If revolution had a soundtrack, what would that sound be? A duo of devoted artists/activists from the West Coast may have the answer. REVOLUTION OF THE MIND depicts through its music, vivid imagery and accounts of the turmoil that shapes politics and society throughout the world.
ROTM’s Iranian-born, California-raised frontman I.Sheik reflects the realities of revolution and exile through powerful and refined lyricism. The child of an influential activist and freedom-fighter, politics have always surrounded Sheik in his daily life. Political events and philosophies were common discussions in his home, and the negative images he saw of his homeland forced Sheik to develop political understanding and affiliations at a very young age.
This was part of what led Sheik to form an early emotional bond with hip hop. Though he had long been captivated by acts such as Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC and Whodini, his philosophical maturation increasingly drew him towards artists like Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Eric B & Rakim, and Tupac.
As a teenager, Sheik began to write rhymes and hone his freestyle skills in the schoolyard and at house parties. Those around him took notice of his talent even before he did, and he began taking songwriting more seriously at the insistence of close friends. Though initially showing strong influences from his favorite artists, Sheik grew to develop a method, style and swagger that are uniquely his own, all while remaining actively involved in causes of freedom and social justice.
During this same period, a few hundred miles south in Los Angeles, DJ Dfi was putting in work to learn the fine art of crate-digging, using timeless soul, jazz, funk, rock and early hip-hop records to slowly mold his own musical identity.
At the same time that he was discovering decades of classic sounds, Dfi also immersed himself in the burgeoning turntablist movement of 1990s. He became a true student of the art and science of scratch, and used his technical prowess to create his trademark aggressive style, developing a reputation as a fierce battle DJ. His musical training and appreciation of music history also combined to make Dfi a formidable producer.
Dfi and Sheik met in the Bay Area in the early 2000s and began making music together. As they transferred their collective skills into the recording studio, the duo formed REVOLUTION OF THE MIND and began performing at local clubs and festivals. Since then, they have performed with the likes of the Wu-Tang Clan, Dead Prez, KRS-One, Jedi Mind Tricks, Psycho Realm, The Beatnuts and many others.
In 2007, ROTM began collaborating and performing on stage with Sabac Red, formerly of the group Non-Phixion – one of the pioneering, most critically-acclaimed and successful independent rap groups of the last two decades. The following year ROTM took part in a successful European tour headlined by Sabac and members of Jedi Mind Tricks/Army of the Pharaohs. Upon returning from the tour, Sabac signed on to executive produce ROTM's new project.
The duo began collaborating with some of the most talented MC’s and producers in the independent scene. ROTM’s new album “Honor In Sin” features appearances and production from Sabac Red, Outerspace, Reef The Lost Cauze, Keelay & Zaire, Snowgoons, SickNature and many more.
In the days immediately following the 2009 uprising in Iran in response to the protested presidential election, Sheik chimed in by creating a song entitled “D.O.A. (Death Of the Ayatollahs)”, a remix of Jay-Z’s “D.O.A. (Death Of Autotune)”. The timely song was featured on some of the hip-hop blogosphere’s most prominent sites, as well as that of actor/comedian Maz Jobrani.
The buzz created by their protest anthem also led ROTM to be invited to perform at several mass demonstrations in support of the Green Movement in Iran. ROTM’s performances included United 4 Iran’s San Francisco “Mega-Rally” during the Global Day of Action July 25, and Voices for Iran’s mass demonstration in front of the United Nations in New York to protest the arrival of President Ahmadinejad in September.
Though they pay respect to their earlier influences and the artists inspiring them today, ROTM has firmly set out to establish their own path and signature sound.
“We’re not trying to be a watered-down version of anybody, or recreate anybody’s sound. We’re trying to make our own mark,” Sheik said. “The diversity of the artists that we’re working with on this project, and the complex set of influences that (Dfi) and I both have, put us in a position to make real distinctive music. And if you’re truly about hip-hop, that’s what it has to be about: exploring new formulas and helping – sometimes forcing – the culture to expand.”
