Sellassie

SELLASSIE www.sellassiefrisco.com www.myspace.com/sellassie San Francisco Revolutionary Poet and Activist Sellassie is an alternative in today’s hip hop or as he likes to call it “rap music.” His debut, I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin’ speaks directly to socio-economic inequities, political injustices and the realities of ghetto life. A fresh perspective and new sound, Sellassie inspires with strong messages and dynamic beats, proof that there are young black artists that can mak...

SELLASSIE www.sellassiefrisco.com www.myspace.com/sellassie San Francisco Revolutionary Poet and Activist Sellassie is an alternative in today’s hip hop or as he likes to call it “rap music.” His debut, I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin’ speaks directly to socio-economic inequities, political injustices and the realities of ghetto life. A fresh perspective and new sound, Sellassie inspires with strong messages and dynamic beats, proof that there are young black artists that can make a career and music that is creative, street and smart. Sellassie chose music to reach the youth. “I grew up off black rap music, when the outsiders were looking in and now the outsiders are controlling the creativity of the game. Rap music is our culture, created as the voice of the underdog and in my community, we were born underdogs. Rap is my way to speak directly to my people and m.y.g.h.e.t.t.o.” (Mad Young Generation Here Eternally To Take Over) In a commitment to truth and justice in an industry of destructive messages and payola scandals, Sellassie’s mix of non-traditional beats and clever rhymes easily set him apart from the rest. Masterfully articulating the struggle, he has a contagious rawness. In nearly a decade of writing rhymes, Sellassie’s passion for poetry and truth has grown into his art, an art dedicated to exposing truth and taking a stand. Raised in the bay area at the height of the crack epidemic and witness to countless black on black murders exposed Sellassie to the ills of the world at an early age. In what was once the home of the Black Panthers, Sellassie brings their messages of communalism, integrity, knowledge of self and a strong sense of nationhood to his music, where he can reach his people in what he calls “Black Life Music”. The elder of two sons, he was raised in a family of love and independent thought. Sellassie’s father is an intellectual who taught his sons to seek knowledge, be imaginative and question authority. Sellassie developed an interest in history books at an early age and sought answers to his questions in American, African-American, African, Caribbean, French and Spanish books. Sellassie is self-educated and while his peers were in college, he was learning to survive on the streets. Exposed to a range of music from the Ohio Players to Bob Dylan, Too Short to Teena Marie, Sellassie’s influences are varied. He started writing short stories and screenplays in high school and it soon translated to writing political rhymes. Sellassie has independently created a vast catalogue of 250+ songs and released I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin’ in Aug 2008. This album is truth. This album speaks on issues that need to be addressed. Sellassie takes a stand, will not be silenced or compromised and believes that it is important for young black men and women to have someone to be proud of again. I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin’ has heads bobbin’ from the jump with Newsflash, a unique track that awakens the listener to this new sound. With Mad Young Generation Here Eternally To Take Over (M.Y.G.H.E.T.T.O.) as a call to action, Sellassie inspires with strong messages and dynamic beats. Over a feel-good beat, Why You Worried About Me speaks to the importance of knowledge of self, individuality and the common threats of haterism. Slap Factory, a young, imaginative crew of producers creating a new Bay Area sound, crafted all the beats for this project. I’m Tryin’ to Make a Livin’ Not a Killin is a testament that you can come smart, produce meaningful rhymes and remain conscious without leaning on cussing or the N-word. In his early career, Sellassie has shared the stage with Saul Williams, San Quinn, Michael Franti, Ziggy Marley, Kev Choice Ensemble, Rebelution, Goapele, Pep Love, Mr. FAB, Ise Lyfe, Deuce Eclipse, One Block Radius, Mavrik, Lyrics Born, Equipto, Bored Stiff, Baldhead Rick, Queen Deelah, Bayliens, Mos Def, Netta B, Lee Majors, Sticman, Bayonics and Zion I. Bringing a fresh perspective to the game, Sellassie stands firm to his message, has a charismatic stage presence and is poised to hit a town near you.