This cassette-only, four-song release marked the beginning of a powerful movement in Seattle. The art collective responsible was called Jasiri Media Group, and the most prominent musical group from Jasiri was called Source Of Labor.

When Source Of Labor was released, Source Of Labor consisted of the four members pictured in the cover photo. Two of the members, Jonathan “Wordsayer” Moore, and Upendo “Negus I” Tookas, met in Seattle in 1989, and then formed the group in Atlanta, GA with DJ Kamikaze. Moore and Tookas were close friends, but were not related. This has often been misreported. They returned to Seattle in late 1992, and connected with Igbnifa “Blahzey Blah” Fadoyamin in 1994. Source Of Labor in 1995 was the group’s first release.

Opener “Come With We” was the group’s first big single. It features an introduction of the group in the first line of the song, “We got two MCs (Wordsayer and Blahzey Blah), Pops (Negus) makes three, and Kamikaze makes four.” The song establishes the group as conscious with lyrics of positivity, and also includes some sprinkled old-school b-boy spirit in the form of bells from “My Melody” by Eric B & Rakim. Next is “20,000 Leagues Of Black,” which is a somber meditation. The lyrics reflect on the countless Black men and women who died during the passage to America. “At the bottom of the sea lay my ancestors’ bones,” laments Wordsayer.

Side B begins with “Charlie Says,” which is essentially a love letter to rap culture. The lyrics warn of the perils which await copycats and biters. After a strident horn intro, the tone becomes subdued as the group destroys all competitors over the rolling beat. The chorus says it all, “Charlie says I wanna be an MC; Charlie says I wanna be like you.” The last song “Tuff” is the most Caribbean-influenced track on the tape. It contains a Jamaican vibe with repeated calls of “Champion Sound” and lyrics about the fall of Babylon. My favorite line in the song repurposes the Roots “Proceed” lyric “Just think, what if you could just blink yourself away,” into “Just think, what if you could just read a book a day.” This self-titled EP was the beginning of a long and successful career for Source Of Labor. Written by Novocaine132