Bojah & the Insurrection

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When you first see Bojah and the Insurrection you are first caught up by the spirit of the band. It's like a reincarnation of Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, but with the in your face outspokeness of a Rage Against the Machine, yet the soulfulness of a Curtis Mayfield, a physical funk. In a word - spectacular. The sonix are delivered in a patient beatdown over familiar progressions and sublime lyrics.
You wonder to yourself, 'why haven't I heard of them before?' and 'where did they come from?'. Part of the answer lies in the fact that up to now the band could rarely be seen outside of a political protest. "We cut our teeth playing in front of thousands." Bojah explains. This might explain the confidence the band exudes when they take the stage. It's as if there is no maximum level of intensity or, if there is, this band has not yet reached it.
The songwriting is strong, mostly written or co-written by Bojah himself. But the greatest thing about the band is their live show. Ace musicianship is a prerequisite for the Insurrection and every show puts that on display---Intense grooves, chords, solos, and harmonies as well as the always insightful and provocative Bojah himself shedding light upon the subject of the hour. A little bit James Brown, a little bit Public Enemy, a little bit Gil Scott-Heron, a little bit Prince, a little bit Lenny Kravitz, Bojah and his Insurrection crew are a blast from the future.
Although the band has been in existence since 2001 it's taken this long for them to put out a record.
"A number of factors conspired to hold back the record. First our initial deal went sour and we lost some of the masters. So we had to re-record a number of tracks. As the project stalled I went back home (Minneapolis) to help lead a campaign against police brutality. My apartment was invaded by federal marshals at gunpoint. I got community support to protest the warrant-less invasion and the police apologized for making a 'mistake.'"
"Then the federal government threatened me with fines and possible jail for performing in Cuba at the 9th international hip hop festival. I organized a defense committee with the help of the community to protest this attack on my freedom of speech."
"A lot of things happened. Some of the core members started getting busy with other projects. Nikki [Glaspie] went with Beyonce. Aaron [Bellamy] went with Sam Kiniger. But we kept the band going."
Now back in Boston, Bojah has reassembled the crew and with an album done is ready to let the rest of the world know what thousands of protesters already know---The future of political music is here and Bojah and the Insurrection are here to deliver that music.
"My main influence is Bob Marley actually, I'm like a secular Bob Marley. Some people say I remind them of Lenny Kravitz, but I'm way more political." Bojah says. "No disrespect to Lil Jon but we've been doin Crunk Rock since 2001."
Not just an artist with political rhetoric, Bojah actually has run for office a few times and has been on the ballot (as a socialist!) in three different states. "The first time I met M-1 and Sticman (from political hip hop group Dead Prez), I sold M-1 a newspaper and Sticman a pamphlet." Responded Bojah when asked how political an artist he is.
"As an artist, I'm a late bloomer. While a lot of my peers were diving into the hip hop game, I was organizing to build a revolutionary youth movement, dealing with Mandela's and Castro's people. But I guess the artist in me had to get out. So this music is the result."
"If you crave meaningful lyrics that mean something and hip hop traditionalism is no longer enough for you, if you're looking for other kinds of political music besides hip hop, if you are looking for something edgy yet soulful, or if you love soul but want something other than just love songs---this is your music." Says Bojah.
The band is set to release their studio debut LP entitled Severe Funk Alert, a combination of funk, soul, rock, hooks, lyrics and rhyme, of protest, hopes, and forewarning of the coming days.
With the wisdom of an old blues singer Bojah outlines a vision of historic change and the troubles that we face. Like a cross between the Band of Gypsys, Gil Scott-Heron, Rage Against the Machine, and Sly and the Family Stone, Severe Funk Alert will both stir and assure the soul that is paying attention to the times - and wake up those who are sleeping. Universal and timeless themes are also breeched in the backdrop of war, poverty, inequality, racism, and military dictatorships.
An all-star cast of musicians constitute Bojah’s studio and traveling band. From drummer Nikki Glaspie (Beyonce, Martin Luther, Sam Kiniger), to guitarist Jeff Lockhart (Brian McKnight), to bassist Aaron Bellamy (Martin Luther, Sam Kiniger), to Boston female MC Natural Bliss, and a host of others from Boston’s thriving live funk scene.
The album denounces the trampling of democratic rights in the US in the name of “homeland security” or “fighting terrorism”. It speaks out against police brutality and war, the scandal of Katrina. It speaks about the horrors of war. It shows the consequences we suffer when we don’t organize. It calls on people to stand up and not fear the future. Its speaks of the power of the people, of a future time when we overcome our troubles.
Guaranteed to rock, the Insurrection welcomes all comers. “We welcome any opportunity to bring this music to the people. It’s a mission as much as it is music. We need to find a way to take matters into our own hands, that’s what the Insurrection represents, making our own mass media, taking things over, not waiting. A billion people united can do infinitely more than a billionaire can even hope to do. We need a mass movement, this music is an appeal to bring that day closer.”