Kalistan

[Doc]

Immigrant Mic Control drops Sophomore Album "kung-fu theatre"
Critics call record "Hip Hop Masterpiece"
Sulari, Suldanor
April 7, 5367


"kung-fu theater" seen as the first Hip Hop Concept Album

The internationally massive Hip Hop trio Immigrant Mic Control have spent the better part of the last three years touring and recording tracks for their new ARC release "kung-fu theatre". But now that the album is released, the album has been reviewed as a "Hip Hop masterpiece", "the first Hip Hop Concept Record" and "An instant classic." "kung-fu theatre" has debuted at Number 1 on both the Album Charts and the lead single "Desperados" hit number 1 on the Music 1 Hot 100 poll. The new album is officially the best selling Hip Hop album in Kalistani History, and it is only in its second week on the charts.

The band, of course was not in the Republic to celebrate the triumph of the record's success. They were at the Clovispoint Likatonia show when they got the news. Tophe, "kung-fu theatre"'s producer announced the fact that the debut hit Number 1 to a wildly cheering crowd of more than 45,000 fans: "I just got the word, yo: you are listening to the Number 1 song in the world right now!" as the band launched into a rawkus rendition of Gunslingers, joined on stage by Lady T, Ratatat, Ghost Rawk and Mike "MG" Givvens, all of whom are featured on the track, and who flew to Likatonia to join the tour.

The smash hit of the record gives the band momentum as they head into FOMAT. "We have been on the road, and in the studio and we are so tight as a band and as a live act," said Lora Monte, who has recently adopted the pseudonym Queen L. "We're definitely ready for Lourenne. Win or lose, we are gonna ring some bells in Iztapalata."

One of the most innovative things about this record is that it treats each song as an episode in a midnight martial arts movie. "We were kind of focused on this idea that when we go out, a lot of the stuff they play late at night are like imports from Indrala, where they have great action but the dubbing is done like really cheaply," said Michel-Guillaume Brenard. "Like really bad. And so we come from this history of watching dudes in the street talking mad sh-t about how awesome they are and we were like Hip Hop is always kind of like a battle between two martial artists. While the fung-fu cinema features the artistry of martial actions like kung fu and everything, we wanted to feature music that is like the battles inherent within art, specifically hip hop, but present it in a way that we are used to when we watch cheap Indralan cinema that is like a 5 minute long battle for no reason in the middle of a funny movie about some dude getting in trouble with his dad who is also a martial arts instructor."

The result was a 15 track album, with few gaps between songs, and several skits that serve to highlight different activities that young men and women in Kalistani cities get into. "These scenarios are basically fictionalized scenarios that happen on the block every day," said Tophe. "Dudes bragging, girls gossiping about who's smashing, uh you know, we got one where these old dudes are talking about playing chess in the park like it is battle of the titans out there. And all the songs are about surviving, jumping through back yards, or getting caught sleeping with someone who ain't your girl, that kind of stuff. Its funny in a lot of ways, because live in places like Dulnerstaad or Port Swedes can be really hard, and you gotta just laugh at it."

On the production side, Tophe got high marks for his music production. Most critics said that his sound scape brings the the album to an almost visual level, while others praised atmospherics on the record, and some noted that the use of three dimensional sound could make a listener almost feel like they are right there in the record. "kung-fu theatre" is an experience, agreed most music critics, not just a run of the mill hip hop record. Most called it the best album of the decade, and some even referred to it as the best album ever recorded. "With 'kung-fu theatre' Immigrant Mic Control set the bar so high it is highly unlikely that we will see its equal in this lifetime," said Jill Mendez writing reviews for The Kalistani Republic. Her priase for the record was universally echoed in the Kalistani music press.

Now that the album is released, the next move for the band is to finish recording footage for their Concert Film. Principle filming is expected to wrap up at FOMAT, and then it will likely be six to ten months before the film is released to Kalistani audiences. Meanwhile, there are the remaining dates on the tour: The band will finish their tour at FOMAT in six months, taking some time off before the Keris shows in Kizenia and Endralon, and then again between the Lodamun and FOMAT shows.

For the next six months, Immigrant Mic Control will have the entire Republic behind them, and the hope is that this momentum will score them points with the judges at FOMAT. We will see, but meanwhile, you can check out "Desperados", by Immigrant Mic Control, featuring Lady T, Ghost Rawk, Ratatat, and MG.

[imperialpearl]

The Harrington Times: Harrington Company contracts Kalistani firm to build trade ships
(by Louis Barnes • March 5368)

[GreekIdiot]

Equifund
The new "face" of the Equifund sees Beiteynuese leadership diminish

[Doc]

Republican National Shipyards Proceeds at full Steam
KALNAFERCO (KFO) stock hits 10 year high in Kalsie
Kaliburg, Ananto
August 5368


Republican National goes into overtime to fill Lodamese Contract

Republican National Shipyards is nearing completion of the first of five container ships to fill an order from the Harrington Company in Lodamun. Since Lodamun joined AESA, Republican economic planners have noticed increased trade volume back and forth across the border. "Most of the volume comes in overland trade, specifically by road into and out of the Addisjah port of entry," said trade minister spokesman Alfred West. "However, we have also noted an uptick in the rail traffic, as trains are cleared through to their destinations once in Lodamun on Lodamese rails, increasing efficiency and cutting cost. New ships will facilitate increased sea transit as well of both consumer and durable goods to and from The Republic." To underscore the increase, West said than in the past year, imports and exports have increased on average of 6.2 percent monthly. "We're essentially seeing a stable trade balance, but volume has greatly increased as new goods and services are offered to Kalistani citizens." Main imports are consumer electronics, different food stuffs and textiles, while the Republic has seen increased export of durable goods like machine parts, petrochemicals, and automobile parts. "People in Kalistan like foreign things," said West.

The construction of the new container and LNG ships at The Republican National Shipyards will fulfill the orders made by Harrington of Lodamun and follow on the heels of Merchant General David Teller's successful 5362 visit that began Lodamun's entry into AESA and improving trade relations with Kalistan. The contract, worth about K1.5Bn in Kalistan was awarded at a 35% markdown, bringing the entire cost down to 975 Million Rubles: The Kalistani Government explained that it would treat Harrington, which is a public/private partnership associated with the Lodamese Government, as a "nationalized company" and would sell products to Harrington "at cost", when Kalistani Nationalized industries are involved in the production. "Republican National Shipyards is not in the business of earning profit," said West, when offering comment on the deal, "Especially when it comes to members of the AESA". Lodamun has guaranteed credits and cash payments of half the total cost up front with the remaining 50 percent paid on delivery. The entire project is expected to take four years total to complete, with the first super-container ship nearing completion in six months.

Despite the discount, the confirmation of the deal sent KFO stock soraing in the Kalsie. "Investors are excited about KalNaFerCo's part in this deal," said West. "KFO has been operating at a low level out of the Sulari Cold Works for a long time, and this deal not only means more jobs, but also a flush of cash which the Nationalized Steel Company was not expecting." KFO also confirmed that the ships produced at the Shipyards will be the carbon fiber reinforced steel that Kalistani Naval vessels are made with. "It's less expensive, requires less iron, is lighter weight, and more durable than your standard steel hulls," said West. The forecastle will be produced out of aluminum-steel alloy, which is also supplied by KFO. "Cost saving measures, including nationalization of the entire process from extraction to personnel ensures that we can afford to bring each ship in under the average K262Mn pricetag we see on containerships of this size." The price savings further bolstered KFO in the Kalsie.

"It would be our dream to see Kalistan move to the front of the civilian ship building industry," said West. "As it is, there are a lot of other players, and the discounts we can afford to extend to Lodamun cannot be made universal. But these obstacles are not entirely insurmountable, and the savings of oceanic transport can help offset some of the cost of the infrastructural construction even for nations not tied to the AESO. On one of these ships, we can carry cargo enough to replace a 38 mile long double stacked train. There are larger ships in existence for certain, but Kalistan can produce them faster, cheaper, and make more durable vessels than the best ship makers. It makes sense that Lodamun would come to Kalistan, and it reinforces our new and improving relationship."

The LNG ships being provided by Republican Ship Yards will serve Lodamun in its deal with Lourenne for oil and petroleum products. The Republic intends to continue pushing for completion of the double track rail link over the Jah River and will renew efforts to work with Lodamun to build a new refinery in Lodamun to both increase world refinery capacity (and reduce world petroleum prices) and to help cut refining and petrochemical production in Kalistan. "A new refinery in Lodamun will be an excellent cost savaing measure for Lodamun and a good environmental measure for Kalistan," said West. "It would be preferable to the Kalistani Government that Lodamun begin its own refining operations to process KPO crude rather than sourcing petrochemicals, which the Republic would like to cut back on, from Kalistan. We can do that with the building of a new Lodamese refinery: We are not going to unilaterally cut refining in Kalistan without increasing the capacity elsewhere." Talks are ongoing on these two issues. KPO experienced slight gains in the Kalsie, as the LNG shipping contract was offset by seeming Kalistani opposition to continued expanded refinery operations in the Republic, finishing up .6 percent for the day compared to a 12.2% gain for KFO.

[Doc]

KalEnCon engineers head to North Dovani
Fusion technology the "wave of the future"
Bakinteku, North Dovani
March 30, 5369


KalEnCon's Z-Pinch Trainer arrives as North Dovani preps to scale up

Engineers from KalEnCon arrived in North Dovani to begin a three year long technology transfer program that aims to bring large scale Fusion Energy to the northern nation. Kalistan has worked with North Dovani in many instances in the past, and the Republic welcomed this new opportunity to help North Dovani both modernize its energy infrastructure, as well as promote green energy construction abroad.

"We believe that fusion is the wave of the future," said Bradley Marcus, head of the KalEnCon delegation. "While fusion has not been able to completely replace the energy that was previously created by fossil fuels in the past, fusion plays a significant role in Kalistan's green portfolio, along with solar, wind, geothermal and tidal energy produced all around the Republic. Bringing the technology to North Dovani will ideally help this country, which is in the process of modernizing in several sectors, become a leader in the creation of clean, renewable energy in Dovani."

The engineers were accompanied by the Z-Pinch Trainer reactor, which is a version of original reactor developed by KalEnCon in 5089. The Trainer holds the specs of the Z Pinch Deuterium reactor that Kalistan will use to teach North Dovani how to both build and scale the Fusion reactors that will eventually provide between 25 and 30 percent of their energy needs. "The KalEnCon team will also assist North Dovani in setting up the infrastructure necessary for separating deuterium from sea water," said Marcus. "North Dovani will still need to source Lithium to make the production sustainable. Kalistan's is sourced from tailings and geothermal energy production. But there are other international sources for lithium as well: this should have follow on benefits for North Dovani's trade relationships."

The entire project will cost North Dovani nearly 850 million Rubles to complete, and most of that cost will be deferred in terms of trade and scientific credits. "KalEnCon will be able to cover the three year stay for our engineers, as well as costs for transportation, and building the Trainer. The rest of about 675 million Rubles will be realized by the Republic in trade credits over the next 10 years," said Marcus. "North Dovani is handling construction costs of all infrastructure in country." Once the training and development aspects are complete after three years, North Dovani will then spend the next five years scaling up the Bakinteku plant.

"We are going to continue an ongoing relationship with the Plant, to ensure that the technology works well over the long term," added Marcus. "Kalistan has been using fusion technology for the last 250 years, but it has been a while since another country requested the tech. We are happy to share it, but we also have to make sure it works well--North Dovani are ultimately spending billions to build the plant, infrastructure, to train their own engineers from the ground up. We are committed to seeing this technology adopted in full."

[Doc]

Kalistan to sell 2 surplus Sativa submarines to Kundrati
Indica Class Sub to follow construction
Kaliburg, Ananto
October 7, 5369


Decommissioned Sativa Class Submarine KRS 35 prepping for the sea voyage to Kundrati

The Republic has concluded a deal with just over 800 Million Rubles to sell three submarines to Kundrati.

Two of the submarines will be decommissioned Sativa Class Submarines, and the last one which is being built on commission will be an Indica Class submarine.

The Sativas have been decommissioned, but refitted for the sea voyage. They lack modern weapons targeting systems, sonar systems or long range encrypted communications systems. They are however sea worthy, and are being sold to Kundrati for research in creating submarine designs of their own. "We aren't sure why Kundrati would like to research these vessels," said Naval Spokesman Maxwell Jones. "After all, building an effective submarine isn't exactly top secret information. The world, including Kundrati, has been building better submarines than these for centuries, and we just sort of assumed that literally everyone who has a basic understanding of ship construction and naval engineering can easy just imagine one of these and then begin building it. Physics are pretty similar, regardless of if you are building your ships on the east side of Seleya or the west side of it, and principles of bouyancy, water pressure and welding have been known since ancient days." The ships were a centerpiece of Kalistan's all diesel navy until they were replaced by the Victor Class submarines in the 4300s, but are still used for patrol of the Strait.

The other ship to be sold is a new variant of the Indica class, which Kalistan jointly developed in the 45th century with Lodamun. This new ship includes all technological innovations that the Republic has since adopted navy wide, including the hydrogen fuel cell technology that Kalistan prides itself in. While un armed, the ship is otherwise complete and can be used immediately for patrols and defense, assuming Kundrati is to arm it. "We are including our own blueprints and specs with the ship," said Jones, "So that Kundrati may begin constructing these ships for themselves. Not only is it an honor for us to see Kalistani technology being proliferated across the world, but it also offers us a strategic advantage: It is safe to say that we know our own ships best. We know their strengths and their weaknesses, and if we were to ever meet this submarine in the sea, we would know its nationality by the tactics it uses at sea. But we do not expect Kundrati to ever patrol this far out: Kalistan is on the other side of the world, and patrols that reached the Anantonese would require basing privileges somewhere over here."

The transfer comes on the heels of the positive signals Kundrati has made toward the Non Aligned Movement in backchannels. "Kundrati joining NAM would be an excellent addition," said Jones. "It would give us good reason to continue technology transfer: Kundrati is in a good place to effectively contain a pugnacious power center, and that is at least part of the mission of NAM on a tactical level. If Kalistan can help them bolster that sort of containment, it could be seen as in our interest to do so."

[Doc]

Immigrant Mic Control Splits Up
Embezzlement charges prove too much for band
Kaliburg, Ananto
February 7, 5370


Queen L Lora Monte and Michel-Guillaume perform date without Tophe, becomes band's last show

The greatest Hip Hop band in Kalistani history has called it quits. Two and a half years after coming in third in FOMAT in Lourenne at the end of a grueling world tour, Immigrant Mic Control has performed their final show. A fairly long, convoluted series of events led to the break up of the band, but the band's Manager Veronica Fucilar has confirmed the split after eight years, two studio albums, a live album and a shelved concert film.

Apparently the break up started with the arrest of Christophe Roland, who is the band's Producer and one of the three MCs, and who goes by Tophe, three weeks ago. Tophe, who cofounded the group with Monte and Bernard was arrested on suspicion of embezzlement of more than 3.7 million Rubles. He was charged with the crime after the manager noticed accounting irregularities in the band's accounts. Fucilar immediately contacted Kalistani authorities who advised her to not inform the band until more information had been uncovered, and upon investigation, signs pointed to the Producer, who was in the process of making illegal contributions on behalf of foreign countries in Artania, Seleya and Majatra. "Tophe treated this band's bank account like a piggy bank, and in return he got payments exceeding 1.9 million rubles which he siphoned off into private bank accounts off shore," said Fucilar. The rest of the band was brought in and shown the evidence of the laundering and theft, and the decision was made immediately to cooperate with police to set up Roland and catch him in the process of making transfers.

Once Roland was captured, the band itself was in crisis. "We felt betrayed by this whole thing," said Monte. "He was our friend, and in a lot of ways, the music that we made was a product of that dude's head, but stealing from your homies, like, why? We were doing so well, he just got greedy. But now what do we do? Who do we trust?" As some of the stolen money was recuperated, the remaining members of the band decided to part ways with their manager. "We love Nika like a sister but this happened on her watch," said Michel-Guillaume. "We couldn't continue doing business with her in absolute trust." A new temporary manager was selected to help the band fulfill its remaining two concert dates, one in Sulari and one at a youth club in Addisjah. "We didn't leave our fans high and dry," said Queen L. The two sets were acoustic sets and the band donated the proceeds of the final show to the Youth Club for After School activities. At the show, they announced their decision to break up.

"We had a good run," said Queen L. "8 years, 3 albums, 1 FOMAT. What other band going now can say the same thing. But there's just a lot of exhaustion and bad blood and I want to be a mom and not be on the road. So its time to do something else." As Roland was being found guilty on 42 counts of Embezzlement, which makes him under Kalistani Law a Class 1b felon, the band he had been a part of was playing their last set. "We are not sure what is going to happen to the movie," said Bernard. "Republican has agreed to shelve it, rather than release it because they would be contractually obligated to give Tophe his 20 percent of the profits and we really REALLY would like to stop that. He got his payout when he robbed this band." Roland is looking at restitution of 2.1 million, which he will unlikely be able to pay and has the option of performing National Service for 10 years on King's Rock in exchange for a discharge of restitution. "We aren't ever going to see any of that money," said Queen L. "The thing is, he stole from us, and it ruined our lives. I loved that guy like a brother. Now he's dead to me."

Queen L or Michael-Guillaume may embark on solo careers, but it is unlikely that anything they do will be as big as the music they made as part of Immigrant Mic Control. For now, both members of the group have returned to their homes, Monte to Addisjah and Bernard to Dulnerstaad.

[Doc]

Kalistani Brethrenists issue Statement in Support of Luthori Protests
"Conscientious Objection is a fundamental human right" says Clerk
Kaliburg, Ananto
23 July, 5372


Plaque outside the Kalistani Yearly Meeting, who just passed a minute in support of Conscientious Objection in Luthori

As the Luthorian Government continues to inflame its population with ultra conservative laws, members and attenders of the Brethrenist Meetings in Kalistan have passed a minute during the Kalistani Yearly Meeting which weighs in on the conflict, on the side of protestors.

The Minute reads:

The Kalistani Yearly Meeting (KYM) stands in solidarity with those protesting mandatory military conscription, and calls for all people of conscience world wide to oppose mandatory military service. This is a violation not only of our obligation and civic responsibility to live in peace with one another, but it is also a violation of the rights of conscience of those who are subject to such a law. The Kalistani Yearly Meetings calls for all Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to do all that they can to support the protests in Luthori, both from Kalistan and abroad, until the Government of Luthori rescinds that onerous and violent law to allow for people to object to military service if their conscience dictates. Additionally KYM, as well as each Quarterly Meeting, hereby authorizes the spending of meeting funds to support Kalistanis who are led to support the protests more directly.

Clerk Heather Yimenez of the Kalistani Yearly Meeting, said that KYM doesn't usually intervene in political matters, especially the politics of a foreign nation. "But a law that forces people to join military service is simply repulsive to the conscience of a person who loves and supports peaceful solutions for international conflicts," said Clerk of the Meeting Yimenez. "We in the Kalistan Yearly Meeting have a number of Queries which illuminate that conscientious objection is a basic human right. It should be the right of each man and woman to decide for themselves whether they are morally square with war. This law (the Military Service Refusal Criminal Offence Act) does not permit that: It instead allows the police to arrest and incarcerate people who do not wish to serve in the Military. Furthermore, a slew of other laws empower the police state in Luthori in support of this act, including a law that,if passed will essentially allow the police state to arrest anyone protesting any act of the Government."

Yimenez went on to declare that Brethrenists in Kalistan were free to choose how to act on the Minute passed in the Yearly Meeting this week. "We are not saying that Brethrenists should go start trouble in Luthori," said the Clerk. "But it is not a unreasonable to expect that at least some Brethrenists will attempt to travel to Luthori to work with the Protestors, serve as medical aids or legal observers, and assist the Luthoris as they fight to resist the brutalization of their newly enthusiastically conservative Government. As Brethren, it is not likely that Kalistanis will participate in any sort of violence, but many in the meeting suggested that they would go and stry to stand between the people seeking to bring violence against the people protesting. If beating up a pacifist is what the Luthorian Government feels the need to do, then I know of a group of Kalistanis who would prefer to stand with the crowd and perhaps take a few of the blows so people fighting for the freedom of conscience do not have to take all of them themselves."

The Government of Kalistan has remained silent on the protests, but following the passage of the Minute from the KYM, consular services have been stepped up, both in Kalistan and in Luthori to try to ensure that any Kalistanis who are in country will have help getting to and from Luthori in the coming months.

[Doc]

Political Left Enters Hip Hop Arena
Ejército de los Pobres hits hard with strongly anti-capitalist message
Sulari, Suldanor
August 9, 5372


Ejército de los Pobres bends largely apolitical hip hop scene to the sharp left

The day August 3rd, 5372 dawned peacefully over Sulari. It was like any other day in the southern metropolis: People were headed to work or school or the store. Little did they know that at precisely 9am, the Radio 1 DJ was going to drop the needle on a new track from the Dana political hip hop trio known as Ejército de los Pobres, or the Army of the Poor. At that moment, directly following the station identification at the top of the hour, the only voice heard was the grating voice of the man quickly being called the Clown Prince of Kalistani Hip Hop, Marcus Terrell, also known as Tastee T. The song which followed his one man hype job was known as "EP Numero Uno", and is from Ejército's debut album "Profits of Rage". It is a track that the band offered to demonstrate Chad Rock's lyrical skills. The backing track, with a funky drum break and a drone is minimalist and sets the band's image as a braggadocious fundamentalist hard core hip hop band, while referencing both Golden Bear's Football and IMC's album "kung-fu theatre".

The band, which consists of Tastee T, MC Chad Rock, and DJ T-1000 hails from Dana, and are on a mission to bring revolution into Hip Hop. "We grew up listening to the Addisjah Scene," said Chad Rock. "They were conscious in the sense that they talked a lot about what was going on in their neighborhood. But I grew up in a Socialist house in Dana. Tastee and I met in the NSP. And T-1000 is a member of the Militia. The Hip Hop that we have doesn't have a lot of really strong Leftist content, and there is definitely people who need to hear this, to wake up. We live in a world where Ordosocialism is regrettably a thing. What is to stop those degenerate attitudes from making their way to Kalistan and infecting people here like a disease? People are asleep. We need to wake them up."

While Ejército de los Pobres is considered both hardcore hip hop and political hip hop, the content of Chad's revolution, which they reference frequently in their music, is kind of vague. "Kalistan is one of the most non-revolutionary societies I have ever seen," said Chad Rock. "That complacency can be taken advantages of. So when I talk about revolution, I am talking about a renewal, revolution: going back to the beginning and refreshing the promise of the Socialist Party of Kalistan. When we talk about revolution, we are talking about a recommitment to the needs of the poor in this society. We can't pretend anymore that we don't see the slums, the vast green spaces in our cities where renewal came through and destroyed whole blocks but nothing new was built there. We are talking about a Government that is of the people, not separate. Keep your promises or there will be problems. We hear it all the time, we see it in the people who come to our shows. People, especially the poor folks in this Republic are sick of this. And we want a new way of things in Kalistan."

Thus far, Ejército de los Pobres has created a mix of hard core beats and political lyrics, and party themes. On their lead single, the band is light on the politics and more on the bragging, but the political and social content is spread widely on the rest of the album. On their track "The House is Now on Fire", which is arguably the best track on the record, Chad Rock paints an allegory of social revolution as a raging college frat party, which get so wild that the place burns down. "Rejected and accepted as a Communist/Claim to fame to my name, as a terrorist" is a lyric referring to the the direction the group ostensibly advocates for social renewal. "We have to hide the message in the beats: People ain't trying to hear communist propaganda on their radio," said Chad Rock. "But you see, you hide it in slamming funky beats, and make people think its about one thing, when its really about another thing, and you don't turn people off right out the gate. They'll listen to it: The people who know what its about will really listen to it, and the ones that don't will listen to it again and again and again, and they'll get it eventually. Our music is political and social. But we can't just hit people over the head with it right out the gate."

For the people listening to the radio at 9 AM last Tuesday when the record hit the airwaves, the result was instantaneous. "What a kick in the junk," said Megan Howard, mother of three in Dulnerstaad. "I felt like the radio was punching me." Martin Greene of Vrassa City said "I am not sure what they are upset about, but they really seemed kind of mad." But younger listeners seemed to be more in tune with the sound of Ejército de los Pobres. "Man, I don't think I've heard Hip Hop that hard in maybe my life. The Addisjah folks make great production, but they have a specific way of rapping that sort of leaves me in the dust. I can't keep up with it all. Ejército de los Pobres just comes straight out. The lead MC's voice is powerful." Many people we talked to praised the lyrical delivery. "I bet when they get away from that drum machine and start putting together samples they are going to become legends," said Brian McDowell of Kaliburg. "My mom didn't like it. We were on the way to school when it came on the radio and she wanted to turn it off immediately, but I turned it back on and then played it again later."

For now, Ejército de los Pobres's whose record "Profits of Rage" is out on LCR, will tour the Suldanor and Ananto to build an audience. "You got the warning shots," said Tastee T. "Stay tuned Boy! We're coming with guns blazing." Chad Rock was more measured than his perpetually amped up hype man and creative partner. "Revolutions take time. But we're gonna test the theory here about whether music can change the world. My money is on yeah, it can." For now, check out Ejército de los Pobres' single "EP Numero Uno" from "Profits of Rage." Expect more from this Dana band.

[Doc]

Ejército de los Pobres follows up LP with Protest Track
Band says song has more impact as a standalone Single
Sulari, Suldanor
October 15, 5372


Ejército de los Pobres pulls no punches on new Single "Luthorian Democracy"

Kalistani Militant Leftist Hip Hop trio Ejército de los Pobres wasted no time following up their hard hitting debut LP with a standalone single called "Luthorian Democracy". The single is a protest song which imagines a Luthorian Conscientious Objector being arrested and incarcerated by the Luthorian Government for refusing to serve in the military. The story of the song continues with the main character going on to start a prison riot along with several other political prisoners, in the process of escaping a supermaximum security pennitentiary and fleeing to Kundrati.

The themes of single include conscientious objection, mass and arbitrary arrest and incarceration, racism, targeting the poor, and erosion of civil liberties, and is addressed directly to the Government of Luthori, which is currently rapidly succumbing to a Government instituted police state. The band's leader Chad Rock said the song was a form of Protest, and supports the activities of the Brethren in Kalistan who launched an official protest against Luthori earlier this year. "We left this track off the record, because we didn't want it mixed up with the debut of the LP and all that," said Chad Rock. "I think it hits harder as a standalone track, and we can say this track here is directed at YOU Luthori. Hopefully your conscientious objectors hear it. I think if they do, they'll know what to do. The game plan is pretty clearly laid out."

This is the first standalone single from the Dana trio, and has already received heavy rotation on Radio 1. In addition, Radio Kaliburg has adopted it as theme music behind its top of the hour station ID. "Honestly, we're overwhelmed by the attention," said Tastee T, "but I mean, we recorded it to be heard, and certainly want it to be heard loud in clear by protestors in Luthori. Just so yall know, you ain't alone, no matter if your government cracks down or what. As long as they can throw you in a cell for refusing to serve, you gotta speak up. And we're here gonna speak up with you." All proceeds from the single will go to support protest efforts aimed at ending the rising tyranny in Luthori.

The new single, "Luthorian Democracy" can be heard here in full; the B-Side is a remix of EP Numbero Uno which features Kaliburg rappers Mike Jonez and MoCo. You can also watch the video, which is taken from the 7" radio single and drops the second verse for time, below.