Sabac Red

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Sabac Red, (born John Fuentes) also known as Sabac, is a rapper and former member of the hip-hop group Non Phixion, born in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. When he was four years old, his family moved to Brooklyn, NY.

Sabac began his journey into hip-hop as a b-boy and aspiring graffiti artist. At the age of 12, Sabac began exploring the art of emceeing. He would listen to mix shows and memorize other MCs' lyrics. He would then make parodies of the songs using his own lyrics. Sabac would perform at block parties, school talent shows and anywhere there was music and a mic, constantly battling other MCs and nurturing his craft.

While a freshman at Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, NY, Sabac would promote parties and shows for artists such as Milk and Gizmo from Audio Two, Big Daddy Kane, Greg Nice from Nice & Smooth and many other hip-hop legends.

While in school, Sabac found himself getting into trouble with the law. He had to do community service at the CityKids Foundation (http://www.citykids.org) where he ended up learning how to use his lyrics to express his pain and the things that were going on around him. He received training in Facilitation, Conflict Management, Public Speaking, Curriculum Design/ Implementation and much more. CityKids was and still is a place that develops young artists and leaders.

With help from his mentors Malik Yoba, Jamal Joseph and Alex Atkinson, Sabac had the opportunity to learn, create and grow with his peers who have become some of today's very successful artists including: Dash Mihok, Donald Faison, Lauryn Hill, Dulé Hill, Mario Vasquez, and many more. Sabac began working at CityKids between school, touring and odd jobs. He worked his way up to become The Director of Programs at The CityKids Foundation. Sabac resigned from CityKids in 2004 to tour and continue to work on music.

After high school, Sabac got a degree in recording engineering. Sabac went on to work for Wild Pitch Records as the College Radio promoter. He also did street promotion for Nas' Illmatic and a number of artists in the 90s.

In 1995 Sabac hooked up with Ill Bill and began the relationship that became the legacy of Non Phixion. Non-Phixion was a group that included Ill Bill, Sabac Red, Goretex, MC Serch from 3rd Bass and DJ Eclipse. The group began to put out music independently and began touring the world on their own. Sabac Red and Non Phixion have performed in all of NYC's major venues and have done shows all over the world. Some of the groups with whom Sabac and Non Phixion have shared the stage include: Gang Starr, Run DMC, Wu-Tang Clan, Rage Against the Machine, Necro, Q-Unique, The Beatnuts, Lordz of Brooklyn, Beastie Boys, The Roots and Vinnie Paz. Although in 2006 Non-Phixion disbanded Sabac Red, Ill Bill and DJ Eclipse will likely continue to work together on upcoming projects.

Sabac released his debut solo album "Sabacolypse - A Change Gon' Come" on the independent Psycho+Logical-Records in June 2004. The album received great reviews and continues to sell units worldwide. In 2005 Sabac put out two powerful Mix CDs titled "Freestyle and Demos Vol. 1" and "Sabac Red Presents The Collabo Collection Vol. 1". The album contains guest appearances by Necro, who also produced the album, fellow political rapper Immortal Technique, Vinny Paz from Jedi Mind Tricks, and many others.

In 2005 Sabac moved to Oakland, California where he continues to lead workshops and train young people and adults.

Sabac is currently performing solo shows around the world as well as working on his next solo project, a CD/DVD Titled "The Ritual" due out early 2008. He is also finishing up The Collabo Collection Vol. 2, which will be released right before "The Ritual". Sabac is planning a world tour for 2007 including places like Brazil, South Africa, South America and Australia.

Recently, Sabac was featured on The Breakdown, a show on ItsHipHop.tv where he discussed upcoming projects, the anxiety he feels before his performances, New York City, and other key topics.

Sabac Red is also the Academic Liaison for the Alameda Unified School District's R.I.S.E/Jetsetters program and designs curricula for middle and high school students.

[edit] Discography

  • Non Phixion - The Future Is Now (Uncle Howie Records 2002. 100,000+ copies sold)
  • Non Phixion - The Green CD/DVD (Uncle Howie Records 2004)
  • Sabacolypse "A Change Gon' Come" (Psycho+Logical-Records 2004)
  • Freestyles And Demos Vol.1 (2005)
  • The Collabo Collection Vol.1 (2005)
  • The Collabo Collection Vol.2 (2007)
  • The Ritual CD/DVD (Psycho+Logical-Records 2008)

[edit] External links