soul.
See you all on May 18th, when the featured performers will be Bonafide
Rojas and his band The Mona Passage. In the words of Bona...
TIME FOR SOME ***** GUITARS!!!
- Sofrito for The Soul. Com
Discography
Album #1 The Hard Core Institute 2006
Album #2 Attack Mode 2006
Photos
Bio
Hailing from the rugged streets of the South Bronx, Division X has been one of the budding success stories of the New York independent Hip Hop scene. Formed in November of 2001, Division X quickly molded their individual talent into a distinctive high energy affair. Proudly emphasizing an original in your face sound, and a thought provoking rap edge, this three man group consists of lyricists North Star, Mad Dog, and turntablist DR. Dust. With their descriptive, "heart of the Bronx lyrics" and self produced "attack track" soundscapes, Division X is clear on what their music represents.
"We make music for the underdog, says North Star. Our music is very hard, and that's because of our surroundings. Simply put, Division X tracks are loud, cannon blast music. We make hard ass beats, and hard ass rhymes, for some hard ass times."
Born and raised in poverty, the Division X story is one of struggle, perseverance & triumph. Having fallen victim to, and survived the pitfalls of the economically disadvantaged South Bronx, Division X channel their life experiences into a great American epic. A story so rooted in reality that there's no confusion to who they are, where they are from, and where they have been.
"The Bronx has a deep influence on the music we do," says Mad Dog. We make hard core music that you can dance to, because that's the essence of the Bronx. Mother fuckers are poor as shit, yet they still love to party. That's why they call it the Boogie Down."
Rising like a majestic phoenix, each Division X member has fought and overcome personal strife. Capturing their experiences with lyrical snapshots, Division X has that special knack of bottling the emotions, thoughts & issues of their time. With a rebels' yell they tackle issues such as poverty, the prison system, domestic abuse, crime, the ups & down of male and female relationships, police brutality, single parent households, spirituality, alcohol abuse, & health care issues.
"What makes us different, is that our beats are hot, and our rhymes ain't about bullshit," says Dust. All that bullshit that other rappers glorify, I lived it. That's why I know it's bullshit. My man, I've been locked up, trust me that shit aint nothing to brag about."
Being socially aware artists, Division X has worked with various grassroots activist organizations. They, released their first single as part of AWOL Magazine's Revolutionary Artist Workshop CD Vol. 1. This contribution led to international exposure, performing for over 100 thousand people at a "Stop the War Rally" in Washington DC, performing at The United Nations for The International People's Festival to Stop Gun Trafficking, and headlining The AWOL East Coast College Tour.
As individuals, each member of Division X has worked to help organize and serve their community. Both North & Mad Dog have worked with different organizations mentoring children. DR. Dust has worked with various organizations helping HIV victims, mentoring young fathers, and speaking to incarcerated youth. As affiliates of the Grass Roots Artist MovEment (G.A.ME), Division X also have helped organize their fellow artist, with the goal of receiving health care.
"Our music is an extension of our lives & beliefs, says North. That's why it sounds so real."
Refusing to be boxed into the typical Rap Box, Division X has shown a wide artistic range. Over the years, they have opened for such notable talent as Soul Sensation Eryka Badu, Def Poetry Poets Ursula Rucker and Suheir Hammad, & Hip Hop Stars, Common & Dead Prez. The group has built it's reputation, and a solid underground following, by selling over 5000 units hand to hand, & delivering standout performances from the 5 Spot in Philadelphia, to the Estadio Olimpico (Olympic Stadium) in the Dominican Republic.
In 2006, under, musical consultant's Clay Mack's (Biggie Smalls, Genuine, Tiffany's Affair) watchful eye, Division X launched their debut album, The Hard Core Institute to stunning success. A majestic debut, The Hard Core Institute is a journey through the real life struggles, dreams, hopes & joys of America's forgotten underclass. Riot starting anthems such as I Am & What You Riding For? blend perfectly with thought provoking gems such as World Fall & Urban Trauma. The Neo Soul flavored, At The End of The Day (Gets No Better) is the after party to the tasty fusion of Salsa & Dancehall on Decadence (Uh Huh), and the Afro Cuban Soul of Waiting. The bright optimism of Either Way & Unbreakable, is only matched by what might be Hip Hop's first official wedding song; Some Kind of Wonderful?
Produced almost entirely by group member North; with Slik da Relic (Either Way) & So So Def producer Clay Mack (What You Riding For, All Praises Due, Grown & Sexy) providing additional punch, The Hard Core Institute is a turbulent free, 17 song, sonic masterpiece. Intelligent, yet never soft. Socially conscious, yet full of fun. Political, but never preachy. Flawed,
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