The Bottom Line

Issue date: 11/15/06 Section: Music

Media Credit: Brandon Burton Salim and the Music Lovers [Click to enlarge]

As of 2006 Hip Hop is in a state of emergency. Originality is no longer expected, trends are copied and resources are exhausted beyond belief. The music, the culture and those who follow it are all victims. Artists no longer hold creative freedom and record labels are constantly mimicking one another to recreate that multi-platinum sound. But, underneath the surface boils a new sound, true to the ways that laid a foundation for all. With materialism and the agenda of large labels, every city is faced with commercialism or underground.

Baltimore, which is one of the next cities on the come up, has just that; artists that follow today's norms and those who ignore all and create their own paths. Salim, a man who is venturing into uncharted territory, is creating a name for himself by mixing hip hop, spoken word and instrumentation together to create a pure organic sound. Salim, who believes that "good music is universal," is attempting to reach out to all those who share his love of music.

"I feel that no matter what type of music you listen to, whether Hip Hop or Rock, if you hear some good music, you're gonna' get into to it," says Salim. Working on his first LP Hip Hop Revisited, which is expected to dropping in January, Salim plans to give something back to listeners. "I want to put my all into it," explains Salim, "as long as I can get through to someone, I've done my job." Salim, though a solo artist, also has a group called Salim and The Music Lovers.

Consisting of a drummer, Topix, a keyboarder, Jason and Sinseer on the bass, this quartet ultimately plays for exactly what the title suggests…the love of music. Performing around Baltimore and opening for artists like Slick Rick and Method Man, this group has created quiet a buzz around the inner harbor area. With only an EP floating around, fans are eager to hear more from this up and coming group.

"People want something they can put in their hands and play," explains Salim., while expressing the importance of moving beyond Myspace and performances. "It's time to move beyond all that."

With future steps to publicizing through college radios and more performances, Salim has hopes of reaching an even broader audience.

"I don't expect to make millions off from this, if I am able to put food in my family's mouth than I've reached success."

Even if future efforts fail to put him in the lime light, Salim plans to continue to play and perform until he is no longer able. But with his first solo LP dropping in January and a remix of the album with The Music Lovers later down the line, Salim is on his grind fulfilling a dream and creating music that stays true to him. For more information you can check Salim out @ www.myspace.com/salimmusic

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