BIOGRAPHY

RABBI DARKSIDE is a Buffalo-born Brooklyn-based Hip Hop Artist/Educator and NYC freestyle legend, known for rocking mics and crowds around the globe with a vigor and poetic tact rare in this age of water-downed pop rap. He has won a substantial number of prestigious battles and MC challenges in the new millennium (12-time "Sin Sin Off the Head Challenge" winner, 2-time "A to Z Emcee" winner, "Whose Rhyme is it Anyway" champ, 2004 NYC Kool Mixx Finalist), all while touring the U.S. and Europe with NYC trio 3rd Party. From the subways to school halls to stages, Rabbi D has sought and spread positive Hip Hop, and laid the foundation for “Building the Better Bomb,” his solo debut LP, released in the U.S. in July 2008 and Europe in September 2008. The new album is right on the heels of his national TV feature on MTV’s “MADE,” starring as the Hip Hop Head Coach, and on the wings of a European Summer Tour and Album Release Party in Prague, CZ.

Rabbi D is also a highly regarded DJ and beatboxer, holding down weekly residencies on the turntables in Manhattan and Brooklyn while performing as part of Beatboxer Entertainment. He is the lone American MC featured on the first human beatbox album from Czech Republic, “Beat Apetit,” which has produced a large following in Central Europe and a music video in heavy rotation in the Czech. On his global journey filled with teaching, DJing and crowd rocking, he has appeared alongside Talib Kweli, Slick Rick, The Last Poets, Wordsworth, Pigeon John, Common, Kanye West, Weldon Irvine, The Roots, DJ JS-1, Rahzel, Michael Winslow, and Kenny Mohammad.

In addition to his artistry, Rabbi D is one of the pre-eminent Hip Hop arts educators in New York City, with over 8 years of teaching experience in the public schools. Following 4 years of full-time work at MS 88 in Brooklyn, he made the shift to Arts Education. Currently he works as a Teaching Artist for Urban Arts Partnership, writing curriculum, delivering professional development and instructing courses in Performance Poetry, Songwriting, Music Production and Turntablism.

"BUILDING THE BETTER BOMB"

“Building the Better Bomb” is the debut solo LP from Rabbi D. It is musical documentation of experiences and interactions, refracted through the Hip Hop prism and crafted into poetry punchlines. An unprecedented venture into lyrical-jazz-earthblues-boom-bap-soul-folk, it is a project about our connection to the ever-present past and the not-so-distant future, taking you from the frontlines of Iraq to the inside of the Oval Office; the symphonic chaos of New York City Public Schools to the serenity of the Sinai Desert; the warmth of a woman's wholehearted embrace to the center of a battle cypher.

A global cast of Hip Hop luminaries guest on the mic and production, wiring "The Better Bomb" for worldwide 21st century impact. Collaborators cover ground from Brooklyn to Queens, Oakland to Chicago, South London to South France. “Building the Better Bomb” features vocals from Appl Juic (UK), Core Rhythm (BK), Farbeon (BK), Raid’n (FR), Mista Mayday (CT) and the incomparable Ann Enzminger (BK). The production team features the classic boom bap of Mista Mayday, the progressive jazz of And I, Baba Israel and Jive, the thunder of Verse All and the international flavor of DJ Rectape (FR).

This is a product of 100% independent artistry. The original album artwork by Borish (Trust Your Struggle), the graphic layout by J-Skillz (Jask Clothing), and all the music were developed in collaboration with executive producer Rabbi D.

Stay tuned for the collection of lesson plans and teaching curriculum to accompany the album.

"...["Building the Better Bomb"] has a clear message to educate and better the world. Optimism is complemented by great beats, witty lyrics, and intelligent references. This album is also intensely personal..." -Beyond Race Magazine

SAY WORD ENTERTAINMENT

Say Word Entertainment is a Hip Hop collective of artists, educators, party producers and events managers founded in 2003 in New York City. Say Word's flagship group, 3rd Party (Farbeon, Hired Gun, Rabbi Darkside) held down a 3 year monthly residency at the Bowery Poetry Club called "Fourth Fridays." This all-elements event was a staple in the NYC underground and featured some of the finest DJs, MCs, Visual Artists and Beatboxers around. It allowed 3P to refine their sound and performance as they released 2 critically acclaimed albums: "Pressed For Time" (2005) and "Separation of Powers" (2006). Say Word Entertainment has grown to be synonymous with true school quality Hip Hop, and the movement is growing with every stride. Say Word and 3rd Party are part of an international network of progressive artists building positive communities and independent culture. Keep an eye out for us in your corner of the world, and please reach out and build!

Check out Say Word Entertainment to join the mailing list and stay up on the goodness that Say Word offers.
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