Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five probably had it right in 1982 when it released the seminal old school hip-hop song, “The Message.” The song detailed the struggles and frustrations of living in the ghetto, one of the first to do so in the hip-hop genre. The song was pure and true to form, holding nothing back. Jump 25 years later and in Tacoma, Wash., a fresh face to the hip-hop scene is bringing back the old -chool, organic sounds of the 1980s and the revelation that “The Message” brought forward all those years ago. Clemm Rishad is that fresh face, an artist not afraid to put himself out there for the entire world to see. On his debut release, the EP IMAGE OF ME, Rishad lays out his life in a nine-track narrative. In the opening spoken-word track titled “The Image,” Rishad says: “This is the Image of Me. You’ve just tuned into a young man’s life. Every song is a different chapter and every word is sincere. Understand the hunger, understand the struggle, and understand the hustle of a real MC. A legend in the making. Someone who is chosen to come and change what we call hip-hop.” “This disc is projecting who I am and what my music is about,” says Rishad. “This disc is true to the essence of hip-hop,” he says. “You can visualize it as your listening like Picasso painting. “I’ve figured out a formula to join the old-school with the new-school and still stay true to the traditional form of hip-hop,” he says. “I’ve taken things from all the greatest artists and made it my own sound. There’s a little bit of every legend inside me.” Rishad grew up in Tacoma. From his father, a preacher, he learned positive values and ethics. From his oldest brother, he picked up drive and tenacity. Rishad says he’s dreaming big for his future career. He wants to be the voice of the people and be a motivation and an example for the younger generation that you can make it in this world if you persevere. Rishad describes his music as “Sky Music.” “Sky music means your dreams are in the sky,” he says. “When you dream big you just keep looking to the sky.” Rishad is excited to get on the road and begin touring, spreading his message of inspiration. “On tour, I’d like to go into the detail of each of my songs with the audience,” he says. “So, when you leave the show, you know more about me.” Look for Clemm Rishad and the SKY Movement artist’s on the “Look to the Sky” Tour Starting Spring 08 To learn more about Clemm Rishad, visit his website at www.clemmrishad.com Booking info: email Richard Penton at rpenton@theskymovement.com or call (253)-279-9715.