HipHopOnDeck Interviews Hasan Salaam | @HasanSalaam

HipHopOnDeck Interviews Hasan Salaam / www.hiphopondeck.com
New Jersey rapper Hasan Salaam presents the Bloomberg City Media-directed music video for “#OGJM”, his new Beatnick Dee-produced single from Life In Black & White, Hasan’s Viper Records full-length out now featuring Immortal Technique (watch “Jericho”) Kendal Good, Maya Azucena and Drue Davis as well as production from Snowgoons, DJ Static, Denny Carson, Remot, dj INSITE, Hezekiah, Beatnick Dee, Crossbone T, Southpaw, and Douglas G. Simpson & Kareem Knight of the Aqua League. (click here to watch the video for previous single “Father’s Day”) Hasan has performed live on NBC, Fuse, CSPAN and PBS. All profits from his 2012 EPMusic Is My Weapon (listen) were used towards his “It Takes A Village” project which funded a school, clean water well, and medical clinic in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. A community organizer, he works with troubled youth, and helps run a monthly food and clothing drive in Jersey City, N.J. Hasan has taught “The Socio-Political Importance of Black Music in American Society”, a self-created lecture, at universities across the country. Also a master fetish trainer and sex educator, he speaks at shelters – specifically to abused women – helping them reintroduce sensuality back in their lives. Hasan is a Sexpert blogger for Calexotics, a sexual wellness and novelty website, and recently founded his own erotica/fetish company, Sensual Noire/Jet Setting Jasmine, as well as opening his first fitness studio, Body Altitudes, in Florida. After touring with Brother Ali and Immortal Technique, Hasan Salaam was signed to Viper Records. Life In Black & White is out now on iTunes.



What’s the most important thing you learned from building wells in West Africa?

I learned so many valuable lessons it's hard to say which is the most important. That anything can be done. If you put your mind to something it's possible. Don't complain, find a way. Seeing that people with the least share selflessly as opposed to people with the most hoard all of the resources for themselves like here at home. Our culture was lost and I saw our roots. It takes a village was our way of life, now here in America we destroy ourselves. There's so much potential in our people from the continent of Africa to here in the USA. I also saw the power of peoples and the power of music. The Music Is My Weapon/It Takes A Village Project was completely organic, no corporations just the people making something happen. It's honestly such an honor to be a part of it.


What do you think is the biggest assumption people make about you when they hear you’re a porn star?


That I have sex with any and everybody. Just because I make porn doesn't mean I wanna fuck you specifically! Porn is a huge industry and most people have watched it at some point or another in their lives. A good number of those people are ashamed of it. Many people are ashamed of their sexual desires and turn-ons, period. People need to lighten up and let go of all that. I think straight people hate on gay marriage so much because they envy their sexual courage. Straight people need to come out of the closet too in the sense of if your into S&M or porn or whatever it's ok, as long as it's between consenting adults I say do you!


Would you prefer to be an artist pre-internet or post? Why?

I'm in the here and now. There are pros and cons for both but I can only rock with the hand I was dealt. I'm using the internet as a tool to get the word out and build with people all over the world and that's a blessing. The playing field is a little more leveled out for the indy and unsigned artist now with sites like CdBaby and Bandcamp. I dig all that means I don't have to sign away my soul to be heard.


How do you think the New Jersey mentality differs from the New York mentality?


I think Jerz gets looked over a lot so we come out the gate with something to prove. People always say New York when they think of the east coast so we’re extra with that. Also that Jersey Shore show that had no people of color on it, which left a foul taste on the world. So we have to show them what Jerz is truly about. I love my state and the people in it. It's diverse and full of hardworking strong-willed people even though our governor is a piece of shit.


What’s your most important goal for 2015?


To just keep spreading the word musically, artistically and overall. My life is art, how I live and all that I stand for. Life In Black And White is an album the world needs to hear and all I do in regards to community work, fitness and adult entertainment work hand in hand. It's all about being yourself unapologetically. 


 

HipHopOnDeck Interviews Hasan Salaam / www.hiphopondeck.com
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