Washington, DC – Local band The Trees has released its first full album, ‘A Man Can Change.’ As we continue our series on art activism, Examiner.com spoke with rapper and musician, Elijah McKinley, about the band's brand of ‘inspirational, progressive, hip-hop’ and how he hopes its music will impact the lives of many.
The bands bio states:
Band mates since Penn State University, The Trees were formed with the purpose of bringing to light the positive characteristics which are often overlooked within hip-hop. Eli (Apuat) and Stone Kawala’s lyrics are both raw and inspiring; giving fans the artistic social commentary and positive spirituality that is therapeutic to the ear, mind, and soul. Soulful singing and passionate poetry by Mjhenta, give The Trees a repertoire diversity that is seldom matched. Currently co-headlining the Spit Pro Quo tour with live Philadelphia hip-hop band, Philadelphia Slick, The Trees are an up-and-coming group you don't want to miss in acoustic, DJ accompanied, or full band forms.
While the band's music has definite religious, or what some would more aptly call spiritual, overtones, Elijah says that he believes The Trees' music will appeal to everyone, secularist as well as believers. He states, 'We are not trying to make other people have the same belief as we do. Our purpose is to share our light with the world.’ When asked why the band was unable to get the backing of a gospel label, Elijah said that it was because its music was ‘too real for religious folks. We are not going to conform to the standards of the gospel industry.’ He admits that at first he was upset that gospel labels turned the band down but instead of continuing the search to find the 'right' label the band started their own, Tree Time Records.
Often such creative conflicts hinder artist from being able to fulfill their dreams but the members of The Trees are fighters. Being turned down did not stop them. They refused to allow music industry politics to be a barrier to their dream. To accommodate the lack of financial funding that resulted from not having a label backing their music, the band members, all of whom are professionals in various fields, bartered their expertise in exchange for the things they needed to make their album a reality. For low income people, it can sometimes feel like nothing can be done without money but The Trees are an example that with a little creative thinking and cooperation with others, money does not have to be a determing factor for success.
Activism begins with knowledge, by having enough information to ask the right questions and to find solutions when the answers are unacceptable. With tracks like ‘A Man Can Change’, ‘Do Right', and ‘Guide the Youth', a song which examines the media, and other social influences, and asks the question, ‘Does it guide the youth the wrong way?', The Trees’ aim is for the band's music to help youth develop a broader understanding of the social issues that impact their lives.
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