Shihan featured in LA Times Calendar section!
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Shihan is Speaking Up to Tell the Truth
Baltimore Sun article
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Jive Magazine review: (click
here for Jive magazine online version)
Real hardcore lyricism put to jazzy rhythms and bass weaved
around the verse like a cool linen sarong.
"Activism, mmm hrm..." Ursula Rucker deserves a
mention here with some serious lyrics and punctuated voice
that moves you to listen harder than you might. You won't
play this album as background music, it's totally thought
provoking. It's definition. It's cerebral. It's vision and
it's word.
If you are married, in love or know what's up about loving
someone more than you ever have anyone or anything else, then
check out "Love Like" - it will move you harder
than a hurricane moves a kite flying along a coastline.
Shihan is a romantic lyrical genius.
“The Iconoclast” is a favorite beat-driven track
that you’ll have to play several times until you can
rap right alongside Shihan. “Word… If you believe
in the word… then just say word…” Word.
"Auction Network" is a satire with a message. I
just wish about 5 billion people would get it. But don't let
me spoil it for you. Get the album and check it.
If you like Saul Williams, Jean Grae and REAL verse and cool
musical elegance, you need to pick up a copy of The Poet.
JIVE Magazine Rating: 5 out of 5 grooves that matter
Release Information:
Track 6, "Somebody Tell Me" will be in heavy rotation
on your iPod this summer if you give it a chance. If you dig
the New Common CD, have ever marveled at just how good The
Roots are or have sang along to Mos Def's "Ms.Fat Booty,"
than you'll be down with "The Poet."
About.com review: (click
here for online version)
Shihan - The Poet
from Jon Walker
Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
It's a well-known fact that Shihan has a way with words.
As talent director of Def Poetry Jam, Shihan is undeniably
one of the most successful talents in the industry. On his
new album The Poet Shihan is calling out all the stereotypes.
Backed with some excellent production and a varied arrangement
of tempos and lyrical settings, Shihan clearly tells a story
and doesn't pull any punches while getting his point across.
While any lover of hip-hop should already have a deep respect
for poetic form and style – listening to this album
is truly inspiring showing the power and intellect behind
this ancient art form.
Starting things off proper, "Poemcee" is a friendly
jab at the old days coming up as an emcee touting Shihan's
impressive skills. On "Activism" Shihan is joined
by Ursala, well known for her contributions to many of hip-hop's
greatest while currently throwing down on this excellent jazzy
joint. There are many other (fifteen total) excellent tunes
on the album deserving some heavy spins.
Give this one a listen and you will see – why everyone's
talking a bout po-e-try.
"NY-raised, LA-based lyrical wordsmith, Shihan Van Clief,
delivers THE album to take hip hop and, more importantly,
the spoken-word format forward. Himself a veteran of the industry
and having established his place through prime spots on Def
Poetry shows throughout the states, Shihan's official debut
long-player shines incessantly. Following the jazz bounce
of 'Poemcee', deft lyrical jousts with Ursula Rucker ignite
'Activism' and 'Love Like' talks of what he'd do just to have
that perfectly lady in his life. For skits closer to the truth
than most would push for, 'Auction Network' and 'Robots' are
what this man does best... 4.5 out of 5 Stars."
DJ Magazine, UK
"3 out of 4 stars... Half poet, half emcee, Shihan rocks
beats on some tracks; on others, his words stand alone. With
social messages like those on "Activism," "Stop the Music,"
"Auction Network" and "Somebody Tell Me," it's clear that
Shihan is about his lyrics. Let's hope listeners will grub
on the food for thought."
The Kansas City Star
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