Avg Rating: 
3.8 ( 11 total votes )
Jelani - Race Matters
Producer: Durkin
Album: None (Promo Single)
Label: Unsigned
In a classic text published in 1994, Dr. Cornel West informed readers that, regardless of how fervently some might wish otherwise, Race Matters. Of course, now that Barack Obama’s in the White House, that’s all behind us and blurp—sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little. Here to remind us just how deeply the effects of skin color still permeates our lives, opportunities and psyches is Jelani with an incisive new promo single. Inspired by a dialogue on race relations between Dr. West and Dr. Jack Salazar which the artist witnessed as a third-grader, and the lifelong interest in African-American studies that it sparked, the record finds beatsmith Durkin mixing driving percussion with scorching synths and Caribbean-accented brass chords as Jelani tackles a litany of issues facing black Americans today, both in their interactions with other groups (profiling, media race-baiting…) and within their own communities (colorism, conflicts between first generation Africans and African-Americans…). Food for thought? More like a nine-course meal. This promo single isn’t attached to any forthcoming project, but rest assured we’ll keep you posted on this talented up-and-comer.
Listen to More: Jelani Underground, Downloads, Northeast
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 8792 |
Rating:
Most casual listeners won't be able to enjoy this record, but hip hop's founders, its loyalists, and its leaders will all be proud. Why? Because this is what the art form and genre is all about - exposing the proper light to important topics that aren't being discussed enough.
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| Posted on Jun 23, 2011 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 5353 |
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Hip Hop at its finest
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| Posted on Jun 23, 2011 |
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Resident DJ |
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I love the energy and its political driven with a sample from Dr. Cornel West. I love his creative concepts. The production is awesome. He is very afro-centric and believes that we should stay close to our roots even though we continue to strive to progress as people.
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| Posted on Jun 24, 2011 |
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Resident DJ  Total Ratings: 1052 |
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Dope
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| Posted on Jun 24, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 24, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 125 |
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Reminds me of something Immortal technique would make. That's not a bad thing either and it really works for this track
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| Posted on Jun 24, 2011 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 492 |
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Great track. Awesome samples and it's always good to hear educated hip-hop. Love that this song is very socially conscious and able without being preachy. Jelani does a nice job of addressing important issues while doing so in an entertaining fashion.
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| Posted on Jun 24, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jun 26, 2011 |
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Resident DJ |
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2.5
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| Posted on Jun 28, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jul 03, 2011 |
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| Posted on Jul 06, 2011 |
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