Salim

Salim (Saleem) was born and bred in Baltimore and has opened for groups such as Talib Kweli, KRS1, Rakim, Slick Rick, Wu-Tang, Little Brother, and De la Soul. Saleem says he is influenced by Public Enemy, The Roots, and even Stevie Wonder. Salim's objective is "Bringing a balance back to hip hop" which he has accomplished through his music. He mainly preforms in the Baltimore/D.C. area and his fan base is growing.

I learned about Salim during a De La Soul concert at The Rams Head in Baltimore last summer. He was the opening act at this concert and made more then an impression. He rocked 4 songs and genuinely seemed happy to be there. After his session was over, he set up a post where fans could meet him and purchase a record. I personally talked with Salim and he thanked me for not only supporting him, but for supporting hip-hop. He was very please to see the support the crowd gave him, as people were chanting his name during other sub-par performance's.

One of the main reasons I like Salim's music is because he has a real feel about him. He is not rapping about fame and money, but rather where hip hop has been and where it is going. He even has songs about the present day. He has a refreshing flow to all of his songs that can't be ignored. There is a reason he has been described at the "embodiment of hip hop's evolution" and you should check him out for yourself.

Here is a live sample of what Salim is about, from his newest record, "Live Free or Die Trying". I also urge you to listen to "Hood Rich" and "I EMCEE" from his first album, "Hip Hop Revisited". Let me know what you think.