From his immigrant upbringing to his nomadic lifestyle, Power Struggle’s front man Nomi, evokes the sound of the weary traveler finding home over the horizon. From a hip-hop perspective, Nomi’s poignant lyrics and political analysis are unique in a culture/ genre that’s been highkacked by gunclappers, pimps, and businessmen. Remittances reflects the life and times of working class people trying to survive in a system that they do not control.
A careful construction of samples, middy kits, and live instruments by producers Fatgums and Mr. Rey, provide an eclectic belend of beats that can only be described as West Coast soul. Remittances brings back the dynamic relationship between MC and producer, which leaves the listener wondering what came first, the verse or the beat. It’s evident that producers Fatgums and Mr. Rey, were meticulous in finding the right beats to not only fit Nomi’s style and delivery, but also stay within the collective vision of the record.
With songs like “Traveling Man” and “Mr. Sagittarius”, Nomi proves that his theories on life, love and politics, were learned from the grounds that he walked, the books that he borrowed and the hammers that he swung. However, Remittances doesn’t romanticize the struggles in society, but honors those that strive to put food on the table.
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