UK Hip Hop: Artists & Discographies www.low-life.fsnet.co.uk
www.low-life.fsnet.co.uk
Intro Early Doors:
1979-1985
False Dawn:
1985-1990
Underground Years:
1990-1995
The Renaissance:
1995- 2000
The Future:
2000 & Beyond
Artists &
Discographies
Artists and Discographies index
Nisha Meshvania - Musoxyhaemoglobin Book
Nisha - Musoxyhaemagoblin Book
What we have here is a totally original concept. Whereas people may have produced Hip Hop related books or even printed out their lyrics in book form, I'm not aware of anyone apart from poets, or maybe Saul Williams who have written rhymes specifically for book format, but retaining a thoroughly Hip Hop perspective. This is what Nisha has done, and not only that, the book breaks down with a tracklist and even includes some skits just like a musical LP.

She has chosen to take this route as she has undeniable lyric writing abilities and a distinct artistic bent, but at the same time holds no desire to be a live MC herself. With this welling up insider her, she had to express herself in one way or another and this way definitely taps into her skills and talents. The book its self is complied from some of Nisha's writings from the last few years and as she describes it is, 'a collection of rap poetry arranged similarly to a music album'.

The book comprises 26 individual poems (including the intro and skits) with many of them having some socio-political edge, or some observation about growing up in poverty, society at large, government and its failings, race issues or indeed personal feelings and emotions, often sentiments which are hard to relate and make public and one can imagine some of the lyrics being a form of catharsis for Nisha when she wrote them. The poems vary in length, but are largely composed of four line stanzas and you can feel the influence of Tupac and Talib Kweli spilling out of the rhymes. Overall the lyrics are intelligent and uplifting, asking the reader to look inside themselves and make efforts to better themselves and improve their environment.

At the tender age of 17 Nisha has got off her arse and using money she had saved up has taken her love and produced something that is both original and actually works as a concept. This is underground, white label style publishing and is an area that is at present under exploited as a medium buy Hip Hop artists. The deepness of the lyrics and sometimes political nature shows an intelligence behind the writing which was unexpected for such a youngster and made the read all the more enjoyable.

The book comes in hard back format with a picture of a heart on the front depicting how the words and creations of human thought are the life blood of society and creativity. Throughout there are occasional illustrations interspersed between the verses, often masquerading as the skits, or as feint original handwriting behind the actual poems which only adds to the visual appeal of the offering. Needless to say, the multi talented Nisha was across all the design as well. The back cover is completed with a list of thank yous, something no self respecting album would be without.

Overall this was a surprisingly competent and coherent product which acts as a useful publicity tool for the author in a similar way a demo would in a musical sense, whilst at the same time being a real smart and professionally produced as well as an interesting read, inspiring and thought provoking. More power to Nisha and I hope that she can pursue this further and make a success for herself, both as a writer and as a creative artist.

Contact Nisha at: [email protected]
 

Intro Early Doors:
1979-1985
False Dawn:
1985-1990
Underground Years:
1990-1995
The Renaissance:
1995- 2000
The Future:
2000 & Beyond
Artists &
Discographies

Send all comments, suggestions, & questions to: (QED)
© 1996-2003 Peter Low. All rights reserved

Web design and administration by:
QED 


Britishhiphop.co.uk