Robert O’Bryant a.k.a Waajeed is a deejay/producer representing that Detroit flavor who just also happens to be the founding member of the Platinum Pied Pipers. What I appreciate most about Waajeed is his taste in music and his humble type attitude. I have conversed with this dude on a few occasions throughout his career, and he’s always been very approachable when it comes to his fans. He’s the kind of person that will actually sit down and exchange a little verbiage with you after a gig, especially when the subject is about music. Sadly, there are plenty of artists that seem to have no time to share a moment with their fans, so when I meet the ones that do it without a problem I try to acknowledge them. Waajeed has been in the music game for a minute and unbeknownst to most, he has been working behind the scenes with some of Detroit’s finest artists. For example, Waajeed executive produced Dwele’s first underground album “Rize,” deejayed for the original Slum Village group and worked very closely with J Dilla on several early musical projects over the years. He also developed his own record label Bling 47, where several local Detroit artists call home. The best thing about being on Bling is that you have total musical freedom as an artist. Most artists signed to a record label never get to reach their full potential when it comes to having total artistic freedom, but folks at Bling 47 seem to encourage it. When you hear the music coming out of that camp from artists like J Dilla, Invincible MC, Tiombe Lockhart and Ta’raach, you realize that these folks enjoy pushing the musical envelope.
Now, the Bling Leader himself has a new musical project out called “The War LP!” Waajeed was originally asked by Ubiquity Records to put together a compilation of old and unreleased material showcasing the Bling 47 artists. Due to some personal issues in his life and the loss of his good friend J Dilla, Waajeed decided to create a new musical project instead of releasing rehashed material. I am happy that he did that as well, because it’s albums like these that keep me interested in music. I actually held off doing this post so that I could totally absorb what this record was all about. If I had to choose one word to describe this album it was have to be AGGRESSIVE. The beats and the lyrical content are very hard hitting, and they both make you pay attention to the underlying messages embedded throughout. If you are looking for that Platinum Pied Piper’s type vibe on The War LP, forget about it. The War has a darker feel to it musically. This album is about raging war on the machines in this country. The War LP touches on the controversial subjects of politics, poverty and of course war. It’s nice to listen to an album that actually has some substance to it for a change. Outside of all the hidden messages throughout the album, Waajeed showcases his abilities as a hot beat maker as well. There are several instrumentals from Waajeed himself and the legendary Jay Dee throughout the album as well to keep things balanced. If you are looking for a change of pace in your music listening and you don’t mind straying from the hot garbage that has been accepted in 2007, take a listen to The War LP! If you’re not a very open minded music listener by nature, don’t expect to fall in love with this album on the first listen. It will probably take a few listens before it all starts to make sense? Here's a clip where Waajeed talks about his start in the business:
Waajeed behind the scenes on DAP
Checkout more on Waajeed and Bling 47 here:
www.bling47.com
www.myspace.com/waajeedandthebling47group
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