Platinum selling recording artist, world traveler and celebrated hip hop icon
Shyne (Moses Michael Levi) continues to make his presence
known in the pop and hip hop world light with his recently released 12th
anniversary album, Gangland
, on his own Gangland Records. The 18-track album represents a significant
musical leap forward for the idolized rapper, who had been out of the limelight
for several years but has been working full speed ahead on his music during the
past two years.
"I'm still talking about
life on the streets, but I've traveled a long way since my days in Brooklyn," he
says, "and this is clearly reflected in Gangland. "It's my most musical album to
date and the vision is broader." says Shyne.
Shyne's intent for the
album was to present a more contrite and conscientious perspective about the
life he had been describing in his first two albums. "It's more of a reflection
on how I made the decisions I made," says Shyne. "Gangland is more intellectual and
introspective. It's an in-depth look at how I came to do the things I've
done."
For Gangland, Shyne worked with a who's who
of hip hop producers. The track listing is:
- Shhhhh
(produced by Young Lord)
- King
Of NYS (produced by Odds and Ends)
- BG
(produced by Omega)
- Frank
Mathews (produced by David DA Beats)
- Youre
Welcome Skit
- Youre
Welcome (produced by Danja)
- Bobby
Seale (produced by Phoenix)
- Meyer
Lansky featuring Pusha T (produced by Hebrew Hustle)
- Can
I Live featuring World Kin Folk (produced by the Olympick)
- Fred
Hampton (produced by Omega)
- King
Judah (produced by Kojak)
- Buffalo
Soldier (produced by RZA and Kojak)
- The
Roller Song (produced by Young Lord and J Kits)
- 50Life
(produced by Arthur McArthur)
- The
Original (produced by Omega)
- Dope
Boy Fresh (produced by Rich Skillz)
- Super
Doll (produced by Rich Skillz)
- King
David (produced by Omega)
Selected Track
Descriptions
NYS
This track is Shyne's
personal reflection on the hypocrisy in the streets, from rappers who create
mythological gangster self-images to gang bosses such as Larry Hoover who parade
as community leaders while running their criminal empires behind the
scenes
FRANK MATHEWS
Shyne references the
infamous yet celebrated Brooklyn crime boss Frank Mathews, while describing the
fatalistic attitude of forgotten young people who see drug dealing as the only
way out of poverty. He reflects on the ironic situation of drug bosses-they know
they're ruining lives while they make their money, but they also are giving back
by contributing to charitable causes in their community. The way out of this is
for America to help the youth, not to judge them.
YOURE WELCOME
There are two sides to
every story and, on this track, Shyne makes the case that what really happened in the 1999 NYC
nightclub shooting incident, which sent Shyne to prison for nearly ten years, is
still an untold story. Shyne references infamous drug lords Alberto "Alpo"
Martinez and Rich Porter to remind us there is no honor among thieves.
FRED HAMPTON
Shyne titles the song
after murdered community activist and Chicago area Black Panther Party leader
Fred Hampton, who was wrongfully targeted by a reactionary FBI in the 1960's.
Shyne makes the case that deal making may be a bigger priority in our criminal
justice system than justice itself.
KING JUDAH
Shyne spent an extended
period in Jerusalem after his release from prison. In this Middle Eastern styled
song, he brings forth imagery of his and others' lives as incarcerated African
American men while he rejoices in his newly found freedom and his determination
to be a healer, a giver and a leader.
BUFFALO
SOLDIER
In this track Shyne takes
a cue from hero Bob Marley to speak out on the state of the so-called
"Post-Obama" era. What does "Post-Obama" mean, he asks? Are we reaching out to
our impoverished youth or simply condemning them? Are government leaders
worrying about their pocketbooks instead of justice? And he explores the paradox
of self-made drug lords: Should they be blamed for enjoying the good life when
they've grown up with nothing-or should we call them out for turning their backs
when they should be giving back?
ROLLER SONG
This haunting track puts
Shyne in the shoes of the millions of urban young people stuck in the mire of
poverty and isolation. The protagonist's despair and frustration is a warning to
us all: things must change. When the game is rigged and people have nothing to
lose, breaking the law is not a good thing or a bad thing-it's simply the way to
survive.
50LIFE
Shyne's long exile in
prison began with a single moment. In an instant, his life changed forever. This
song shares his regret but reminds us that there may have been some good, too.
Good that still isn't acknowledged by those who were part of it. Nevertheless,
he reiterates his desire to put it behind him and move forward with his
life.
The
context for Gangland
Gangland was released exactly 12 years
to the day of the release of his first album, Shyne. Back then, as a 19-year old
newcomer, his talent was clearly recognized by many, including his mentor, Sean
Combs, on whose label the album was released. But no one expected his debut
album to garner such acclaim and do so well commercially. Shyne went Platinum (more than 1 million
copies sold) and reached number five on the Billboard Magazine Pop Chart and number
two on the Billboard Hip Hop chart.
His second album, Godfather Taken Alive, on Combs' Bad
Boys Records, was released in 2004. It is an extraordinary achievement that he
was able to negotiate the record deal, complete and release the album while in
prison. The album reached number 5 on the Billboard Pop Chart and number 2 on the
Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Chart, and
has nearly reached Platinum status.
Shyne Today
During the past dozen
years Shyne has been mostly out of the limelight, but he has remained among the
most recognizable artists in hip hop. He continues to be highly respected in the
hip hop world and is referenced on notable albums from Combs, Kanye West and
Jay-Z. He also has been a featured guest
on albums from such artists such as Mase and Kanye West.
In 2013, Shyne is an
evolving artist whose world view and musical vision have matured since the days
of his first two albums," he says. "I see things through a broader perspective.
As I grow as a person, my ability to transmit my experiences to the audience
grows as well. "I've made mistakes in my life that I'm not proud of, and my goal
as an artist and human being is to help other young people avoid making bad
decisions that can change the course of their lives. I'm all about compassion,
tolerance and the strength of the human spirit."
Shyne spends much of his
time in Paris, Belize and Jerusalem and devotes many hours to the recording
studio. He constantly seeks out opportunities to promote Belize. "I'm working to
see it rise from a poor, third-world country to a thriving, developing country,"
he says. "It's a long-term project and I'm in it for the long haul."
