Right below the southernmost tip of India rests the island country of Sri Lanka, home to over 22 million people and currently making World News headlines for an intense civil uprising. On July 9th, Sri Lankan protesters overtook the presidential palace forcing the president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, out of office. Suffering through the worst economic crisis in the nationโs history, there have been island-wide protests for over three months due to the lack of fuel, gas, food, and other essential goods. Sri Lanka has never been a safe place for journalists and artists, but now the masses have finally risen above the oppression, censorship, and corruption that has plagued the South Asian country for decades.
The once-banned Sri Lankan American recording artist,ย Ras Ceylon, is offering his new song and music videoย “1999”, honoring the Sri Lankan protests & perseverance of theย oppressed worldwide. Ras Ceylon has been celebrated as theย first-ever Sri Lankan rapperย outside of the country when he released hisย “The 1st Lesson”ย album in 1999 in the middle of the country’s 27-year-long civil war. Decades later, Ras’s post-civil war peace anthem,ย โHeal Lanka”, a hip hop call for unity, was quickly banned from Sri Lankan airwaves by the Rajapaksa family. The harsh reaction of the Sri Lankan government to Ras Ceylonโs music was even documented in theย Oxford Universityย book:ย โThe Musical Gift: Sonic Generosity in Post War Sri Lankaโย & other media outlets.
Today, commemorating the Sri Lankan people’s victory, Ras Ceylon felt compelled to releaseย “1999”, a semi-autobiographical song andย MC Prose-directed music video filmed in Southern California that documents over two decades of Ras’s own personal struggles & triumphs leading the viewer to the present day of his music now back in rotation on Sri Lankan airwaves.ย When speaking to Ras Ceylon about “1999”, he declared, “This joint wrote itself quickly as it is completely inspired by my lived experiences.ย It’s as much a message to myself as the listeners.ย Knowledge of self is key in all aspects of life.”
“1999” is available now on all major streaming platforms viaย Chalice Rowย Records and is the first single from Ras Ceylon’s upcoming and currently untitled solo album.ย