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Substance. Consciousness. Lyrical Prowess. These are all elements that
seem to be severely lacking in the current state of Hip Hop. Hip Hop
as we know it is changing and among those on the frontlines making the
change is Oakland Emcee Five Eighty. Black Dream Entertainment's
premier artist, Five Eighty, is a torchbearer and bridge into the next
era of Hip Hop. This Oakland native takes his inspiration from a
diverse catalog of artists who have made a mark in musical history.
They range from the legendary Billie Holiday- which is exhibited in
his soulful choice of production- to Hip Hop Legends Tupac Shakur,
Common, and Nas. Five Eighty combines a distinct feeling of
spirituality with an edgy street delivery which is sure to please
critics and fans alike.
Amir 'Five Eighty' Abdul-Shakur is a well skilled battle Emcee. Five
Eighty perfected his skills through his well-earned rankings in
ciphers and freestyle competitions in Oakland and Southern California.
Emceeing has become a rare art form. However, Five Eighty is among the
few remaining. His street 'n spirituality edge is a direct reflection
of his tribulations in life and upbringing. Tragedy would strike in
1997 when his mother succumbed to AIDS. This life-changing ordeal
expanded his artistic arsenal, led him to pursue music full time and
more importantly led him to Islam. Five Eighty says, "You have to have
a certain swagger about you to succeed. I'm coming in the game as a
Battle Rapper. I want to resurrect the lost art of Emceeing."
Fans chimed in with accolades on his latest Mixtape effort 'Stakes Is
Still High.' "It's packed with dope Emcees. I'm proud of Five Eighty
for doin' his thing and raising the stakes. The stakes are definitely
still high.""You're a wordsmith with purpose. Your words hit the
surface of mind heart and soul. This is definitely the direction that
Muslim artists must be heading towards. Quality production with
quality and thought filled rhymes."
Five Eighty is set to deliver a dose of much needed spirituality,
creativity and lyricism back into the currently dormant state of Hip
Hop. The Bay Area bred wordsmith is raising eyebrows on both a
National and International level with his latest effort "Stakes Is
Still High". The Mixtape has been well received and the Oakland battle
rapper takes you on ride from beginning to end. The momentum of the
album is like shifting gears in a Porsche on a California Highway.
Each track brings its own level of increasing intensity and
excitement. Industry officials from major record labels (G-Unit and
Def Jam Records) have received Five Eighty's Mixtape 'Stakes Is Still
High' with accumulating interests.
Five Eighty
Location: Oakland, CA
Contact: www.fiveeighty.com and for business inquires, collaborations,
bookings etc. email
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Urbansteez.com Interview with Five Eighty
 Urbansteez.com: Tell us your name, and what area do you represent?
Five
Eighty: My name is Amir Abdul-Shakur also known as "Five Eighty", which stands
for Interstate 580, a local interstate that runs thru my hometown of Oakland,Ca . Even
though, I'm from Oakland, I feel I
represent the entire bay area because out here we're family and we support one
another...or at least we try.
Urbansteez.com: Yea the bay keeps it in the fam....How
long have you been pursuing a career in the music industry?
Five
Eighty: I started taking my solo career seriously in early 2006, before then I
was in a faith based hip-hop group and I decided to take that leap and do my
own thing. In 2 years time, I went from being totally unknown to being able to
travel across the US and even got offers
to perform internationally.
Urbansteez.com: What were you into before music?
Five
Eighty: I was in playing basketball...and that's it. I ate, sleep and
thought hoops, when I wasn't doing homework or chores, I would practice
literally all the time. I collected basketball cards (which I still own today)
and watch all the Jordan videos
religiously. .Since I was a youngster I really enjoyed the sport, so
basically I took my dedication and work ethic for basketball and brought it to
hip-hop so GAME'S OVER !!!
Urbansteez.com: As an artist how would you describe your style and why?
Five
Eighty: My style is a blend of everything I have been exposed to in my 25 years
on this planet. Everything from Big Daddy Kane, MC Hammer to Common, Nas,
Jay-Z. Nina Simone and Dizzy Gillespie. My style is inspired by the style of
others, who borrowed their techniques and mannerisms from the elders, who
borrowed theirs from the ancestors in Afrika. To the average hip-hop head, I'm
a west coast artist with east coast flavor.
Urbansteez.com: I see very deep...If you had your pick, which label to be
signed to, which label would it be and why?
Five
Eighty: The label I want to be signed to is ABB Records in Oakland, I respect
their track record, they believe in authentic hip-hop and they appear to
support their artists 100%. Ultimately, that's what a emcee wants in the end... a
situation where they can be creative, own their masters and make bread in the
same breath.
Urbansteez.com: Who in your future would you want to collaborate with and
why?
Five
Eighty: In Hip-Hop, I would want to work with Lupe Fiasco, Phonte of Little
Brother or Will Smith because I respect their lyricism and Will Smith has the
star power to break an artist into the industry and I agree with his approach
to hip-hop, maybe not all his song choices but his approach. In R&B, I
would choose Jill Scott because she has an amazing talent and I'm a fan of hers
and anything she's done has been a hit from The Roots "You Got Me" to Lupe
Fiasco's "Daydreamin'".
Urbansteez.com: What are you working on now, and when can we expect to
hear more of you?
Five
Eighty: Currently, I'm working on my debut album "Dream" slated for a early
summer release and I will release my next single in May called "Dream" which is
the title track featuring LS3
Urbansteez.com: That's wasssup, " Dream" get at that people! Who are your
influences?
Five
Eighty: Allah (SWT), Prophet Muhammad, Malcolm X, My mother (RIP), Nat
Turner, Marcus Garvey, Huey P. Newton, Fred Hampton Sr. and all those who have laid
their lives down so I can be free and rock the mic.
Urbansteez.com: You cant go wrong with that line up! So what do you think
of the hip hop / music world right now?
Five
Eighty: I think Hip-Hop is in rehab right now...she OD'd on materialism and self hate
and now she's on the road to recovery.
Urbansteez.com: I like how you put that! What will you do with your first
royalty check?
Five
Eighty: Pay off any debts I have and take my family to Mecca for Hajj.
Urbansteez.com: That's wassup! When you make it big, what car will you
first purchase?
Five
Eighty: A 2000 - whatever Land Rover LRX , once it rolls into production I will
be getting one.
Urbansteez.com: What's in your sound system right now?
Five
Eighty: Nothing
major, in my 05 civic I have 2 10'' Rockford Fosgate subs, A cool little
Kenwood Amp and Deck...I keeps it basic potna !!!.
Urbansteez.com: Lol... I meant musically but lets keep it movin!! which
female in the game would you pursue first and why?
Five
Eighty: N/A my wife would kill me literally...lol
Urbansteez.com: Lets pretend I never asked that lol...How can fans contact
you in the future (myspace, email, PO box,etc.)??
Five
Eighty: www.fiveeighty.com and for business inquires, collaborations,
bookings etc. please email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Urbansteez.com:
ANY SHOT OUTS???
Five Eighty: I want to thank you
for giving me this opportunity to connect with the world and I want to give a
shout out to Marciano, Hip Hop Chess Federation, T-KASH, The Reminders, Amir
Sulaiman, Magestik Legend, Jeni Fujita, Saidah, Jabbar and Ali, C-Nave', Saja
P. Joe Brasco Popmaster Fabel of RSC, Drip Drop Productions, RMS Trizm (France)
Pit Kaine, Mohammed Yahya, Abu Hajj, and all the soliders to fight for freedom
globally...Salaam & Love - Five Eighty
Check out Five Eighty classic hits, " Jihad" and "Secrets" at myspace.com/fiveeighty Positive flow, positive message!!
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