El Lapiz Conciente

I’m in love with this Dominican rappers name:  El Lapiz Conciente, in English: The Conscious Pencil.  The personification given to the pencil is amazing.  I can imagine a pencil writing on and on pausing  only to erase, underline, cross or scribble things on the corners of the paper.

I first heard this rapper when I was in Dominican Republic in the summer of  ’07.  Songs like “Tu no eres de na” and “Las Menores.” It was obvious that a lot of the youth loved him since I heard his songs everywhere I went.

Once I got back to the  States I researched him on youtube.com to find more of his music.  What I came across was music from an intellectual grown in poverty – like many of us – but instead of writing essays about the struggle, he manifested his thoughts through a version of spoken word: rap.

Here are some of my findings:

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However, I have to say that I am disappointed that this is not the type of discourse I heard from his songs when I was in DR and that it is not what I am finding now.  But then again, that’s what happens when an artist goes mainstream and signed to a record label that most likely limits his artistic ability.  Even worse, following getting a visa to travel to the United States (after various attempts) some fans believe El Lapiz has fallen off his element.

I think he has been doing more “tiraera” than what he should be doing.  He is humble, articulate, intelligent, and analytical; all which could be used to continue to dominate Dominican Rap and Hip Hop  domestically and international.  When other people try to harm his career or when other rappers try to downplay his talent, he should use that as catalyst to become bigger and better while remaining humble.

I  really appreciate what he has done and take delight in listening to his interviews.  Look forward to reading future articles on him…