I’m Tryin’ To Make A Livin’ Not A Killin’
www.sellassiefrisco.com
www.myspace.com/sellassie
I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin’ is the debut album from San Francisco Revolutionary Poet and Activist Sellassie, a 15 song collection exposing socio-economic inequities, political injustices and the realities of ghetto life. Sellassie is an alternative in today’s hip-hop, proof that there are young black artists that can make music that is creative, street and smart.
I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin’ has heads bobbin’ from the jump with Newsflash, a unique track that awakens the listener to this new sound. With Mad Young Generation Here Eternally To Take Over (M.Y.G.H.E.T.T.O.) as a call to action, Sellassie inspires with strong messages and dynamic beats. Why You Worried About Me speaks to the importance of knowledge of self, individuality and the common threats of haterism, with a feel-good beat. Slap Factory, a young, imaginative crew of producers creating a new Bay Area sound, crafted all the beats for this project. I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin is a testament that you can come hard, produce meaningful rhymes and remain conscious without leaning on cussing or the N-word.
This album is truth. This album speaks on issues that need to be addressed. Sellassie takes a stand, will not be silenced or compromised and believes that it is important for young black men and women to have someone to be proud of again. Sellassie’s music represents survival, freedom and hope. He embodies black street culture alongside the revolutionary spirit of the Black Panthers. His music is a commitment to truth and justice in an industry of destructive messages and payola scandals.
Bringing a fresh perspective to the game, Sellassie stands firm to his message, has a charismatic presence and is evidence that not every rapper raps negatively, glorifying drugs, guns, women, money or their ego. Masterfully articulating the struggle, Sellassie’s art is poetry on hip hop beats, music that identifies with scholars and people in the ghetto alike. Sellassie is a confident emcee, riding on substance and ideas instead of gimmicks and guise.
Support The Hip Hop Congress “Going Platinum” Campaign
To All Hip Hop Heads, Organizers, Activists, Artists, Fans and supporters of Hip Hop Congress:
For many years, members of Hip Hop Congress (www.hiphopcongress.com ) have discussed the strategic viability of picking an artist, one artist and using the power of our networks to influence the sales of an artist. The reasoning behind the strategy was that by supporting this artist we could help influence the outcome of what music was being pumped out in the airwaves. The struggle was in what artist to support. Did it make more sense to support a local or regional artist from the ground up, or to support an established Hip Hop artist that we all recognized had a positive message.
But recently, something occurred to us that had escaped our at attention until now. Maybe we can make ourselves go platinum. And maybe you can help us do it.
We all buy albums. Maybe many of us download more albums that we purchase, but even if you purchase one album a year, you understand what’s possible. An album can cost anywhere from $5 on the street to $20 in the store. Our concept is simple.
Instead of buying an album, donate that $5 to $20 to Hip Hop Congress. If we can go platinum once a year, than that means we can raise between $5 to $20 million dollars annually.
What’s that money going to go to: we’re glad you asked this question.
Read more »
From the Sacramento Press
FOUND HERE
Watching the MC with the dreadlocks, the interracial couple, kids younger than 12, asians, blacks, whites and Hispanics congregated in the Washington Neighborhood Center all listening to the same music was a rare and inspiring sight.
Today was the third and final day of the first Sacramento Hip Hop Congress Awareness Festival. The day was dedicated to a showcase of performances by open-mic artists, b-boys, DJs and street, conscious and hip hop MCs from Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as art displays.
Bay Area musician Rahman Jahmaal and local musicians such as Skurge riled the crowd with their inspirational words. Jahmaal broke down the beauty in the art of hip hop.
“I want to encourage you to be a little more active in your community,” Skurge said to the audience over the microphone.
Read the rest and see pics here
HHC Artists | merlin May 29, 2009 | 
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