YinSumi Press, the worlds 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. Edited by journalist Ali Asadullah, “Lyrical Swords” is a collection of essays and interviews on Hip Hop culture, politics and social issues written over the last decade. Hip Hop cultures 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. “I was raised in my early days politically by my parents” says Mr. Banjoko. “In my young adult years I was raised poltically by panthers, rebellious artists, poltical activists and urban educators in my world. This book, is a cliff note of that journey.”
Pioneer Hip Hop journalist, Adisa Banjoko, hails from the San Francisco Bay Area. His articles have graced the pages of The Source, The Harvard Hip Hop Archive, XXL, Vibe, Yoga Journal, Grappling, Daveyd.com, Rapstation.com, Pacific News Service, and Allhiphop.com among others. His book “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.
Under the pen name ᶴThe Bishop of Hip Hopᶴ, Adisa Banjoko has entertained and educated many on Hip Hop culture, Eastern philosophy, Martial Arts, Islamic culture, and African American social issues. Host of the critically acclaimed One Mic Radio show, his poltically charged antics got him swiflty removed from the wickedly conservative 910 AM KNEW which host radio personalities such as Mike Savage and Bill O’rielly. “I knew I was doing something right, when they booted us”, Adisa laughs. Nevertheless, his online support grew globally. Downloadable at www.lyricalswords.com, it has proven to be a core bridge between the Hip Hop and Political realms. Past guests include Presidential Candidate Al Sharpton, WMD Insp. Scott Ritter, Warren G, Jackie O, Paris, MC Lyte, Daz Dillenger, DJ QBert, T-La Rock and Wu-Tang Clan’s Masta Killa.
Mr. Banjoko㙠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. 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. I’ll be walking all over the streets of the Bay, LA, NY, the ATL and Philly with these books. Wherever people are getting boxed outta the game by these snakes and fakes, I’m gonna be handing out these swords to libirate 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.
For more information email Mieko at: PR@lyricalswords.com
