Shaheed & DJ Supreme Drop New Library Anthem with Central Library Video

 

Shaheed & DJ Supreme with NBC 13 Anchor Brittany Decker after recording a video at BPL downtown. 

BPL Executive Director Janine Langston with Shaheed at the Central Library. 

Birmingham, AL –Birmingham hip-hop duo Shaheed & DJ Supreme have once again put their passion for literacy into a beat with the release of their latest single and music video, “Knowledge of Shelf,” a powerful, upbeat anthem celebrating the magic of libraries and the joy of reading.

Released August 4 on K.R.U. Recordings/Who?Mag Distribution, the track blends smooth, classic hip-hop grooves with a timely message: let’s make going to the library great again. The single was mixed and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Darrell Thorp, with cover art by Erick Hernandez and March the 5ifth.

🎥 Video Filmed at Birmingham Public Library
On August 12, the duo recorded a video for “Knowledge of Shelf” inside the Central Library, spotlighting the role libraries play in building community. In the video, Shaheed delivers verses on the value of libraries while DJ Supreme supplies beats. A surprise guest appearance features WVTM NBC 13 evening anchor Brittany Decker joining in with a dance cameo.

"I loved the library since I was a little shorty," Shaheed sings. "By books I'm entertained, it stimulates the brain. By reading books, it's so much knowledge that my mind will gain." 

Inspired by Lifelong Love of Libraries

For both artists, libraries are personal. Shaheed’s mother was a school principal who instilled in him a love of reading, while DJ Supreme (Jon Malone) grew up in a family of librarians.

Shaheed says libraries  should once again be promoted as community hubs. Libraries, he says, are more than just books. "It’s about building community, feeding curiosity, and passing knowledge to the next generation,” says Shaheed.

Partnership with Jefferson County Libraries

The release is part of Shaheed & DJ Supreme’s long-running partnership with Jefferson County libraries through their nonprofit K.R.U. (Knowledge, Rhythm, and Understanding), which uses hip-hop to teach life skills and inspire youth. K.R.U. has become a favorite among K–12 schools and libraries across Jefferson County, where the duo mix live music with motivational messages.

Over the past two summers, they have participated in JCLC member libraries Summer Reading programs and special events at schools and community centers.

Their advocacy extends beyond libraries: this spring, they joined rapper Slug of Atmosphere to release  a track about water conservation, Hope, Growth & Opportunity, which they performed on Earth Day at BPL’s Springville Road Library alongside Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Birmingham City Councilor Clinton Woods.

Libraries Love It

Since its debut, “Knowledge of Shelf” has been widely shared across Birmingham-area libraries. One librarian’s review captured the excitement:

“Their newest song, Knowledge of Shelf... ALL ABOUT LIBRARIES! It’s amazing! I hope you’ll consider giving your students the opportunity to experience this great program.”

🎧 Listen to “Knowledge of Shelf: Shaheed and DJ Supreme - "Knowledge of Shelf"

🎧 Listen to “Hope, Growth & Opportunity”: https://orcd.co/hopegrowthandopportunity

About Shaheed & DJ Supreme
Birmingham hip-hop duo Shaheed & DJ Supreme blend hope, wisdom, and sharp lyricism, proving that all you need to tell your story is a rhyme and a beat. Known for their conscious brand of hip-hop, they’ve shared the stage with acts like Scarface, Jurassic 5, and The Jungle Brothers, released multiple LPs under the Communicating Vessels label, and promoted community initiatives through their nonprofit K.R.U. (Knowledge, Rhythm, and Understanding).

In 2000, Shaheed Tawheed, still a student at Shades Valley High School, started hanging out at Birmingham’s hip-hop venues. At the time, Jon “DJ Supreme” Malone, a transplant from Detroit, Mich., was already an established artist. The two first crossed paths at Eargasm, a hip-hop open-mic night hosted by DJ Supreme at the High Note Lounge, where many of Birmingham’s top hip-hop voices got their start.

After 25 years together, they remain a crowd favorite, often performing at local spots like The Nick Rocks. Their 2019 album The Art of Throwing Darts featured three-time Grammy nominee Raheem DeVaughn and local talents Lauren Strain and Percy P.

Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Director - Birmingham Public Library