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Real hardcore lyricism put to jazzy rhythms and bass weaved around the verse like a cool linen sarong.

"Activism, mmm hrm..." Ursula Rucker deserves a mention here with some serious lyrics and punctuated voice that moves you to listen harder than you might. You won't play this album as background music. It's totally thought provoking. It's definition. It's cerebral. It's vision and it's word.

If you are married, in love or know what's up with loving someone more than you ever have anyone or anything else, then check out "Love Like". It will move you harder than a hurricane moves a kite flying along a coastline. Shihan is a romantic lyrical genius.

“The Iconoclast” is a favorite beat-driven track that you’ll have to play several times until you can rap right alongside Shihan. “Word… If you believe in the word… then just say word…” Word.

"Auction Network" is satire hosted on the opposite side of subtle. I just wish about 5 billion people could be force fed that track. But don't let me spoil it for you. Get the album and check it.

If you like Saul Williams, Jean Grae, REAL verse and cool musical elegance, you need to pick up a copy of The Poet.

JIVE Magazine Rating: 5 out of 5 grooves that matter

Release Information:

Track 6, "Somebody Tell Me" will be in heavy rotation on your iPod this summer if you give it a chance. If you dig the New Common CD, have ever marveled at just how good The Roots are or have sang along to Mos Def's "Ms.Fat Booty," than you'll be down with "The Poet."

http://www.shihansback.com

SHIHAN FACTS:

* Hosts the largest open mic night in the U.S. called Da' Poetry Lounge.

Every Tuesday @ The Greenway Court Theatre

* His LA Poetry team (Which formed at Da' Poetry Lounge) has taken down back to back titles at the National Poetry Slam Championship and look for a 3-pete this August. http://www.nps2005.org/

* Used to go out with Rosario Dawson - They grew up together and are still close friends.

* His sister, Ayodele Casel is a famous Tap Dancer.

* Been featured on all 5 season's of HBO's acclaimed Def Poetry - he's also the Talent Coordinator for the show.

* Wrote for the NBA Jam Session series, School House Rocks series.

* Created The Theme for Reebok's "Blacktop" campaign.

* Co-wrote one of MTV's most popular ROCK THE VOTE campaigns "Tic Toc."

* Co-wrote and voiced Pepsi's "Slam" TV & Radio Campaigns.

* Toured as the "Street Poet" for Nike Battlegrounds One-on-One Tournament.

* Opened for Alicia Keys @ the Essense Music Festival - Opened for Musiq Soulchild @ Soul Beach Music Festival.

Track Listings

1. Intro: The Poet
2. Poemcee
3. Activism - Ursula Rucker
4. Love Like
5. Iconoclast
6. Somebody Tell Me
7. Auction Network
8. What You Want
9. Who Could Be
10. In Response
11. Stop the Music
12. Frozen
13. Robots
14. Give T to Me - Propaganda
15. Follow Me