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| WARchild | 
 enlarge | Artist: Emmanuel Jal
Label: Sonic360
Category: Music
List Price: $12.98
Buy New: $8.41
You Save: $4.57 (35%)
New (33) Used (13) from $6.19
Avg. Customer Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 9568
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 360018
UPC: 874357000408
EAN: 0874357000408
ASIN: B00171TE44
Release Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Amazing September 21, 2008
I really enjoyed this cd, it has a hip hop flavor that talks about real topics instead of the usual bling & hoes lyrics that artists talk about now. Don't get me wrong, I love 50 Cent, Akon, Lil Wayne, and T-Pain, but it's nice to hear something real for a change. I would recommend buying this album, it's definately worth it. I'm the poorest law student there is right now and even I coughed up the $16 to get it.
Unexpectedly Amazing August 3, 2008
I ordered this expecting something comparable to most U.S. rap, and instead discovered a very tribal, interesting rap. If you are a fan of Hip/Hop and enjoy a positive message willing to poke at popular culture this CD is for you. His message of survival and desire to be different are refreshing.
Jal Goes West July 25, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Emmanuel Jal's 2005 CD, Ceasefire, was a musically brilliant and daunting collaboration with Northern Sudanese artist Abdel Gadir Salem. With lyrics a mashup of Arabic and Nuer, segmented by occasional outbreaks of English, the music carries a heavy load. For those of us stuck in the land of English, it brings the message through.
In his new CD, Warchild, Jal brings the message to us directly. Except for occasional lines that drop into Nuer (which end up sounding a lot like scat singing), Jal raps entirely in English. Gone, too, is the powerful and melodic Sudanese musical background that was such a strong point for Ceasefire. In its place, is a more basic "rap sound," with heavy bass lines supplemented by bass, guitar and percussion. The always regrettable "sampling" is, thankfully, entirely absent.
Despite the occasionally flat delivery which does not enhance the message of songs like "Many Rivers to Cross," (a rewrite of a Jimmy Cliff song), the CD contains may powerful and moving songs. I would put "Shadow of Death," "No Bling," and "Emma" at the top of that list. Even if you don't know Jal's backstory, I think you would find these songs powerful.
Listeners with an aversion to an overtly Christian message probably will find much not to like about Warchild. From start to finish, Jal makes no bones that "It's only love that I bring/Representing the King of Kings." For others, whether Christian or not, the message of peace and hope will resonate. Like its predecessor, this is a thematic work.
I missed the Sudanese music of Ceasefire but overall, found Warchild a welcome addition to my musical library and one which will bear a lot of listening.
 HMMM?! June 13, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is somewhat of a continuation of Emmanuel Jal's mission of spreading peace and love that began with his compilation with Sadir on Ceasefire. Most of the songs pertain to trying to effect peace in Sudan and other African countries. This time the album is mostly in English which gives it a different sound and feel from Ceasefire.
I like Jal, but he needs to work on his delivery when using the english language. I understand that he is sharing a message of peace and sharing his story and that of other Sudanese lost boys, but for it to be effective he has to be an effective performance. Jal seems effect great responses from live crowds, but its not the same on wax.
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