Five Steez

Staying true to his beliefs, here comes his debut album, War for Peace. It's not just another socially conscious rant packaged as a rap compilation, but it serves as a manifesto, a philosophy that runs throughout the album, even when the material turns far more personal. A prime example is Untold Stories. It details the fight for women to remain 'human' in a world dedicated to stripping away their individual humanity. You don't have to delve this far into War for Peace to enjoy it, but it's deep enough to dive all the way in if you're so inclined, and that's the beauty of the album. Each single stands so uniquely apart from the next yet, together, the musical journey has no speed bumps. - Gleaner's Youthlink

War for Peace is the 2012 debut album from Kingston, Jamaica’s underground emcee Five Steez. Three years in the making, his long-player opens strong with “Propheticz.” He and fellow Jamaican emcee Inztinkz kick out call-and-response rhymes before Five Steez takes the mic on “Rebel Music,” a standout jam built on soulful production and poignant phrasing; it yearns for peace and social justice in a time of deep struggle. Since hip-hop's a rare commodity in Five Steez's hometown, it’s only natural for hints of reggae to pepper some of the tracks on War for Peace. But he also mixes in old-school soul (“Slaving on the Plantation”), jazz (“Yard N***a Rap”), dub (“Crown Me King”), jazz (“Black Beauty”), blues (“I Am (feat. Kabaka Pyramid)”), and dancehall (“Blazing”). Five Steez’s debut LP is also strengthened by a grip of featured guests. Tara Harrison’s honeyed voice melts all over the hard-grooving closer, “Shining.” Nomad Carlos kicks down a quirky, stuttered rhyming style that recalls Posdnuos of De La Soul’s similarly stammered approach on 1991’s “Oodles of O's.” - iTunes

Across thirteen tracks and an array of production styles, Jamaican artist Five Steez delivers on his most cohesive project to date, ‘War for Peace’. Conscientious hip-hop from the heart of Jamaica, the album depicts a homeland wrought with dilemma and conflict, but an MC eager to examine with relentless energy. Often through storytelling and sometimes woven within choruses, Five Steez gives us music both soulful and poignant. With style and approach reminiscent of cult-favorite and former Def Jukie, Mr. Lif, Five Steez’s commitment to artistry and integrity in hip-hop exhibits his greatest strength, both personally and lyrically... Whether crooning on tracks like “Black Beauty” or swaggering over boom-bap production on “Shining”, Five Steez finds balance between context and content in this stellar debut. - Nomadic Wax

So few artists today really are able to focus on the most pressing issues that face their communities and hence, they do not. It takes a good amount of knowledge and experience, and then, oh yeah, ya gotta have the heart as well... Enter in Five Steez, a promising new talent from the sun drenched island of Jamaica has all aforementioned traits to make a huge splash with listeners. Over deftly crafted and hand picked boom bap musical arrangements, Five reels you into his world and keeps you there, while spouting a heavy dose of revolutionary-themed narratives. "War For Peace" has the traits of a definite landmark LP from the tiny Caribbean island. - Pure Hip Hop

Jamaican music, it could be argued, was at its zenith when it was considered to be message music to the masses. Topics such as education, day to day struggles and politics were the most prevalent of the day and music forms such as rocksteady, reggae and dancehall's main purpose, at that time, was to teach and inform as well as entertain. However as the music got more and more recognition, the trappings of such success had begun to be revealed in the content of the lyrics. The dumbing down of the material in an effort to gain mainstream appeal has been the focus of too many of our artistes in recent times. Luckily, there are albums such as 'War for Peace' which can take up the mantle as being considered message music for this new age. Five Steez, with the help of many of his friends, has crafted an introspective set with gems such as 'Yard Nigga Rap', 'I Am' featuring Kabaka Pyramid, and the deeply personal and inspirational, 'Slaving on the Plantation', illustrating not only the artiste's knowledge but his ability to convey that knowledge into lyrics. 'War for Peace' is a great collection of thoughts and should have the listener questioning life and their place in it. - Backayard Magazine

Jamaican MC Five Steez is an artist who, given enough exposure, could well become what folks would call a “rappers’ rapper.” Blessed with lyrical prowess and accompanied by minimalist, 90's-era boom-bap, Five Steez reminds me of a lost tradition in hip-hop: straight-up-rhyming. - Largeup.com/Okayplayer.com

The traditional path to music notoriety is both transparent and well-documented in Jamaica: create an easy-to-package reggae sound and sell it to a major record label. While many artistes attempt to ride this predictable path to riches and fame, there are still aspiring artistes that are committed to taking alternative routes to music distinction. In regards to differentiation, 'Yard Nigga Rap' proponent Five Steez has to be considered one of the ringleaders of this new order, embracing the world of hip-hop and bucking the trend of his indigenous reggae counterparts. - BACKAYARD Magazine

As Jamaica's ace hip-hop artiste, his vocals ignite the passion to listen, his lyrics dissect issues with simplicity and his message flies beyond the scope of his slim-built frame. - Jamaica Gleaner

As Jamaica's ace hip-hop artiste, his vocals ignite the passion to listen, his lyrics dissect issues with simplicity and his message flies beyond the scope of his slim-built frame. - Jamaica Gleaner

As Jamaica's ace hip-hop artiste, his vocals ignite the passion to listen, his lyrics dissect issues with simplicity and his message flies beyond the scope of his slim-built frame. - Jamaica Gleaner

As Jamaica's ace hip-hop artiste, his vocals ignite the passion to listen, his lyrics dissect issues with simplicity and his message flies beyond the scope of his slim-built frame. - Jamaica Gleaner

As Jamaica's ace hip-hop artiste, his vocals ignite the passion to listen, his lyrics dissect issues with simplicity and his message flies beyond the scope of his slim-built frame. - Jamaica Gleaner

As Jamaica's ace hip-hop artiste, his vocals ignite the passion to listen, his lyrics dissect issues with simplicity and his message flies beyond the scope of his slim-built frame. - Jamaican Gleaner

As a rapper, Five Steez's distinguishing trait is his ability to embody a multiplicity of personalities in his songs and performances, alternately coming off as technical, poetic, intimidating or amusing. His lyrical flow is both relentlessly hostile and astonishingly imaginative, making him a standout candidate destined to propel the Jamaican hip hop scene to new heights. Love him or not, it doesn't seem as though Steez will let up any time soon before making his name a global phenomenon. - Gleaner's YouthLink

I gotta be honest this is the first real rapper I’ve heard to come out of Jamaica (Kingston) not having the slightest hint of reggae flavor. I think it’s gritty as hell and I’m lovin the visuals, the lyrics and production. Well done. Wouldn’t have expected this out of Jamaica. - Hood Hype

Here’s the 2nd Five Steez mixtape I’ve received recently, and I’m not mad at this Jamaican MC. This time, he links with DJ MadLogic, who is a Guyanese-American that’s based in Germany, but with the true ish spit and spun on this mixtape, the phrase “it ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at” rings true. This is a mixture of freestyles and shit over original production, with Steez staking his claim to be heard. I’m actually more fond of the original beats on here – makes me want to hear some more of Steez’ original tracks. In due time, I guess. Five Steez and DJ Ready Cee will be following up Momentum: Volume One with a 2nd volume, dropping sometime in the Summer. Both of these projects lead straight to dude’s debut album, War For Peace, a title which makes sense when you hear the duality of dude’s subject matter. Should be an interesting time for Steez, nahmean? - Rock the Dub

Five Steez exuded the realest vibe and put it all on the line with Rebel Music. - Pree Jamaica

Five Steez can stand with the likes of Jay Electronica. - Duttyism

Five steez delivers

One of the headliners for the night, Five Steez, followed and his songs, Rebel Music, I Am and Slaving on the Plantation, were well received by the crowd.

The last of those songs from Five Steez, who is known in local rap circles as the five-point star, received the greatest feedback. The song is a quasi-autobiography about working a nine-to-five job.

Five Steez asked what was the point "of my college education, if I'm here and the knowledge getting wasted". - Jamaica Gleaner