Baraka Blue
Homegrown in the Northwest. Baraka Blue co-founded the Soul Merchants at the age of 16. Thier first major effort "The Merchandice" was highly acclaimed, and granted the group the title "The Lebron James of Hip-Hop". The soulful sound mixed with youthful outlook and spirit, and the beyond thier years reflections of struggle in thier city, thier country and on the global level gained them a diverse fan base. After a brief stint of meditation and retreat in the Rocky Mountians Baraka Blue, then known as LOGOS, came back to Seattle to perform and focus on music. Shortly after, the Soul Merchants expanded while it's members rigorus study began to be reflected in thier sound, as they became a more overtly political force. The group became known as the Guerrilla Tribe. Drawing inspiration from freedom fighters of all eras, the Tribe, entered a period of rapid growth, refining thier principles and striving to strip themselves of selfish intetions in order to become true servants of the people. Distributing 10,000 copies of "Guerrilla Music" throughout the West Coast, they continued thier search for the truth while encouraging and inspiring others along the path.
At age 20, Baraka Blue was thrust into a period of darkness and overcome by his weaknesses . He strayed far from the path he knew to be true and drew near to destruction, succumbing to the whispers of the decietful. Parts of his lifestyle where contradictory to his mission, and at this climactic moment the choice was to either turn from the truth altogether or to attempt to traverse the narrow path to righteousness. It was in this state, where he came face to face with his inherent helplessness, that he decided once and for all to submit his will to the All powerful, All Merciful, Creator of the heavens and the earth. 6 months later he was guided to Islam. Swearing to stay constantly in rememberance of the One who lifted him to the light from the depths of darkeness, Baraka Blue strives to be true to his word forevermore. His music is a reflection of his path and an expression of his gratitude. Although many will criticize conveying the message of Islam in the form of Hip-Hop Baraka Blue sees HipHop as the medium that is most influential over the youth, as this is dubbed, "The Hip-Hop Generation" He sees the urban youth in particular and all youth in general (especially in the West) as those who are most in need of the message of Islam.
"Hip-Hop is the only thing that can reach alot of these kids. The teachers aren't learning us, the main source of education is the music. I try to put it in the language they can understand. And Allah put me in a position where I grew up with that language so I speak it fluently" Baraka Blue strives to stay committed and submitted to the Universal Will, the Universal Truth, the all encompassing One. To become a mirror, purified and clean that reflects the light of that One. May the music shine bright and pierce the heart of darkness.