Album Notes

10 years of grind in the world of underground Hip Hop.
8 years of teaching in the NYC Public Schools.
6 years of promoting, world touring, freestyle battling and community organizing.
3 critically acclaimed full-length group releases.
1 Bomb.

“Building the Better Bomb” is documentation of these various experiences, refracted through the Hip Hop prism and crafted into poetry punchlines. This is Rabbi Darkside’s unprecedented venture into lyrical-jazz-earthblues-boom-bap-soul-folk. It is a project about our connection to the ever-present past and the not-so-distant future, taking you from the frontlines of Iraq to the inside of the Oval Office; the symphonic chaos of New York City Public Schools to the serenity of the Sinai Desert; the warmth of a woman's wholehearted embrace to the center of a battle cypher.

A global cast of Hip Hop luminaries guest on the mic and production, wiring "The Better Bomb" for worldwide 21st century impact. Collaborators cover ground from Brooklyn to Queens, Oakland to Chicago, South London to South France. “Building the Better Bomb” features vocals from Appl Juic (UK), Core Rhythm (BK), Farbeon (BK), Raid’n (FR), Mista Mayday (CT) and the incomparable Ann Enzminger (BK). The production team features the classic boom bap of Mista Mayday, the progressive jazz of And I, Baba Israel and Jive, the thunder of Verse All and the international flavor of DJ Rectape (FR).

This is a product of 100% independent artistry. The original album artwork by Borish (Trust Your Struggle), the graphic layout by J-Skillz (Jask Clothing), and all the music were developed in collaboration with executive producer Rabbi D.

WARNING: May cause brain explosion upon headphone detonation.

"...["Building the Better Bomb"] has a clear message to educate and better the world. Optimism is complemented by great beats, witty lyrics, and intelligent references. This album is also intensely personal..." -Beyond Race Magazine


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RABBI DARKSIDE is a NYC freestyle legend, known for rocking mics and crowds around the globe with a vigor and poetic tact rare in this age of water-downed pop rap. He has won countless battles and MC challenges in the new millennium (11-time "Sin Sin Off the Head Challenge" winner), all while touring the U.S. and Europe with Brooklyn-based trio 3rd Party. From the NYC Subways to school halls to stages, Rabbi D has spread positive Hip Hop and laid the foundation for “Building the Better Bomb.” The new album is released right on the heels of his national TV feature on MTV’s “MADE,” starring as the Hip Hop Head Coach, and on the wings of a summer European Tour.

Rabbi D is also a highly regarded DJ and beatboxer, holding down weekly residencies on the turntables in Manhattan and Brooklyn while performing as part of Beatboxer Entertainment. He is the lone American MC featured on the first human beatbox album from Czech Republic, “Beat Apetit,” which has produced a large following in Central Europe and a music video in heavy rotation in the Czech. On his global journey filled with teaching, DJing and crowd rocking, he has appeared alongside Talib Kweli, Slick Rick, The Last Poets, Wordsworth, Pigeon John, Common, Kanye West, Weldon Irvine, DJ JS-1, Rahzel and Kenny Mohammad.

In addition to his artistry, Rabbi D is one of the pre-eminent Hip Hop arts educators in New York City, with over 8 years of teaching experience in the public schools. Stay tuned for the collection of lesson plans and teaching curriculum to accompany the album.

www.myspace.com/rabbiraps for exclusives, video and tour blog.