Search - Amir Sulaiman :: Like a Thief in the Night

Hip-Hop Lives

Edward Butterfield | Trenton, NJ | 05/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When asked what became of the seeds of the revolution? You will think about Amir Sulaiman. His dedication to the truth and righteousness of life speaks to you loud and clear in this CD project "Like A Thief In The Night" So refreshing to know that the messengers' have not been completely drowned out by the noise of the paper chasers who sold hip-hop out. Every track on this CD says something to the conscious mind to the blind and the bewildered while maintaining its raw credibility that is really hip-hop. From the track "Spit - Let it be known" is your warning and the journey through the collab with Mos Def "When I Die" well set you back on course. And what a treat to hear Goapele singing the backdrop of "They Don't Know". Ya'll need to cop this joint and keep it in your collection next to KRS-One, Last Poets, Gil Scott Heron and the likes



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The roots of Hip-Hop

Tavis J. Hampton | Indianapolis, Indiana United States | 06/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SubhanAllah, it takes me back to my roots. Hard hitting, east coast beats under fresh, pleasantly poetic lyrics. He transcends boundaries of race and religion and delivers exactly what the dying hip-hop community needs. It is rich with a tapestry of self-reflection, calls to action, lamenting the suffering of the down-trodden, and foretelling of a victory for the righteous. Absent is the typical lyrical bravado and self-aggrandizement of most rappers (even many Muslim rappers).



Make no mistake about it, he is Muslim and apparently a lover of Ahlul-bayt (peace be upon them), and it is not unusual for him to fall into the ecstasy of his own lyrics and start chanting la ilaha il-Allah (there is no god but Allah). In that way it has the symbolic texture of classical Islamic poetry as though it were the modern-day qasida or ghazal.



Still, his lyrics are also very political, very pro-black, and very anti-oppression. He is part of the new wave of hip-hop artists trying to reclaim the culture that was abducted and molested by the mainstream music industry. And with guest appearances by cultural pioneers such as the Last Poets and hip-hop reformist and fellow Muslim Mos Def, the message certainly hits home.



The only complaint I could really have about the CD is that it's not enough. I would like to sit and pick this brother's brain for hours, and unfortunately, I only get a little over 50 minutes. May Allah reward his efforts and purify the bounties that he receives through his jihad."