Hasan Salaam

"Independent artists like Hasan Salaam ripped the mic in his own special way."
- Monique Code - San Fransico Bay View

Hasan Salaam spoke about reparations. "When I'm talkin' about reparations I'm not talkin' about change in my pocket, I'm talking about change in the world," he rhymed. - Rap News Direct

"The bassed-out, gritty voiced HASAN SALAAM raps up the night with a midnight set of beats, battles, stories and rhyme tackles."
- Kirk Kelly - Workers Arts & Media

Review by Al Bueno

“I mix with the beats/like ammonia and bleach/the flow is Matisse/masterpiece for the streets/mad cow poisoning beef/the madness increase/and unemployment’s up several percent at least” –From “A Day in the Life

Living in the shadow of New York, Jersey never quite seems to shine like you know it could. There have been moments. We have seen crews like the Artifacts and Redman, amongst others, but for some time now it seems like New Jerz has been awfully quiet. Until now (you knew that was coming); on his most recent mixtape Hasan Salaam not only announces his own arrival with up-lifting, hardcore conscious raps, but he has also brought along some family from the 5th Column crew, and the Unleash click to let people know what’s going on across the Hudson. So for anyone who had been sleeping on Jerz, this is the wake up.

The mix is 23 tracks, excluding the 2 interview drops. As we have come to expect you get a chance to hear Hasan drop some bars over a few industry standard Heatmakers tracks (and might I mention that he kills those along with some other “name” producers best material) but that is not where the strength of this CD lies. The real gems are found on the original material that is produced either by Salaam himself, or the various others members of the clicks that he runs with. Hip Hop has in some way or another always been political and Hasan sees this clearly and reports straight from the front lines. “Blaxploitation” is an in your face reality check for what is occurring within the inner city environments, and the black and brown community. Hasan pulls no punches, and delivers the message from a vantage point that has not been tinted by money and fame. His message is clear, protect your mind and body, because many people are living off the success of blax-ploitation. Remember Chuck D and Ice Cube on Burn Hollywood Burn, think of that track, slow the beat down, and now add some 2004 brainwaves to the mix. Make no bones about it Hasan is a thinking man. “If you only knew” featuring Hi-Coup from the 5th Column is sick. This track has the Latin gallop of slow horse through the desert sun. The beat is arranged perfectly, and features some trumpet sample that leaves you thirsty for a Corona, or Dos XX, whatever you want to drink, grab a cold one. There are more, but I’ll
let you buy the CD and discover for yourself.

Hasan Salaam’s “Mixtape vol.2” is filled with educated and informative songs that draw upon the human experience, understand that and you can relate to this project. Hold tight New Jersey, the garden state might have found its new champion. - Cool'eh Magazine

By fayemi shakur

Nov. 3 - New York, NY

A winner has been declared in the FUSE TV and the Manhattan Neighborhood Network's (MNN) HIP HOP PRESIDENT contest promoted on both stations. 12 MCs competed from July to October during Fuse's Daily Download show. Every week, different hip-hop “candidates” performed for one minute on FUSE TV and MNN channels on vital political issues while viewers voted to choose their candidate.

During the live “election night” broadcast last Sunday, the two top candidates, Jersey bred artist, Hasan Salaam and Pete Hype, of Brooklyn, competed in fourrounds and freestyled on issues dealing with U.S. Immigration, Healthcare, and Education.

Hasan Salaam was declared winner of the final battle.

However, in a stunning turn of events Salaam accepted the victory but refuses to accept the title stating, "hip hop is not to be led by one individual since hiphop is for the people." During the taping of the program the producers of the show asked Salaam if he wanted to drop out of the competition since his viewsdid not “fit with their program”. Throughout the competition Salaam made clear in his lyrics that he did not plan to vote for either Bush or Kerry because hebelieved "neither one has the people nor the world’s best interest in mind orheart".

Despite the win, Salaam turned down MNN producers requests and refused to recordPro-Kerry public service announcements for the station encouraging young peopleto vote. When asked why he entered the contest Salaam stated, "For the exposure, I want my music heard, but I will not be accepting the title because no exposure is worth sacrificing what I believe in. I am grateful to all the people who supported and voted for me but I will not allow myself or hip hop to be exploited for someone else's agenda."

His management contends the artist is looking ahead toward his independent debut release “Paradise Lost” in late February 2005 and plans to go on a 12 city college tour titled “Drop Beats not Bombs Tour”, with Movement in Motion, an organization promoting artistic and individual freedom over politics.

- IndyMedia.org

By Osei Haywood

It’s been quite some time since the consciousness of hip-hop music has raised its fist with any type of sustained overt resistance. Enter Hasan Salaam and his debut “Paradise Lost,” This gravel voiced mc creates a vivid multilayered path of provoking thought over tight and varied production. (He also produced two tracks himself). The album starts off intensely with “Diaspora,” a Mike Marvel produced track in which Hasan takes the point of view of an African being indoctrinated into the horrors of the slave trade. On “Allegro,” producer Rugged n Raw fuses a string heavy classical sample underneath driving drums here Hasan waxes the political in frenzied but on point delivery with lines like: meanwhile our kids fall asleep in their beds/ as visions of 22’s spin round in their heads/ somebody want us dead from the hood to the res/ so every word bein said is bein tapped by the feds/ He later urges listeners to do take action, to “change the order.” In “Concrete Watercolors,” Hasan and rhyme partner Hi-coup spit over a haunting piano lick about the conditions found in neighborhoods lost and forgotten

Not all “Paradise Lost,” is struggle and politics. “Fountain of Youth,” is an effective and heartfelt look back on growing up. On “Affair to Remember,” a lost love is lamented.

The most powerful song though has to be “The Drinking Gourd,” a deeply personal song where Hasan with a sense of boldness and determined purpose spins a well crafted and poignant autobiography/mother tribute complete with soul touching horns.
“Paradise Lost,” is a strong debut from an insightful mind with the message that yes paradise is lost, but can be regained through redemption and knowledge. Let’s open our ears.



- Shield Magazine

By Monica Code

The name Hasan Salaam should be familiar to those who love independent music. He is a skillful artist with a quality message and a fierce flow. This Jersey City, New Jersey, native has been seen performing at various grassroots events such as the anti-war protest in Washington, D.C. Now, he is telling the world through his new CD that he has something to say.

On June 30 at the Fat Beats record store in New York City, Hasan, in an in-store appearance, performed cuts from his debut release “Paradise Lost.” It was a powerful performance, giving the masses in attendance a taste of what they can expect when they purchase this CD. It was hot as hell in the store that day. However, Hasan cooled us off with his powerful lyrics and phat beats from his CD.

I sincerely respect this brother as an artist and as a comrade. He is an outspoken artist who allows his actions to speak louder than his words. He is a firm believer in the movement to save hip hop and recently spoke out at a press conference organized by Black Waxx Recordings to protest the censorship of quality music for the masses because of payola. He is one of the few artists who has the backbone to stand up to what’s wrong with the industry.

I must say, as someone who loves hip hop with messages of inspiration and information, I truly enjoyed his album. The music is enjoyable, and I love the fact that the messages are right in your face. Hasan speaks on everything from how his trials and tribulations made him the man that he is now to pouring his heart out to a woman he truly loved to condemning the corporations that exploit the African Diaspora. This CD was definitely worth the wait, and I highly recommend that you grab this one.

Also on the CD, there is an appearance by Nana Soul on the song “1 Life to Give.” This sista has a heavenly voice, and she blends into the song beautifully. Look out for her CD “Black Honey” to come out in the near future.

Hasan is primarily known for his song “Blaxploitation.” Each time that particular song is performed, it gives out a message that you as the listener may not have caught the first time you heard it. It has in-your-face meanings as well as subliminal messages that you can easily grasp on to.

In closing, this brother has proven to himself and his colleagues that not only can he hang with the best of them lyrically, he’s definitely on the next level to where hip hop should be through his activism and his firm position on not wanting to be signed with a mainstream label where he feels his creativity as an artist would be limited.

Without a doubt in my mind, when you say the names of artists like Paris, Immortal Technique, Zion I, dead prez and the Coup, you can definitely add Hasan Salaam’s name to the list of artists who have messages of inspiration and valuable information for the masses.

- San Francisco Bayview

PARADISE LOST REVIEW
5th Column Records / Day By Day Entertainment

The first thing you’ll notice when you hear Jersey City representative is his gritty, bassy baritone voice. It’s the type of voice that immediately commands your attention. Then when you listen to the intelligence and craftsmanship behind each lyric you’ll have to wonder how you haven’t heard of Hasan Salaam.

The album begins with “Diaspora”, a pow erful examination of slavery. Hasan flows a tale that pulls the listener into the first person perspective of a man being taken from his homeland in his native Africa and how he deals with the enslavement “ I didn’t arrive in your country with the choice of the pilgrims / I was hog tied and carried outside of my village / The cries of my newborn / angered vision forced to listen as they committed the greatest sin on our women / I witnessed the killing of our elders and children / the bodies left unburied for the maggots to finish “Concrete Colors” is a beautiful, but sad tale between Hasan and 5th Column associate Hyku, as they discuss life and loss. The beat is amazing, with a piano sample that is guaranteed to jerk a tear, and a drum pattern that knocks the speakers around. “Blaxploita tion” is pretty straightforward, imagine Nat Turner in timbs, and puffing on a loosey and you can imagine the ferocity with which Hasan spits this song. If you are familiar with Baron from Red Clay then pay attention to the conceptually driven “Fountain Of Youth” which showcases not only Baron’s vocal range as he sings the old soul chorus, but also allows Hasan to write some feel good material that demonstrates his knack for storytelling. But I think is my favorite has to be “ Prayer of a Sinner.” This song in my opinion best exemplifies Hasan’s ability to communicate openly without any regard to what his audience is going to think. If you have ever had to show your face in front of the court, or had to deal with being unfaithful to your lover, or treating your body like an ashtray then you will be able to understand this song.

Hasan Salaam’s “Paradise Lost” is an album that is made for the thinking man. If you are not in the mood for informative, and educated lyrics that draw upon the human experience move on to the fluffy rap section of your local store. But make sure to grab a copy of this album if you are interested in sharp lyrics, and production by DJ Static of Stronghold, Rugged N Raw, Mike Marvel, & Shy Money from the Dream Team (known for their work with Nas, LL Cool J, and AZ.)

- Al Bueno