“…this album is a return to basics, that good ol’ boom bap, the beats and rhymes. I needed to get in touch with the other side of me, the side of me who loved Run DMC, BDP, and the 808 Machine. It was where I started as an MC and I needed to touch that again…This is a non-collaborative effort born out of my own fears, insecurities, observations, triumphs, and tragedies. It is therapy over beats” - Raashan Ahmad

That’s just how I felt when I picked up Raashan Ahmad’s (Crown City Rockers) solo debut “The Push” courtesy of OM Records. WHat more can you ask for in an underground album these days? The beats and rhymes are on point… the albums consistent and the guest stars lend a helping hand (Chali2na of J5) rather than steal the spotlight. Boombap, lyrical content, structure and discipline is everything Raashan Ahmad employs in his groundbreaking new album “The Push” that has Hip-Hop moving towards to the masses.
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Don’t sleep on this album. At first glance, I thought I was listening to Organized Konfusions 1994 album “Stress: The Extinction Agenda” with a touch of O.C.’s “word life.” Raashan’s lyrics are filled with rich consistent wordplay keeping the listener in tune. He can tell a story and move the crowd. Beat contributors include some of independent Hip-Hop’s heavy hitters DJ Vadim, Eligh, Headnodic, D Sharp, Stro the 88th Key and Raashan Ahmad to name a few. The paint this perfect picture of organic funk shying away from mainstream jingles running rampant in radio waves. While every cut has its moments of shine, a few of my favorites that stand out are “The Crush” (an ode for his love to the old school), the opening cut “hello” brings that that 90’s feeling of boom bap. “City feel proud” is a 1-2 punch of dope rhymes pairing Chali2na and Raashan for a no holds barred rhymefest. The D Sharp produced “Clive Thanks” is a religious devotion of giving thanks while R straight rocks the mic and “Heavenbound” is Raashan strictly on another level.

“The Push” in my opinion gets a nod for best independent album from an artist for 2008 and it also made me feel good about myself. It lifted my appreciation once again towards underground Hip-Hop, a sub-culture I can see is evolving with the music industry. The days of slanging cd-r’s at local shows are changing and so is the way independent artists are selling their music through the internet while local music stores are closing shop. With this in mind, spreading good faith on the internet with albums like “The Push” through Hip-Hop related blog sites, myspace and the use of iTUNES is a great way t oget guys like Raashan the props they deserve. Spread the word.