Musab has a way of telling tragedy without bloodshed. He doesn’t rap
about guns or drugs, but his lyrics somehow are more thrilling and
dramatic than these typical gangster rap subjects. His songs tell
another side to the American ghetto. They expose the lifestyle,
struggle and views of the black American pimp. A modern day, real life
pimp, he puts his own twist on the pimp game and translates it over to
the rap game. Known on the streets as Sab, aka Minnesota Slicks, his
hard grind and sharp decision-making earned him respect amongst his
peers in the game. The pimp culture is glamorized in pop culture and
rap music videos as a plush lifestyle but Sab will be the first to say
that that’s a big misconception. “On the other side of the flash and front,
it’s a very dirty game and strenuous lifestyle that one must have grit
and stomach to endure,†He says. Sab is a, “pimp by blood,†as they
say. He was born to a fifteen-year-old mother during the seventies,
“Superfly Era,†in Minneapolis, MN. Growing up fatherless and being
raised alone by a teen mother he saw and experienced many things most
children don’t. In turn, he became street crafty at a young age and
was introduced to, “the oldest profession,†by family and friends
living the lifestyle.
Strapped with a genius IQ level, Sab has used his mind and remarkable
wit to hurdle the many obstacles put in his way throughout his life and
career. Living by one of his favorite sayings, “Don’t work harder, work
smarter,†Sab has built one of the most profound stories in hip-hop
culture.
From the first time he heard “Rappers Delight,†at one of his mother’s
house parties, he was obsessed with rap. He penned his first rap in the
third grade and continued to write as a hobby until the age of eighteen.
After losing his cousin to murder in the apartment they shared, Sab
realized he was in the street game too deep and had to turn a new
direction before it was too late. So, he began taking rap seriously.
Soon after, he met and teamed up with Ant (Atmosphere) and started to
write and record songs nonstop as he tried to flee life on the streets.
He was asked to become a member of local rap collective, “The
Headshots.†The Headshots went on to record classic mixtapes out of
the basement of producer Ant. These mixtapes would go on to spawn one
of the most fruitful hip hop scenes in the country...right in snowy
Minnesota.
Between the recordings of The Headshots mixtapes, Sab recorded his own
album under the name, “Beyond.†The album was titled “Comparison,â€
and was the first release and birth of indie hip hop label giant,
Ryhmesayers Entertainment. It was an instant regional classic and
greatly influenced the Minnesota Hip Hop sound. Musab guest
appeared on Atmosphere’s classic first release, “Overcast.†He then
teamed up to form the supergroup, “The Dynospectrum,†with Slug of
Atmosphere, I Self Divine of Micronauts, Gene Poole of Full Circle and
producer Ant of Atmosphere. They recorded a self-titled album which
became another instant classic that remains critically acclaimed.
Trying to provide for his three children, his focus on music was in-and-out due to financial stress. He still managed to release “The Be
Sides,†on cassette. This was a major transition period for Sab as an
artist. He decided to drop his recognized MC name of Beyond to use his
own name, Musab because he wanted to express truth in all platforms of
his art. Redeveloping his sound and songwriting, he recorded and
released the maxi-single “Actin Rich.†It garnered mixed reaction
amongst underground rap fans. This is when the, “pimp,†started to
speak louder than the, “MC,†such as in songs like, “Guard Your Harem,â€
and “Where My Mama Chill.†He knew this sound and direction may draw
controversy amongst underground rap fans for his provocative pimp slur.
However, he felt he was telling a story that needed to be told; his
own. For as much music as he was recording, there was still a side of
him not being revealed in his music. He decided to let the pimp’s
voice be heard on his next album, “Respect the Life.†With production
from Jake One, Vitamin D, Brother Ali and Ant, he recorded a candid and
vivid musical biography. Respect the Life introduced the world to
Minnesota Slicks, the Southside mack. A single was never released from
the album and many feel it wasn’t well-promoted.
Creative differences arose between Musab and Rhymesayers Entertainment,
but Sab didn’t fold. He polished his game and brought Minnesota Slicks
to the forefront of his career in undeniable fashion. With a loyal fan
base awaiting his next release, he stayed true to his indie roots and
joined forces with Oakland based rap pioneers, The Hieroglyphics. After eleven
years in the rap game, his steadfast hustle has brought Sab to the
front of the line. Musab’s next groundbreaking album entitled
“Slick’s Box,†is set for release in Summer 2007. With a lot of life
lived and a lot of pimpin’ done between albums, “Slicks Box,†will
surely add to the legacy of this colorful hip hop pioneer.
