When you think New Jersey, you probably think; Redman, Naughty By Nature and even Joe Budden. But allow us to introduce an emcee by the name of Hasan Salaam. This Dirty Jerz emcee is making a powerful statement musically and in the community. On top of being a supremely talented rapper, Hasan Salaam is very active when it comes to the improvement of the inner city communities and as you would expect, he takes pride in all of his endeavors. If you’ve never heard Hasan’s music you will be in for a pleasant surprise. By listening to his lyrics you will find out that this Jersey emcee is so much more than your average rapper!
Beads: It’s a great honor to sit down and do this interview with you, first and foremost. Can you introduce yourself for those unfamiliar with you and your past?
Hasan: Peace my name is Hasan Salaam. I’m a MC, Producer and all around Hip Hop brother from Jersey but the whole planet is my home u dig.
Beads: Jersey is an area that has had a few artists who’ve made some noise in the industry, like Redman, Joe Budden and Naughty by Nature. What makes Hasan Salaam an emcee that can make some industry noise?
Hasan: I think when people hear the music it will make my point better than me talking a whole lotta cliché shit like “Yo I’m the nicest blah, blah, blah….” I’m not big on self hype. The music is struggle; a real soundtrack to life.
Beads: Upon first hearing your music I had one word to describe it, powerful. What is your reason for making music? A lot of the material has meaning behind it unlike many emcees; do you see a larger picture for your music?
Hasan: I think that music should not only reflect the world that inspires it but that the music should uplift, energize, and inspire those that listen to it. I’m not doing this alone, besides those that I collaborate with this is an art form that started on the plantation as freedom songs directing us to the north star, sung away the blues of sharecropping, be-bopped thru Jim Crow, rock & rolled thru segregation, built Motown and spoke to our soul. Our people have used music as a tool since the Griots and made poetry from psalms to the holy Quran. This means the most to me we are all a part of a much larger picture.
Beads: After reading your biography I was amazed to read that after watching, Malcolm X, you converted to the Islam at a young age. What was it about Malcolm X that inspired such a change?
Hasan: It wasn’t the film that changed my life it was the book. My mother made me read the book so that I could see the movie. That book sparked an interest and hunger for knowledge that has never stopped. Malcolm X was willing to stand up against injustice and give his life for freedom. He wanted to make this a better world and the fact that he didn’t compromise his strength is what appealed to me. A lot of times its ok if we as Black/Brown people are strong but not 2 strong long as we don’t scare the white folks…lol Malcolm didn’t give a fuck if he made them uncomfortable he stood up for us in a time few were willing to stand that tall.
Beads: Your newest release, Children of God, is a very diverse album and touches on a lot of subject matter. How would you explain this project and why should people be willing to open their ears to you?
Hasan: The reason it touches on so many diverse topics and issues is because life is divers. Life throws something new at you everyday but the illest part about it all is still there is someone who can relate, we all know pain, love, frustration, passion, joy, hunger, and peace cuz all of that is life. I think people should not just open their ears to it but there hearts and minds as well. This isn’t a 1 play record it can be played everywhere. You can play it while your driving, working out, cleaning the house, on your way to the club, zoning out, when your amped up or depressed it fits in all pockets of existence.
Beads: How, if any ways, does your religion influence your music?
Hasan: I’m not religious, Islam is my way of life as is Hip-Hop so just as I make that boom bap and spit rhymes; who I am is gonna be woven all thru my lyrics its just me being myself. I am Muslim but my music is for everyone no matter what they believe or don’t believe.
Beads: Your track record is very impressive; having toured the world and made music with some elite emcees. Who is that one artist and producer whom you’ve yet to work with that you’d really like to?
Hasan: There are a lot of artists that I would like to build with on the vocalist side Rakim, Redman, Nas, & Outkast and production wise DJ Premier, KG, The Rza, MF DOOM, & Madvillain.
Beads: Outside of the music, you are very active in the community which is something that I highly respect. The nice thing is that you really are in touch, not just someone who does it for good PR. What kind of satisfaction do you get when helping the community?
Hasan: Allhumdullah and thank you. It’s just doing what we should be doing. Each 1 teach 1. We are all 1; we are all children of god so we should look out 4 our family. = 7
Beads: Being raised in Jersey who were your musical influence coming up?
Hasan: My Mother was my biggest influence in music cause she played it all for me growing up. She’s big on Motown, Jazz, African Music, European Classical, & Rock so I heard Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The 4 Tops, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ron Carter, Wes Montgomery, Bobby Timmons, Sly and the Family Stone, Pink Floyd, Mozart, Vivaldi, Yousou N’Dour a whole lotta music that’s why I can dig it all.
Beads: Being such a strong minded emcee, I’d be interested in your views of today’s Hip Hop scene. If you could snap your fingers and change one thing, what would that be?
Hasan: The one thing I would change would be that we don’t own the distribution companies or the major labels putting out our music. It’s still people that don’t have our best interest in mind running this shit.
Beads: What’s next for Hasan Salaam?
Hasan: More music, more touring, and getting more of my students into college or job programs. Rugged N Raw and I are working on the Muhammad Dangerfield Project and my 3rd album “Life in Black and White” is in the works now.
Beads: Any shout outs or words before we wrap up this Artist Spotlight?
Hasan: Peace to Allah. We are all children of God so it’s time we start seeing that in ourselves. Walk on water.
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nice write up, yo! Children of God is one of my favorite works this year, I’ll be checking for more Hasan Salaam down the road
GREAT WORK, BOTH OF YOU GUYS. I PERSONALLY KNOW, WORK, AND RESPECT THE GOD HASAN SALAAM. MY ADVICE TO THE OUTSIDERS….DO THE SAME..THIS MAN IS A VOICE AND VEHICLE FOR ALL THAT IS RIGHT AND JUST IN THE HIP-HOP WORLD..MY BROTHER..SHOUTS TO THE GREAT RUGGED AND RAW.GOOD SHOW @ THE KNITTING FACTORY..KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE
big ups beads…
great interview