“As an artist, Hus’ music is both intuitive and deeply considered, a reflection of a man with an unending intellectual curiosity whose approach to hip-hop nonetheless reflects a tradition more dependent on capturing his in-studio energy, performing with an improvised, on-the-spot musicality, rather than aiming for rehearsed precision. He combines the bold, shocking energy of Too $hort with the syllable-dense percussive style of Kool G Rap, but those influences fall short at capturing the heavy, singular dose of style that makes Husalah an original.” – Noisey
“Husalah is one of the most underrated rappers of the 21st century.” – The FADER
The Video:
A legendary figure in Bay Area rap, Husalah won a devoted cult with his versatility and his unbreakable cadence. Painting a picture of his life in the context of the broader culture, Husalah shares “Cyan Stop Me,” his latest video. A reggae-influenced banger from Husalah’s recent album H, “Cyan Stop Me” finds Husalah affecting a Jamaican patois and relating some of the most pressing issues in his mind, explaining why he used to be a frequent law-breaker and examining the effect of poverty on his community over mournful saxophone and syncopated percussion: “Then some of my friends became fiends/The poverty gained steam/They walkin’ around with desperation written all over they face.” In the video, Husalah shows his intense workout regimen, which includes soccer, boxing, and parkour, echoing the athletic prowess Husalah exhibited in his outrageous Ghetto Olympics videos in the mid-00s. Premiered by HipHopDX, “Cyan Stop Me” intercuts shots of Husalah with a montage of images referenced in his lyrics, illuminating a darknes in the world surrounding him that Husalah is determined to shine through.
Sharing his first new full-length album since the Bush administration, Husalah returned in April with H, a diverse and impactful new collection of songs. Packed with slap-happy Bay Area anthems of all stripes and colors, H finds Husalah reflecting on his past and present, dwelling on his childhood in the ghetto, his time spent in jail, and his future as a pillar of the community on standout tracks like “Don’t Die,” and “Pray 4 You,” and the Sade-sampling “Protect Your Soul,” which premiered a video via The FADER. Elevated by Husalah’s inimitable cadence, hard-hitting delivery, and outsized personality, H also boasts raucous bangers like the critically acclaimed 2017 single “M.O.B.,” produced by Young L and praised by Pitchfork as “a bona fide slapper, triumphant and devilish all at once,” and the sidewinding, lothario-like “Bad Young Thing.” Featuring an appearance from Rydah J Klyde, a fellow member of the Mob Figaz, and a posthumous appearance from Mob Figaz chieftain The Jacka, H re-establishes Husalah as one of the most impressive and outrageous rappers in Northern California.
Watch “Cyan Stop Me”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEuMbCjsNoo // https://AboveAll.lnk.to/CyanStopMe
Check out the HipHopDX premiere: https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.48830/title.dxclusive-husalah-cyan-stop-me
Please contact Michelle for more info.
The Background:
Husalah is a legendary figure in the mythos of Bay Area rap. Rapping since childhood, Husalah got his start with the highly respected group, Mob Figaz, alongside the late great The Jacka, Rydah J. Klyde, FedX, and AP.9. Displaying his charismatic personality in interviews and music video appearances, Husalah quickly became a mainstay in the Bay Area scene. He further cemented his status with unforgettable feature appearances and collaborations with Bay Area legend Mac Dre. Expected to dominate the game alongside the Jacka and carry on Mac Dre’s legacy after his passing, Husalah’s momentum was put in a stranglehold when he was forced on the run by a federal drug conspiracy charge (cops found over 10 kilos of cocaine in a car he was a passenger in). After several years of evading the law and upholding the code of silence, Husalah was eventually charged with possession & intent to sell more than 5 kilos. He ended up in prison right after the release of his debut solo album, Dope, Guns & Religion. Despite his situation, his second album Huslin Since da 80’s was released while in jail, as well as the extremely popular “From The Hood,” both of which helped maintain his presence in the game. Emerging from prison in 2010, Husalah stayed quiet, performing at a sprinkling of shows and dropping a few strategic impactful records until he was spurred into action by the death of the Jacka, which reignited his torch to keep the MOB movement alive.
Links:
twitter | facebook | spotify | instagram
H: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/h/1361387753?ls=1&app=itunes
“Protect Your Soul”: https://youtu.be/bnw1w23N3ug
“M.O.B.”: https://youtu.be/
Huslin Since da 80’s: https://open.spotify.
Dope, Guns, & Religion: https://open.
Bio, photos, and streams available here: http://www.