Mixing style with substance is a hard job in the new millennium hip-hop world, but DC emcee Bomani Armah has proved time and time again that he can be musically relevant and socially responsible. From his lucid lyrics, colorful music production, and fashion forward look, Bomani is a part of the new wave of hip-hop music that's challenging the status quo. Whether performing a capella, with a DJ, or his six piece funk/go-go band Project Mayhem, Bomani is a must see live! A noted columnist, blogger, music producer and educator, Bomani is truly in the forefront of the new millennium renaissance.
"I'm not a rapper, I'm a poet with a hip-hop style"
READ A BOOK!! READ A BOOK!! READ A ....
The new battlefield is for the minds of our young people, specifically the battle over what it is to be authentically black. Unfortunately, the glorification of material things, the objectification of ourselves sexually, and the use of profanity has come to epitomize the essence of “realness” in commercial hip-hop. Most surprisingly, our young people are keenly aware of this fact, as evidence by the hundreds of emails and myspace messages I received from teenagers, they just feel powerless to change it. They’ve been programmed to think that popular culture happens to them, instead of something they can create the way the forefathers of hip-hop did. Enter the new classic “Read a Book”. Beloved by many, hated by many more. Everyone had an opinion on the song, it's writers and video director. Click the links below to media coverage of this phenomenon.
Bomani on 106th & Park
Grown Ass Man
The Hustle
D'mite's follow-up after the Read-A-Book movement/controversy. This song is reflective of the artist's roots and philosophy... he's very grown. Gemal Woods on the direction and editing along with some camera work. Much respect to Burns Foresythe on the cinematography at the rec center. This was shot at the Benning Road Rec Center and Park Triangle Productions. Special thanks to Words Beats and Life on the location. Great time!!!
Join Bomani in a day in the life of a hustler. Not one of the hustlers you’re use to seeing in hip-hop videos, but a true independent artists trying to make it happen legitimately. Original aired at the San Francisco Black Film Festival, this is the first of numerous collaborations between Bomani Armah and director Gemal Woods. It’s a great lesson in working hard and perfect capturing of a moment in time in NW DC.