Bomani Armah
Encyclopedia
Bomani Armah also known as D'mite, G-Mike or Not a Rapper, is a self-identified "poet with a hip-hop style, not a rap
per," best known for the 2007 single "Read a Book."
. He dropped out of the University of Maryland, College Park
to become a musician. He is married and is the father of twins. He is also a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
In 2005 Bomani was introduced to the world with the debut of the Mello-D and the Rados
music video "Cool Witchu" on B.E.T.. By October 2006, the Washington Post regarded him as "one of the more entertaining voices in a local spoken word
scene that's overflowing with talent." They also noted that he was "grabb[ing] hearts and minds" with "Read a Book", a spoof of crunk
songs that was "scary because it's a bit difficult to tell that it's satire
".
In January 2007, Armah took part in Martin Luther King Day
observances at the Washington National Cathedral
, with Sister Helen Prejean
and the Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir.
Armah became famous with the MySpace
-released 2007 single "Read A Book." The song admonishes listeners to "read a muh'fuckin book", "raise yo kids", wear deodorant, buy some land, and brush their "God damned teeth", among other things, including advising "your body needs water, so drink that shit", in a satire of crunk-style songs which advocate a more "gangsta
" lifestyle, set to a loop of an excerpt from Beethoven's Symphony No.5
. A clean version also exists, where the profanity is edited out, as it states: "Per your many request, finally an edited version online. Please play this for the youngins!! Make sure to leave a comment, then go to "www.notarapper.com" (Bomani's website) to download an MP3 of this song and much more phonomenal music from Bomani Armah". Success of the single grew when it was used as the topic of a short animated film which aired on Black Entertainment Television
's The 5ive
. Animated by Six Point Harness Studios
, the video features stylized cartoon stereotypes who are directed (often by force) to carry out the advice presented in the lyrics of "Read a Book" by a crunk rapper. In June 2007 the song was included on Dan Greenpeace and DJ Yoda
's Unthugged Vol. 2 with an introduction from Armah introducing himself as D'Mite.
In the fall of 2007, Armah released a song about the Jena Six
case in Louisiana
. He also performed at the CMJ Music Marathon
, where a Village Voice blogger panned him as a "technically strong rapper with zero stage presence and only slightly more personality. He also has no control over his twin boys, who were in the crowd acting ridiculously reckless."
Armah returned to the National Cathedral in January 2008, to lead its Martin Luther King Day event.
In March 2008, the Washington Post published his commentary calling on Barack Obama
to show his "white side."
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
per," best known for the 2007 single "Read a Book."
Biography
Armah grew up in Mitchellville, MarylandMitchellville, Maryland
Mitchellville is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,611 at the 2000 census. It is home to the Six Flags America theme park, Country Club at Woodmore, and Freeway Airport. The Capital Centre was located in...
. He dropped out of the University of Maryland, College Park
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
to become a musician. He is married and is the father of twins. He is also a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity.
In 2005 Bomani was introduced to the world with the debut of the Mello-D and the Rados
Mello-D and the Rados
-Founder:Hip-hop band Mello-D & the Rados was founded by Darnley “Mello-D” Hodge in Richmond, Virginia in 1996. Mello-D was born August 1, 1977 in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1980, he and his family moved to Alexandria, Virginia. At the age of nine Darnley started playing clarinet and saxophone....
music video "Cool Witchu" on B.E.T.. By October 2006, the Washington Post regarded him as "one of the more entertaining voices in a local spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
scene that's overflowing with talent." They also noted that he was "grabb[ing] hearts and minds" with "Read a Book", a spoof of crunk
Crunk
Crunk is a music style that originated in Memphis, Tennessee in the mid-to-late 1990s and gained mainstream success around 2003–2004. Performers of crunk music are sometimes referred to as crunksters. An archetypal crunk track most frequently uses a drum machine rhythm, heavy bassline, and...
songs that was "scary because it's a bit difficult to tell that it's satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
".
In January 2007, Armah took part in Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a United States federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around the time of King's birthday, January 15. The floating holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform...
observances at the Washington National Cathedral
Washington National Cathedral
The Washington National Cathedral, officially named the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, is a cathedral of the Episcopal Church located in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. Of neogothic design, it is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world, the second-largest in...
, with Sister Helen Prejean
Helen Prejean
Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J., is a Roman Catholic religious sister, a member of the Congregation of St. Joseph, who has become a leading American advocate for the abolition of the death penalty.-Death row ministry:...
and the Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir.
Armah became famous with the MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
-released 2007 single "Read A Book." The song admonishes listeners to "read a muh'fuckin book", "raise yo kids", wear deodorant, buy some land, and brush their "God damned teeth", among other things, including advising "your body needs water, so drink that shit", in a satire of crunk-style songs which advocate a more "gangsta
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
" lifestyle, set to a loop of an excerpt from Beethoven's Symphony No.5
Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven)
The Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, was written by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1804–08. This symphony is one of the most popular and best-known compositions in all of classical music, and one of the most often played symphonies. It comprises four movements: an opening sonata, an andante, and a fast...
. A clean version also exists, where the profanity is edited out, as it states: "Per your many request, finally an edited version online. Please play this for the youngins!! Make sure to leave a comment, then go to "www.notarapper.com" (Bomani's website) to download an MP3 of this song and much more phonomenal music from Bomani Armah". Success of the single grew when it was used as the topic of a short animated film which aired on Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's The 5ive
The 5ive
The 5ive is a television show on BET. The show premiered on June 18, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m. The show is hosted by Alesha Reneé, a winner in the "New Faces" contest.- About The 5ive:...
. Animated by Six Point Harness Studios
Six Point Harness
Six Point Harness Studios is an animation studio located in Los Angeles, California. 6PH has provided animation for MTV's series Where My Dogs At? and Good Vibes, animated sequences for feature films Black Dynamite, Eurotrip, and produced The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie!. Greg Franklin serves...
, the video features stylized cartoon stereotypes who are directed (often by force) to carry out the advice presented in the lyrics of "Read a Book" by a crunk rapper. In June 2007 the song was included on Dan Greenpeace and DJ Yoda
DJ Yoda
Duncan Beiny , better known as DJ Yoda, is a hip hop turntablist who uses samples to create a cartoony musical style.-Biography:From 1995 to 1998, he studied English and American literature at the University of Warwick...
's Unthugged Vol. 2 with an introduction from Armah introducing himself as D'Mite.
In the fall of 2007, Armah released a song about the Jena Six
Jena Six
The Jena Six were six black teenagers convicted in the beating of Justin Barker, a white student at Jena High School in Jena, Louisiana, on December 4, 2006. Barker was injured in the assault by the members of the Jena Six, and received treatment for his injuries at an emergency room...
case in Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He also performed at the CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival is put on by CMJ Network. CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival 2010 is scheduled for October 19–23 and will be headquartered at New York University and other downtown NYC venues.- History :...
, where a Village Voice blogger panned him as a "technically strong rapper with zero stage presence and only slightly more personality. He also has no control over his twin boys, who were in the crowd acting ridiculously reckless."
Armah returned to the National Cathedral in January 2008, to lead its Martin Luther King Day event.
In March 2008, the Washington Post published his commentary calling on Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
to show his "white side."
External links
- Bomani Armah's official website
- Bomani Armah at Myspace
- Park Triangle Productions Armah's multimedia studio
- Six Point Harness Studios