Heru - Spoken Word

[Knowledge Supreme]

P.E.A.C.E to the Cradle,

I don't know if anyone has heard of this artist before, if you have please tell me what you think, if you have any of his albums etc.

I've only heard what is on the site listed below but I thought it was excellent.


HERU

www.heruspeaks.com

music samples
www.heruspeaks.com/PROD.htm





SHEM HETEP

[SAMURAI36]

PEACE KNOWLEDGE:

What kind of music does this brother do?

PEACE

[CIVILISON]

From what I heard it's more like a poetic speech with a flow more so than an actual song. The material I heard had no instrumentals. I'm not sure if they're all like that though.

[Knowledge Supreme]

P.E.A.C.E

from the website www.heruspeaks.com

"Heru pleads, he beckons, he coaxes, he emboldens, he soothes, he befriends, Heru sings. Internal tears flowing... Heru's strength is in his sensitivity. I could say the brother is strong in his blackness. But that would be another jive cliche. Heru is our ancestors. He is their memory speaking to our consciousness. He is the vibration of their words when they spoke to the Being of Forever." --Written by Umar Bin Hassan, of the legendary poetry group, The Last Poets.



Every now and then, an artist appears that not only excites, but also inspires and uplifts. The time is now; the artist is Heru. He came to America from Ghana, West Africa when only a child. He learned English as a necessity, never knowing that it would be a tool he would later use to affect the consciousness of those who would hear him. The name Heru is an ancient African Kemetan (Egyptian) name, found in the first trinity of Ausar-Auset-Heru (Osiris-Isis-Horus). Heru is metaphorically the ancient redeemer and ancestral avenger.



When Heru arrived to the American shores, the image of Africa was so thoroughly propagandized that young pre-school children called him "African booty snatcher" and "jungle boy". However, as time passed, he was accepted because he excelled in athletics. He soon realized that in the Western culture, black people are classified as either dumb under-developed niggers or the super-nigger who can leap over tall buildings. These experiences in the early American school system contributed to creating an early consciousness towards supporting and defending the underdog while educating and uplifting his people. In later school years, Heru discovered his innate ability to formulate words in a way that provokes the conscience. Heru experienced all different genres of music, but had an epiphany when he discovered Reggae music while browsing through his father's record collection. Consequently, he honed his craft of writing with a depth of consciousness that only he at the time could understand.



Heru began to experience power of words as he became involved in political activism in Boston where he attended Tufts University where he received a Bachelor's of Science in Biopsychology. He also saw the power of performance when he played the lead in a South African anti-apartheid play called "Sizwe Bansi is Dead."



After undergraduate studies, Heru entered law school, where his studies and work experience brought him face to face with direct and indirect discrimination. In law school, he met people who were constantly harassed and/or denied jobs, housing and public accommodations because of who they were and the historical continuity of economic warfare against their skin color and culture. It was at this time that Heru formed a cultural band, Thinketh Man Rescue. During his performances it became evident that the best way to make a difference was through artistic political expression.



After graduating from Northeastern University School of Law, where he received a Juris Doctorate, Heru relocated from Boston to Florida, leaving his band mates behind. In Miami, he continued the delivery of his messages through spoken word expressions. The response that he received continues to be overwhelming. He never dreamed that his creative yet political expressions would be accepted and applauded by thousands of people.



As an artist, Heru is committed to telling the truth regardless of consequence. In his piece, Tell Lie Vision, Heru exposes the negative effect that television has on the development of the mind. In Rotten to the Core, he refers to the socio-political dilemmas in American democracy as witnessed through recent Presidential elections. These in your face truths can be heard on Heru's masterful CDs, complete with interviews. His spoken word CDs, are titled "Volume 1: Mystery School" and "Volume 2: The Nephew of Nebthet." In 2004, He released his third CD, "Volume 3: African Mathematics." All CDs are receiving plenty of air play- a rarity for spoken word. Heru is also busy on the road as his performances are in demand. He has shared stage billing with the legendary Last Poets, Sonia Sanchez and rap group Dead Prez, as well as with Reggae veterans Mutabaruka, Freddie McGregor, Marcia Griffiths, U-Roy, Gregory Isaacs, Alton Ellis, Cocoa Tea and Everton Blender.



Whenever Heru performs, he takes the audience off guard. As the audience is used to the usual song and dance routine, they are elated and uplifted by Heru's words and performance. It is clear Heru will be a mainstay in the entertainment and education industry. His lyrical content will make you wonder why some other artists even put pen to paper.