PS The Rebels
Dallas, Texas, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2006 | SELF
Music
Press
ADMN Interviews Pihon & SamUiLL - ADM
ADMN Interviews Pihon & SamUiLL - ADM
the 2012 mixtape is a classic..shout outs to Pihon for killin this joint too..
- The Beat Beast Blog
the 2012 mixtape is a classic..shout outs to Pihon for killin this joint too..
- The Beat Beast Blog
From the very first time I met them, I was impressed with their positive outgoing attitudes. Once I was able to hear their music I was far past impressed. Everything from their beats to their lyrics to their voices are incredible. Be sure not to miss this one!!
- Stuff To Do in Dallas
From the very first time I met them, I was impressed with their positive outgoing attitudes. Once I was able to hear their music I was far past impressed. Everything from their beats to their lyrics to their voices are incredible. Be sure not to miss this one!!
- Stuff To Do in Dallas
Man im glad i ran into this video love the energy of it they reppin the Motherland Africa but live in the DFW thats Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex support these brothers PS The Rebels
PiKaHsSo
- PiKaHsSo
Man im glad i ran into this video love the energy of it they reppin the Motherland Africa but live in the DFW thats Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex support these brothers PS The Rebels
PiKaHsSo
- PiKaHsSo
Listeners enjoyed great music from African African American artist named Pihon from PS The Rebels. I say African twice because he was actually born in Kenya." — Dallas Observer - Dallas Observer
An "edutainment" portion was presented by PS The Rebels , two young hip-hop poets SAMUILL AND PIHON,performed off-the-hook poems covering history, current events as well as future developments with ease.”— Nokoa Observer - Nokoa Observer
An "edutainment" portion was presented by PS The Rebels , two young hip-hop poets SAMUILL AND PIHON,performed off-the-hook poems covering history, current events as well as future developments with ease.”— Nokoa Observer - Nokoa Observer
Pihon & Samuill had the essence of true hip-hop surrounding them. Natural but obviously rehearsed they took it back to the simplicity of the golden years, a mic and a voice. PS The Rebels brought a youthful element. Yes, this show is honoring the past but let’s not ignore the future. Obviously the younger of all the performers of the night, PS the ReBels didn’t go over the top and didn’t underperform, their “cool” was unmatched and a perfect way to begin the real show. - www.crucialvillage.com
PS The Rebels has to offer what many artists we hear on the radio today lack – a real meaning behind their music.
- Dallas Examiner
Tujenge Pamoja translates from Swahili as “build together”. Recognizing that music is an energy that brings everyone tothether The People’s Lunch Counter ,The Black Chamber Movement and partners will hold a music benefit with performing artist like Homeboy Sandman, Pihon, SamUill, 7Knuckles, Dezyne, The Rapture, Abraham Mellish and more.
- Dallas South News
Tujenge Pamoja translates from Swahili as “build together”. Recognizing that music is an energy that brings everyone tothether The People’s Lunch Counter ,The Black Chamber Movement and partners will hold a music benefit with performing artist like Homeboy Sandman, Pihon, SamUill, 7Knuckles, Dezyne, The Rapture, Abraham Mellish and more.
- Dallas South News
My peoples hipped me to this mini movie from Dezyne and was directed by Kal Tourette. The premise for the Video by Dezyne is a play off the movies “Matrix” and “V for Vendetta”. Dezyne takes time to focus on the problems he see’s are plaguing our world. This Texan is a star on the rise with his consciousness and flair for making his words visual. Take a look and listen to Dezyne “Fear”
- Verbal Piff
My peoples hipped me to this mini movie from Dezyne and was directed by Kal Tourette. The premise for the Video by Dezyne is a play off the movies “Matrix” and “V for Vendetta”. Dezyne takes time to focus on the problems he see’s are plaguing our world. This Texan is a star on the rise with his consciousness and flair for making his words visual. Take a look and listen to Dezyne “Fear”
- Verbal Piff
Dezyne puts his right foot forward with this conscious effort to export his thoughts about his experience as a young man growing up. On ‘Dark Dayz’ he paints a picture of a shameless world that is filled with greed and selfish individuals he raps “I couldn’t comprehend why the rich had senseless things/ while the poor stay locked in an endless dream” – its not like it used to be. He sets of the revolution on ‘Picture That’ where he provokes thought about living in a world of full of righteousness people who’s sole purpose is to fight against what’s wrong. He sends an ode to the motherland on ‘Africa’ where it’s clear where he gets his inspiration. Dezyne exhibits a mature lyrical flow and an amazing ability to tell his story. The name is Dezyne you heard it now check him out. - Buddha Blaze World
Dezyne puts his right foot forward with this conscious effort to export his thoughts about his experience as a young man growing up. On ‘Dark Dayz’ he paints a picture of a shameless world that is filled with greed and selfish individuals he raps “I couldn’t comprehend why the rich had senseless things/ while the poor stay locked in an endless dream” – its not like it used to be. He sets of the revolution on ‘Picture That’ where he provokes thought about living in a world of full of righteousness people who’s sole purpose is to fight against what’s wrong. He sends an ode to the motherland on ‘Africa’ where it’s clear where he gets his inspiration. Dezyne exhibits a mature lyrical flow and an amazing ability to tell his story. The name is Dezyne you heard it now check him out. - Buddha Blaze World
". His lyrical delivery and activist content are deep and well thought out. It is not a stretch of imagination to compare him to American rapper Nas" - Kilamanjaro Entertainment
". His lyrical delivery and activist content are deep and well thought out. It is not a stretch of imagination to compare him to American rapper Nas" - Kilamanjaro Entertainment
"the film and the music is to promote Free Thinking and remind the world that fear is an illusion birthed out of deceptions, misconceptions and Ignorance at times”
- Headkrack
PS the Rebels call their sound Afro Hop. As the name suggests, it's a fusion of Afrocentric music with a blend of hip-hop. Think Fela Kuti meets classic hip-hop. But it's more than a name: Pihon and SamUiLL, the two letters in "PS," are brothers who migrated from Kenya in 1996. “There was so much war,” Pihon remembers. “It was turning into a life or death situation. We had to leave. We were refugees.”
That worldliness, and the sense of conflict, comes across in PS the Rebels' music. They pepper it with field recordings of world music from indigenous countries and villages. Their lyrics take on heavy subject matter, sometimes in a futuristic way. For example, their video for “The Chant,” a single from their first album, The Great Migration, imagines the world decades from now. The law enforcement of the future, known as“World Police,” follow a man from an indigenous tribe into what turns out to be an ambush.
Swahili is their native tongue, but they learned British English living in colonized Kenya. “Coming to America it’s a whole different type of English,” says Pihon. “They spell words different here, pronounce words different.” The transition brought culture shock. But bringing that experience to America and blending it with the black experience here is something that has informed the duo, giving them a different outlook.
They showed up to the States obsessed with American hip-hop like Tupac, Biggie and Eminem. But eventually they realized that maintaining a sense of their African heritage was important. “You have to know your history to know the potential of your future,” says Pihon. After learning that most of their contemporaries in Kenya were eschewing their own music for artists like Lil Wayne, they started refocusing. It helped that their mom was constantly playing great African music, like Lingala dance music and Fela Kuti.
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Dallas is an auspicious place for PS the Rebels. There is a budding local hip-hop scene, but also a large African population with a diverse mixture of nations and cultures. PS the Rebels also lived in the Congo and Uganda. “We use our diverse perspective to connect with people and highlight our similarities rather than our differences,” says Pihon.
PS the Rebels really shine with live performances. They have a level of interaction that makes the audience experience a cultural movement. They tell their stories and talk about the social issues their songs address. “We give them a walkthrough,” says SamUiLL. “Sometimes we teach people Swahili during our shows,” Pihon adds. Dressed in African attire, the duo also has a unique visual presence. They have shared bills with the likes of Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and Killer Mike.
Equally committed to activism, they use their music to spread awareness. They are part of organizations like Friends of the Congo and the Huey P. Newton Gun Club and work with many other organizations at the grassroots level. Just recently, they played a benefit for Mothers Against Police Brutality. “We focus on anything from bringing awareness to homelessness, sickness and bringing knowledge to the people free of political classes,” says Pihon. “We’re using hip-hop to help bridge that gap.”
They see injustice all over the world, sometimes here in the States, and wonder why people only pay attention to select examples. “A massacre is happening in the Congo right now as we speak,” says Pihon. “We’re not talking about this and it is affecting so many people.” Indeed, economic structure and the people’s understanding of social justice have collapsed. There is no free press. It has even made an impact on the ecology of the jungle.
In America, they see racism as alive, breathing and deadly. It’s systemic and has evolved into something complex. “It can be covert,” Pihon says. “It’s in symbolism and social structures. Sometimes it takes someone who really understands the dynamics of racism to really acknowledge it.” He says he had to take a class for his green card and was advised to stay away from black people. The logic was they are likely to be criminals who could put them in situations that would jeopardize their status as permanent residents. They had never stepped foot on an American street and initially believed what they were told.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Black Sabbath: The End
TICKETS
Wed., Sep. 7, 7:30pm
x Infinity Tour
TICKETS
Wed., Sep. 7, 8:00pm
Damien Escobar
TICKETS
Thu., Sep. 8, 8:00pm
Bonerama
TICKETS
Thu., Sep. 8, 9:00pm
Duran Duran: The Paper Gods Tour with Chic featuring Nile Rodgers
TICKETS
Fri., Sep. 9, 8:00pm
PS the Rebels consider all the recent shootings we’ve had in this country and all the different ways we respond to them: White shooters will be detained unless they commit suicide, and they are probably crazy. Shooters from the Middle East are called terrorists. Black people will be shot even if they don’t have a gun. “The mouthpiece of the beast is the media,” says Pihon. “It has the power to make the victim look like the oppressor and the oppressor look like the victim.”
PS the Rebels may be outspoken about injustice, but they look at the world and see all sorts of hope and opportunity. Their music is a great unifier and a way to raise awareness of important issues. “The whole point of art is to express thought and be thought-provoking,” says Pihon. “It’s about respecting all roots and culture,” adds SamUiLL. - Dallas Observer
PS the ReBels had an awesome time with their interview on Fusebox Radio with DJ Fusion & Ausar Ra Black Hawk. Cant wait till you get to here it here. - FuseBox Radio
The Rebels is what modern rap culture needs these days. The combined flow of Afro reggae and hip-hop with a natural sound and organic feel sets the group apart by a long shot.
Originally from Kenya, the Dallas-based group has the best of both worlds and their message from track to track couldn't be more exciting to listen to. Their cultural influences solidifies that they know music. From their Afro original style to multiple colorful accessories, the rebels are doing anything but the norm and doing it with confidence.
We spoke briefly with the group on their experiences in the United States and the latest projects.
AXS: What part of Africa are you from and how is it living as an African in America?
PS The Rebels: We are born and raised in Kenya. We live in Dallas, Texas. Living in the states as African-Americans, is kind of trifecta with two experiences. We deal with being immigrants and being Black. What we did realize is that Africans and African-Americans are detached from each other and we feel like that has a lot to do with entertainment, music and the power of influence it has. We have people in our country that can’t speak English, but they will have Jay Z or 50 Cent sprayed on their hut.
AXS: What made you attracted to a lifestyle in hip-hop?
PS The Rebels: We were most passionate about battle rapping and from their learning the culture and studying different rappers from the Tupacs, Eminems and the Rakims, making that foundation and just learning about ourselves as time went on.
AXS: Where did your name PS The Rebels come from?
PS The Rebels: P stands for Pihon and S is for SamUiL. When you write a letter, the last thing you write in your message is PS. We feel like our brand is a constant letter being written to the people and society on a global level. In addition, Rebels is the effect of imperialism in Africa, from corrupt governments to bad conditions. When we coin that name it's not to glorify the rebels back home, but to shed light on the issues going on.
AXS: Who do you speak to with your lyrics? What is the tone of your music?
PS The Rebels: If we had to listen to the music from a perspective of not writing it, I would say we make culture, music, Afro rap and Afro hop is the genre we are trying to push. We make Afro bass beats with a fusion of hip hop and world music put into one sound.
AXS: Your style is unconventional for the average hip hop artist in the US. Why adopt the Afrocentric look?
PS The Rebels: Everywhere we go we carry a certain persona. When we put the gear on it is distinct that it is African and this is where the movement originated from. We are so disconnected from attire, language, hair and even names that putting the culture attire on bridges the gap.
AXS: What’s the inspiration for making the single “The Edge?”
PS The Rebels: Being Black and experiencing oppression, whether it is in Africa, Europe, or Africa we need to put heartfelt lyrics back into music, and what better way to do that like Grand Master Flash said and add that into our meaning of being on the edge every single day.
To keep up with the latest on PS the Rebels visit their website here. Check out their latest single Hakuna Matata. Connect with them on Facebook and Twitter. - AXS
Discography
Vibrations: Headphones/Speaker Muzik 2012
The GREAT Migration EP (Coming Soon)
Photos
Bio
Two African artists Pihon & SamUiLL "PS the Rebels" were founded in 2006 . These Kenyan born emcees have "defined themselves as one of the most unique representations of Hip-Hop groups since the early to mid 90s. PS the Rebels "Pihon & SamUiLL" found a mission and a basis for their music and decided to embark on a revolutionary movement that would disrupt current divisions among the people based on religion, politics, history books, racism and socioeconomic injustices. Versatile lyrics from topics such as revolution, political awareness to stories of everyday life in the struggle & relationships provide listeners with an ability to relate on every level.
Messengers have existed in every civilization and culture, Pihon is today's. Influenced by a skilled set of veteran hip hop greats such as Canibus, Tupac, Saigon, Royce da 5'9 as well as the genius contributions of musical great Michael Jackson, Pihon displays an exclusive talent for effectively combining complex rhyme schemes & unparalleled flow.
SamUiLL is proof that only something extraordinary occurs when two worlds collide. Blending an unrivaled mix of thought provoking lyrics, soulful sounds, and eclectic beats listeners are entertained and edutained. Early influences from Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, The Roots to 2-Pac provide the foundation for the melodious, rhythmic and revolutionary vibrations that create the original sound of SamUiLL.
PS The Rebels use music as an opportunity to create awareness for the betterment of Africans especially for the future of it's children in social, political and economic development.
Audiences find PS The Rebels to be the definitive mixture between entertainment and awareness. As guests at every major area summer stage and festival, PS The Rebels keep the hip hop heads thinking about the words while nodding to the beats and always wanting more.
PS The Rebels have opened for artists such as : Kendrick Lamar, Slaughterhouse, Immortal Technique, Killer Mike, Homeboy Sandman, Erykah Badu, Brand Nubian, dead prez, Special Ed, Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grea, Dorrough, Elaine, Brother Ali and more.
Band Members
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