Amad-Jamal

The long anticipated new release from underground hip-hop phenomenon Amad-Jamal is finally here! Barely Hanging on: The Chronicles of a Nigga Like Rodney King is unlike any hip-hop album to date. The album achieves a balance of the old and new by bringing back the elements of live talent blended with old timeworn traditional hip-hop collaborations. The whole feel of this album is innovation without compromise to the fundamental elements. It all amounts to drawing creative energy off of collaborations that are deeper than simply picking up someone with a known name to drop in on an album. Barely Hanging on: The Chronicles of a Nigga Like Rodney King IS Hip-Hop, from the nadir of Amad-Jamal’s choices, wrapped in the knowledge of a lifetime - to your eardrums. In this case choice experiences and collaborations that have manifested over decades.
DJ Brisk One is the foundation of this new record. As a seasoned DJ/Producer from West Salt Lake City Brisk One has worked with Consice Killgore and Netweight Records among others. The original collaboration between Amad-Jamal and Brisk One was dubbed The Solution. Barely Hanging on: The Chronicles of a Nigga Like Rodney King is about evolution. In tune with this whole album The Solution has expanded and innovated into a live band! Talents include Colonious Funk (base), Kurt Fagan (drums), DJ Kai Wing, Nongenetic (MC) and vocals by Maaya aka Lady Dragon. This bold move solidified as Amad-Jamal joined with Just Jay and the Urban Umpires. The process was completely organic, seeded by an old experience from a time when the artist worked with the KPL Allstars (DJ Kiilu Grand of Freestyle Fellowship, w/ Star 69 - backup singers for Macy Grey and base). That experience led Amad-Jamal to seek a DJ/Producer set up, but with the friends and talent around him the live band The Solution was born.
In an essence even before its release Barely Hanging on: The Chronicles of a Nigga Like Rodney King has nearly been completely remixed. Amad-Jamal and Colonious Funk have taken the original tracks done with Brisk One and DJ Dahi added live base, drums and sound to them! For serious production variety instrumental talent Colonious Funk drops a few tracks. That move, delayed release but listeners will find it well worth it because the move has also taken the album to a whole new level. Many of the reworked tracks have sick cuts by Urban Umpires Just Jay and DJ Kai Wing. The albums single Rodney King aka Tom Bradley’s Theme features crazy lyrics over a strait up dope hip-hop beat. It looks at some of the artists hidden desires and Amad-Jamal’s flow is a candid account of crazy things he would do.
Stop Fucking Around is a dedication to Amad’s mother recapping his life, warnings and advice given to him but not always headed. Amad-Jamal flows honestly about his choices, then takes a look at whom we “worship” & admire now - such as leaders and artists. The message of the song is simple…Stop Fucking Around!
Going Postal gives extra punch with its upcoming video. Set in an office theme the dramatic is about Amad Jamal quitting his last job. “I was going crazy at that job!” says the artist. Going Postal really taps into the anger and desperation we all feel at times and what the edge of reason is like.
Mixing old and new Amad-Jamal took it back to a time when he and Rakaa of Dilated Peoples went to JR high school and did graffiti together. Among other notable appearances Amad-Jamal drew on his roots as an artist, pooling collaborations from longtime friends such as Dilated Peoples and musical talent Dafari Herut without a compromise to innovativeness. Overall Barely Hanging On: The Chronicles of a Nigga Like Rodney King is an intimate look at Amad-Jamal’s growth as an artist and as a man. He honestly exposes his most dark and intimate thoughts while sending the message that empowerment can come from just taking a really good look in the mirror and not denying what’s there. It a process…but as Amad-Jamal says its time to “Stop Fucking Around”. Urban Umpires represents Skillz Not Image™ - As an Umpire Amad-Jamal personifies that. This album was created to make heat - It does it well.