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Urban D.
The Immigrant (Tachycardia/Flavor Alliance)
Released January 2004
reviewed by Andree Farias
Sounds like … the old-school salsa stylings of the Buena Vista Social Club mixed with the hip-hop sensibilities of New Breed and The TunnelRats.
At a glance … eclectic and flavorful, The Immigrant succeeds in coalescing Urban D.'s Spanish heritage with his heart for ministry and hip-hop.
| Track Listing |
1. Welcome to Ellis Island
2. Fresh off the Boat
3. The Immigrant
4. The American Dream
5. Our Culture
6. Street Vendors
7. I Won't Change
8. My Corridor
9. The Value
10. FLA. Migrants
11. 2nd Generation
12. Immigrant's Praise
13. The Passport
14. Peace of My Time
15. What You Talkin' About?
16. 813 Green Cards
17. The Old Country
18. The Immigrant (DJ Lopez remix)
19. Broken English
20. Wait
21. Eternally Alive |
Having worked with the Cross Movement, GRITS, and John Reuben, Urban D. has made a name for himself not only in the East Coast underground community, but also in Philly's Crossover Youth Ministry, an urban outreach which incorporates the sounds of hip-hop, break dancing, multimedia, poetry and open mic nights, workshops, and small group Bible studies—all means of sharing the gospel in relevant ways.
That passion comes across loud and clear in The Immigrant, a fitting title for the rapper's tales about how our true citizenship is in heaven. Utilizing old-school Latin jazz backdrops reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club, Urban D. spits his well-versed lines about our temporary status in this world. This theme comes up later in the brilliant "813 Green Cards," a number that sees the emcee and his friends from the Fla.vor Alliance flowing about their faith to a tribal, almost diwali-ish beat. Elsewhere, "The Value" (featuring Monica) is an addictive banger reminiscent of something Dert (of TunnelRats fame) would produce, while the crunky rhymes of guest emcee Pettidee adorn the cut "The Passport," a song about what it takes to make it into heaven.
All in all, The Immigrant is an impressive addition that is sure to add some zest and flavor to anybody's hip-hop collection, not only because of its colorful rhythmic dynamics, but also its effectiveness in meshing hip-hop and ministry.
Urban D.
The Immigrant (Tachycardia/Flavor Alliance)
Released January 2004
reviewed by Andree Farias
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