Siblings DJ Sayeed and MC Kendo (also spelled Kindu) were possibly inspired by Jonathan Moore and the revolutionary Jasiri Media Group project when they teamed up to create a new rap subculture in Tacoma. Sayeed and Kendo added E-Real Asim, and the three of them named their group Black Anger. The group dropped an excellent tape in 1994 called Damn!… Da Demo. “Feel What I Feel” is Black Anger’s first vinyl single, released in 1996 on Olympia’s K Records. According to the Turnfables Instagram page, “Sonically, Black Anger’s music is straight out of that golden era of 90s hip-hop, utilizing jazz samples, dusty drums, and lyrical content that covers societal ills such as commercialism, racism, and oppression.”

The A-side, “Feel What I Feel,” featuring Kendo, E-Real, and guest Wicked D, has a lot to say, and the stripped-down beat allows the conscious lyrics to really shine. Featuring an original version, radio edit, and an instrumental, this format is an ideal way to send out a promo. It’s perfect for club DJs, radio stations, and general listeners. Indeed this wax single helped to grow Black Anger’s audience, and they quickly became prominent players in the Northwest rap scene.

“No Commercial” by Kendo and Sayeed is the B-side, and it brings a slightly harder edge. Black Anger talks about how they don’t want to sell out, for instance, “Be true to yourself and we might be tight, rap’s been commercial since Rapper’s Delight.” The end of “No Commercial” rocks a respectable shout-out list including the aforementioned Jasiri Media Group, Dead Presidents, Blak, Jace, Ghetto Chilldren, B-Mello, Phat Mob, Sinsemilla, and many other Seattle/Tacoma rap figures. Written by Novocaine132