...the making of second rome

Second Rome was created to paint a picture of the potential for a totalitarian state...or dictatorship that could emerge amidst the chaos within society, but particularly in American society.

It was written with the intention of shedding light on issues that either have been under examined, or perhaps not examined at all. Issues that will either alter the course of this nation for the good of all people...or push it further towards the dystopia described within the album.

It was written from the perspective of individuals involved in what I like to call "the Last Resistance"...those who remain in opposition of the corrupt activities of the dystopian government.

The title "Second Rome" derives from a list of potential names (or nicknames) for what we know today as the nation's capital, Washington DC. This list of names came to us via a little known booklet containing unknown information on the District of Columbia...The Hidden History of Washington DC: a guide for Black Folks

It was very fitting to me because of the following:

I. Every member of the band is a native Washingtonian, so the city has a place in each of us, and we each share equal concern over the state of affairs within DC.

II. Washington DC is the capital of the American Empire, which is the most powerful of its time, just as Rome was.

III. The capital city was aesthetically modeled after Rome...the architecture, the street design, etc.

 

What follows is a song-by-song explanation into the making of Second Rome...

1. Second Rome - As previously explained, the title song of the album is an opening of sorts, or rather an introduction into the futuristic dystopia. The scene is being described without giving away too much of the interior contents of the album.

2. Knights of the East & West - Washington DC is home to many secret societies. The Masonic order in particular is highlighted in this piece. I was particularly studying a gentleman by the name of Albert Pike, who along with being a key figure in the history of American Freemasonry, is also credited with creating the manifesto for the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), an active terrorist organization within the United States. This song contains an underlying, or perhaps overt critique of the nature of these organizations, and also that while America is presently engaged in battle throughout the world with supposed terrorist groups, it fails to eliminate those, which were bred on U.S. soil. Dobbins (Rashad) was key in the research on the Masons.

(Prophetic Suicide) - Inspired by the autobiography of Huey P. Newton of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, as well as by the story of Jesus Christ. "Revolutionary Suicide" was the title of Huey's autobio, and in it he describes a form of sacrifice towards the people or community that could appear as suicidal. Because of the risk involved when serving the people, because the chips are stacked against you from the onset, it would be viewed as suicidal to attempt to serve the people when death is potentially the result of one's service. In parallel with that, the story of Jesus is one of revolutionary suicide. He knew the cost of trying to save the people in spite of constant pressure and harassment from the empire. yet, in spite of the cost, He sacrificed his own life for the sake & love of others. Combining those elements, and based on a description of prophetic response to injustice by Dr. West, I developed the title...Prophetic Suicide.

3. Paper Tigers - This is a battle cry of sorts. a call to arms. the title of the song comes from a quote by Chairman Mao (China) in which he compared America & its imperialist allies to paper tigers. Those that appear to be as dangerous as real tigers, but are weaker than what is revealed at first glance. He instructs that these tigers are real, in that you can be harmed, if your approach and response are not careful.

4.  COINTELPROnomics - Takes its title and concept from the FBI's COINTELPRO or counter intelligence program, which was used against any group, or individual that the government viewed as a threat. It was essentially surveillance and other tools used against anyone who stands against injustice in its various forms. The current Patriot act is an example of it in modern times.

5. Rifles - A song dedicated to George Jackson, a political prisoner and member of the Black Panther Party, and his brother Jonathan...do your research.

6. Gentrifried Chicken - This piece is about the systematic gentrification of Washington DC. Although dressed up as a sort of revitalization project, it's essential purpose seems to be the removal of the lower class, and lower middle class population...making room for only the rich to exist within the city.

7. Oil as Slick - After research on the topic, I wanted to highlight the situation at hand concerning the battle for Africa's resources...oil, in particular. America and China are both fighting to control the oil in Africa, which according to estimates, will replace the "middle east" as a primary source within the coming decades.

8. A New Day in Hip Hop - This is one of 4 solo pieces by Dr. West...the title speaks for itself.

9. Durito's Revenge - One of my biggest
inspirations is the story of Subcomandante Marcos and the Zapatistas (EZLN) in Chiapas, Mexico. Similar to the Black Panther Party, the Zapatista movement was born from the terrible conditions faced by the indigenous peoples of Mexico. It was a response to mistreatment by the Mexican government, in league with the U.S. government. The song is about planning an uprising in Second Rome. The title comes from a book by Subcomandante Marcos called, "Conversations with Durito."

10. Memory Loss - In a nutshell, it is written from the perspective of people who awake from a comatose state to find that they are indeed living in the dystopia of Second Rome.

11. Patriotic ME - Given the current situation of constant warfare on foreign soil involving the United States, and the many post 9/11 events, many in this country have taken a stance of blind patriotism with no regard for the welfare of their fellow citizens...based on fear, and the constant push of western media to promote such a feeling and atmosphere.

12. Second Rome (revisited) - A reminder as to where you are...Second Rome

13. An Angel for You Although this piece may seem out of place to some, it is right where it needs to be on this album. This song was inspired by my relationship with my daughter. It is to show that there is always hope for them that believe in a better day. It is to show the light in children...the light in the midst of darkness...shout to my brother Robbie McDonald of Third Logic for the guitar playing...which by the way, Doc West was very impressed with!

14. Iron Emptiness This one...well...you should ask Dobbins (Rashad)...no seriously, ask him.

15. G.R.E.E.D This piece was written to address the terrible trend being revealed as many huge corporations are folding in the shadow of corruption by its owners. It is also to address the fact that minorities of rich folks wield power without having to be accountable to anyone but themselves.

16. An Analysis on Language - Another one of Dr. West' solo pieces in which he breaks down the relationship between hip hop and the message...addressing the MCs who continue to waste their talents writing about superficial BS...period.

17. Jungle Hymn - a song about total resistance to the corrupt establishment controlling Second Rome...resistance against those who facilitate the climate and conditions for the dystopia's existence. It is the only song on the album that draws its sound directly from DC's native music, Go-Go.

18. Omega Cross - This piece is by Dr. West. It addresses the current state of Christianity, as we know it. I was particular about having this on the album because it resonates deeply in me...trying to be a representative in my daily life of the prophetic wing of the Christian faith in spite of injustice...in spite of popular opinion. Very informative...we present this song in a type of coded mix, so listen closely...

19. Proverbs 31 (Sacred Femininity) - The last of Dr. West's solo pieces, this song addresses women, and their place in Hip Hop culture.

20. Would You Kill? - This one...I originally wanted to scrap it because it was simply instrumental, and I was having writers block. Dobbins urged me to write something to it, so I got with my brother, N'digo Rose (known to most people as Anthony Hicks...or simply Tony) and we came up with this one. It's another song about standing up in the face of odds, which seem insurmountable.

21. Hannah's Song - Here's my little girl bringing closure to the album by giving it a final burst of light, and hope...for me, simply hearing the voice of a child is enough to keep fighting.