Shafiq Husayn - The Making of Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka EPK 1 of 7

Here is part 1 of a 7 part series of an ongoing EPK series on Shafiq Husayn, his album "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka," and the process of making the album. In the various 7 segments, you sit down w/ various musicians and artists that played a major role in creating the album, as well as Shafiq's own commentary on making the album
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Part 1, Shafiq talks about the various meanings of the album title "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka," and coming up w/ the album title, as well as his previous producers credits, highlighting his work w/ Ice T, Rhyme Syndicate, co-producing Ice T's "New Jack City," Lord Finesse, Jurassic 5, and creating the supergroup SA-RA Creative Partners w/ partners Om'Mas Keith and Taz Arnold.

The entire 7 part EPK series is shot by Eric Coleman courtesy of http://www.mochilla.com/.
Shafiq Husayn's "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka" is in stores and on iTunes Now!!


Also, Plug Research and VTech are doing a HEAVY CMJ showcase in NYC on October 21st at Crash Mansion. The line up includes: Bilal w/ 6 piece band, Shafiq Husayn w/ Miguel Atwood-Ferguson and Thundercat, Exile ft. Blu, Pharaohe Monch as host, and DJ sets from J Rocc, DJ Spinna, Large Professor, and Blu Jemz.

Shafiq Husayn - Cheeba (Nottz Remix) feat Bilal

Shafiq Husayn is a Master Teacher, someone who combines innate talent with the mental and spiritual focus needed to reach their potential. As one third of the stellar, groundbreaking production trio Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq has been using his prowess to assist some of the greatest musicians of our generation, from Herbie Hancock to J Dilla to Dr. Dre to Erykah Badu. This fall Shafiq takes a step away from collective efforts to direct his own opus, his long-awaited debut album on Plug Research entitled Shafiq En A-Free-Ka. Check out Shafiq's first single, Cheeba feat Bilal NOW, plus a couple other tunes! I also have a Nirvana Remix by Mark DeClive Lowe. If you want to hear it, I need to see some LOVE NOTES with your thoughts on Cheeba


Shafiq Husayn - Cheeba feat Bilal


Shafiq Husayn - Cheeba (Nottz Remix) feat Bilal

New Shafiq Husayn EP

Head over to Moovmnt to hear remixes from a NEW Shafiq En' A Free Ka EP. The EP will feature remixes by Flying Lotus and J Rocc as well as non album tracks. Say WORD!

And here is the 5th installment of the Shafiq Husayn EPK video series. This time, we sit down with master brass player Josef Leimberg, who played on various songs for Shafiq's recently released album "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka." Josef also breaks down the first time meeting Shafiq, as well as reconnecting with Shafiq later down the road thru PEACE of Freestyle Fellowship, as Shafiq was previously known as S.L.J., which one can see in the producer's credits on Lord Finesse's 2nd album, "Return of the Funky Man" LP.

Shafiq Husayn (of Sa-Ra) - Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka album sampler

Fresh off of the release of Sa-Ra's new album, is Shafiq Husayn's new project Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka. The Sa-Ra album was a representation of many different styles and I could tell that there was a conscious effort to keep it user friendly. Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka, on the other hand is a descent into the mind of the man who's been in the game since Hip Hop's inception. Take a listen to the sampler and leave us a Love Note and let us know what you think. Peace!


Shafiq Husayn - Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka album sampler

MORE: Visit Moovmnt to hear the full version of Lil Girl feat Fatima

Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka - Instrumentals & Off The Wall Sessions (Video)

By now I know you've played Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka to the point where you listen to it on shuffle because you love it so much. So Shafiq figured just in case you wanted to spice things up, he'd throw you the instrumental version of his album, eh eh :) It's now on iTunes and ready for you to come thru and cop it. In other news...

"The good folks at HomeBase NYC and Hot Mop Films present the 9th episode of the Off The Wall Sessions, this time around, with Shafiq Husayn, of SA-RA. In this episode, Shafiq Husayn talks about his recent solo release, "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka," the meaning behind the album, his various musical influences and upbringing, and his overall history in the music industry, talking about the differences in working with major and independent record labels."

Off The Wall Sessions - Shafiq Husayn

Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA) Video EPK #6

Here is the 6th installment of the Shafiq Husayn EPK video series. This time, we sit down with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, master arranger/composer and strings player, who provided Shafiq Husayn a majority of the string arrangements for Shafiq's recently released album, "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka." Both Miguel and Shafiq talk about the process of working together and their mutual respect for each other on both a creative and personal level.

Some may remember Miguel Atwood-Ferguson from his work on the Suite for Ma Dukes project, where he arranged various music from J Dilla that was eventually performed in Los Angeles earlier this year as part of the Timeless event series.

SHAFIQ EN' A-FREE-KA album sampler

One third of LA’s hottest musical force that is the Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Shafiq heads out alone on a stunning soul/jazz/afro/hip hop and funk infused LP, carefully created and crafted from intense studio sessions and on-going conversations, between like-minded friends and family.

SHAFIQ EN' A-FREE-KA has been entirely composed with an armoury of outboard gear effects, synthesizers, electric guitars, strings, horns, a lot of modulation.
“Hip-hop mastered the beat, but they didn’t do nothing with the changes,” says Shafiq. On the album Shafiq recruits BILAL, Sa-Ra member OM’MAS KEITH, emcee COUNT BASS D, London’s rising songstress FATIMA, Sa-Ra vocalist ROZZI DAIME, and a whole army of musicians and engineers.


Dj Lefto - Shafiq's En' A Free Ka album preview

Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA) Band Rehearsal and KXLU Interview

The good folks at Beats + Crates shot Shafiq Husayn during a recent band rehearsal for an upcoming show in Los Angles on December 22nd. The show features live performances from Bilal, Shafiq Husayn w/ Om'Mas Keith (SA-RA), Exile + DJ Day ft. Blu, and Milosh, hosted by Pharoahe Monch, w/ DJ sets from J Rocc, Daedelus, and Kutmah. Intertwined w/ the rehearsal footage is Shafiq Husayn and his recent interview at KXLU, talking about his recent release "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka," out now on Plug Research.

Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA) Band Rehearsal and KXLU Interview Link

For those in Los Angeles, make sure to check the show at The Echoplex on December 22nd, presented by VTech and Plug Research.

Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA) EPK #4 Featuring Om'Mas Keith (SA-RA)

Here is the 4th installment of the Shafiq Husayn EPK series, this time, sitting down with Om'Mas Keith (one third of SA-RA), talking about how him and Shafiq met at Ice T's house in Los Angeles, and how he helped Shafiq Husayn with various aspects of the album making process. Om'Mas Keith is also featured on "Changes" from Shafiq's album, "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka," which was recently released via Plug Research.

Here's a link to the third EPK 'cuz we missed it

Shafiq Husayn - All Dead instrumental

The instrumental album to Shafiq Husayn's "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka" album is now out on iTunes (Link). In support of the release, here is the instrumental to the song "All Dead."
Be on the lookout for upcoming show dates as well as more music to come from Shafiq Husayn in 2010, including his work on Erykah Badu's upcoming album. Enjoy!


Shafiq Husayn - All Dead instrumental (Download)

Shafiq Husayn - The Making of Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka EPK 2 of 7

Here is episode #2 from this 7 part EPK series w/ Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA Creative Partners) shot by Eric Coleman for http://www.mochilla.com/. This episode features Shafiq talking about the bubblin' Los Angeles music scene, and the various creative folks that have been a big part in helping to develop this scene to a worldwide audience.
Also, Coleman sits down with Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, the featured bass player, who plays bass on the entire "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka" album. Many folks may know Thundercat from his work w/ Erykah Badu, Suicidal Tendencies, SA-RA, and many others.

Shafiq Husayn - Lil Girl Video Tease

Next week, you'll be seeing the official music video for "Lil Girl" from Shafiq Husayn's recently released masterpiece "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka" out now via Plug Research. favorites from the The "Lil Girl" video will feature cameos from Erykah Badu, Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Wood Harris (The Wire), Stephen "Thundercat" Bruner, and others.
Promo and "Lil Girl" Video Directed By: Greg The Dude


"Lil Girl" Video Teaser

Shafiq Husayn - Lil Girl feat Fatima

ArtDontSleep Presents: Skid Row AM Sessions w/ Pharoahe Monch, Sa-Ra and more....

A couple of weeks ago, there was a video of Blu and Pharoahe Monch speaking about the upcoming Shafiq Husayn album entitled "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka" dropping October 6th on Plug Research. Later that night, an amazing array of musicians came together to take part in a jam session of epic proportions. Featuring Pharoahe Monch, Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA), Om'Mas Keith (SA-RA), Brook D'leau (J Davey), Mark De Clive Lowe, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (Suite for Ma Dukes), Thundercat, and more, it was definitely a night to remember. Enjoy a video clip from the jam session, as well as the audio featuring special guest, Pharoahe Monch, on mic/hosting duties.

ArtDontSleep Presents: Skid Row AM Sessions

The Return of Bilal (First Quarter 2010) Are you READY?

Extremely honored and blessed to be announcing the upcoming album from Bilal, his first official release since his Interscope release "1st Born Second" in 2001. Scheduled for an early 2010 release via Plug Research (Exile, Flying Lotus, Shafiq Husayn, Om'Mas Keith), the album is entirely produced by Bilal, w/ the exception of some production by Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA Creative Partners) and Nottz (Kanye West, Snoop Dogg). Per Plug Label the new album will be
"A hybrid between Soul,
Rock and Electronica, Bilal's album is scheduled for a 2010 first quarter release"

This morning, Billboard premiered the great news, and I wanted to pass this along.
Please check the Billboard Link below and the official Plug Research Press Release is attached....

Billboard News Link:
http://www.billboard.com/#/news/bilal-to-release-electro-jazz-rock-album-1004020271.story

Check out the single, Cheeba, with label mate Shafiq Husayn, HERE

Shafiq Husayn (of Sa-Ra) - Dust and Kisses

In case you're not sure what you'll be doing September 15, 2009, here's a reminder; Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka drops that day and includes appearances from BILAL, OM’MAS KEITH, COUNT BASS D, FATIMA and ROZZI DAIME to name a few. Check out Dust and Kisses for further encouragement


Shafiq Husayn (of Sa-Ra) - Dust and Kisses

Shafiq Husayn - Lil Girl Official Music Video

Here it is, the official music video for Shafiq Husayn's "Lil Girl" from the recently released album "Shafiq En' A-Free-Ka" and is directed by Greg The Dude and features cameos from Erykah Badu, Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Wood Harris (The Wire) and more....

Shafiq Husayn - Nirvana (Mark deClive Lowe Remix)

This one is going to tear the clubs DOWN! STRAIGHT PRESSURE from Mark deClive Lowe and Husayn! MdCL adds the extra percussive elements to the original version that gives it a more tribal feel taking u all the way to A Free Ka. (BTW, Ka in Kemetic means mind or spirit).
This is a much more aggressive push to the dancefloor, Can you feel it?


Shafiq Husayn - Nirvana (Mark deClive Lowe Remix)

Shafiq Husayn x Bilal - Cheeba (Video)

Ever since Shafiq dropped his album last year he's made sure that he's provided content to keep the project on your mind. There have been a series of 12"s, an instrumental of En A-Free-Ka and now here's a video for Cheeba with the equally mystical Bilal.

Cheeba feat. Bilal from Plug Research on Vimeo.

The "Can I Get You High" podcast (Download)

Check this LIVE audio from the recent "Can I Get You High" CMJ event at BLVD in NYC. Presented by VTech and Plug Research w/ support from Spectre, Okayplayer, Fusicology, and Taste NYC it hosted an amazing line up featuring Bilal w/ 6 piece band, Exile ft. Blu, Shafiq Husayn w/ live band, Pharoahe Monch on hosting duties, and DJ sets by Large Professor, J Rocc, DJ Spinna and Blu Jemz.
Here is sneak peak into what went down at the show this past Weds. Featuring an intro acapella from Pharoahe Monch, Exile live on the MPC, then a short set w/ Blu announcing the upcoming new Blu/Exile album while performing a new song, moving onto an exclusive DJ set w/ Large Professor, then a classic record-for-record set from both J Rocc and Dj Spinna, this audio snippet is at top sound quality making the experience something that will last for years to come.
Look out for the upcoming video footage from the event coming later this week, w/ footage from the entire event, as well as the live performances from Bilal and Shafiq Husayn (SA-RA).
Download or Just Listen HERE

Sa-Ra - Love Czars II

New Sa-Ra featuring Jay Electronica! This is not a typo. You get Jay's full verse in this snippet and you can hear the full interview between Om’Mas Keith and Gilles HERE.
Come to find out from our peeps over at Moovmnt "that this is a very special limited release with the music on one side and the Serato tone on the flip of some very pink vinyl!" This special vinyl will also feature Ta’Raach and a tune named Powder Bump. Go to Moovmnt to check out studio snippets of both tracks


Sa-Ra - Love Czars II feat Jay Electronica (BBC Radio 1)

MORE: Check out Straight No Chaser's interview with Shafiq Husayn HERE