Semi.Official offer graffiti writers' anthem 'Nocturnal Terrorist Squad' [DOWNLOAD]

By Rebecca McDonald Wed., Sep. 21 2011 at 8:40 AM

Categories: MP3 of the Week

I Self Devine, frontman of the rap duo Semi.Official (with DJ Abilities), took time out from preparing for his new album to talk with Gimme Noise about the graffiti anthem he penned,"Nocturnal Terrorist Squad."

As an influential graffiti artist, hitting up the streets in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Atlanta, I Self Devine realized there was no true graffiti writers anthem. In 2003, The Anti-Album was released on Rhymesayers, with national distribution on Fatbeats.

The song is divided into three sections, by three different beats. I Self Devine told us, "This song is written like Gang Starr's 'I'm the Man' on the album Daily Operation."

Much like the pieces on trains travel, this track moved internationally, and quickly became well-known throughout the writing community. Dedicated listeners who hang in until the fifth minute of the track can hear the formidable "10 Writing Commandments" such as "Don't go over what you can't burn" and "Don't bite. Be original and innovate."

Download: Semi.Official, "Nocturnal Terrorist Squad"

For more on graffiti culture check out this week's cover story by City Pages staff writer Greg Pratt, which profiles several notable Twin Cities artists.

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