Album Description: Dr. Cornel West, one of America's most prominent black intellectuals, has teamed up with Hidden Beach Recordings to produce one of the most important and socially-conscious music projects to be released in 2007. On the heels of the Don Imus controversy, topical debates on the political and sociological effects regarding the use of the N Word and our country searching for answers to the question "Now What?" all are addressed in the context of this CD. This compelling body of work features Cornel West as a conductor who orchestrates a symphony of hip-hop and r&b recording artists and producers in the delivery of a resounding message that offers music as a positive force to effect change, awareness and solidarity.
Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations is a riveting, thought-compelling approach to raise the consciousness of the mainstream music consumer through a positive lyrical approach. It exemplifies a level of love, unity, solidarity, and loyalty designed to the give the world a force of good in the form of music, especially Black music, in these bleak times.
Amazon.com: Celebrating Walt Whitman in 1993, theoretician and activist Cornel West wrote of the former's "faith in democracy... not simply as a form of governance... but rather a dynamic means for the cultivation and encouragement of the potentialities and possibilities of individuals." The same can be said of West's own approach to hip-hop culture, as demonstrated on this follow-up to 2001's Sketches of My Culture. Threaded through its soul-funk, R&B, and hip-hop songs are a few trying spoken-word pieces, but these are levied with sufficient restraint so that the more musical numbers predominate. Throughout, West counters the drawbacks of his own lyrical delivery with the talents of his wide-ranging guests, including Prince ("Dear Mr. Man"), André 3000 of Outkast ("Chronomentrophobia"), KRS-One ("Mr. President"), Black Thought of the Roots ("America"), Talib Kweli ("Bushonomics"), Jill Scott ("What Time It Is"), and others. Clearly, West and his bevy of collaborators don't shy away from easy targets, but while West's books offer deeper and more compelling expressions of his radical thought and theory, his musical offerings provide welcoming inroads to his belief in hip-hop culture as a relevant, life-affirming field of play for resistance and hope in equal measure. --Jason Kirk
Disc 1:
Bushanomics (Talib Kweli)
America (Black Thought, Rah Digga, Iriz, Lucky Witherspoon)
Still Here
Dear Mr. Man (Prince)
911
N Word (Tavis Smiley & Michael Eric Dyson)
Welcome to Chi (Rhymefest, Neo Abassy & Malik Yusef)
Mr. President (KRS-1 & M-1)
Keepin It PI (Killer Mike, Doey, Roc & Lucky Witherspoon)
Chronometrophobia (Andre 3000)
Gonna Be Alright (Dave Hollister & Chuckii Booker)
Dr. West and a who's-who of hip hop provide aural relief Dr. West lays out his take on the American psyche along with the support of Black Men Who Mean Business. Including a diverse selection of artists from Rhymefest to KRS ONE, Prince to Andre 3000, Dr. West attempts to soothe America's pain as we have become what he calls a 'Blues people.'
Talib Kweli opens this album with his always powerful indictment of the powers that be--his track alone is worth the price of the album. Add in an amazing discussion between Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, mediated by Tavis Smiley, and you have the recipe for a hip hop album that should be included in everyone's library. The icing on the cake comes from the sheer variety of artists participating in the fight to keep it 'P.I.'
It's important to point out that Jill Scott represents a rare but vital female voice on the album. Her inclusion makes the absence of gender diversity apparent. Hopefully the next album will include the likes of Chrissette Michelle and Queen Latifah, to provide a voice the other half of Black America so desperately needs.
Wonderful! This is a wonderful mix of R & B and Rap with a vital message for all people! Can't wait for the next project.
Dr. Cornel West & BMWMB is awesome This is a must have for anyone who loves or even likes conscious music. Dr. Cornel West have found a way to fuse positive motivation with music. With artist such as Prince, Rah Digga, etc. and the verbalization of Tavis Smiley and Michael Eric Dyson, I was not disappointed. America and Keepin it PI happen to be my favorites among favorites, as all of them are good. It begins with Talib Kweli and Bushanomics. I've been telling all of my friends, this is a must have, dont miss your opportunity to grow and enjoy. Thanks Dr. West for finding a way to deliver your message, what better way than popular music. The beats and the flow is tight.
A must have for any true ole' school rap fan This cd is wonderful. The songs have great beats and the lyrics are relevant and thoughtful. Any "true" hiphop lover will enjoy the artistry.
Awesome stuff!!!!! This was one of the most creative poducts ive sen in a while. Dr. West and BMWMB Inc. did an excellent job selecting music artist and well known lecturers to participate in this project. The music was banging and u got informitive and uplifting message from every track.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
