A few thoughts on Braille’s Weapon Aid

I’ve had Braille’s Weapon Aid for a few weeks, but just really started to hear it.

It has a somber-but-hopeful mood which is surprising, yet expected, from a follower of Jesus who has experienced a mass of emotional turmoil the past few years.

Braille has spoken publicly about his father’s death, his painful divorce, moving from state to state, and caring for his young daughter. Add in the demise of his Hip Hop is Music company and the public diss from a former labelmate and you’ve got a justifiable recipe for depression. Still, his lyrics convey an air of ultimate trust and rescue through Christ the King.

They process the concerns of a “Blessed Man,” admit periods of doubt, darkness, and defeat, but never lash out. Instead, Braille seems to seize the opportunity for self-examination.

On record, betrayal never leads to bitterness. This is the route we wish RedCloud would have taken.

Weapon Aid is heart-sleeve hip hop in the emotional vein of Kanye’s 808’s & Heartbreak. I’m guessing that five to ten years from now we’ll look back on this dark period in Christian hip hop and say that this album was a healing catharsis for us all.

Must listens:

• Complexicated
• Shoeless Joe
• Revenge (The Right Way)
• Surgical

Available online now at iTunes, The Bus-Shop, Sphere of Hip Hop, and other outlets.

Vid: Braille discusses his personal life & marriage

Late yesterday the homie Braille released this video blog in which he discusses recent struggles in his personal life and marriage.

It should go without saying to keep him and his fam in prayer.

Braille / Hip Hop Is Music News

Braille Brizzy reports that he’s relocated from Portland, Oregon to San Marco, California in order to be closer to his business partners Syntax Records, The Glue Network, and NOTW Clothing.

Once his fam is there and settled he intends to go full throttle with his Hip Hop Is Music label (which just dropped the excellent Sojournalism: The Summer Articles from Future Shock member Sojourn) and wrap up his upcoming Audibly Enhanced Dreams album.

(BTW, you can grab that Sojourn joint right 'chere. He makes MCing sound easy.)

In addition, he’s still reaching toward that goal of giving away 30,000 copies of his Cloud Nineteen project. Dude’s halfway there now and looking to press up another 1,000. If you’d like to contribute to this effort, find him online at braillehiphop.com.

Braille's Hip Hop Is Music label is back

Photo by Sketch the Journalist

After a near two-year absence, Braille Brizzy has announced the official return of his Hip Hop Is Music label. After overcoming the stress and fear of starting up such a venture, Braille notes he’s ready to resume operations, if even on a small scale.

The first release will be from Future Shock’s Soujourn. Soujournalism: The Summer Chronicles will be dropping September 1. Download the first single and goodie bag for FREE right 'chere.

He also reports that he will be hosting and performing at the National Federation of the Blind Youth Slam on July 29. The event is said to be the largest mentoring program for the blind in the country.

And as for his desire to give away 30,000 copies of the Cloud Nineteen album – he and producer S1 are halfway there. 15,000 have been distributed at shows and events thus far. Look for more to come this summer and with your subscription to Urban D’s S.O.U.L. Magazine.