Blitz Everybody raps about finances, but few take on the International Monetary Fund. Such big-picture perspective distinguishes the promising Kent MC Blitz.
Born in Ghana, Blitz (aka Samuel Bazawule) immigrated to Brooklyn before enrolling at Kent State. Raised on a continent where political strife is as commonplace as the blazing sun, Blitz embraces hip-hop's revolutionary roots; he samples Jesse Jackson on the intro to Soul Rebel, and references the works of Gil-Scot Heron and Marcus Garvey.
Blitz's flow is all business too. He rhymes in a galvanized voice, his words coming like gunfire. Backed by trumpet, saxophone, and Djembe drum, he mostly targets the excesses of rap. "Buying radio slots to sell your ego/I turn radios off/Help my people," he states, before asking "Money, cash, ho's, and violence/That's all the media projects/Where the fuck's the balance?" If hip-hop's equilibrium hasn't yet been restored, at least its conscience has.
The seed of rebellion is slowly taking root. On the frontline stands Blitz. With his first offering -"Soul Rebel." Blitz provides the balance that Hip-Hop has been lacking for awhile. Blitz's first encounter with Hip-Hop was mind-opening experience.
Politically charged, writhed with an agonizing ear for the truth-Public Enemy enthralled the young mind of Blitz, as did the socio-political poetry of KRS-ONE. Fast forward - New York City. Brooklyn to be exact. Placed deeply in the sounds and sights of the music, Blitz honed his skills lyrically as an MC. Sick of the mundane "assembly-line" nature of Hip-Hop, Blitz created his own sound.
Taking cues from such artists as Miles Davis, Fela Kuti Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Dead Prez - Blitz bridges the gap between the soulful sounds of the streets and the ill-nature of politics. On his debut album, he analyzes the stale climate of Hip-Hop, which eventually led him to pursue higher education.
Enrolling at Kent State Univesity gave Blitz a chance to better himself, not only mentally, but musically. Meeting with local producer and fellow student - M. Tilla - the duo collaborated on a number of projects. The end result - a sonic revolution - entitled "Soul Rebel." Opening for the likes of Slum Village, Dead Prez, Boot Camp Clik, Nappy Roots and The Clipse - Blitz - challenges the status quo of Hip-Hop.
