Power Struggle Remittances

First of all this, lets get two things out of the way. One, I personally know and have shared the stage with Nomi and MrRey. Two, this is not your typical music review. I consider myself a community and cultural worker, therefore the lenses that I use in approaching this work is different than one who approaches this work with a musical lens.

From the very first track to the last track, Nomi establishes himself as being part of the masses. He exposes the everyday struggles of everyday people like himself and its connection to the larger issues. “Air Out of My Lungs” is somewhat like a purging of thoughts and hopes of someone who is searching for a sense peace and justice on personal and community level. This track sets precedent and an appropriate tone for the tracks to follow.

“Traveling Man” and “Mr. Sagittarius”, allows the listener to unpack notions of “home” and “identity” as his lyrics weave in and out of personal experiences and in different places as well as historical moments and its connection to his understanding of the world and his place as a Filipino American. His soliloquy-type of approach in these songs establishes a human element to it as it presents someone who seeks to make sense of his own identity in relation to moments of gaining critical consciousness as a result of his travels and reflection of his and his peer’s experiences in his past. It acknowledges the complex construction of his identity and consciousness in relation to this notion of intersectionality. He does not attempt nor does he claim to know the answers, rather he presents himself as someone who is uncertain of the future yet hopeful.

“United in Struggle”, on a musical tip, picks up the pace of the album. “United in Struggle” challenges this idea of living in isolation to the problems in the Philippines and among other oppressed groups around the world by placing responsibility on the people to “fight for the freedom of brothers and sisters”. Like the previous tracks, he weaves his personal experience, particularly that of going to the Philippines in helping come to this understanding of being part of a whole, thus denouncing this notion of individualism. The last verse on this track confronts divisions amongst the community and reminds the listener the importance and potential of being united rather than getting caught up in the finger-pointing and who-said-what’s. “What Goes Up” echoes similar sentiments in verse two except with a more urgent delivery, while the song as a whole places an emphasis on politics and the effect of money and Capitalism in the Philippines and in America.

“Three Basic Problems” attempts to breakdown the three basic problems of the Philippines (Imperialism, Feudalism, Bureaucratic Capitalism) in just over five minutes. A very difficult yet ambitious attempt. Where the song shines is the balance between English and Tagalog verses. This is truly the definition of literally “speaking to the masses”. It moves Filipino Americans towards taking responsibility for what is happening in the Philippines. It pushes Filipino Americans to connect transnationally that moves beyond lumpia and Pacquiao and to work together despite language barriers. (On a side note, Filipino American emcee, Jumping Off Analytical Lyricism (J.O.A.L.) also has his own version of this song off of his “Procrastinator’s Mixtape”).

The next couple tracks on the album maintains the same consistency as others. Nomi does a good job of continuing to weave personal experiences, with class analysis, and, activist chants or terminology without sounding corny, gimmicky, or wordy.

A standout track in my opinion is “Blood of My Heart”. Everything came perfectly together for this one from the lyrics to the production. It feels like this track was specifically made for the community workers. With the hook repeating, “I love you”, people are reminded that their work must be rooted in love for one’s self and one’s community. “Complex to be conscious in this nonsense, its all work with no time for romance” captures the struggle that community workers often face as they must often juggle personal ambitions, such as starting a family or maintaining relationships, and improving the current conditions. Nomi’s commentary on his work, his peers, and this complex notion of love leaves the listener with a sense of hope for the community and a need to reflect one’s own work and lifestyle.

The last two tracks brings the listener full circle with the similar sentiments of the first track without sounding redundant. On “Artofficialfreedom”, Nomi makes it a point to denounce stereotyped lifestyles of rappers or rappers on that superstar tip and instead places beauty and pride on a humble lifestyle committed to change. Expressed is this notion of beauty amongst those struggling collectively thus the line, “This is us, this is it.” Short and concise yet deep in meaning, “This is us, this is it” conveys of history of oppression and being underserved and under-resourced while at the same time implies a feeling of faith in the people’s ability to survive as they have in past.

Power Struggle’s 12 Track album, (not too long, not too short) is consistent throughout. MrRey’s and Fatgum’s production sound meshes extremely well, placing certain tracks in the appropriate order. The album doesn’t do so much as trying to thoroughly educate the listener on issues affecting the Philippines and other oppressed people, rather what I felt it was set out to do was to ONE, provide music that speaks about the struggle in reflection and from a non-scientific, emotional, humanistic perspective, TWO, provide music that act as personal anthems for community and cultural workers. While serving the community can cause one to lose sight of one’s self and purpose, this albums brought IT back for me. It reminded me to re-center and for that reason, I am very thankful to have listened to this album. DO NOT SLEEP on Power Struggle “Remittances” because as Nas would say, “Sleep is the cousin of death.”

-ARISTYLES