Video After The Jump
In this episode of 'People's Party,' Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, author, actor, activist, filmmaker and college professor -- NARCY
The topics covered in this deeply profound and insightful discussion include the culture shock that Narcy experienced with his move from Dubai to Montreal, Canada at age 5. They also go on to talk about Narcy directing some of Talib's music videos, the racism that Narcy had to endure during the first Iraq war as well as following the 911 attacks. They touch on the influence of Malcolm X, dangers of the 'deep fake' era, the famous 13th century Muslim poet Rumi, internet becoming a basic human need, Narcy's album 'SpaceTime', the effectiveness of comedy in hip hop, Narcy's song 'Hamdulillah', Narcy's book 'Text Messages: or How I Found Myself Time Traveling', Narcy teaching as a hip hop professor at Concordia, how deeply he has been influenced by the Wu-Tang Clan, and much more.
TiMESTAMPS:
3:22 -- Talib thanks Narcy for directing several of his music videos, such as 'Traveling Light' and asks him to share what he was trying to capture with those visuals. Narcy goes on to speak on the concept, and his intentions behind it. They also discuss his direction for the video 'All of Us'. Narcy talks about how hip hop has helped him find his voice, coming at just the right time in his life, and the importance he felt in paying homage as a guest in hip hop culture. Narcy also gets asked for his take on the notion of the video killing the radio star, and if he thinks that music videos take something away from how a listener experiences a song. He goes on to explain how he conceptualizes the music videos that he directs.
11:08 -- Narcy is asked about the biggest social shocks he encountered when he moved from Dubai to Montreal, Canada, heaving to learn French at an immigrant school. He talks about one of the most formative experiences there, during the first Iraq war, and the outward racism he experienced at that time. Talib reflects on his first taste of activism during those years. Narcy expands on the disolousion he experienced with how the media was portraying these wars in the middle east, and also speaks on the connection he felt with the black and brown communities in America in the way their deaths were viewed as merely statistics.
20:01 -- Talib speaks on his Muslim name meaning the student or the seeker, and how he was asked if he might consider going by just 'Kweli' following the 911 attacks. Talib asks Narcy why he decided to make hip hop the vehicle for him in channelling his viewpoint about what was going on in the world following Sept. 11th. He illustrates what happened on the day of the attacks, and how there was a rumor going around that he and his sister were cheering in the streets. He talks about how hip hop was the perfect escape of a "non-judgemental space", especially groups like Public Enemy and Wu-Tang Clan.
25:51 -- Narcy is asked about his choice to sample Malcolm X's famous speech 'The Ballot or the Bullet'. He reflects on his father bringing him to see Spike Lee's bioepic in the theater when he was 13 years old, and how it drew him in. He illustrates the reasons why Malcolm's story connected so deeply with him as a young Muslim immigrant, and tells how Malcolm's words continually influence and shape how he lives his life even today.
29:39 -- Jasmin brings up Narcy's "deep fake" themed video for 'Thoughts And Prayers', and asks Narcy if he thinks that the rise of technology and our dependence of it will just keep making it harder for us to distinguish the truth from fiction. Narcy speaks on the clear and present danger of the desensitization that deep fakes create on our culture. They also discuss some of the controversy around who is running the meme site 'Daquan'.
35:45 -- Narcy talks about his grandfather being the first poet in his family, and the influence that he had on him at an early age. He also talks about Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet, and how his works heavily based in islam impacted him to think on 'a heart level'. Talib also asks Narcy how his faith affects his musical output. Narcy explains how it reminds him that every intention is more important than the act itself, and remaining cognizant of the fact that everything you put out into the world reverberates.
43:11 -- Narcy is asked about his interlude 'I Got 5G on it', that speaks to wifi accessibility. They discuss how today's internet has become a basic human need just like water, food and shelter. Talib goes on to ask Narcy to remind him where they met. The story begins with Talib talling Narcy and his crew to get off the stage during a sound check, then leads to Talib finding a book Narcy wrote 'The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe' on his shelf that he signed to him. Talib goes on to reflect on how much of an inspirational read it was.
51:58 -- Narcy is asked about the concept for his 2018 album 'SpaceTime'. He explains how it was about illustrating where he was in that moment, as opposed to his prior albums that focused on how past experiences have shaped him to that point. They also discuss Narcy's use of comedy in his music, as he traces it back to his early youth when he randomly picked out a betamax tape of Eddie Murphy's 'Delirious' stand-up special. He talks about how he utilizes comedy to disarm people's hangups, while making them question themselves for their own laughter on touchy subjects. Narcy also speaks of his character 'Jasim' that he created and explains his significance.
1:00:53 -- Talib brings up one of Narcy's most renowned songs, 'Hamdulillah'. The video getting cameos from Muslim emcees such as Jay Electronica, Tragedy Khadafi, Brother Ali and others. He asks Narcy how he felt when the video really took off and started getting so much acclaim. Narcy speaks on the intention behind the video being a way to showcase the real diversity within the Islamic faith. Jasmin also asks Narcy about the origins of his rap name, and why he changed it from The Narcicyst.
1:07:37 -- Narcy's book 'Text Messages: or How I Found Myself Time Traveling' is brought up. Talib recites an excerpt: "Young boys and girls trapped in Walmarts— our consumer interim camps. A family-friendly, discounted freedom. You don’t see what the Internet can’t. Not our land or home. Not your mans or holmes. Not your towers or domes. Not your power or drones." He goes on to ask Narcy how capitalism has failed the modern world.
1:12:54 -- Narcy is asked about his work at Concordia University teaching hip hop as a fine-arts professor. They discuss how the opportunity came about from being invited in as a guest speaker. He explains how he split the courses into two curriculums with 'Beats Rhymes & Life' and 'It's Bigger Than Hip Hop'. Narcy stresses how important he felt it was to make sure the students fully realize their privilege of education in order for them to be able to fully value what was being taught. Narcy also talks about his collaboration with classic rock musician Todd Rundgren and how it came about.
1:18:39 -- Narcy touches on how much the Wu-Tang Clan influenced him. He tells how he picked up a cassette tape of 'Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' and played it until the tape burnt out, and then bought the CD, and learned it front to back. And that was just the beginning, as from that point on the Wu-Tang aura was a recurring theme, impacting all aspects throughout his young life, even how he approached studying his faith. Talib goes on to ask Narcy one final question of how important it is for lyrical emcees to understand that music is feeling based first before anything else.
Follow Me
}
Comments