Fight the Power: Defend Socialism
Various artists including Emmanuel featuring K, Braintax, Kam, Rodney P, Benjamin Zephaniah
Single Cell Press
Order at <http://www.socialistproductions.org>
REVIEW BY EDDIE TRUMAN
Some of the leading rap and hip hop artists in Britain and internationally have come together to produce a compilation CD for the Scottish Socialist Party. Featuring internationally renowned artists such as Benjamin Zephaniah and KRS1 alongside the very best of Scottish and British rap and hip hop talent, Fight The Power: Defend Socialism was born following the Scottish Parliament protest of four Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) MSPs over the right to march at the Gleneagles, Scotland, venue of the G8 summit. The protest, in July last year, led to draconian sanctions taken against the party by the Scottish Parliament.
Outraged at the treatment of the SSP MSPs, some of Britain's leading rap and hip hop record labels set about appealing to their artists to donate tracks for the compilation. The response was overwhelming and the SSP is proud to announce a CD of superb material from Rodney P, Skinnyman, King Biscuit Time, Benjamin Zephaniah, Monkey Tribe, Emmanuel featuring KRS1 and many others.
All the money raised from the CD will go towards the fighting fund established to make good the £30,000 fine imposed by the parliament on the SSP MSPs and parliamentary staff for the protest.
The CD was released by Single Cell Press on February 27. SSP national convener Colin Fox said of it, "We are absolutely delighted that the rap and hip hop artists featured on this CD have given their time and world renowned talent in recognition of the injustice that was perpetrated on the SSP following our protest in the Scottish Parliament in June of 2005 over the right to peaceful protest at the G8 summit at Gleneagles.
"The SSP is enormously proud that artists of such stature should contribute to this CD and it is a testament to the vibrant rap and hip hop community of which Single Cell Press is a part of that this CD has been released under the title Fight The Power: Defend Socialism.
"We are honoured that all of the artists on this CD have made such a significant and important contribution to our fighting fund."
Sleeve notes on the CD eloquently explain the cause. "In June 2005 four MSPs from the SSP and 28 of the party's staff were stripped of their wages and allowances by the Scottish Parliament. Their crime was mounting a silent protest demanding that parliament defend the right to protest against the G8 at Gleneagles. Their action led to the march going ahead but the draconian sanctions cost the party over 30,000 pounds. This CD is a tribute to the four MSPs and all funds raised will help pay back some of the wages the activists and workers lost."
From Green Left Weekly, March 29, 2006.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.