|
|
Listen in Hi Fi
(mp3) or Low (WMA)
formats
(explicit lyrics, must be 18+ to
listen) disable
pop up blocker to listen
|
|
Lay 'em Down
ft stic.man of
dead prez |
 |
 |
|
Nothing Sweeter |
|
|
|
Considered
by most, as the Mecca of socially conscious Hip Hop, the
Bay Area is also home to legendary MC Rico Pabón. After
a year in the studio, Rico is set to release his 4rd and
most powerful album to date, Louder Than Fiction on
revolutionary-label, Hard Knock Records this Spring.”
Reflecting on the concept of the album, Rico states,
“Life is louder than fiction. There wasn’t any need for
me to use my imagination when writing the lyrics to this
album because every word of it is true."
One major factor that distinguishes Puerto Rican rapper
Rico Pabón from many of his Reggaeton and Hip Hop peers
is his lifelong mission.
"Through my words and music, I seek out righteous
action, raising a fist for activists and challenging
oppression and injustice everywhere." This outlook may
be unique in Hip Hop, but for Rico, his activism and art
go together like red rice and beans.
Rico Pabón's own experiences have proven fertile ground
for exploring human truths -- and for crafting diverse
soundscapes. Rico's mother was 15 years old when she had
him. Rico was born into a family of Salsa musicians in
Queens, NY and was constantly shuttled between the East
Coast and the San Francisco Bay Area. Each new home had
two things in common: financial tribulations and music.
He soon understood that hardship and art were two sides
of the same coin.
"The most beautiful music has come out of those periods
of time when we were enslaved, or our condition of
living had just changed from bad to worse. Maybe it's
because song is our survival during the hardest times.
It's not something we do for money, fame or recognition.
Music is really, truly an expression of our emotion, and
pain is one of those energies that, if you don't let it
out, can destroy your soul."
Rico Pabón has kept his soul intact through music as the
lead member of Prophets of Rage (POR) and as MC for San
Francisco Bay Area Afro-Latin Hip Hop band Agua Libre
(formerly O-Maya). 1994 saw the first release from POR,
No More Patience. In 1997, after the release of their
sophomore offering, Brand New World, POR seemed poised
for a national breakthrough. Their single, Memories, was
in heavy rotation at urban radio stations around the
country, including San Francisco's KMEL. Unfortunately,
despite airplay and critical acclaim, national
prominence eluded the group as their music was buried in
the rubble of music industry restructuring.
Undeterred, Rico went solo and hooked up with Headnodic
(producer of Hip Hop act Crown City Rockers) to record
Rico's solo album, My Power. This album was dedicated to
Puerto Rican freedom fighters and featured Puerto Rican
poet Piri Thomas. In 2003, Rico's song, Yo Naci, was one
of the standout tracks on the acclaimed Hard Knock
Records anti-war Hip Hop compilation, What about Us?
During this time, Rico also joined Afro-Latin Hip Hop
band O-Maya to record their self-titled album. In 2003,
O-Maya was voted Best Latin Band in the Bay Area at the
SF Weekly Music Awards. Rico still performs with
founding members of O-Maya in a new group called Agua
Libre.
No matter which musical configuration Rico finds himself
in - whether Salsa or Hip Hop -- his poetic lyrics are
bound by the theme that struggle feeds beauty. This
theme combined with his rhythmic delivery make him one
of the Bay Area's most dynamic MCs. Rico's international
flavors have allowed him an opportunity to share the
stage with other international artists such as Damian
and Stephen Marley, Ozomatli, Buju Banton, Femi Kuti,
John Santos, Zap Mama, Meshell N'degeocello, Maxi Priest
and Sizzla. Rico has also performed with Hip Hop icons
such as Run DMC, Wu Tang Clan, Zion I, dead prez, Big
Daddy Kane, and Kurtis Blow.
Rico is also a devoted husband, a new father, a
community leader, and a business owner. Rico and his
family own and operate Sofrito, Oakland's only authentic
Puerto Rican restaurant. Just like his music, Rico's
establishment has become an anchor in the Puerto Rican,
Hip Hop, and Salsa music communities.
Louder Than Fiction is a “balanced blend of stories from
different times in my life, social commentary, and
reflecting on the state of Hip Hop and humanity as a
whole. Of course, beats that bang throughout, but with
gritty soul, the way it was back in the days”, states
Rico. The album features dead prez, Zion I, Marc Bamuthi
Joseph, Kimiko Joy, Destani Wolf, Inti Illimani, Binghi
Ghost, and Luqman Frank, among others. Production on LTF
is shared by: Rico Pabon and Headnodic of Crown City
Rockers, with extra instrumentation/ production by Mike
“Tiger” Auberg, keyboardist for Goapele’s band.
For more information, please contact:
Nick Huff at Hard Knock Records
nick@hardknockrecords.com
|
