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The best kept secret in music
Press
Middleton, Massachusetts based CommonWealth steps back in the game in 2004 with new records and new distribution after having an incredible year in 2002 with stellar, near-classic, releases from Clokworx and Clokworx frontman Ams Uno. So while we have trusted CommonWealth for quality releases only, they are now back presenting new music from Lions Of The Desert and Effect on this split 12". Al-Amin & Righteous Nova equal the Middletown, NY based duo L.O.T.D., who recently released their self-titled debut LP, and here present three DOPE tracks off it. The opener, the back-beat teister "Top Of My Dome" is a sure-shot! Guesting emcee & producer Messiah gets all props for the swell beat, and in the team-up with Al-Amin it's a success within their elegant syllables and well constructed wordplay. Messiah, who we apparently need to keep an extra eye out for, also delivers the grim and gritty soundwaves of the incredible "I'm Contemporary". Crazy tongue-twisting flavors from Al-Amin are combined with this early-90's-sounding production; it's no doubt that Lions Of The Desert steals the show here. At least for a split single. Still, the Effect side of this record is definitely worth mentioning. Boston based beatsmith D-Tension (Akrobatik, Encore, Mr. Lif) laced all three beats for Effect here - with "Young + Restless" (featuring local heroes Mic Stylz, E Rock & Termology) standing out the most. Lions Of The Desert wins the internal CommonWealth battle though, if there ever was one, for their down-to-earth, back-to-basics style - and tons of charisma. Let there be no doubt, L.O.T.D. does not only deliver the most juttin' chorus we've heard in a LONG time ("I’m not livin' a double life, I'm just contemporary, You don't wanna be my adversary, 'cause I'm very well trained"), but also one of the freshest debuts we've heard in a long time. MASSIVE appeal! - 4 out of 5
“In these days, where politics and religion mingle to the point that their distinctive boundaries are blurred, there are few voices strong enough to speak out authoritatively on both sides. Lions of the Desert bring it with passion and deliberate energy, and, hope that there's more to come in the future.” - Fat Tony - review
Discography
2004: L.O.T.D/EFFECT split 12" - commonwealth records
2004: Lions Of The Desert - L.O.T.D - commonwealth records
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Lions of the Desert who hail from Middletown, NY have shunned trendy hip-hop topics like fashion, fancy cars, foxy females and violence, and instead opt to weave their narratives around more positive and educational pursuits. If our school and parents aren't going to open our children's eyes to the danger of the world, L.O.T.D. will. Al-Amin & longtime partner in rhyme Righteous Nova have come together and done the inevitable. Lions Of The Desert is the name of the group and their self-titled debut LP makes a statement about the attitude, politics and the mind state of today’s hip-hop scene & culture. Al-Amin & Righteous Nova met while both were serving bids in an upstate New York penitentiary and formed a bond through their common ideologies adopted from the Nation of Islam. "...How could a man fly into a building?/how could a man strap a bomb to himself and kill innocent children?/Callin' himself a Muslim/That's not my religion/Yo it's forbidden in my way of life/I pack a gun and a knife/cause I'm prescribed to fight/I enjoy the right/the wrong is forbidden/a presence worse than slaughter/martyrdom is better than living." It is not so much hard-line, militant preaching that L.O.T.D. do. It's more like creating social awareness and dialogue in a publicly accessible medium. They don't pretend to be saviors or prophets; they don't claim to have any answers. They use their platform of music to attempt to reconcile the concepts of peace and struggle, and, in doing so, create an interesting and sometimes compelling document of human conflict. At the same time, they personalize their experiences and insights by presenting the listener with first-person accounts of what they know and see. Al-Amin is no stranger to the game, with over 20 appearances on the mixtape circuit, which makes him one of the games most sought after underground artists. The chemistry between these two factions is remarkable and gives them an invaluable “one-two” punch that very few duos possess.
check out our video @ www.commonwealthrecords.com
Lions Of The Desert – Top Of My Dome
#5 on college radio charts – rapnation.com 4/26/04
#6 on college radio charts – rapattacklives.com 4/26/04
#9 on college radio charts – Insomniac Magazine 4/26/04
Lions Of The Desert – Top Of My Dome - #1 Most Added to College Radio Charts - rapattacklives.com 3/29/04
"One of the freshest debuts we've heard in a long time" - boom-bap.com
4 out of 5 - boom-bap.com
“In these days, where politics and religion mingle to the point that their distinctive boundaries are blurred, there are few voices strong enough to speak out authoritatively on both sides. Lions of the Desert bring it with passion and deliberate energy, and, hope that there's more to come in the future.” - Fat Tony – rapreviews.com
"LOTD is bringing back the essence of true hip hop while at the same time moving forward into new ground...these kids are nice!!!" – Papa D! (Traffic Ent/Brick Records)
“Lions of the Desert are some intense brothers with a lot on their minds. Fans of Jedi Mind Tricks, Non Phixion, or Wu Tang affiliates such as Killarmy will dig. This CD is definitely worth a listen”. – Insomniac Magazine
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