Bishop The Overseer defends America’s diversity with new album, Nation of Immigrants.

By Graeme Smith

With immigration being a hot political issue in modern times and often the subject of negative headlines, it’s easy to forget just how much it has shaped the history of many nations, the UK included.

Bishop The Overseer’s perspective on it is very much American and his new album ruminates on topics such as globalisation, the Trans-Atlantic Trade, the Civil War, and Jim Crow.

Real name Seth Usifo Nwosu, Bishop The Overseer is a hip-hop artist born in St. Louis, Missouri before being raised in Newark, New Jersey. He’s been releasing music since 2001, but has only just hit our radar for the first time. As well as making music, he’s an actor, appearing in Rescue Me with Denis Leary, Music & Lyrics with Drew Barrymore and I Am Legend with Will Smith, among others.

I’m glad to have finally discovered his work, and Nation of Immigrants feels like an important record. With it, Bishop combines slick bars with soulful samples and moody instrumentals. Given the weighty topics being spoken about, you can, of course, expect an equally heavyweight composition. The lyrics don’t hold back, calling out those who hope to make political gains from the world’s most vulnerable. “44 steps forward, 45 steps back,” goes the refrain of the album’s title track, leaving no doubt who is being targeted.

These rousing moments are interspersed with more introspective ones like Runnin’ Back, Unconditional (Partus 1662) and hopeful album closer Someday. Bishop’s way with words is apparent throughout, avoiding the hip hop cliches to give us something truly meaningful.

The album Nation of Immigrants is be accompanied by a docuseries hosted and directed by Dr Cambria J. Nwosu that explores its journey in more depth. You can watch these videos on the artist’s YouTube page.

Nation of Immigrants is out now and you can give it a listen below.