 Umar Bin Hassan photograph by Lee Cantelon c. 2007 Umar joined THE LAST POETS in 1969 and continues to troubadour the world with them as well as performing spoken word. In mid-1993, he released his first solo album, Be Bop or Be Dead, produced by Bill Laswell. Hassan combined rap, house, and jazz elements on the record. He later went on to record To the Last which was also produced by Bill Laswell. "Step back, all ye wannabe rappers, and check out one of the originals who made hip-hop possible. Before Africa Bambaata was throwing parties in the Bronx — before Prince Whipper Whip was rocking with the Fantastic 5 — and before the Rock Steady Crew ever attempted their first windmills, Umar Bin Hassan and the Last Poets were making rhythm and poetry live on the streets of Harlem. More than 30 years later, Umar Bin Hassan still speaks with a hurried urgency, as if every word could be his last. His voice still resonates with the fervor of the Last Poets’ seminal This Is Madness (named one of the 20th century’s best albums by Vibe magazine)." - Jonathan Cunningham |
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copyright 2007 by The Words Group/Wordz from the Street/Pinlight |
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