The lyrical prophets and lorespinners of today are standing on the shoulders of other giants; musicians yes, but also the rebels and warriors of AIM, who shaped our history, and who fought, suffered and died for Native autonomy.

Buggin Malone won't forget. He already knows where he's been, where he's coming from, where he wants to go. It isn't easy going to that place but he's getting ready.

It is unique when an artist is able to stay true to his roots as an Indigenous man in the contemporary world; to paint musical stories in sound while utilizing the various genres at his disposal. In his music, you can hear the traditional Indian singing and drumming seamlessly blended with the hot contemporary rhythm and blues backbeats. The lyrical content speaks to the issues we all face as indigenous people as we try to raise our children in the US of KKK.

Buggin's CD "Spirit World" released in August, 2005 has some outstanding lyrics backed with music that happens when someone has been paying attention to their peers. Music that happens when you've got heart.

It shows respect when you sample Vernon Bellecourt for your intro with a tasty level of reverb on it. Some highlights of Spirit World include:

• Koncrete Rootz: A track that honors the Eagles country-rock band by sampling "One Of These Nights" as Buggin lyrically explores his life experience on the streets. It is interesting with a familiar internal rhyme scheme and enough alliteration to please any wordmonger's poetic ear. It may be a stretch to consider the Eagles 'roots music,' but if you consider sounds that are popular over an extended time 'roots,' that's what they are to the Native community.
• Out There: Homegrown local Native hip-hop that uses local shinnob vernacular dialect (e.g. ho-wah!, cheesy, nigi'z). Buggin takes a stand as a warrior poet. I have no problem with the notion that the struggle can be waged by being intelligent and using the enemy's own language against him and his policy-making government.
• Hard Timez: "I like hard timez, I was raised on that shit!" spits Buggin. Being bad is a lifestyle that's real and being real is what makes you bad.
• Dat's Gangsta: This song breaks down the gangsta image, demystifying the mythology of it.
• Letter 2 God: A poignant message to the young about the consequences of the gangster lifestyle, questioning the justice of a God who can't or won't alleviate the suffering in the world. Alternately it is also a prayer for God's help in dealing with the tragedies of life. Nice acoustic guitar work.
• Stompin' in My Mox: Buggin says "my cd's goin' platinum and yours is gonna rust!" This track is hip-hop as contest powwow, and simultaneously a song about how to be a warrior poet in contemporary times.
• Method to My Madness: A song about making the move to turn his life experience from the streets into a paycheck without losing his integrity. Is he successful? Buggin does all right.
• The Beat Goez On (Peltier): The best cut on the cd; Buggin pays homage to Leonard Peltier's spiritual strength and his journey of selfless sacrifice to the movement. Includes some beautiful traditional singing. Buggin opens up the possibility of reconciliation and forgiveness when he says, "You think I hate your people just because you hate mine?" A great track on many levels.
• Spirit World: I like the acoustic piano included because a picture is being painted here and the picture is one of peace and faith. In order to be a man of faith and spirit you must question the universe we live in, as hard as that might be.

It's indeed a pleasure when I am introduced to a fresh new talented musician within the Native community. Buggin Malone is a winner; it shows from the attitude he displays in his work. He has integrity. He has talent. There are certain shortfalls, but Spirit World as a work is wonderful, not only for the nostalgia that it brings in such tracks as "The Beat Goes On (Peltier)" but for the other lyrical highlights as well.

I'm a rock-n-roll kind of guy, so the way that I relate is I remember the AC/DC cut "It's A Long Way To The Top If You Want To Rock and Roll." The Hip-Hop biz can't really be that much different. The Beat does indeed go on!

Buggin Malone's third CD release "Sacrifice" is due out soon. If you didn't catch the flow at the Indigenous In Music show in Minneapolis in April, he also has a gig coming up June 9 in Schaumburg, IL. Just check myspace for further information.