For some guys, coming to prison was a fast process. Do the crime … then do the time. However, for a group of up-and -coming hip-hop artists from the East Coast known as the Coalition, getting inside San Quentin has been extremely difficult.
For two years in a row, the Coalition has accepted an invitation to play at the annual Day of Peace event. However, each time they were shut out due to an institutional lockdown.
“My guys were really looking forward to performing at San Quentin, but it’s looking like this thing just wasn’t meant to be,” said Coalition manager Jason Fink.
The group was originally slated to play at the May 11, 2013, Day of Peace, but had to cancel their plane tickets after San Quentin went on a 10-day quarantine due to norovirus. The Day of Peace was held later that summer, but there wasn’t enough time for the Coalition to reschedule their trip.
The Coalition got together in 2009 in their hometown of New Haven, Connecticut. The group includes seven MCs — Sheik Abdul, Big House, Tragic MC, Fireman, Yung Reese, Pa aka Adam X and Congo — who showcase very different and dynamic styles reminiscent of early hip-hop.
“Coalition is the soundtrack to the street … the struggle where single mothers juggle two and three jobs trying to make ends … submerged in the water, but you have to swim … the mind frame must change, so let it begin,” are lyrics from Coalition’s song “Struggle for Real.”
As the titles of their albums, Still Struggling and Struggle for Real, reflect, the Coalition has not yet made it to the big time. However, they are building a strong grassroots following with shows at New Haven on the Green’s May Day Festival and performances at the legendary Toad’s Place.
As the 2014 Day of Peace, scheduled for May 10 rolled around, the Coalition accepted the invitation to travel across country to perform. They booked their flights and made it all the way to the gates of San Quentin before learning that the institution was on lockdown once again. This time, the cause was an interracial scuffle involving C-status inmates in North Block.
“I was more nervous about being on a plane for the first time than I was performing at San Quentin. I couldn’t believe we got shut out again,” said Adam X. “I was hoping to meet some of the fellas, because I know we’ve all had our challenges to overcome.”
The Day of Peace has been rescheduled for August 2, but the Coalition will be back on the East Coast preparing for their “Making Moves” tour featuring Mega Hood, BX, High Heel Rush, Garden State Pusher and poetry by Anne Lyrix. For more information, see www.wethecoalition.com and www.facebook.com/makingmovestour.
The Coalition will personally respond to all letters and autograph and photo requests from San Quentin and CDCR inmates. Send requests to Coalition Hip-Hop, P.O. Box 185324, Hamden, CT, 06518.
