II Zwaard
The name II Zwaard is reference to by Abdelkarim El khattabi, an old reef warrior, who fight against the occupiers, with his two Arabic swords. II Zwaard is a pseudonym for MC Khattabi, who's active since 1992 in the underground HipHop. He started as a B-boy and French master of ceremony but since 1995 he uses the Dutch language. The beats are made by PITA also known from ABN, a Belgium HipHop crew. II Zwaard made his debut in the beginning of 1999 with two tracks on the album "The Posse-deel 4" The reactions from the media and Nederhop scene were good. Meanwhile they recorded a complete album of 17 tracks with well-considered lyrics and varying funky beats. The first single of the album is "De Zin Van Het Leven" what means "The Meaning Of Life", this single contains a radio mix and an instrumental mix. The lyrics are written well and the style is to be called original. Surely the Flemish accent used by the singer of the band gets a lot of attention. The thoughts about the Flemish accent are divided. The album begins with an intro about the old reef warrior El Khattabi. "Niet Gelogen" gives an Arabian impression, when you listen often to the album you can imagine what he intents to say. "De Zin Van Het Leven" is about living in a hard society, with the difference between rich and poor, using drugs and no-education. "De Mystieke Vraag" is who is GOD? It's a track where some of us vomit and others find themselves. "Vilarappers" disses the wack MC's in the Nederhopscene (ed. Kinda stupid name for Dutch HipHoppers who rap in Dutch). The love becomes explained by II Zwaard, in his own words in the track "Dan Wil Ik 'M Niet".
One of the best songs on the album "Strijd Tegen Valsheid" (ed. fight against falsehood) which I preferred is "We Vertellen Het Verder" (ed. The song will be kept sung) feat. PITA, the music is from upper shelf, the lyrics are profound and make history...

In "Waarom" the rapper II Zwaard asks himself why life goes around comes around.
And gives a conclusion by himself: would not ask to much why / you'll never find out how the beginning was / why? BECAUSE! take life the way it goes / everything is written from the day of birth un-till the funeral. "Pech" is about the bad luck of life and all the facets. The lyrics are brought over beats composed with old school Amiga-games songs. This makes a happy impression, while the lyric is very serious. II Zwaard doesn't give party music, but real music to listen to with lyrics to think about. While the opinions are very different about this album, we surely shall hear further more about II Zwaard.


Discography: De Posse Deel 4
DJAX-10054 CD

Herbz