In a time for hip-hop when few dare to be different, K-Salaam has taken matters into his own hands with his album, The World is Ours. Dedicated to oppressed people throughout the world, the album's introductory message urges listeners of all backgrounds to give back to their communities and play their part in combating injustice. This type of mentality came from his background.
Raised by a working class family of Iranian-Americans, who were activists in their community, K-Salaam learned to question the system at an early age. But, it was 9/11 that really changed his world on a personal level and raised the stakes on his sense of social duty.
Leaving his home in Minneapolis to get things popping in New York as a DJ and producer, his love for reggae music eventually led him to Kingston, where he forged relationships with reggae giants such as Capleton, Sizzla, and Anthony B. With no prior connections to speak of, K-Salaam also managed to successfully reach out to rappers in the U.S. like Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Dead Prez, Saigon and Papoose, getting each of them to write original material that fit with the album's socially conscious theme.
Although all of the artists he reached out to were like-minded, they were also all more established than K-Salaam. For a relatively unknown producer who managed to rally some of the best hip-hop and reggae artists in the world on his album, K-Salaam is remarkably humble. As he tells it, real recognize real, and the musicians he reached out to, respected his grind and sense of purpose. Along with his partner Beatnik, K-Salaam seamlessly executed his vision for The World Is Ours across cultural borders and musical genres, with soulful, quality hip-hop beats as the sonic foundation. K-Salaam can now enjoy the response from listeners around the world as his message is spread. But, make no mistake, while this project may be the culmination of years of hard work, K-Salaam is just getting started.
01. So Much Trouble In The World (Intro)
02. What I Feel feat. Talib Kweli
03. Sail On feat. Sizzla
04. Ghetto Youth feat. Kardinal Offishall & Solitair
05. To The Rescue feat. Papoose & Busy Signal
06. The World Is Ours feat. Black Ice
07. Victory feat. Mos Def & Sizzla
08. Long Country Road feat. Da Backwudz
09. Never Let Us Down feat. Capleton
10. Where I'm From feat. Rakaa Iriscience
11. If Love Conquers All feat. Luciano
12. Vieques P.S.A. feat. Bobbito Garcia
13. Fallen Soldierz feat. Dead Prez
14. It's Just A Matter Of Time feat. Saigon
15. Revolution feat. Anthony B
16. Refugees feat. Suheir Hammad
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