Hasan Salaam (born January 12, 1981) is an American rapper and sex educator born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. His lyrics touch on such subjects as "post-colonial exploitation of African ( hip-hop) culture", "the

African diaspora The African diaspora is the worldwide collection of communities descended from native Africans or people from Africa, predominantly in the Americas. The term most commonly refers to the descendants of the West and Central Africans who were e ...

Early life

Salaam started rapping at the age of 10. After seeing a preview for the movie Malcolm X in 1992 he read the Autobiography of Malcolm X, which inspired him. (''Original article found in image http://myspace-453.vo.llnwd.net/01373/35/43/1373663453_l.jpg'')

Musical career

In 2005 he won an award for Best Live Performance and Best Underground Song of the Year for the song "Blaxploitation" from his debut album ''

Paradise Lost ''Paradise Lost'' is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton (1608–1674). The first version, published in 1667, consists of ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse (poetry), verse. A second edition fo ...

'' at the third Annual Underground Music Awards. Together with HiCoup, Rugged N Raw, Impaq and Badsportt he is a member of the group

5th Column A fifth column is any group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or another nation. According to Harris Mylonas and Scott Radnitz, "fifth columns" are “domestic actors who work to un ...

. Salaam featured on the UK Hip hop group

Mecca2Medina Mecca2Medina are a British Islamic hip hop Nasheed group. History The group was founded in 1996 and produced their first EP, entitled ''Life after death'', the same year. Since then they have released three nasheed albums, two hip-hop albums, ...

's ''Truthseekers'' album in 2006. He has also toured internationally. Salaam has been described as having "the powerful delivery of

Chuck D Carlton Douglas Ridenhour (born August 1, 1960), known professionally as Chuck D, is an American rapper, best known as the leader and frontman of the hip hop group Public Enemy, which he co-founded in 1985 with Flavor Flav. Chuck D helped creat ...

, the racial love of Mos Def, the instructional attitude of

Krs-One Lawrence "Kris" Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage names KRS-One (; an abbreviation of "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone") and Teacha, is an American rapper from New York City. He rose to prominence as part of ...

, and the anger of Immortal Technique."Jones, Todd E. (2005)
Lost In A Revolutionary Paradise
, ''MVRemix'', September 2005 Salaam's third album proper, ''Children of God'', was released in 2008, featuring guest appearances from Lord Jamar,

Masta Ace Duval Clear (born December 4, 1966), known better by his stage name Masta Ace, is an American rapper and record producer from New York City. He appeared on the classic 1988 Juice Crew posse cut " The Symphony". He is noted for his distinct voice ...

and Salaam's 5th Column crew.Quinlan, Thomas (2008)
Hasan Salaam - ''Children of God''
, ''

Exclaim! ''Exclaim!'' is a Canadian music and entertainment publisher based in Toronto, which features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with a special focus on Canadian and emerging artists. The monthly Exclaim! print magazine publishes 7 ...

'', December 2008 ''

'' described the album as "well rounded" and "handled superbly", saying that Salaam has a voice that is "trained like an instrument, commands attention". ''Children of God'' has been described as " themed deeply in all religions", and was described by ''HipHopDX'' as possibly "the new archetype in what religious-minded rap can be".Paine, Jake (2008)
Album Reviews: Hasan Salaam - Children of God
, ''HipHopDX'', 11 October 2008

Adult film career

Salaam performs in the adult film industry under the name King Noire. He entered the industry as a teenager, starting with a magazine shoot with a female friend who asked him to accompany her. Following this, he began performing in live sex shows and adult film. Salaam has been outspoken about the racism he believes is inherent in the industry, and has publicly refused work he has felt was discriminatory in nature in addition to his campaigns to address and end racism in pornography, which has included public lectures. He also began to promote and organize adult oriented events, including Fantasy Flight parties. He is a co-creator of Steel & Stilettos workout classes which are taught at his Body Altitudes gym. Salaam co-owns Body Altitudes, Royal Fetish Films and Jet Setting Jasmine with Jasmine Johnson.

Charitable work

Hasan works with charities, non-profits, and youth all over the world. In November 2010, Hasan became the first U.S hip hop artist to ever perform in Guinea-Bissau. On this same trip he worked with the young artists, taught creative writing to the youth, and headlined a concert to promote freedom of speech. The “Music Is My Weapon” project is the next step, in an effort to provide change to a country that remains one of the poorest and least politically stable in the world. December 2011, Hasan Salaam released an EP "Music Is My Weapon" employing all profits to build a well, school, and clinic in Guinea-Bissau.

Discography

*''5th Column Mixtape Vol.II'' (2004) *''Paradise Lost'' (2005) Day by Day Entertainment *''The Reavers Terra Firma'' (2005) *''Tales of the Lost Tribe: Hidden Jewels'' (2006) *''Children of God'' (2008) 5th Column Media * Mohammad Dangerfield – "Mohammad Dangerfield" (self-titled) (2011) * "Music Is My Weapon" (2011) *''Life in Black and White'' (2014)

References

External links

*Jasarevic, Mina (2008)
Underground Report: Elzhi and Hasan Salaam
, ''HipHopDX'', 16 August 2008 *EBONY Magazine, Glamazon Tyomi Morgan, February 8, 2017, http://www.ebony.com/love-sex/bdsm-jet-setting-jasmine#ixzz4YCwfzCoV * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Salaam, Hasan American rappers African-American Muslims Musicians from New Jersey Living people 1981 births 21st-century American rappers 21st-century African-American musicians