TO GET HIS DUE, SHABAAM SAHDEEQ IS “RELENTLESS”
By Khalid Strickland a.k.a. Black Pacino
Spread luv it’s the Brooklyn way…
Although there are flashes of brilliance, much of today’s mainstream rap music is littered with instant, microwavable songs. Creativity is at an all-time low. It’s no surprise that some of hip-hop’s most inspiring material is being cultivated just below the radar, without major label restrictions.
Shabaam Sahdeeq, a talented lyricist from Brooklyn, has been gaining momentum for years with his quality, street-minded music. As an artist signed to Rawkus Records, Sahdeeq appeared on several of the label’s projects, including the acclaimed “Lyricist Lounge” and “SoundBombing” compilation albums. During his stint with Rawkus, Sahdeeq was featured on the remix of Pharoahe Monch’s hit single, “Simon Says,” and also appeared on 12-inch records with Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Kool G. Rap, Xzibit, Lady Luck, Mos Def, Redman and Method Man. Sahdeeq was also a member of the underground rap supergroup Polyrhythm Addicts, which also featured respected artists DJ Spinna, Apani B. Fly and Mr. Complex. Sahdeeq’s career was sidelined, however, when he was sentenced to pay debts to society behind bars. Hoping to ratchet up their street-cred, some misguided rappers would love to have the bing on their resume. Shabaam, however, refuses to play that card.
“I feel like it’s played out, first of all,” says Shabaam Sahdeeq, a.k.a. S-Dub, during our recent interview. “It’s played out to use jail as a marketing tool. I really don’t want to promote that; where I’m at with it, I’m on some intelligent thug s**t. Jail is played out for many reasons. Like right now, I cannot travel because of my jail record. I can’t tour the way I want to. (I can’t) go to Europe so why would I promote that?”
Shabaam Sahdeeq’s first digital album, Relentless, was recently released on Marvial Entertainment. The album, which has garnered rave reviews and impressed fans both old and new, is hosted and mixed by celebrated DJ’s Tony Touch and J-Ronin. The production on Relentless is in capable hands with Khrysis, Belief, Thorotracks, Nick Wiz and others. Some skilled emcees make cameos on the album, most notably Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Steele of Smif-N-Wessun, Sean Price and Phonte of Little Brother. When asked what he wants to accomplish with his latest album, Sahdeeq states his humble goals.
“I want to let people know that I’m back in the works,” Sahdeeq replies. “I got released (from prison) in ’05. I’m trying to make a series of releases so people can see my consistency and see my continuous quality of work. This is the first digital album I’m putting out myself with a company called Foundation Media. Retail right now is real funny for underground rap. Sales being down for a major artist; imagine the sales for independent. It’s crazy… it’s hard right now. So I just want to plug into that digital world and throw some ropes on that.”
Cop that.
Shabaam’s lyrics contain thought and technical skill, two elements that aren’t abundant during 106 & Park’s limited rotation. But S-Dub wouldn’t have it any other way and acknowledges that he is of a rare breed.
“Check the songs that are getting the highlight. There’s really not much put into them,” Shabaam observes. “It’s really tools to make you dance and buy ringtones. To me, music should be something you should relate to. So if you’re talking about cars and jewels all the time… somebody poor, how could they possibly relate to that? They can’t. I did that song ‘Stupid Dance’ because I feel like there are so many stupid dances and stupid sayings on the radio. It’s like, a no-brainer to do it. I wanted to show people that I was able to make a song like that and still make fun of the s**t. My people be like, ‘Oh, you probably can’t even make nothing commercial.’ I can make commercial songs, it’s no brainers to make the s**t. But that’s not what I’m into; that’s not what I’m trying to promote.”
S-Dub has a lot of material circulating right now along with his album. He recently recorded a song with Royce The 5’9 and Skillz for a Coalmine Records compilation album. Shabaam has also collaborated with Sadat X and Nick Wiz for a song on Sadat’s upcoming, yet-to-be-titled album. While Relentless marinates online and in iPods around the globe, S-Dub is prepping another album, tentatively titled The Outcome, on Draft Records. Meanwhile, the digital version of Relentless is currently available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Emusic, Napster, HipHopSite.com, LaLa.com, and Beatsource.com. The digital version also includes two bonus songs featuring Skyzoo and Sha Stimuli, respectively.
Shabaam Sahdeeq is living proof that good hip-hop music still sprouts from the fertile soil of the underground. Fans of raw, street-centric rap will be wise to give this man their support.
For more information in Shabaam Sahdeeq visit www.myspace.com/shabaamsahdeeq and http://marvialent.com/home.html.
Check Shabaam spittin’ fire on “Freestyle 101“ at G4.
For more information on Black Pacino, visit www.myspace.com/blackpacino or www.supremearsenal.com.
