Independent Hip-Hop Artist Sabathil Announces Renewed Commitment To Alternative, Positive Message For The Industry

Independent Hip-Hop Artist Sabathil is announcing a renewed commitment to an alternative, positive message in hip-hop music. Melvin G Acquaah AKA Sabathil (pronounced “Sab-ath-EL”), says mainstream hip-hop glorifies a negative message about Black people, in particular, women.

His latest release, “Like Me,” available on Apple Music and YouTube music, opens with ambient notes above the mix as an intro, until the beat drops. The track is a slow groove reminiscent of old-school hip-hop, modern trap and a low subterranean bass.

Sabathil, who’s been writing music for roughly 15 years, is focused on delivering a message that carries truth about Black history and Black culture. He says his approach is to capture the attention of people with his music and subliminally give them a dose of consciousness. He’s confident his audience can understand his subtle messages without overtly being confronted about history or their responsibility to the Black community today. “There’s a subliminal message in everything I put out there,” he says.

Sabathil says he’s the type of entertainer who always knew he wanted to change the world. Hailing from the Bronx, New York and raised in New Jersey, nearly 20 years ago he and his brother, Arizona artist Thaahum (meaning, “Commander of the Stars) erupted onto the Arizona music scene together. Thaahum dubbed his brother Sabathil (meaning, “Universe Above All”). The dynamic brothers ventured out on their own, performing at shows throughout the Arizona hip-hop landscape. Among their credits, they boast opening for the group “Souls of Mischief,” collaborating with film director Adam Rifkin, and working with Jay and Silent Bob (Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith). For a time, they enjoyed a buzz outside of the indie hip-hop realm and intertwined their music with film and comedy.

The brothers recorded three albums before Thaahum suddenly passed away from a heart attack at just 38 years old. “My brother gave me the gift of opening my eyes to the truth, so that I can really know my Black history, my history, and who I am,” he says, “Black history didn’t start with slavery. My brother made me aware of different teachers and different leaders who presented all of Black history.”

Sabathil vowed to continue his journey through music and challenge the social norms of modern rap, by stepping up his lyrical content. “This music is how I keep my brother’s legacy alive, so that he didn’t die in vain.” He released his first EP ‘Alpha Centari’ in December 2018, dedicated to Thaahum.

What’s become most important to Sabathil as he continues his music career is spreading a positive message to the Black community about the Black community. “I believe in being conscious. I want to pave the way for others to be conscious. Knowing our history and our place in it is what we need in order to be able to speak truth to power.”