Kalistani Major History

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Ejército de los Pobres Releases Controversial Second Album
Political album called Sonic Masterpiece
Sulari, Suldanor
October 18, 5374


Defiantly Leftist Sophomore Album doubles down on Social Commentary

Ejército de los Pobres returns to Kalistani Airwaves with their sophomore Album "The Poor Strike Back." The cover features a Death Moon made up with the Band's fist raised logo destroying an unfortunate planet with some sort of space ray. "Our cover was inspired by the simple fact that there are millions of the poor and only a few of the rich," said EP's MC Chad Rock. "If we stay as individuals, we are easily controlled, but if we just band together, we can literally wipe the rich off the face of the entire universe. To the point where there's not even atoms left."

The album is far angrier than the last album, and features very direct social commentary aimed at addressing world events. "We got countries re-endorsing slavery, child labor, sexism, militarism, war. You got the government of Luthori oppressing its people for no other reason that it hates people. The people need a voice, that voice is music. Hopefully some more artists will come out and speak up too."

Songs like "Welcome to Slum City" talk about the negative social effects of urban renewal, while Tastee T's single "The Food Bank is Joke" talks about how the quality of food at the Food Bank has decreased as more foreign food is being imported. "We also covered the lack of good roles for poor folks in Kalistan's movies, a call for political renewal in 'We got Soul' and the insularity of the Kalistani Music Scene on 'B-Side Hits Again." The band ended the Album with a solid protest song dedicated once more to the Protest Movement in Luthori called "Destabilization". "It's our hope that the people use our music to tear that wicked right wing government apart," said Chad Rock.

Like their first record, EP filled this record with antiquated samples from Kalistan's golden are of music. "DJ T-1000's mixes are filled with classic funk and Electro," said Chad Rock. "Plus we have sound samples from like 3000 years of socialists, leftists and revolutionaries to choose from. We could theoretically compose whole bars out of soundbites, but they work really well for us as agitprop." EP counts more than 275 samples over the whole record, making this one of the most sample heavy records ever produced. "T-1000 usually picks up some breakdown in some old funk track and builds a foundation for the beat. And then we start layering. Lyrically, I try to be as complex and uncompromising as possible. And Tastee brings the energy sometimes when things get too heavy. Its easy to go dark, Tastee keeps things funny."

For all the praise heaped on the album thus far, "The Poor Strike Back" is not without criticism here in the Republic. Mike Hodges, of the liberal "Kalistani Property Owners' League" based in Kalburg issued a statement which was cosigned by several business and investment groups. "We feel that Kalistani record companies and KRTVN should not be recording these firebreathing communists," said the statement. "They call for social revolution, and we find that kids who are susceptible to these kinds of calls might be encouraged to undermine our political and social system. And furthermore: Why are Kalistani Bands weighing in on the sovereign and entirely legitimate actions of the Luthori Government. Our organizations are lobbying our Government for improving relations with the Luthorian, and Kalistani groups encouraging revolution with their music is counter to our efforts." Hodges said his organization is considering whether it will be possible to sue Ejército de los Pobres in Kalistani courts because the bands music "Interferes with our legtimate business interests in the Holy Empire."

It is unlikely that any Kalistani court would take that case, but the controversy has helped boost sales of both the record and the singles. In its first week, "The Poor Strike Back" has entered the charts in the 15th Place on the Chart, and "Destabilization" has debuted at Number 25. "Really, these pro-Luthori Liberals, if you can even call them that, are doing a lot of publicity for this record," said Chad Rock. "We certainly appreciate it." In addition, Radio Kaliburg has been beaming that single on the Artanian Frequency on the top of the Hour every hour for 5 days so far. "The more people who are protesting in Luthori who hear it, the more it influences the direction of that imprison, oppressed society for the better," said Chad Rock.

You can check out "Destabilization" right here- And if you are from Luthori, feel free to write The Kalistani Republic to let us know how the music has encouraged you to overthrow the craven fascist regime in your nation.

[Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmo3HFa2vjg]