Cassette Tape - Weapon is My Lyric
Object
Audio-visual
Production date
1989
Object number
2022.34
Physical Description
Cassette tape, plastic, black with white printed text. With cassette box, clear and black plastic, and a paper cover sleeve. The album artwork shows a black and white image of the artist Overlord X with a large microphone.
Associated Organisation
Island Records (Manufacturer)
Associated Person
Overlord X (Performed by)
Associated Place
Material
Plastics
Card
Dimension
Height: 110mm
Width: 70mm
Depth: 18mm
Width: 70mm
Depth: 18mm
Exhibition Label
From the exhibition 'Roots, Rhythms & Records: The Sounds and Stories of African & Caribbean Music in Hackney' [2 October 2018 - 16 March 2019]
Overlord X
Overlord X was one of the earliest British hip hop artists to receive national acclaim in the UK, with his most well-known song still being his second single release, "14 Days in May" (Westside Records, 1988) against capital punishment. It was inspired by the experiences of Edward Earl Johnson, a man convicted and executed by the U.S though he maintained his innocence. Overloard X's first album, 'Weapon is my Lyric' also features the track 'Rough in Hackney'. This may have been a dual reference to how tough life can be in the area and a reference to UK hip hop artists forging their own identities in the late 1980s, and how the sound he was creating was as hard-hitting as anything coming from the East Coast or West Coast of America.
Overlord X
Overlord X was one of the earliest British hip hop artists to receive national acclaim in the UK, with his most well-known song still being his second single release, "14 Days in May" (Westside Records, 1988) against capital punishment. It was inspired by the experiences of Edward Earl Johnson, a man convicted and executed by the U.S though he maintained his innocence. Overloard X's first album, 'Weapon is my Lyric' also features the track 'Rough in Hackney'. This may have been a dual reference to how tough life can be in the area and a reference to UK hip hop artists forging their own identities in the late 1980s, and how the sound he was creating was as hard-hitting as anything coming from the East Coast or West Coast of America.
On display?
No
Inscription
Front:
Overlord X
Weapon Is My Lyric
Reebox Sucker
Overlord X
2 Bad
Side:
ICT 9924
Overlord X
Weapon Is My Lyric
Mango Street
Manufactured and distributed by Island
Internal:
Inspired By: Public Enemy, KRS 1, Eric B. & Rakim, Just Ice, Koce, Moe D and L.L. Cool J
Engineered by: Roger King at Island Music Studio.
Produced and arranged by: Overlord X
Design Island Art - Photographer Alastair Thaine - Illustration Simon Bisley
Reverse:
Double X
Rough in Hackney 2. Kick Bag 3. 2 Bad 4. Go! It’s Like World War 5. Clap Your Hands
Triple X
Weapon Is My Lyric 2. Now My Day Begins 3. Brutal Bass 4. Visa To Rock 5. 14 Days In Hell
Overlord X
Weapon Is My Lyric
Reebox Sucker
Overlord X
2 Bad
Side:
ICT 9924
Overlord X
Weapon Is My Lyric
Mango Street
Manufactured and distributed by Island
Internal:
Inspired By: Public Enemy, KRS 1, Eric B. & Rakim, Just Ice, Koce, Moe D and L.L. Cool J
Engineered by: Roger King at Island Music Studio.
Produced and arranged by: Overlord X
Design Island Art - Photographer Alastair Thaine - Illustration Simon Bisley
Reverse:
Double X
Rough in Hackney 2. Kick Bag 3. 2 Bad 4. Go! It’s Like World War 5. Clap Your Hands
Triple X
Weapon Is My Lyric 2. Now My Day Begins 3. Brutal Bass 4. Visa To Rock 5. 14 Days In Hell
