March 6, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
God’s Gift
By Carrie Hughley-Lecompte
Known as God’s Favorite Rapper in the underground community Rahsaan has truly made an impression in the hip hop community through his candid demeanor and audacious lyrics. I asked him, “What sets you apart from other rap artists in the game?” He says, “What makes me different from other rap artist is that I bridge the gap between commercial marketability and artistic substance.” I had the opportunity of speaking briefly with Rahsaan at one of his shows.
I then asked him, “Why do you call yourself God’s favorite rapper?” He says with a slight laugh, “Because if God wanted to be a rapper He would have to borrow my swagger.” I was taken aback by this statement but I realized that the confidence he possessed in person masked his presence on stage. Although performing for a small crowd of no more that 20 people, he seemed to hold the energy as if he were putting on a show at Madison Square Garden.
Upon meeting him it was easy to tell that this MC was definitely secure in his own skin. Yes I said MC, and owning this title alone makes him different from most rappers in the game. Although a humble man he speaks the truth about his struggle to become what he is today. In his music he refers to his past experiences that have molded him into the man he presently is. Through his music the listener is brought into his world of love lost, life restored and hurdles cleared.
He speaks openly about his family including his father’s death, his mother’s survival of breast cancer and his brother’s suicide attempt. His lyrics are saturated with the truth and honesty of his life something very rare in the hip-hop game today. On this street album “God’s Gift-The Mix Tape Vol.1”,as he refers to it, Rahsaan speaks openly about these subjects one being a song entitled “To Her” where he puts himself into his brothers shoes and retraces his steps leading up to his suicide attempt, only doing it in reverse, making the song a truly unforgettable piece. Or his song entitled “Mama’s Baby” where he speaks to his mother being a small child and also as a grown man, asking her questions and speaking his mind to her.
His past as well as his family fuels his fire that aids him in making the music you hear on this album. As an artist you learn that you have to be versatile. Even though a talented lyrist, Rahsaan expressed that sometimes one must “give in” to the business and play along with the commercial aspects of it. So on this album you will also hear such songs as “Sneaker Store Terrorist”. Here confirming what he meant by bridging the gap between commercial hip hop and the true spoken word; in my own words.
A native of the West Indian country of Guyana, Rahsaan pays homage to his place of birth in his music as well. He seems to hold the similar dream for Guyana, that rap artist Wyclef Jean held for Haiti. He wants to put Guyana “on the map” for being a beautiful country with a rich history. In many of his pictures you will see him rep the Guyanese flag. Just recently he was also presented with the “Best Male Solo Performer” award of 2007 at the Underground and Indie Award show (UNI) in January. Not only is Rahsaan on his way to stardom but he is making a statement and setting himself apart from the ordinary rapper. He has started a musical movement which could change the face of hip hop and bring back the true meaning to a genre that has been stripped of its purity and left being drenched in commercialized hodgepodge.
If you want a sample of this talented artist visit his website at aflyguy.com, where you can hear more songs from his mix tape as well as learning more about Rahsaan the man and artist. As Dr. Cornell West said, “Music can not be about g-strings and bling bling it has to be about substance and meaning so that the listener will discover who they are through their listening and understanding,” and I agree. Music is important to society’s youth today and it molds the minds of the people who experience it. And Rahsaan is living proof of this theory; don’t believe me find out for yourself.
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