Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Umm Zaynab | United States | 12/31/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I grew up in MYNA listening to these brothers rap onstage. Now that I have children of my own I am so blessed to be able to share the talents of these brothers with my own children and I enjoy them as well! The album features about 15 tracks, each in a distinct style. There is something for everyone in this album, whether it be rap, R&B, or even reggae. Native Deen does not use wind or string instruments however they use all types of percussion including drums, triangle, marimba, xylophone, chimes, etc. Each brother has a very unique voice and yet their voices complement each other so well. The album is also professionally produced and well-done all-around. No corners were cut in the production of this CD!
A few of our favorites: "Not Afraid to Stand Alone" is a song that you can bop around the house to, all while feeling a surge of inner pride and confidence about being Muslim. It's a great pick-me-up song for first thing in the morning, especially if you're a teenager heading out the door to public school. "Still Strong" features Brother Isam from Outlandish and tells the generic story of a man falsely impisoned on terrorism charges ("It's not Islam or Christianity/It's all of the humanity/The religion of vanity/Drives people to insanity") while "Be At The Top" is an indictment of Muslims around the world who would resort to violence, who smear the name of Islam, (those whom the song brilliantly refers to as "anti-semantic") and instead the song urges Muslims to use "the power of the pen" to fight back against misconceptions and oppression. "Zamilooni" is an incredible R&B-style love song about the love of the Prophet (PBUH) for his first wife Khadija. It features Zain Bhika whose unique R&B voice really makes this song something special. Two songs from previous Native Deen and MYNA Raps albums have been redone for this CD: "Labbayk" is from MYNA Raps The Inner Struggle and "M-U-S-L-I-M" from the album Deen You Know."
Not bad... really
D. J. Thom | Antioch, CA | 07/13/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Bismillah rahmanir raheem...
I must say first off that I really do like this CD. Several of the songs on here (Life's Worth, Tala'al Badru, Rain Song, Zamilooni for example) are truly beautiful. Zamilooni is quite touching.
However a couple of the songs (the title song & Still Strong for example) play a bit too heavily on the "victim" card, and though I know this theme is common in hip hop I think that in the context of our Islamic faith I would rather be joyous knowing Allah is by my side. I also am a bit confused why three brothers from Washington DC feel it necessary to sing in a "Ja-fake-an Jamaican" accent in there now and then.
Also the "Interludes" are a big distraction and pander unnecessarily to the demographic that would be interested in the "yo yo yo boyee what it is uppinna hood!" type, and not strictly Muslim. Otherwise it is a very enjoyable - if not really halal - musical CD.
"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
