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Political rap duo A-Alikes are making the move from the booth to the big screen, as they hold a screening for their new film The Ballot or the Bullet. Ness and K, who comprise the group, cite Tupac Shakur, Nas and their RBG comrades dead prez as inspiration, hope to bring about real change through their own influence.
"The ballot or the bullet, one is how the oppressed people are going to get freedom," Ness explains in the film.
The title The Ballot or the Bullet references the Malcolm X speech of the same name. In time for the 2008 presidential election, A-Alikes urge individuals not to seek change in one man or candidate, but to become the change.
"You cannot be waiting for one person to [bring change]," says K. "In these pivotal times, it's necessary to communicate what is really going on."
The Ballot or the Bullet deals with the modern day oppression through the music of A-Alikes. The music serves as a jumping-off point for discussion forums between the Ness, K and guests Chuck D, Immortal Technique [click to read], Dead Prez, author and daughter of Malcolm X, Ilyasah Shabazz as well as Green Party VP candidate Rosa Clemente.
Ness raps on "No Savior", a track that accompanies the film, “We gotta do what we gotta do/ Nothing is impossible/ Not one man it’s gonna take a lot of you.”
Violence plays a large role in the discussion as well. Immortal Technique states, "America did not get to be America by the ballot, America got to be America by the bullet."
The A-Alikes' film, which was directed by Paul Biedrzycki, debuts October 30 at the Anthology Film Archive in New York City. The film screening is open to the public, but guest must R.S.V.P. and seating is first come first serve.
A-Alikes debut album I Eat, You Eat is out now.
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"The ballot or the bullet, one is how the oppressed people are going to get freedom," Ness explains in the film.
The title The Ballot or the Bullet references the Malcolm X speech of the same name. In time for the 2008 presidential election, A-Alikes urge individuals not to seek change in one man or candidate, but to become the change.
"You cannot be waiting for one person to [bring change]," says K. "In these pivotal times, it's necessary to communicate what is really going on."
The Ballot or the Bullet deals with the modern day oppression through the music of A-Alikes. The music serves as a jumping-off point for discussion forums between the Ness, K and guests Chuck D, Immortal Technique [click to read], Dead Prez, author and daughter of Malcolm X, Ilyasah Shabazz as well as Green Party VP candidate Rosa Clemente.
Ness raps on "No Savior", a track that accompanies the film, “We gotta do what we gotta do/ Nothing is impossible/ Not one man it’s gonna take a lot of you.”
Violence plays a large role in the discussion as well. Immortal Technique states, "America did not get to be America by the ballot, America got to be America by the bullet."
The A-Alikes' film, which was directed by Paul Biedrzycki, debuts October 30 at the Anthology Film Archive in New York City. The film screening is open to the public, but guest must R.S.V.P. and seating is first come first serve.
A-Alikes debut album I Eat, You Eat is out now.
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