Rasheed Jamal is a unique artist through and through. I sense a tale of two worlds in his subject matter and sound. A combination of the South, where he’s grown up (Arkansas,) and Portland Oregon, where he’s currently at. A unique mix of sub friendly southern music with a creative touch that could only be fine-tuned in the artsy Portland area. And that’s just his approach to picking production.
The subject matter from Rasheed always runs deep. His latest album provides the vibes and feel to satisfy the general hip-hop listener and subject mater for heads and scholars to devour. From the title of the project 22 Grams | Iamthatiam to the lyrics, meaning runs amongst everything.
With the current climate in the world, the discussions of black lives is literally trending. An album 8 years in the making with a release date of a never more relevant time in history, this project is the culmination of living life as a black man in America at any given point over the last decades.
22 Grams is a look at music that challenges the content of the status quo. The word “blood” is mentioned a lot. Something that falls under the category of religious symbolism yet Jamal also uses it as racial symbolism. So many emotions are explored on this album. Positivity, hope, religion, pain, depression, and inspiration.
Rasheed Jamal
From a macro view, this project to me, is about someone that’s trying to find their way in the world, seek answers to questions, and find out how they fit into the bigger picture, something someone of any race could associate with, yet all the while dealing with life as a black man in a country not designed for them. Topics like anti-socialism, depression, and trauma are discussed over beats that for a second can take you away from how painful the lyrics can be. Don’t get it twisted, their are calls to unity and hope scattered throughout the 9 songs.
The soundscape on 22 Grams is as diverse as it’s content. New school fans of the “conscious will find gems in creative ambient records like “Chattanooga Park” and “Hidden Heart.” Those seeking Mike Dean esque dirty bass lines will find heat on “Love Is The Highest Religion” and “Urban Decay.” Even old heads that are still bumping Rocafella Dynasty records will find something on songs like “Ghettosville, U.S.A.”
The Meaning of 22 Grams
There’s a little known phenomenon among medical professionals that upon death, the human body almost always drops weight by 22 grams. Religious people and those of spiritual nature believe this to be the soul leaving the body. It’s a phenomenon debated and examined by people the world over, and it’s an idea that Portland-based musician Rasheed Jamal has wrestled with for many years. In fact, it’s such an intriguing notion to the young artist that he had to create an album about it.
Rasheed Jamal – “Urban Decay Pt. 2” feat. Dook da Genius (Music Video)
22 Grams | Iamthatiam
"This is not for everybody, Everybody ain't down!"
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Also, don’t sleep on Rashed Jamal’s Messiah Complex album that was released last year!
