www.myspace.com/bambumusic

BAMBU

For some artists, making music is an escape from reality. For Bambu, it’s an opportunity to change the world. As a young boy raised in the Watts District of Los Angeles in the early 80s, there was equal parts tragedy and inspiration to draw upon. The oldest male of his family to make it past a violent death, Bambu became an unwitting participant in a lifestyle that many rappers glorify, but rarely experience. “The gang culture, the ‘street mentality’ that everyone talks about, I grew up with those codes, so it’s second nature to me.” A product of a broken home as well, Bambu learned to stop wasting his potential against his own community and began to change himself.

Turning his destructive energy around and applying it to music was easy for Bambu, who was clever, resourceful, and remarkably literate as a youngster. Between ’92 and ’96 he joined friendly rap collectives. But it wasn’t until he joined the Bamboo Brigade, and later the Poorhouse Projekts that he started making a name for himself in the underground hip hop scene. In 2002, he released his debut solo album, self untitled…, that he began to receive incredible critical acclaim.

The LP earned him write-ups in Jointz and Urb, and also linked him to his future partner-in-rhyme, Kiwi. They created the group Native Guns – an homage to the book Native Sons by James Baldwin, and the early 90s rap collective Native Tongues. Both Kiwi and Bambu were advocates of indigenous struggles, and armed self-defense, and they recorded the mixtape Stray Bullets Vol.1 in 2004, and the album Barrel Men in 2006. Native Guns continue to tour the country performing their songs to audiences who embrace their mix of great music as well as political accountability.

On April 29th, the 15th Anniversary of the L.A. riots, Bambu is releasing his second solo album …i scream bars for the children, a bracing, emotional, and oftentimes, lighthearted account of his experiences as an organizer, a nationalist, and a representative of collective struggle. “My politics play a huge part in my life, therefore, my life plays a huge part in my music. What’s even more admirable is the connection that his music makes to the larger community. “I just want people to hear my music and question what is going on in the world.

www.thisisdahlak.com

DAHLAK

There are those rare and unique experiences in our lives when we are fortunate enough to witness a talent so undeniable the inspiration will never let us forget it.  Dahlak Brathwaite embodies one of those unforgettable moments. With an intense and remarkable presence in the arenas of poetry, hip-hop, and theater, Dahlak moves his audience to remember his name. When Dahlak’s performance at the filming for the fifth season of HBO'S Def Poetry Jam in 2005 was followed by three standing ovations, it was apparent that the world of spoken word had just discovered a new force to be reckoned with. Seasoned with two Bay Area poetry slam championships and national slam championship, Dahlak proves that his name carries the impact to leave an imprint in history. His witty punch lines and heartfelt social commentary have awed crowds of all platforms, his presence unmistakably passionate and breathtaking whether on the mic or on the stage.

Dahlak is a member of internationally acclaimed spoken word collective, iLL-Literacy, and has shared the stage with such artists as Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Last Poets, KRS-One, Afrika Bambataa, and Saul Williams. In 2006, he received a second invitation to perform for the 6th Season of Def Poetry Jam, reminding us once again of the extraordinary power and charisma that makes him one of the most memorable artists of his generation.

A multi-disciplinary artist armed with a triple threat, Dahlak not only captivates listeners in the poetry scene, but also extends his talents as an actor and emcee in the realms of theater and hip-hop. While performing with iLL-Literacy, he also tours internationally with renowned Broadway veteran Marc Bamuthi Joseph as a cast member of the Scourge theater company. This year, Dahlak will have hit cities in Belgium, Netherlands, and South Africa, presenting his unquestionable stage magnetism to audiences worldwide. Dahlak’s debut solo album, Dual Consciousness, is rapidly catching fire, instantly gaining momentum as one of the most anticipated albums in the independent music scene.

It is truly an exceptional experience when we are able to watch a phenomenon grow and rise into a legacy. Dahlak Brathwaite is a legacy in the making, a name we will all recognize and remember, his influence and inspiration both striking and long lasting. Watch him world, this is only the beginning.