How often do we hear music that contains insightful, brilliant and intelligent commentary, over memorable beats? Not often enough, that’s for certain.
Enter Hasheem Amin, New Orleans rapper. He’s a native of Hollygrove, located in the heart of New Orleans’ 17th Ward. Hollygrove has historically, produced a multitude of amazing rap legends – but Hasheem’s music is different from most and has quite a unique sound.
Hasheem Amin recently dropped “The Reunion”, an album that is sure to be a hit. “The Streets Still Jumpin” is one of our favorite cuts off the album. It really showcases Hasheem’s lyrical ability and it has a great feel to it. He also has a track called “The Block”, featuring Sadat X of Brand Nubian.
The Heat had a chance to catch up with Hasheem and here’s what he had to say:
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: Who is Hasheem Amin Cook?
HASHEEM AMIN: Besides being an author, poet, and music artist, I am an idealist – just a son of the light who hasn’t given up on people. I’m a rebel.
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: Your music is very deep and political and explores a variety of issues. It’s actually very different than most of what we hear – lyrically, it’s almost reminiscent of the rhetoric of Professor Griff and some of the groups from the late 80’s and early 90’s. What influenced your lyrics?
HASHEEM AMIN: The biggest influence to my lyrics is what I see. I’m sure most artists would say the same. It’s all about perception. I write about the things I feel passionately about, and I try to communicate that through my lyrics. Growing up, I was listening to all the hip-hop classics, and that whole era of hip-hop can’t help but influence your music, so I think lyrically, I am a product of the times.
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: How much of an effect does being from New Orleans have on your music? How so?
HASHEEM AMIN: I feel New Orleans has always played a pivotal role in hip hop. We are just natural born trendsetters. I feel like that’s due to limitless exposure to all brands of music down here, so it all works out. I don’t think of myself as being from New Orleans. I look at it as New Orleans is who I am.
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: How does religion affect your music?
HASHEEM AMIN: Music is the language of God. It is as perfect as mathematics. I don’t see religion being a factor in what I do. Religion is an education. I see what I do as being spiritual – as spiritual as music.
THE HEAT MAGAZINE: Where will we see Hasheeem Amin Cook in 5, 10 or even 15 years, musically speaking?
HASHEEM AMIN: To me, it’s about the music so I’ma chant down Babylon till I die. Look for me in the whirlwind and if I don’t make it, the streets still jumpin!
EDITOR’S NOTE: You will definitely want to check out “The Reunion”, available for download on iTunes. Hasheem Amin, like so many fellow New Orleanians, is extremely talented and unique. Click here to visit the iTunes store featuring “The Reunion”.
