ENOCH 7th PROPHET
Washington, D.C., Washington, D.C., United States | Established. Jan 01, 1988 | SELF
Music
Press
He was one of the first emcees in the DC area with a female DJ. (He married DJ Earth. They’re very adorable.) Over the weekend, he hosted #TheProphetUnplugged at Bump ‘n Grind to explain some of the lyrics behind his albums, and rap a few lines. - Clarissa Villondo
Welcome to the first installment of "Southeast Stylings".? Each month this column will feature emerging local artists who are connected to East Washington, or whose artistry impacts this side of town.
I was a bit shy to admit to friends that I joined the mainstream and recently signed up for an account on the super-popular MySpace.com. A free online site, MySpace has made national headlines as a virtual playground for people of all ages from all over the world. Although I hate to be a "follower," I was curious to learn more about the social-connection website that began not as a cyber-date site but rather as a tool for independent musical acts and visual artists. Once I got logged into the website, I was happy to find a wealth of DC-area talent. Here are three local MySpace musicians worth checking out: acoustic balladeer KUKU, go-go weapons of funk Mambo Sauce, and the lyrically dynamic 7th Prophet.
7th Prophet
"Every time I rock,it's a Kundalini show!"
Yoga groupies who know what kundalini is--the human spine that is believed to be the gateway to higher consciousness-- may find a certain affinity with the raps of 7th Prophet.
Laying down lyrics that are filled with references to his Rastafarian religion, black pride, political revolutionaries and the plights of oppressed people internationally, 7th Prophet likes to make the distinction between being a rapper and embodying hip hop. Using KRS-One words, he believes “Rap is something we do, Hip Hop is something we live".
In a town that is defined by its go-go music, 7th Prophet would like to see the musical inclinations of DC natives expand, providing a venue for all types of artists to be accepted and to collaborate across genre lines.Washington DC is a go-go city hands down. We ,as the hip hop artists [in DC], would love to have two or three shows a night in packed-out venues [like many go-go artists]. Some hip-hop promoters in the city don't show love for the underground or independent artist ...We as artists need to bridge the gap more. Go-go and hip hop together if we want the world to take notice of us. Togetherness without jealousy is the key!
7th Prophet offers a deviation from today's mainstream rap artists. Instead of spitting anthems for the rich, famous, pimped-out and culturally inept, he remains committed to upliftment and advocacy for the underserved.
An avid reader who attributes his gifted rhyme to his teachings and inspiration from his peers. He also hosts an open mic night when he isn't performing. To learn about the locations he can be seen next and to hear for yourself his skills, check him out at www.myspace.com/tonescientizt or
Khadijah Ali-Coleman is a writer, performer and youth worker who lives in the DC metro area with her daughter. Email her at soouryouthaspire@yahoo.com if you would like your artistry featured in this column. - by: Khadijah Ali-Coleman
Discography
Group Projects
Aztect Planet (2001)
Translation (2003)
Solo LP's
Fickle-Mind State (1998)
Tone Scientizit (2006)
Balance Approach Vol 1. (2007)
Data Frequency (2009)
Electriksolforce (2010)
NOBeatz, Wizdom for the Streetz Vol.1 (2012)
NOBeatz, Wizdom for the Streetz Vol. 2 (2012)
Return of the Prophet (2015)
EP's
7th Prophet EP (2004)
WizeMind (2012)
MIXTAPES
DJ Kash Monee Presents: "Dollars and Sense" mixtape vol. 1(2006) and 2 (2007)/Sony distribution
Adon Entertainment Presents:
"The Coming" TruSkool mixtape vol. 1 (2007)
Balance Approach: vol 1. (2007)
DVD'S
Live from the Block (2002) www.livefromtheblock.com
D en 'd At the Movies (2004) www.dendproductions.com
Times Like Deese (2011) www.timeslikedeese.com
Achievements
DMV 2006 Award winner for "Best Rap Group"
Photos
Bio
Close your eyes and listen to the energy of the drums. Grant your conscience permission to heighten your sensory. Allow the rhythm and vibe to move you mentally, physically and emotionally, mediating on the beat literally. This is how the notable Emcee, Enoch 7th Prophet, prepares himself to create new music to be embraced by the many followers who receive message-based music.
For over a decade, Enoch 7th Prophet has been the go-to host and musician for creative HipHop projects in the nation’s capital. The favored DC native has shared stages and packed venues with HipHop icons such as KRS-One, Redman, Keith Murray, Erick Sermon, Goodie Mob, and many more. Described as humble, laid back, and originative; Enoch takes on the persona of his inner voice when transforming in to the instant crowd and mic controller you see on stage.
Enoch 7th Prophet was a leader in the grass roots–style movement of independent releases, before iTunes, Tune Core, and Rhapsody, with 11 combined solo & group projects under his belt, Fickle Mind State, Aztec Planet, 7th Prophet, Tone Scientizit, Data Frequency, Balance Approach Vol 1, Electrik Sol Force, 3xDPE, No Beatz, Wizdom for the Streetz Vol 1 & 2, and his latest release, RETURN OF THE PROPHET, as well as multiple singles released independently such as the P.S.A, to show support for prostate cancer awareness.
Enoch received his early introduction to music through his family members who were also singing, playing instruments, and making music, which inspired the creative process that now demands the attention of crowds. At the young age of 12, Enoch became the youngest percussionist in a gospel group in DC, playing congas and then moving on to master bongos and drum sets. In his sophomore year at Voorhees College, South Carolina, the sociology major walked in to the band room and started playing the drums like a calling. By junior year he was the band director, teaching students to read and play music until graduating. Motivated by the 90’s influences such as Redman, KRS-One, Jeru the Damaja, Edo. G, Black Thought, jazz, funk, and mantra music, Enoch’s inclination towards HipHop music naturally grew, breaking through to reach the open minded, like a deep rooted tree to a concrete substrate.
Enoch 7th Prophet exhibits his rare art for balancing musical energy, galvanized by an ancestral background, through an unmatched strength to produce Voorhees College music with depth and significance, evoking excellence simplified in to one universal term, “Dope.” Listen to, RETURN OF THE PROPHET, Enoch’s latest masterpiece solo album on Bandcamp. (http://enoch7thprophet.bandcamp.com/)
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