Gratitude is the eagerly anticipated new solo album from Abiodun Oyewole, the poet, teacher and founding member of The Last Poets. The album liner notes include an extensive new interview with Abiodun himself, detailing the writing process of the album. Looking back, the Last Poets are often referred to as the godfathers of rap, and by listening to their early recordings; its easy to hear why. Their words encompass revolution, sex, death, drugs, and Black Power - they own their words. From their mouths words are a sense of pride, a statement, and a feeling of empowerment. Theres no self-conscious hang-up with the Last Poets using words as an art form. On May 19th, 1968 (in celebration of Malcolm Xs birthday), The Last Poets performed their first ever concert in Mount Morris Park (in Harlem), now called Marcus Garvey Park. Their debut album was released in 1970 including poet/singer Abiodun Oyewole. Now AFAR is proud to present a whole new way of thinking socially, politically, emotionally, and humanly via the perspective of Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets with his new solo album Gratitude - it's not a protest album, it's an inspirational LP/CD via the inclusive words and God-like voice of Abiodun - this is not an angry man, but an older wiser man - reflecting on his life and spiritual quests. Rappers love him for coining the phrase "Party and Bullshit" decades ago - but this is not that - this is a sacred journey with a universal message for all people regardless of their background and nationality. ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SPOKEN-WORD GROUPS THAT PIONEERED HIP-HOP NPR EXPERIMENTING WITH STREET POETRY AND PERCUSSIVE SOUND, THE MUSIC OF HARLEMS LAST POETS HELPED LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR HIP-HOP ROLLING STONE Side A A1 Rain (Featuring Taylor Pace) A2 My Life A3 A Poem Side B B1 Harlem B2 Brooklyn (featuring Ade da Poet) B3 To Begin (featuring Pharoah Davis) Side C C1 Praise the Lord C2 Spirit (featuring Melodie Nicole) C3 Without You (featuring Jessica Care Moore) Side D D1 Occupy (featuring Mosi) D2 Right Here Waiting (featuring J Ivy) D3 What I Want to See

• Genre: Rap & Hip-Hop
• Released: 3/18/22
• Format Detail: CD Capacity wallet + interview booklet.
• Handling Note: **Please allow an additional 72 hours for this item's shipment.**
• Format: CD