Tuesday, September 22, 2009

"Allah's Apprentice" Releases Album



By day, he’s Vinson Muhammad—the guy you see on the yard totting a trumpet as he walks toward Brawley Hall. But by night, he’s Allah’s Apprentice, a rapper spitting lyrics that evoke what Muhammad calls the original essence of Hip-Hop music. On Saturday, February 7, 2009, the Apprentice graced us all with his craft in Morehouse College’s own Jazzman’s Café as he released his new album ACT.

With a title that reflects its message, ACT is Muhammad's call to our youth, encouraging us all to stand up and take active roles in the events that shape our lives.
"Don't talk about it. Be about it," said Muhammad as he passionately explained the idea that drove the project. "Have a plan and move on it.”
Muhammad's ultimate goal is to fill all of our heads with his philosophy that through faith—especially in God and yourself—nothing is intangible and no dream is unreachable. With tracks such as $20 Budget, he evokes the spirit of a destitute student, struggling to make ends meet and vying for the respect of a musical community. The song was inspired by "real life situations," he said.
Leading a life that lends much room for spiritual and artistic growth, Muhammad’s own experiences are the very thing that set him apart as a musician. The colorful lyrics in his songs are rich with elements of his spoken word pieces and free-style poetry, which explains why so many AUC students have frequented Jazzman’s for so many years.
“I know most of the people around because I’ve been doing this since freshman year,” said Muhammad. Ask around, he’s right, and we were all in for a treat.
At about 8:00 p.m., an intimate crowd lounged around at tables, and huddled near a bar, to watch as the dapper Zamir "Green Tea" Walton introduced a very special friend of his. Before Muhammad took to the stage, Walton reacquainted the audience with Allah's Apprentice and what makes him such a visionary.
Hip-Hop inspired photographs by Spelman College student Rahbi Wood were placed about the venue to set a tone that embodied Muhammad's soulful aura. Muhammad himself served as the muse for most of the portraits, set near graffiti tagged walls and other urban niches.
By the end of the night, the audience was more than satisfied and the Morehouse senior was well on his to a successful album launch.
Jamal Hansberry
Arts & Entertainment Editor

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