There are those rare and unique experiences in our lives when we are fortunate enough to witness a talent so undeniable the inspiration will never let us forget it. Dahlak embodies one of those unforgettable moments. With an intense and remarkable presence in the arenas of poetry, hip-hop, and theater, Dahlak moves his audience with witty lyricism and heartfelt social commentary.
Establishing his name amongst some of the most recognized entertainers and lyricists, Dahlak appeared on the fifth season of HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam with the likes of Kanye West, Dave Chappelle, Lauryn Hill, George Clinton, and Smokey Robinson. After receiving three standing ovations for his remarkable performance, Dahlak was invited back for the sixth season. Touring with iLL-Literacy, the world-renowned Living Word hip-hop theater collective, and his hand-picked hip-hop band the Hi-Lifes, the poet/emcee/actor/playwright is a bourgeoning talent recognized by his live performances throughout the United States, France, Belgium, London, and the Netherlands.
Since his debut LP Dual Consciousness, onto the soon-to-be-released iLL-Literacy EP iB4the1.1, Dahlak continues to secure his place in the art, music, and entertainment world.
*Check out Dahlak's performances on Def Poetry Jam on YouTube or in the video section (to the left) and hear his critically acclaimed album, Dual Consciousness, on iTunes.
About iLL-Literacy
For musicians today, a record deal can be like a used car; it might get you from point A to point B, but most likely the salesman took your money and poured sawdust in the transmission. Fortunately, while the industry is gridlocked in filesharing, the members of iLL-Literacy can teleport. And by teleport, they mean "make music that would inspire passionate love with a Silverback gorilla...if it was socially acceptable." And like any good Silverback gorilla lovemaking, iLL-Literacy's music somehow recalls our primal past, while leaping forward (and sideways) into a future marked by inter-racial babies and Twitter.
Enter the world of digitiLL funk—an ever-expanding sonic universe piecemealed together by the ever-shrinking attention span of Oakland trio iLL-Literacy. Members Dahlak, Drizzletron and N.I.C have known each other since birth, and since then have been playing with words and sounds, invading concert halls, off-Broadway stages, and college arenas throughout North America and Europe, and infiltrating networks from HBO, MTV and beyond.
The group lays claim to the iFunk generation—the post-crack epidemic pre-Obama 80s babies who were prescribed Ritalin because they liked music more than school. Founding member, vocalist and cyber-yogi Drizzletron says, “It’s like I took one step away from my behavioral meds, and George Clinton took two steps toward my imagination!”
Toggling between daydream and full-blown hallucination, the result is iLL-Literacy's first record, i B4 the 1. Colliding influences from afrobeat and hip-hop as much as Plato and X-Men, their freshman effort plays more like the soundtrack for a never-ending shroomtrip than a standard rap album. It pays homage to a wide range of inspirations, while constantly reaching for the new. From a record that is political in scope but never heavy-handed to an intersecting live show that can boast life-size Lego-men, iLL-Literacy is both a product of its time, and a defining feature.
Can you digit??
Find out more at www.ill-literacy.com
--Photo by Harry Kong
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