Album Notes

Multi-instrumental, multi-lingual, multi-racial -- Afro DZ ak embodies the diversity of 21st century progressive hip-hop. With a trumpet in his left hand and a microphone in his right, Afro DZ ak presents his solo debut Elevation.

Based in Boston, Afro DZ ak is part of the next generation of jazz-influenced, socially-conscious MCs. His new album Elevation showcases his diverse talents as a thoughtful, incisive rapper and an experienced, powerful musician.

Though reminiscent of old-school Common, Digable Planets or A Tribe Called Quest, Elevation is about much more than looped jazz samples.

Layered with live trumpet, saxophone, flute, piano, guitar and bass, Elevation\'s boom-bap rhythms and dynamic harmonies are a perfect match for Afro DZ ak\'s politically-progressive lyricism.

Like Barack Obama, Afro DZ ak (real name Pete Shungu) was born to a mother from the heartland of America (Kansas) and a father from the heart of Africa (Dem. Rep. of Congo). As a result of his diverse background, Afro DZ ak raps about real problems facing the local and global community around him. A former member of The Eclectic Collective, Afro DZ ak was classically trained in trumpet and piano, and regularly performs in spoken-word poetry slams.