Ise Lyfe - "Whitey's in Iraq"
08.05.2008
"No teachers in the schools (but Whitey's in Iraq)"
The Song:
Ise Lyfe's scathing new track, "Whitey's In Iraq," opens with a sample of Gil Scott-Heron's legendary "Whitey On The Moon" (1970). In the sample, Scott-Heron aims to "gives credit where credit is due." He introduces the thread that strings this activist classic and Ise's newest assault together. Ise uses this clip to call attention to the fact that the U.S. needs to fix our own backyard first before trying to fix the world’s problems. He protests that there are "No teachers in the schools (but Whitey's in Iraq)" and how "Bills fast, cash slow / They pimp and we ho" all while the government is occupied with problems abroad. Harkening back to the social upheaval of the late 60's, Ise revisits his slam poetry roots over a beat heavy with bongos and bells, much like the original track. Ise is known for activism and urging his fans to action and this time around, it's no exception.
Check the Album Preview Video.
The Background:
Ise Lyfe, born in Oakland, California, was influenced strongly by Langston Hughes and started writing poetry as a teenager. As he continued through his teenage years however, Ise became caught up in many of the negative elements in his community. It was after witnessing a murder at a concert that Ise realized what had happened, and the social awareness that he had almost lost. First recognized nationally for competing in the annual Youth Speaks Poetry Slams Finals, Ise started out in coffee shops and at open mics. He was soon performing in clubs, auditoriums, and eventually universities at home and abroad. His arc of success reached a new level when Ise was featured on Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam. He has since co-founded the P.O.W.E.R. Movement, an Oakland-based organization dealing with the educational, social, and political needs of young people. For his second album Ise joined forces with Bay Area producer Nick James in their effort to create a popular culture of consciousness with Prince Cometh.
Web editors please contact Nora (nora (at) audibletreats.com), print editors please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Ise Lyfe.
Streams:
"Whitey's in Iraq"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Ise_Lyfe-Whiteys_In_Iraq.mp3
"Yes, No, Maybe"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Ise_Lyfe-Yes_No_Maybe.mp3
Album Preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1LgKuq-v6k
"Thighbone featuring Zion-I"
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/IseLyfe/Thighbone_feat_Zion-I.mp3
"Bad Word Bounce"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Ise_Lyfe-Bad_Word_Bounce.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t1iG8KlJys
Bio, pictures, and streams available here:
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/IseLyfe
Ise Lyfe Official Site:
http://www.iselyfenation.com
Ise Lyfe MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/iselyfe
Ise Lyfe Imeem:
http://www.imeem.com/iselyfe
Ise Lyfe Bebo:
http://www.bebo.com/iselyfe