Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Malcolm X
It takes faith and imagination to picture a future far greater than the past. Al-J and Yusuf form the elite Boston unit, Blak Madeen. What makes them different is that they deliver a powerful and positive message in a time where negative stereotypes ruin Hip Hop culture. Teaming up with Leedz Edutainment, Their buzz caught on instantly and have already collaborated with several of the same artists that have helped influence them. These include members of the legendary groups Wu-Tang Clan, Brand Nubian, Killarmy, and Sunz of Man. This all happened within a couple of years after joining forces due to Blak Madeen's shared bond under the brotherhood of Islam and music.Al-J aka Al Jabra is arguably one of the best MCs to arise out of Boston over the last decade. Born in Bridgeport CT aka Little Beirut, AL J moved to the Blak Medina aka Boston in the 90s. He gained inspiration from classic Hip Hop artists such as Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, KRS-ONE, Lord Finesse, MC Shan, Tragedy Khadafi, among many more. He began building with the local underground scene and recording songs with the likes of Insight, Dagha and Clinton Sparks early in his career. Over the course of the last 15 years, AL J developed a fast rap hyper tone with unique rhyme patterns that proves he is among the best in rap. Destined for greatness and releasing several solo CDs independently, he met Bostons number one promoter Edu Leedz and advanced his status by opening up for all the Big National acts that come thru New England. In 2005 Al- J met Yusuf performing at a Leedz event in Cambridge. Al- J, being influenced early on by the 5 Percent Nation of Islam, and a member of the Universal Zulu Nation, quickly began building with Yusuf and created Blak Madeen.
Yusuf Abdul-Mateen was born in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts to an Irish family in the late 70s. His passion for hip hop culture was developed while attending a Catholic high school in Lawrence, MA. His interest in music was only superseded by his interest in Islam, a religion he started reading about as a child. He eventually fully converted to Islam and became a Muslim in 2003. By then his recording career had already begun but now his lyrics would take on a spiritual and political edge. His calm, dead-pan delivery consists of powerful words and contain a message with every song. Yusuf's style contrasts beautifully with partner Al-J's ultra-hype flow, giving Madeen the proper balance to spread its message to a wide audience. "The media today paints a negative picture of Muslims, but hip hop and Islam have always had a good marriage," said Yusuf, who currently works as youth counselor for emotionally troubled teens. "This is music that gives a platform for ideas which might otherwise go unheard. Hip-hop gets a lot of credit for bringing cultures together, but Islam has been doing that for 1,400 years".
In January 2008 Blak Madeen released "The Opening". This is their debut album as a unit and lays the foundation of their rap beliefs. It features Lord Jamar of the Legendary Brand Nubian, Amadeus the Stampede, Rite Hook, and more. Plus heavyweight production credits from Boston based producers Stubangas, Matty Trump, Falside, and the D-Boyz. The album also features hard hitting cuts and scratches from DJ Emoh Betta, keeping it true to the Hip Hop form. The sophomore effort "Sacred Defense" is already halfway done and will be released by the end of 08. "These two MCs have the passion and positivity that Hip Hop needs right now. The culture has been polluted and needs to be cleansed." says Edu Leedz,Ceo of Leedz Edutainment. In today’s times where Hip Hop is claimed to be dead, Blak Madeen definitely carries a torch thru the darkness.
Layout by CoolChaser