Iraq troops express stress on rap CD

“They know what it’s like to be in Iraq but they don’t understand the brotherhood,” the 21-year-old says. “I want everyone to understand what we go through over there. We have it so easy here in the USA.”

Once the soldiers returned from Iraq, they each spent a day recording their songs at studios throughout the United States.

Spielman says the best thing about the CD is its authenticity.

“It’s as real as it gets,” he says, from the soldiers and their rhymes to the skits between songs. Dialogue and live sound from the war zone precede each of the CD’s 12 tracks.

“Voices” doesn’t glorify violence and isn’t sexist or political, Spielman says.

“This CD is not anti-war and it’s not pro-war,” he says. “It’s a journal from each of these individuals. There are some buoyant moments, but a lot of it is tragic and sad.”

Personal accounts of wartime experiences help counter negative depiction in the media, says Army spokesman Maj. Nathan Banks. Under the first amendment, he notes, troops are free to express themselves however they like. Still, Banks says the military isn’t likely to endorse “Voices From the Frontline.”

“The wording is something we’d never support,” he says, referring to the CD’s plentiful profanities. “That’s not the image we like to portray.”

Spielman says the CD will be carried by Army, Marine and Navy stores, as well as major retail outlets such as Tower Records and Wal Mart. Five percent of the proceeds from each CD will benefit Operation AC.

Tomlinson says he’s “proud” and “blessed” to be a part of “Voices From the Frontline.”

“I know America was wavering with what their standpoint on soldiers were,” he says. “I feel like this CD gives the world a better perspective of what our life is like.”

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