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MyspaceARTICLE: M-1
April 25th, 2006 | Written by: Mariama "Ms.M" Primus Published in Articles, Featured, Music
IT’S CONFIDENTIAL
Veteran rap artist M-1, widely known as half of the enigmatically raw revolutionary rap duo - Dead Prez speaks on his solo debut Dead Prez Presents: Confidential.
He may go by several names, but he’s M-1 aka Rap Brown Gangsta aka Mutulu Olugbala…Olugbala—meaning “for the love of the people” in Yoruba—was a name given to him at the age of 16 by the elders in his community as he embarked on his search to learn more about his roots as an African in America.
M-1, half of the hard hitting militant rap duo Dead Prez, that brought us the culturally aware and introspective albums, “Lets Get Free” and “RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta”, is presenting himself to the world by way of his debut solo album , “Confidential” (in stores now).
Inspired by life, opportunity and the ability to grow, M-1 decided it was finally time to tell his story. “[It’s] from the point of view of M-1, to some people that might be one half of Dead Prez. But I know you will get someone that has benefited from 10 years of the struggle and this industry. Someone who has been under heavy political education…I’m a freedom fighter first, but a damn good ass rapper too…”
Since the debut of “Lets Get Free”, Dead Prez’ first album, M-1 continues to perfect his production skills. Supporters of the RBG movement will remember his skills from intense hip-hop head banger, “Hell yeah! (Pimp the System)” featuring Jay Z from, the “RBG” album, released in March of 2004.
“Confidential is a diverse album, looking from the outside in…I’m what all of us are… we are courageous but at the same time we have insecurity…I’m militant—my policies are clear, yet there’s flaws, because we’re not free,” States M-1 as he continues to speak on his new project. With guest appearances by Styles P of the Lox on “Comrade Call”, his partner Stic Man of Dead Prez on “Early,” as well as Q-tip, Young Dre of the Youngbloodz and songtress Stori James, whose vocals are featured on the released single, “Till we get there”; M-1 offers a well rounded album from the heart.
“Confidential” opens up with the soulful attention grabbing track, “One Side (The Anthem)”, “I never wanna be , without my pistol baby…because it’s lynching time…a time to live - a time to die…”, which sets the tone for rest of the 14 M-1-revolution-inspired tracks that follow, which speak of the injustices to African-Americans, our loyalty to our family and friends, as well as the protection of our civil rights and the fight to free political prisoners like Assatta Shakur.
Too often, artists like Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, and Common to name a few, who speak of social change and the uplifting of the black community get pushed into isolated boxes labeled “back-packer” or “conscious rapper.”
“I don’t have to defend that,” M-1 replies to the unfitting categories. He continues, “I know what I am and I am only what I am. I’m not afraid of labels….I’m not afraid of commercial, it just means For Sale. Doesn’t mean you sold out…it means that it’s on shelves and people are buying it.”
“I feel like we don’t get enough leverage,” Says M-1 as he discusses the common perception of his music in mainstream media outlets. “The music is perceived like a music that doesn’t have the back to say that it’s the shit. It (the music of both M-1 and Dead Prez) speaks for itself because there is a message, but economically with the movement that it takes to build and actually take over certain systems and institutions like radio and media, I feel like my music gets perceived as underground and that’s not at all what I am.”
“Big Capitalism” is the term M-1 uses to describe today’s music industry. He goes on to say, “There is much music explaining our reality, but it’s not promoted…but it is there. It’s on us to find it and want it in our music space. It’s capitalism at work…just try’na live between everything that’s going down. Like try’na get a job and pay rent…That’s how hip hop is now, everybody’s just try’na pay rent.”
A lil bit more about M-1:
Greatest accomplishment: I went to Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa and Dakar… It let me know the world scope… there’s fucked up shit going on there, but it was an accomplishment for me because I’m an African..stolen from my home to never return.
Fav. Moment in Hip Hop: Recently at BB Kings with Rakim, sat built for a second, and he performed, that was huge for me…he’s everybody’s favorite artist.
Worst moment in Hip Hop: When they let Eminem come in the game and be who he is.
Advice for new up and coming artists: Stick to your guns. Follow your inner instincts. Sacrifice and that brings about more creativity…
In one word, M-1 describes himself as “changing” and knows that through his music he is transforming himself and his surroundings; “If you move one grain of sand you’re changing the world.”
HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS
