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JIVE MAGAZINE REVIEW
by Deanna Adams
Tshaka’s debut album, ONE, is a phenomenal illustration of the talent and creativity that exist in the still somewhat underground world of spoken word. Bridging the gap between spoken word and hip hop is an element of hip hop music that has been long removed from the scene, and a step that poets are now taking, crafting an unparalleled fusion of intellect, creativity, and sensuality. ONE is a reflection of many issues that are often untouched upon or disregarded in mainstream means of expression, taking the listener on a journey through truth, entertainment, and a somber look at reality. The album has a lighter side with a sincere look at love, money, and all else that makes this world go ‘round. Even though Tshaka can hold his own, being a Grand Slam champion year after year and climbing the ranks along with the country’s greatest poets, Tshaka enlisted the help of Kevin Sandbloom, Oveous Maximus and Natalie Patterson. “Illusions of Khem” is a beautiful descriptive love piece in itself, forcing you to search for elevated passion in everything that you witness in life, and Kevin Sandbloom’s soulful voice only reiterates your longing to make that moment fasten itself in time as to play over and over in your memories. “Pay Me Right,” with Oveous Maximus and Natalie Patterson touches on something we all can relate to, that funny money. The bass alone can get even the most conservative person in a dancing mood, but the pinnacle of the track is when Natalie takes the mic, inserting, “can I rock the mic like a lady and still be your equal, or is my femininity trapped behind the bulls*** expectations of a society of double standards to see dope, as long as I’m not better than you.” “Darker Than Blue” brings humanity back down to humility. The track takes a look at how failed revolutions inhibit our society, while bringing hope that we can open our eyes and come together to make a difference through lines like, “expect what’s deserved not just blanketed explanations.” Tshaka shines light on the problems in society, but, unlike many others, he speaks of how we can overcome those things and empower ourselves instead. The reoccurring theme of the album makes itself ever present in the title track “One,” which boldly states, “If I can’t touch thousands, I’ll be happy with just one.” The album ends with the track “Sp!t,” which has been famed as the title piece of the 2007 spoken word documentary “Spit,” which Tshaka performs, and it creates a nice symmetrical piece in closing the album. Overall, ONE is a work of art that sets a new level of respect for the poetically minded. JIVE Magazine Rating: 5 out of 5
- Jive Magazine
Discography
SPIT -EP
ONE - CD
BLOODLINE -CD
TarMan -Book
Muted Whispers - Book
Photos
Bio
Originally from England, Tshaka moved to the United States at the ripe old age of 10. Raised on his fathers teachings of solidarity and pride and brought up on the teachings of greats from Garvey Pan-Africanism to William Churchill, he adopted his fathers intense love of language.
Tshaka began writing poetry long before performing it, in an attempt to find his own voice and point of view within the art form. As a performer, Tshaka is recognized as an accomplished artist and performer. Performance accolades include not only being a member of the 2004 Nuyorican Poetry National Poetry Slam Team and the 2006 Hollywood National Champion Slam Poetry team, but he also earned the Grand Champion title at the 2005 San Francisco and 2007 Hollywood Championships. Similarly, his writing reads as well of the page as it does in his live performances. Tshaka has toured a number of US cities and has been featured at theatres such as the legendary Apollo Theatre, at numerous colleges, city fairs and creative venues throughout the United States. He also conducts lectures, teenage and adult workshops in creative writings, spiritual verse and a number of other related topics.
Tshaka had been featured in newspapers, radio and publications across California including the Eastbay express KJLH in Los Angeles and was voted 1 of the 25 Bay area people to know by Tribe.net in 2005. Competition on the National level is not foreign to Tshaka, as he has competed from 2004-2007 (NPS) making it to the semi-finals in each year amongst over 200 individual poets and 80 teams. Tshaka also appears in a spoken word documentary entitled Spit, released in 2007, and performs the title piece.
Tshakas debut CD 'ONE' was released in 2006 is being distributed nationally, over seas and is available for download on some of the top digital retailers as the country such as Napster, i-tunes, MP3 Rhapsody, CDBaby.com and more . Tshaka has also published a collection of poems entitled TarMan and a collection of short stories, prose and poetry entitled Mute Whispers. His Sophomore album Bloodlines is due to be released in mid 2008
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