If Azeem stayed in New York City, he would’ve risked becoming just another Jamerican trying to become a recording artist. That’s what this Bay Area hip-hop musician says about how he ended up in Oakland, California. Born in New Jersey to Jamaican parents, Azeem started out in spoken word. His theatrical performances were influenced by the Broadway musical tunes he listened to with his mother, but his style and lyrics stem from hip-hop and reggae, specifically the Dub poets because of their revolutionary content and the imagery their words inspired.

When asked about the difference between hip-hop and spoken word, Azeem says there isn’t much. “A lot of it sounds like bragadocious rap, rapping poets at each other, the stage is the stage whether you are an actor, singer, dancer, rapper.” Noting the responsibility an artist has to his or her audience, Azeem notes, “When you step on the stage, it’s an old thing, it should be respected. For example, you are above everybody, taking on hero character, everybody wants to believe in you because they want a good show.”

To stay focused and sharp, Azeem is constantly recording, often working on his own album while working with a colleague Zeph, who usually handles music and production while Azeem works lyrics and vocals. Rise Up mixes a variety of background sounds for what seems an increasingly popular blend—old-school hip-hop with a reggae-inspired base. Five Oooo is one of many anti-system songs that serve as an outlet for artists whose work falls outside the mainstream. Mixing a high-pitch angry intro with keyboards, this tune tells the common tale of artists whose mainstream “success” can only be realized if their work is surrendered to the powers that be.

What if has the story-like structure of Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire but the lyrics involve conspiracy theories about 9/11, drugs in America and World War II. The song, which laces Pink Floyd, begs the question—is it an artist’s job to entertain, teach, enlighten? Music today is often clouded by materialistic-based ambitions, safe ambitions for a label with shareholder concerns. An artist with an active mind, like Azeem, would likely be stifled by the mainstream music forces because some might argue the complacency that has infiltrated our world has inhibited our ability to discuss issues such as discrimination and political agendas. While some lyrics may be puzzling at first, they also remind us that the scariest thing about a conspiracy theory is the possibility that the world we know could be a lie. True or not, the song reminds us that hip-hop, like any art form, is meant to make people think and question reality.

Where:
For more information and to hear other tracks, visit Zeph and Azeem’s MySpace page.