POEM-CEES: Paranoia

Poem-cees

Paranoia

© 2003 Blacklustre Entertainment (659057752129)

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2 charismatic poem-cees and a dj, framed by hip-hop beats and a live band, making smart & conceptual hip hop/spoken word albums that walk with kings without losing the common touch...

tracks

1 Ephesians 6:12 (acronym)
2 Glasses
3 Keloid Suite
4 Jay
5 Year of the 'Noid
6 Affirmation Baby!
7 SIWBY (commitment)
8 Cheatin'
9 Land Of The Ambis
10 Fat White Men In Suits
11 Joe Theisman
12 Blah Blah
13 Live @State of the Union
14 Bad Turkey

notes

THEY are performing for a crowd that does not exist. Well, to be accurate, the room is packed to capacity...but this crowd cannot, I repeat, cannot exist. After all, this is a hip hop show, so why are all these young professionals and graduate students in attendance? This is a poetry reading, yet thugs and knuckleheads whisper blunted approvals from the cozy vantage point of the bar. This is accessible music, yet eclectic enough to inspire legions of chain-smoking hipsters to drop the 'faux boredom' routine and support the vibe. People are DANCING (Do you hear me? Dancing, at a hip hop show circa 2003?!) Perhaps craziest of all, there are lots and lots of women at this hip hop, spoken word, live band with a dj, make ya wanna shake your hind-parts show...and the brothers on stage aren't even pushing for sex symbol status (yet). Yeah, that's right- scratch your head: WHAT'S UP WITH POEM-CEES?!?

Well, for starters, chemistry and well-crafted songs; songs that remind you that "underground hip hop" was dance music. Unique approaches to familiar subject matter. Smart rhymes that don't scream "look how smart my rhymes are!" If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, you may have been lucky enough to witness naturalaw-dp, Black Picasso, and DJ Stylus - also known as POEM-CEES (the MC's of Poetry).

Since 1998, POEM-CEES have combined rhyme, prose and community activism to emerge at the cutting edge of the vibrant Washington, DC Arts Movement. Naturalaw-dp & Black Picasso's talents were forged in the crucible of the spoken word movement; as founding members of the now defunct Generation 2000 poetry collective, they toured and performed at colleges and universities as well as recorded songs for BET & Emerge magazine's nationally distributed "Strength of a Woman" cd. Invitations to open for such acts as the Roots, the Fugees and the Last Poets led to the addition of DJ Stylus and the band, and thus the lean and mean POEM-CEES unit was formed. The year 2000 brought forth their debut album, "I.O.U. Street", a whirlwind tour through the open mic, hip-hop, drum & bass, and funk scenes along DC's historic U Street corridor. From the organic funk of "test" to the kinetic soul of "The 180", "I.O.U. Street" boldly shoved convention aside, daring to brand hip-hop with the stamp of originality.

Now, audiences on both sides of the ocean await the Spring 2003 release of "Paranoia", which continues the POEM-CEES tradition of pushing the boundaries of contemporary hip-hop music. Conceived prior to the 9/11 tragedies, "Paranoia" avoids clichés yet remains amazingly prescient by focusing on the various manifestations of paranoia in our lives. A mild case is represented by "SIWBY (commitment)", a casual conversation on cold feet in a relationship, while the extreme instance is hilariously represented by "Fat White Men In Suits". "Glasses" is a cautionary tale for those who stumble through life like Mr. Magoo, and "Keloid Suite" and "Jay" are chilling examples of a parent's worst nightmare. All in all, the "Paranoia" project runs the gamut of emotions, ultimately standing as the rarest of the rare: a well-executed, non-self indulgent concept record that may be digested in segments or as a whole... (translation: it's a very, very good cd).

Of course, along with the new record comes the return of the now infamous POEM-CEES live shows, a glimpse of which can be obtained in the debut episode of Season III of HBO's Def Poetry Jam (airing 4/4/03). "Energy" and "Chemistry" best describes their interaction with each other and their connection with the audience. This is an experience that must be seen to be fully appreciated. To contact the POEM-CEES or to inquire about their 2003 tour schedule, please e-mail us at poemcees@hotmail.com, or call (800) 759 1202.

reviews

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  • Intelligent
    author: Birdie

    We want more!

  • Lyrically masterful, funny, moving and downright dope!
    author: Stephanie Renee

    Ever since I first saw these wicked wordsmiths perform with their former ensemble Generation 2000, I knew that they were destined to kick lyrical azz and inspire higher consciousness on wax. "Paranoia" is one of those discs that makes you believe in the power of hip-hop again, one word and one beat at a time. If only radio were wise enough to mix in more of this level of artistry with the mindless crap we get in "hot" rotation.

  • A Masterpiece!
    author: William Vaughan

    From start to finish, this album is incredible. The concepts, beats/music, and lyrics are all masterfully crafted. If you're expecting the typical music fare, don't expect to find it on this CD. Instead, you'll find an entertaining musical (hip hop/jazz/spoken word/D&B) journey manifested through the genius of 3 brothers on their grind...Ya betta cop this joint!

  • . . . cool . . . deep . . . real. . . intriguing
    author: Roscoe

    I thought it was moving and real.

  • cool......keep listening to it...........it'll hitcha sooner or later
    author: Vin Robust

    The album coulda been tighter..at times i felt like it was rushed....i won't front, theres some heavy shit going on there as far as concepts and the way they get you open with clever lines. It's not your ordinary album. My favorite songs are Glasses, Jay, Fat White Men In Suits, Land Of the Ambis, and Affirmation. With 11 songs on deck, 5 out of 11 isn't bad. much love..... Purchase this CD and put it in your rotation......

  • SometimesIWonderBoutYou... but...
    author: Queen Takeyah

    SometimesIWonderBoutYou...them...us...we...POEM-CEES.. but...then I put in my "Paranoia" CD and things just seem to work out so nicely. I enjoyed this contribution by the POEM-CEES. "Paranoia" definitely keeps a sistah's head nodding and wanting a T-shirt to wear. Since shirts aren't available right now, I just had to make my own and share the wealth with the world. Buy this CD...for all it's "warmness and splendor"...

  • the stuff Real Hip Hop is all about...
    author: delia goncalves

    If you appreciate smart lyrics, slammin' beats and stories that move your spirit...Paranoia is a must have in your CD collection. Listen to the album...listen to the future of hip hop.

  • don't sleep on this album
    author: Curly

    This is how hip-hop should be. The music and beats are fresh and the lyrics will make you think, laugh, and scratch your head over and over again. These guys are smart, funny, and, most importantly, real. Get this album!!!

  • This album is classic with music and lyrics that really moves the mind and spiri
    author: Tamara Wellons

    This album is classic with music and lyrics that really moves the mind and spirit. I have about five favorites- which is a lot for any album. There is not one song or poem on the CD that was just okay. BUY it now.

  • underground creeper
    author: b elrod

    if you've never heard a poem-cees record or if you're unsure whether their dynamic, live-show vibe could stand up to such a static medium, give this jont a chance (or 3) -- you'll begin to appreciate their indomitable aesthetic. appropriately titled, "paranoia" is infectious...if you let it creep in, that is. unlike too many hip hop releases from the past 10 years, this album has multifaceted content: lyricism, realism, mass appeal-ism... i've been following the poem-cees for about 4 years now and i was waiting for a full-length successor to their I.O.U. street ep. the wait is now over, and it was definitely worth it. an underground sleeper, for sure, which means don't SLEEP on this one...

  • A little Aiight - But could've been better compare to today's Spoken Word standa
    author: Skinny Corleone

    I thought and heard this group was the pen-ultimate thruth in DC. I guess I heard wrong. I heard way more better coming out of the city.

  • ver very D O P E! 5 star, must have!
    author: dj ragz

    Ok check this, This Cd is extermely hot, its a must buy, so dont sleep on this item, pick it up! truly amazing! Nice smoothed out beats, its refreshing to hear stuff like this still being made! I have no question DJ Stylus and the group will be making noise with this title! also check the Blind Opticz CD thats available at CDBABY.COM .

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