Emerging NY-based artist Sabir delivers his debut album,in Your name, i sin. The 8 track body of work dives into the challenges of being a first-generation American born to an Indian family with ties to Bollywood. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Denzel Curry, Sabir’s conscious hip-hop album takes listeners on a journey of self-discovery. It explores the difficulty in balancing familial and religious expectations while pursuing one’s dreams, and the risks inherent in doing so. The album discusses inferiority, ego, self-acceptance, and the struggle of being a first-gen American, all while delivering an electrifying and engaging listening experience. The album is divided into two halves where the first half features high-energy, ego-driven tracks that highlight Sabir’s raw talent and magnetic charisma. The second half is more contemplative, showcasing Sabir’s personal growth and development over the years. The album is filled with Hindu references and concepts, and its very structure (being an album that can be repeated over and over again) represents the concept of Samsara.
The project opens up with “MY DIVINE CURSE”, a rousing cinematic track that sets the tone for the project where Sabir runs through the weight on his shoulders as he faces pressure from his family and what they wish he should be doing instead of him following his path. The follow-up track “PROPHET” continues the energetic theme with an 808-bass heavy track ripe with Insightful and intimate raps about his talent and naysayers who might not see it for what it is. The following cuts “BLESSING”, and “AMNESTY” help conclude the first half of the project where Sabir hopes to chase his goals with the hope that his family will show him the support he needs. The second half of the project starts with the solemn “fly off the handle” which is as reflective as they come with Sabir digging into his own demons and the external pressures that keep mounting. In “sinning in Your name,” Sabir explores his identity, and family history and struggles with balancing his personal values with the pressures of the music industry. The lyrics explore the idea of inheriting a legacy and living up to a family name while navigating the expectations and temptations of the world around him. Sabir begins the song by revealing that his grandfather changed his name to Sabir to distance himself from the world of drug dealing and to send a message to his peers that he was committed to living a sober life. Sabir acknowledges that even though it was 2022, he is still dealing with the same challenges and pressures as his grandfather, such as deciding between “dirty money” and living up to the name Sabir. “ego death” sees Sabir coming to terms with the demons of his past and forgiving his family, and God, for putting him through the struggles that made him who he is today. This song features a breakdown at the end that is meant to show listeners that the entire song was a figment of Sabir’s imagination (hence, the “ego death”). This is primarily meant to be a lead single, akin in execution to “Swimming Pools”, with a deeper connotation that makes sense in the context of the album.
The project closes out with “rebirth”, which provides a powerful resolution to Sabir’s journey of self-discovery. Sabir also delves into his spiritual journey and talks about the importance of his faith in guiding him through the challenges he has faced. He references Brahman and Arjun, drawing on their strength and resilience to overcome his own struggles. He also mentions his desire to be a Buddhist and have Krishna defend him, keeping him pure in his journey.
Sabir’s album is the culmination of 21 years of living as a first-gen American. It embodies the good and bad experiences that have shaped him, serving as an answer to the question of how to pursue one’s dreams while remaining true to familial and Hindu values. We invite you to embark on this musical journey with Sabir and help us spread the word about his incredible debut album.
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