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New: AWKWORD ft. MarQ Spekt, T.Shirt & Kel Spencer – Before Before
“before bandcamp and soundcloud, recorded on wax…”
Leading Hip Hop site 2DopeBoyz picked up “Before Before” for an Exclusive World Premiere. Click HERE for the writeup — and to show your support by clicking “DOPE”.
About the Song:
- Artist – AWKWORD
- Song – Before Before
- Featuring – MarQ Spekt, T. Shirt, Kel Spencer
- Produced by – King P [UK]
- Cuts by – DJ Graft [Norway]
- Additional vocals by – Block McCloud, Pace Won
- Album – World View
- Cover Art – DoBro for GOODIDEAstyle [Italy]
FREE Stream/Download:
100% FOR-CHARITY Download (72MB CDQ!):
[Click above, NAME YOUR OWN PRICE, and DONATE 100% to CHARITY. All proceeds go to World View charity Guns 4 Cameras, a 501c3 nonprofit that goes beyond the gun-exchange program, working to eradicate street violence through the Hip Hop-inspired education and empowerment of our at-risk youth.]
- Artist – AWKWORD
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The NO MORE PRISONS Song by Activist/Rapper AWKWORD
THROW AWAY THE KEY (NO MORE PRISONS) – THE SONG!!! (video coming soon.)
A couple days before his first birthday without his mother (RIP), on July 30, 2012, Rapper/Activist (and Sociologist) AWKWORD released a song close to his heart, “Throw Away The Key (No More Prisons)“, his first overtly political song in about 18 months, via The DJ Booth.
It paid off — the message is getting out. AWKWORD and “Throw Away The Key” were introduced by the legendary Chuck D of Public Enemy on his international radio show ANDYOUDON’TSTOP; he called the song “quality music that deserves to be heard” from “the one and only AWKWORD“…
AWK was the type of kid who got depressed at age 8 about starving children overseas, and today he’s the type of artist who wants to do well by doing good, educating while entertaining, inspiring without preaching. As evidenced by the critical acclaim for and ongoing buzz around the song, he achieved just that with his Musical Fuck You to the U.S. Prison Industrial Complex.
The NO MORE PRISONS song is an attack on racism, inequality and the (in)justice system in America, as well as a tribute to the people who live a life in constant defense mode — from the police, from the courts, from the Man.
See below for FREE Song Stream/Download links, LYRICS, an AWKWORD Interview and Editorial, select REVIEWS, etc. [OFFICIAL VIDEO - COMING SOON!]
FREE STREAM x DOWNLOAD
BUY NOW — DONATE 100%
LYRICS
“… born into prisons, most ghetto buildings got bars / when you live without shit, go head and worship them cars / the vista from the stoops, Marine billboards, you bored / and on the block, you got bars, drug dealers and whores…”
VIEW ALL LYRICS — and COMMENT, via Rap Genius.
DJs, Radio Stations, Younger Fans, Educators, etc., see below for the CLEAN (TV/RADIO) VERSION and more.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM
Since it’s release via DJ Booth, the NO MORE PRISONS song from AWKWORD, “Throw Away The Key” has been featured — and critically acclaimed — by the leading Hip Hop sites worldwide, including The Urban Daily, Wendy Day and Rap Coalition, Okay Player, Hip Hop Wired, 2 Dope Boyz, Kevin Nottingham, EARMILK, Go Where Hip Hop and Andreas Hale‘s The Well Versed; major prison (and other progressive) groups such as The Sentencing Project, The Prison Policy Initiative, Prison Reform Movement, CreepCops.com and USPrisonCulture.com; and leading figures in entertainment and politics, including rap icon Chuck D, actor Isaiah Washington and The Nation publisher Peter Rothberg.
Additionally, “Throw Away The Key” made DJBooth.net’s Top 20 Indy Singles chart; landed at number-six on Spellcast Radio’s Top 10 Cuts of the Month list; is on regular rotation on Info Wars affiliate Music Wars Radio; and was featured on buzzing online political talk show Radio Dispatch — during a prisons segment, alongside an exclusive interview with The Nation editor Liliana Segura.
SELECT REVIEWS
“Success is the best revenge”.
Those words glare at anyone who visits the website of up-and-coming rapper Awkword. The man who dubs himself “The People’s Champ” also quotes Maya Angelou. Oh, and he happens to be a Caucasian. Since Eminem effectively knocked Vanilla Ice out of our consciousness as the only commercially successful melanin-challenged rapper in Hip Hop, the industry has predictably tried to duplicate the success of Marshall Mathers with clone after clone of shock rapping “Stans”.
Refreshingly, Awkword is trying to blaze his own trail (what other White guy quotes Maya Angelou in any industry?) by releasing music with a message. “Throw Away The Key (No More Prisons)” is a song one would expect from, dare I say, a conscious rapper, yet Awkword is not afraid to tackle these topics.
Just in case you thought this positive music was a gimmick, the lil’ homey runs a nonprofit program that trades guns for cameras in an effort to “eradicate street violence through the Hip Hop-inspired education and empowerment of our urban youth”.
Word.
Rapper/activist AWKWORD puts up a finger (no, not the index) to law enforcement on his latest joint. “Throw Away the Key (No More Prisons)” is an outspoken attack on the penal system that deserves to be heard. Over a piercing beat courtesy of Toronto’s L. Ment, AWK deconstructs and raises awareness for unjust incarceration methods.
Over the years, Hip-Hop has been a vehicle for sociopolitical commentary. New York City MC and self-proclaimed revolutionary Awkword adds his two cents to the cannon of Hip-Hop culture’s social awareness on “Throw Away the Key (No More Prisons).” As the title insinuates, the track challenges what the Jewish MC coins the “(in)justice system,” by exposing the inequality and racism that he believes is corrupting the prison system. The track’s production can be credited to Toronto beatsmith, L. Ment… Get some enlightenment after the jump.
Awkword takes Toronto producer L. Ment’s jazzy production for a ride as he tackles America’s prison system head on.
The joint definitely needs your ears attention as it serves as the emcee’s fuck you to the prison and judicial system in the United States… I really dig AWKWORDS delivery over Lment‘s production on this one and the content is definitely on point, I know way too many people that are currently incarcerated that should not be.
AWKWORD continues to use his platform to build awareness for our nation’s social inequities as he tackles America’s prison system on “Throw Away The Key (No More Prisons)”.
AWKWORD delivers a powerful PSA in his latest single “Throw Away The Key (No More Prisons)”.
New York City up and comer Awkword rocks over the jazyy production of Toronto’s L. Ment for his latest track. He’s taking the United States’ prison system head on. It’s refreshing to hear an artist speaking their mind on a topic that is effecting millions of Americans everyday. Purchase the track here and 100% of the earnings go to World View Charity Aim To Live which is dedicated to eradicating street violence.
Awkword‘s latest song, from his “World View” album, is a political song. “Throw Away The Key (No More Prisons)” has a catchy, head-nodding beat by L.Ment, while Awkword goes in on inequality and the (in)justice system in America. It’s “ a tribute to the people who live a life in constant defense mode — from the police, from the courts, from the Man.” After you listen to the song, go here to read about his in-depth thoughts on injustice and incarceration.
WORD breaks down the science & math behind America’s prison complex system & it’s occupants over funky samples & hypnotic drum loops. Fight the power, y’all.
The Awkword rapper has some choice words for some issues that plagues us in the United States and he does it over something smooth from Waffles & Beatz producer L. Ment. Reminds me of a less aggressive Immortal Technique.
revolutionary record by rapper/activist AWKWORD off the first-ever 100% For-Charity Global Hip Hop Album, ‘World View’.
The homie Awkword drops some more politically charged and thought provoking bars to enlighten the masses.
Not only is this a dope track from AWKWORD, but it’s an important one too. Taking on the system, one verse at a time. Turn it up! Chea!
Nathan S. (Refined Hype), for DJBooth.net:
There are currently more than 2 million people incarcerated in the U.S. – China’s a distant second with a meager 1 million – and yet most Americans don’t think of their homeland as the world’s biggest prison state. Here to help change that is AWKWORD and his new world premiere Throw Away The Key (No More Prisons). With Toronto producer L. Ment laying down a pacing and bluesy beat AWK gets right to work with bars aimed at tearing the bars off America’s myriad of prisons… Sometimes it really is bigger than hip-hop.
MORE on AWKWORD ACTIVISM
The Bee Shine: What Inspires AWKWORD
MTV’s Our Stage Artist Feature: “Coat of Many Colors” [click image]
The Village Voice: Sound Of The City: “Q&A: AWKword On Occupy Wall Street, The Power Of Protest Music, And Hearing N.W.A. For The First Time” [click image]
Editorial: AWKWORD: “On Injustice & Incarceration” [click image]
SONG – CLEAN RADIO/TV Version
For full song credits, licensing information and more, click here.
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Worldwide Critical Acclaim for AWKWORD ‘Bars & Hooks’ Video
The number-one single off AWKWORD’s forthcoming DJBooth-sponsored World View album, “Bars & Hooks” has been played and downloaded tens of thousands of times since its release December 2011; and two Sundays ago (April 29) The Source Magazine world premiered the official video, directed by Andre Ward of Across the Bridge Productions and featuring the full cast of characters: AWKWORD, Sean Price, The Kid Daytona, The Incomparable Shakespeare and Harry Fraud.
Within a week, the “Bars & Hooks” video had accrued 20,000 plays, thanks in part to great features from the likes of Complex Magazine, Hip Hop Wired, Okay Player, Hip Hop DX, 2 Dope Boyz, Nah Right, You Heard That New, etc. — without a single dollar spent on promotion.
See below for some of the rave reviews, plus a list of top links (a couple sites posted it twice!).
And feel free to click the links to vote-up or comment on the video/song. They take notice. And we appreciate.
Reviews
New York City rapper AWKWORD just released the visuals for his collaboration with Sean Price and The Kid Daytona “Bars & Hooks,” produced by Harry Fraud with The Incomparable Shakespeare on the chorus. These guys are taking it back to the essence of NYC hip-hop with this one. Pay attention.
AWKWORD takes hip-hop back to its essence with this brand new video “Bars & Hooks” featuring Sean Price, The Kid Daytona, and The Incomparable Shakespeare (with Harry Fraud on the beat). The title says it all, what more can you ask for?
Some rugged Hip-Hop for your Monday morning. Awkword drops “Bar & Hooks (Keep It Moving [K.I.M.]),” featuring Sean Price, The Incomparable Shakespeare and The Kid Daytona. Harry Fraud hooks up a beat heavy on flutes and brolic drums. Keep it moving and peep the video for “Bar & Hooks”.
The entire song is called “Bars & Hooks (Keep It Moving [K.I.M.]).” Harry Fraud on the beat, and a bunch of talented emcees on the raps make for one good combination.
Finally… some grimy, boom bap, bully foot East Coast shit. This goes super hard.
AWKWORD, Harry Fraud, Sean Price, and The Kid Daytona are to backpackers what Future, 2 Chainz, Ross & French are to main stream. this collab is huge. and Andre Ward form Across the Bridge Productions brings this Harry Fraud production alive.
“Talking about the jerks in the game, you know who you are.”
AWKWORD brings some of NYC’s most talented emcees together for 4-plus minutes of dope NYC rap on “Bars & Hooks”. The posse cut features Sean Price, The Kid Daytona, and The Incomparable Shakespeare, with production from Harry Fraud. The video is directed by Andre Ward, who does a great job of not over visualizing this straightforward record. Watch it below. Shouts to AWKWORD.
Don’t worry about the lengthy title, just press play. Its about time NY emcees re-take the throne. Can’t go wrong with P! With a song title like “Bars & Hooks” what else you expect. La musica de Harry Fraud.
AWKWORD releases the crazy visuals for the street heater “Bars & Hooks”… Everything is hot bout this track — the cocaine beat by Harry Fraud, the sick verses, and the video just puts it all in perspective.
These guys are doing back the true New York style of the past. [translated.]
Pop Killer (Poland):
Oh yeah, i enjoy that song since its release (December), and finally shot him a video. [translated.]
aik.éqt & fngrprnt (Germany):
The new week starts again more than epic. Rotate your boxes to enjoy the brilliant weather, and to this unspeakably sexy sound! The track can be found on the album “World View” by AWKWORD again and is just one of many other beads. AWKWORD released on Sub City Productions / DJ Booth, and up to mischief in no less a city than the metropolis of New York City Hip Hop. The guy I’ll keep an eye on each case. Until then, enjoy the track and listened to the album purely sometimes! [translated.]
Honorable Mentions
‘AMERICAN’ (U.S.)
- Duckdown.com
- DJ Bobby Trends (Hot 97)
- The Combat Jack Show
- Dallas Penn
- Nah Right
- You Heard That New
- DJ Booth
- UndergroundHipHop.com
- The Well Versed
- Xclusives Zone
- Kevin Nottingham
- Donuts & Milk
- The Tony Grands / Reading & Writing Is For Dumb People / Ear Hustlin
- The Mad Bloggers
- Hip Hop Ruckus
- Its Bizkit
- Ashley Outrageous
- 808 Crate
- Hip Hop Dependency
- Dope Music Blog
- Dork Mustache
- Heavy Mentalist
- Just A Love Thing
- We Goin In
- Eastside Morales
- Rock The Dub
- Refined Hype
- Crayon Beats
- Emilio Sparks
- Above Ground Magazine
- Hip Hop Site – 1 x 2
- Gorilla Leak – 1 x 2
- CyberGorillas
- Good Music All Day
INTERNATIONAL
- The Hip Hop Chronicle (England/United Kingdom)
- DJ Loscar (France)
- WHUDAT (Germany)
- KINGSIZE (Norway/Scandinavia)
- Yappari HipHop (Japan)
- Illegal Promo (Portugal)
- Versos Perfectos (Spain)
- Sunete Sub.Sol (Romania)
- Hip-Hop.sk (Slovakia)
- Street Poets (Netherlands)
- Music Kitchen (Lithuania)
- HipHopaholic (Russia)
- Ozarts Etc (Belgium)
- Funky Unk (Mexico)
For more rave reviews, including mad love from Japan and elsewhere in Asia, click here to read the late 2011 write-ups on the “Bars & Hooks” song; and follow @AWKWORDrap on twitter — he reads, responds, retweets, etc.
And if you want to watch AWKWORD on your TV, stay tuned for the next post on AWKWORDrap.com…
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Rainy Daze Featured by You Heard That New, 2 Dope Boyz, more
A week ago, Thursday, February 9, Buck Marley XXX world premiered “Rainy Daze“. The newest single off AWKWORD‘s DJBooth.net-sponsored 100% for-charity global Hip Hop project World View, “Rainy Daze” features guest 16s from Main Flow of Mood, You Heard That New freestyle alum Rickie Jacobs and Dujeous frontman Mojo the Cinematic, backed by beats from ASCAPlus Award-winning production team The Aqua League.
Within two days, #RainyDaze had accrued more than 2,000 plays off AWKWORD’s soundcloud player alone. The song has also been critically acclaimed, earning features from a number of leading Hip Hop sites, including You Heard That New (5/5 Stars), 2 Dope Boyz (37 thumbs UP, 5 thumbs down), Eastside Morales, The Bee Shine, Baltimore’s Very Own, 1134 Mix Show, Spellcast Radio, Streets Crack, Definition of Fresh, Jewish Hip Hop and Germany’s Trackblasters, as well as DJ Booth (4.1/5.0 Rating), Kevin Nottingham, rock the dub and Trap Rock Radio (see reviews below).
SOUNDCLOUD SONG STREAM/DOWNLOAD:
BANDCAMP NAME YOUR PRICE:
Download (highest-quality [.wav] sound file) — and donate 100% to World View’s charitable recipient Aim to Live, a 501c3-registered nonprofit dedicated to ending street violence through the Hip Hop-inspired education of at-risk youth.
REVIEWS:
This track is too Dope! NYC hip-hop artist “AWKWORD” drops “Rainy Daze” featuring Main Flow, Mojo (of Dujeous), and Baltimore’s Own “Rickie Jacobs”. The word was passed that this song will be featured on Awkword’s project called ‘World View’. And guess what, Every last bit of the proceeds will go to charity. Now how trill is that? This is the first I’ve heard of someone doing so. Big Shout out to Rickie Jacobs for being apart of this historic masterpiece.
This is the latest single from AWKWORD’s World View project, and it features the Bmore boy Rickie Jacobs (who also sorted out that Charlie Brown-tinged artwork) and others. BuckMarleyXXX got the world premiere on this, and I’m just hoping I avoid the rain. Or snow. I think it’s going to snow. This might actually be something dope to watch snow fall to. Fly shit.
Another banger from AWKWORD! This time he enlists the help of Main Flow (of Mood), Rickie Jacobs, Mojo (Dujeous frontman) and the production of The Aqua League for the single “Rainy Daze.” You will be able to find the single on the upcoming DJBooth.net sponsored, 100% for-charity global Hip-Hop project from AWKWORD entitled World View.
Fresh off earning reader plaudits for Radio 2.0, the third release off his DJBooth-sponsored, 100%-for-charity mixtape, AWKWORD returns to our pages with leak number four off the highly-anticipated project. On Rainy Daze, The Aqua League serve up a cinematic, string/piano instrumental as the Big Apple underground spitter trades lyrically on-point bars with Main Flow (of Mood), Rickie Jacobs and Mojo the Cinematic (frontman of Booth-approved crew Dujeous). World View has yet to receive a drop date, but those who like what they’re hearing can keep it locked for more fresh tunes off the project.
EXCLUSIVE NEWS:
There is a Rainy Daze Part II. It features AWOL One, Bisc1 a.k.a. Bisco Smith & broke MC. It is produced by Cletus a.k.a. Romablaster of Rome, Italy. It will be available on World View, ONLY VIA DJBooth.net. Stay tuned for more news. Album drops 2012.
All proceeds from World View are being donated to Guns 4 Cameras (G4C) (a.k.a. Aim to Live), a 501c3-registered nonprofit that goes beyond the gun-exchange program, working to eradicate street violence through the Hip Hop-inspired education and empowerment of our at-risk youth.
Hip Hop/Rap Artist, Activist and Sociologist AWKWORD is the mastermind behind World View, the first-ever 100% For-Charity Global Hip Hop project, presented and hosted by The DJ Booth (DJBooth.net) and also sponsored by The Morgan Stanley Foundation, The Red Tag Society and End of the Weak (EOW), in addition to Dope Music Blog and The Mad Bloggers.
World View is executive produced by AWKWORD, The White Shadow (Uncut Productions; Norway) and Trilian (Serbia). The final album mix is being handled by Vinyl Digger (Switzerland). Andreis Costa of Sweat Shop NYC is the World View Art Director.
