Whose World Is This? – K-Salaam & Beatnick
 Every now and again, movements have major milestones… I believe that this album is just that for the fusion movement of Reggae and Hip-Hop and will go down as a turning point in this long relationship. I have to start off and apologize for being so late on the curve with this incredible project put together by DJ K-Salaam. This album dropped in July of 2008 but I just ran across it last week while preparing some new radio stations for Rhapsody. I’m not going to get into his whole story but he has come a long way from his humble beginnings in Minneapolis to moving to New York and coordinating one of the best and most complete Hip-Hop and Reggae collections that we have seen thus far. The beauty is in that this connection was based on an ideology as well as musical alignment. You can find out more about the artists and the project at the VP Records website as well as the Youtube playlist below. It started with a vision of empowering oppressed people across the globe. The CD also comes with a DVD (included in its entirety on the playlist) that starts by saying that it is dedicated to the people of Palestine and New Orleans. What you come to understand is that it is also dedicated to all oppressed brown people in between, but Salaam says it better himself:
“There are many other people who this album should be dedicated to. However, The World Is Ours was not meant to be a dedication album. Instead this album is a movement, made to spark new ideas and philosophies that would in turn bring about a change in this wicked system; and lead to a better way of life.”
Despite the current trend of mainstream Rap, Hip-Hop will always have it’s roots in the struggle, and that is where Reggae will always be. This is why I have come to see them as branches on a common tree because the greatest of both genres often come from the same unfortunate upbringings and inspire their communities to overcome oppression and to unify. K-Salaam and Beatnick drew upon this and built an album that is musically dynamic and consistent as it fuses the best parts of Reggae and Hip-Hop. The highlights on the album to me are the “Street Life” remix by Trey Songs and Buju Banton, “As We Continue” with Kardinall Offishall and Solitaire, and of course “Babylon (Must Be Mad) by Young Buck and Sizzla that also features a Barrington Levy sample. The true fusion tracks shine the brightest but the other tracks by solo artists such also are worth a spin such as Talib Kweli’s “Feel,” “Never Let Us Down” by Capleton, and my personal favorite, “Mission Complete,” by Jamelody. Check the track listing below and check out the making of this fantastic project on “The World Is Ours” DVD included on the playlist.“
“The World Is Ours” DVD: The making of “Whose World Is This.” Released by VP Records.
Bredren & Sistren
Greetings fellow Reggae enthusiasts. I would like to welcome you to the HipHop-Reggae.com, your definitive guide for all of the most cutting edge music and news coming from the world of Reggae music. My name is Marley “One” Lovell, and I am Rastafarian since birth as well as a obsessive fan of Reggae music. Growing up in the beautiful Bay Area California, I attended the Reggae on the River festival in Humbolt County every year with my family and friends. As i grew older I became more interested in Rap and Hip-Hop music.
As an adult I have returned to my roots discovering the passion for Reggae that my parents shared. As you will come to learn I have a fundamental respect for roots Reggae of the the likes of Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown, Garnett Silk, and of course my all time favorites, Sly & Robbie, the infamous “Riddim Twins.” The only thing the excites me more than Reggae, is the acceptance of Reggae by the Hip-Hop community. I consider myself a member of both cultures, and I think hat Hip-Hop and Reggae share a fundamental origin in the struggle of Black youth in urban environments.
Through out the history of Reggae music it has crossed many genre boundaries, but Hip-Hop has presented more than just an opportunity for a different sound. It has offered a chance to re capture the American market post Bob Marley, and create a fruitful sub genre. There are several examples of successful crossover from the 90’s from artists such as Super Cat and Shabba Ranks, but the real moves have been made in the new millennium by artists like Buju Banton, Sean Paul, Collie Buddz, Beenie Man, and of course the signing of Sizzla my Hip-Hop mogul Damon Dash.
Speaking of Sizzla, he has been absolutly torching the air waves and I think before you know it he will be a houshold name in the Hip-Hop community. Over the past couple years he has appeared on tracks with the likes of Styles P., Talib Kweli, Nas, and Juelz Santana. The latest things that I am super hyped on is an official music video with the “greatest rapper alive,” Lil’ Wayne, who kicks one of the illest pat tios verses I have ever heard. Much love and respect to these two for this submission from the Carter 3, and much respect to all of you for checking me out here at HipHop-Reggae.com. Enjoy, you’ll be hearing from me soon.
Respect