YinSumi Press, the world’s first publishing house dedicated to documenting the political and social aspects of the Hip Hop sub-culture, in conjunction with www.lyricalswords.com , is proud to announce the release of Adisa Banjoko’s highly anticipated book “Lyrical Swords Vol. 1: Hip Hop and Politics in the Mix” on November 2nd 2004.
“Lyrical Swords” is a collection of essays and interviews on Hip Hop culture and the political, social and spiritual trends within it. Hip Hop culture’s political effect has been a highly discussed topic in this Presidential election year.
While new to most of America, this arena has been Adisa’s stomping ground for over 15 years. Under the pen name “The Bishop of Hip Hop”, Adisa Banjoko has entertained and educated many on Hip Hop culture, Eastern philosophy, Martial Arts, Islamic culture, and African American social issues.
His new book “Lyrical Swords” however, has garnered much attention in various media circles. Recently, Adisa Banjoko has been seen on KRON with Isabel Duron, Phil Matier and SF Mayor Willie Brown discussing the potential power of the Hip Hop vote. He was also featured on KPIX with Barbara Rogers. Hip Hop Historian Davey D featured Mr. Banjoko as a guest for “Hard Knock Radio” on KPFA radio. He was also a recent guest on Air America’s radio show “Unfiltered”, hosted by Hip Hop political icon Chuck D of Public Enemy. You can also find his book getting an honorable mention in the new issue of The Ave Magazine.
“Lyrical Swords” features intervews and essays with some of Hip Hop’s greatest icons including Russell Simmons, Q-Tip, Everlast, Martial Arts Legend Royce Gracie, Paris, Mystic, Dilated Peoples Rakaa, Encore, Shamko Noble, Shaolin Monk Shi Yan Ming, and many others. He is easily one of the most respected, hated and loved people in the Hip Hop community.
Mr. Banjokoﾒs knowledge has earned him countless invitations to lecture at prestigious universities such as Harvard University, Stanford University, U.C. Berkeley, U.C. Santa Cruz and San Francisco State, just to name a few. He has shared the stage with political and cultural icons such as S.F. Mayor Willie Brown, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich, Hip Hop pioneer Afrika Bambataa, rap legend Chuck D, and pioneer b-boy Crazy Legs.
“I’m trying to get the young people of the world to arm themselves mentally and politically” stated Mr. Banjoko. On November 2nd after you go to the polls, vote for yourself and get ‘Lyrical Swords’. I’m gonna be touring the continental U.S. the next few months.
Before the official tour, I’ll be holding Bay Area book jams at Future Primitive Sounds in SF with Champion DJ Kid Dragon and my man B-boy Remind. On the Nov. 5th I’ll be at Marcus Books in SF w/ MC Shamako Noble and AK Black. On Nov. 6th I’ll be at the Rumi Bookstore in Fremont w/ MC Shamako Noble and Inspector Dbl. Negative. I will also have a mixtape dropping with my man Rob Flow from Spin Dynasty. I plan to change the way we all view Hip Hop and politics.”
“I sold out of all of my pre-order books at Hip Hop events and political events here in the Bay. I sold them from the back of my Ford F-150. I learned how to hustle watching Short Dog, Master P, Andre Nickatina and E-40 do their thing. People will find me all over the streets of the Bay, LA, NY, the ATL and Philly with this wisdom. Wherever people are getting boxed outta the game by these snakes and fakes, I’m gonna be handing out these swords to liberate minds.”
People looking for a glimpse of “the swords” can go to www.lyricalswords.com (designed by graf legend Scape Martinez) and get 3 complimentary chapters of the book sent to them via email.
