Amsterdam, Netherlands – Amsterdam-based hip-hop artist Abraham SEVEN has released a bold and thought-provoking track, “THE FIRST SEAL,” taking aim at the National Football League (NFL), self-proclaimed kings of hip-hop, and the commodification of Black talent in the entertainment industry. Born in the Bay Area of California and raised in the bricks of Newark, NJ, Abraham SEVEN served 13 years in the U.S. Army before fully embracing his passion for music and art. Now, he uses his craft as a weapon of truth to address pressing social issues..
In “THE FIRST SEAL,” Abraham SEVEN delivers a scathing critique of hip-hop moguls Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar for aligning with the NFL, an organization that he believes disregarded African American struggles, particularly after the controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick, a former NFL quarterback, was effectively blacklisted from the league for kneeling in protest of police brutality following the widely publicized murder of George Floyd by law enforcement. In response to the controversy, the NFL held a press conference where rapper and business mogul Sean “Jay-Z” Carter declared, “We are past kneeling,” a statement Abraham SEVEN condemns as out of touch with the needs of the people.
Abraham SEVEN argues that rather than standing in solidarity with Kaepernick and leveraging their influence to bring about systemic change, Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar chose to perform for the very organization that had turned its back on the movement for racial justice. Kendrick Lamar, widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop artists of his generation, partnered with Roc Nation and the NFL to secure his spot on the coveted Super Bowl halftime stage—a move Abraham SEVEN sees as a betrayal. He critiques the industry’s reliance on Black talent solely as a form of entertainment, rather than as a force for meaningful change.
“Over 50% of NFL players are African American, and Jay-Z, as a billionaire, along with Kendrick Lamar, who was already one of the biggest hip-hop artists in the world before the Super Bowl, had the power to change the entire industry,” says Abraham SEVEN. “If every Black player had united in protest alongside Colin Kaepernick and refused to play, they could have dismantled the system that continues to exploit them. Instead, they chose to sell out, settling for the comfort of their entertainment status.”
Abraham SEVEN raises critical questions about the integrity of Black athletes, rappers, and billionaire business moguls in his hard-hitting lyrics, stating, “They are on ball and chains” and “Calling them kings is a ballsy name.” The track also touches on the recent rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Canadian artist Drake, in which Kendrick positioned himself as a defender of Black culture. However, Abraham SEVEN challenges the legitimacy of this stance, arguing that Kendrick Lamar had a pivotal moment to take a stand for something greater but instead “fell for anything just to be crowned a king whose crown holds no weight.”
With lines like “performing with a ball and chain on his master’s stage, ball and chain with Malcolm’s rage?” Abraham SEVEN underscores his belief that Black artists and athletes continue to be shackled by an industry that only values them as entertainers. His track provokes a crucial discussion: Will African Americans ever break free from this cycle? Will they rise to create their own institutions, such as an independent version of the NFL and NBA?
Bridging the Atlantic: The Son of THE PEOPLE
Although based in Amsterdam, Abraham SEVEN’s voice is resonating far beyond Europe. His music bridges hip-hop and history like a journalistic lyricist who’s seeing all sides of the coin and reshaping it with truth. The Super Bowl halftime show is more than just an entertainment spectacle; it is a platform that shapes global perceptions of culture and power. With THE FIRST SEAL, Abraham SEVEN seeks to challenge these narratives while showcasing the strength of international hip-hop voices. He continues to push creative boundaries and ignite important conversations through his music. He is dedicated to delivering impactful and thought-provoking tracks that resonate with listeners worldwide.
For centuries, millions of Africans were forcibly taken from their homeland and sold across the world in the transatlantic slave trade. Both African Americans and Surinamese people in the Netherlands are descendants of these enslaved Africans—stripped of their identities, cultures, and languages, yet resilient in shaping history.
The Dutch Atlantic slave trade played a key role in this displacement, transporting enslaved Africans primarily to Suriname and the Caribbean. These individuals were given new names, forbidden from speaking their native languages, and forced into brutal labor. Despite abolition, their descendants continue to fight systemic racism, economic inequality, and cultural erasure.
As an African American artist, I’ve traveled and seen firsthand how Black people across the diaspora—whether in the Netherlands, Suriname, or the U.S.—still face the same struggles. One of the most damaging effects of the slave trade is how language was erased. While Surinamese people still speak Sranan Tongo, many African Americans only know the language of their colonizers, severing them from their true origins.
One of the lingering injustices is forced surnames, given to enslaved people by their owners. In response, the Dutch government announced in 2024 that descendants of enslaved persons can now change their names for free, eliminating both the €835 fee and the previous requirement for a psychological evaluation to prove their name was an inconvenience. This policy marks an important step toward historical justice and recognition.
But apologies mean nothing without real change. It’s time for Black people across the Atlantic and In the world to unite, reclaim their identity, and recognize their shared power. Our past was stolen, but our future is ours to build—not by settling, but by becoming stronger spiritually and knowing who we truly are.
Expanding Reach Across the Atlantic:
Despite his European base, Abraham SEVEN’s impact is growing among U.S. hip-hop audiences and beyond. His work reflects a global shift in hip-hop, where artists from different regions are shaping the genre in new and unexpected ways. “THE FIRST SEAL” is both a tribute and a critique, encouraging a deeper dialogue about the role of Black artists and athletes in mainstream industries.
A Sword of Truth, Not Entertainment
When I think about Fred Hampton and Mark Clark, I don’t think they would have shut up and dribbled like LeBron James.
When I think about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, I don’t think they would have been past kneeling like Jay-Z insisted, when we are still facing injustices and Black assassinations like George Floyd.
I don’t think Malcolm X and Harriet TubmanWould have run back to a plantation mindset,singing and dancing for an organization that tolerates injustice, as long as you keep entertaining them, like Kendrick Lamar.
With this attitude, you are right where they want you.
I am not entertainment, and I did not come to bring peace, but a sword of truth.
Every lyric I write is to free not just my people, but all people, so that true healing can finally be ushered in.
– Abraham SEVEN
Listen Now
Fans and hip-hop enthusiasts can listen to Abraham SEVEN’s latest track “THE FIRST SEAL” on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple, iHeartRadio, and YouTube.
For more updates, music releases, and exclusive content, follow Abraham SEVEN on Instagram: @official.abraham.seven
Press Contact
Company: Abraham SEVEN / Y-Vision
Collective: YAHSquad
Contact Name: Abraham SEVEN
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://abrahamseven.com
Media ContactCompany Name: Abraham SEVEN / Y-VisionEmail: Send EmailCountry: NetherlandsWebsite: https://abrahamseven.com
