Not really sleeping

Wednesday, March 31, 1993 - 10:00

Not really sleeping

Sleeping with the enemy

Album by Paris

Scarface Records

Reviewed by John-Paul Nassif

Paris is an eloquent and self-righteous rapper whose consciousness goes well beyond "I'm militant". He has a real knowledge of history, not to mention a full awareness of where black people come from.

Paris' rap directs it anger at the real culprits, such as US ex-president George Bush in the song "Bush Killa".

Paris' cynicism is reminiscent of Malcolm X, where the truth is so crucial, yet so ugly, but the realisation of tyranny doesn't discourage Paris or thrust him into self-pity.

A lot of rappers protest about injustice, then call women "bitches", treat them as sex objects and condemn homosexuals. Paris' ability to make anger constructive is his greatest asset. This could be the reason why Time-Warner refused to release the controversial album and why it was nearly banned altogether.

Albums such as Sleeping with the enemy, along with rappers such as Public Enemy, Ice T and Ice Cube, are at the centre of black urban North America's dilemmas and frustrations. Paris is able to vent these in a positive way which advocates revolution.

From GLW issue 94