King Sun - Mythological Rapper, 5%er, Zulu King, Battle Rapper & Hip-Hop Originator (Rare Tracks & Interviews)

King Sun - Mythological Rapper, 5%er, Zulu King, Battle Rapper & Hip-Hop Originator 

(Rare Tracks & Interviews)

Although the Bronx was responsible for the 70's Foundation Park Jams, in the late 1980's  Queens Hip-Hop artists seemed to seemed to be dominating a size-able chunk of the Hip-Hop landscape. Countering this was a slew of Boogie Down Bronxters like T-La Rock, B-Boy Records - B.D.P. (Boogie Down Productions), Dark Tall & Handsome, The Almighty Kay Gee (The Cold Crush Brothers), some came from original Zulu Nation member Jazzy J's Strong City imprint Bizzy B, Ultimate Force (Diamond D's 1st group) Freddy Foxx, and an artist called King Sun.

King Sun - D. Moët

Zakia Records era Press Shot

King Sun alongside his DJ D. Moët, was put on by Brooklyn super star DJ Cutmaster D.C., and got the duo signed to Zakia Records, the same label that signed Eric B & Rakim.  King Sun - D. Moët's single Hey Love was a slowed down electro Cutmaster D.C. production and lyric heavy Mythological Rapper cemented their signing to major London based record label Profile, then home to Run DMC, Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, Special Ed, Sweet Tee, Dana Dane and several others.

Hip-Hop's In The House - Cut Master DC, Just-Ice, Dj Mix Master Ice (U.T.F.O.), Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz, Dave Funkenklein, Steady B, D-Moet, King Sun, & others circa ’90 from here

King Sun D Moët - Mythological Rapper

The Original Gods on the Mic: Rakim Allah, King Sun Born & foundation Italian B-Boy NextOne at The Zulu Nation Anniversary

King Sun XL Album (1989)

King Sun's 1st album on Profile XL featured Hey Love and several B-Boy classics, with King Sun Born kicking 5% knowledge and battle raps over production by Sun himself, The Hollywood Impact,The DJ Mark The 45 King and the support of a major label gained him new underground attention.

King Sun - On The Club Tip (Video)

Repping the 5% Nation in the Club

King Sun XL Album back

King Sun talks about the late X-Clan Member Professor X & early touring days

King Sun, DJ King Shameek & Def Jam/Rush Management CEO Russell Simmons

King Sun & The Hollywood Impact 

King Sun recorded much of his music in New Jersey with New Jersey based super crew The Hollywood Impact which featured Producers, DJs & Dancers - Style, Dj King Shameek, Twin Hype, Brian Stroh, Tiny Rock, Just  2, Choice Brothers from the back of the Twin Hype 12" Do It To The Crowd also on Profile. 


Twin Hype feat. DJ King Shameek - For Those Who Like To Groove
King Sun Cameo & DJ King Shameek cutting the f**k up!

King Sun's 2nd Album Righteous But Ruthless (1990)

King Sun's 2nd Album Righteous But Ruthless came out in 1990 in the centre of the Conscious Afrocentric Hip-Hop era, and is one of the strongest albums of that movement, and stood up along side groups like Public Enemy, X-Clan, Tragedy, Def Jef, Boogie Down Productions, Paris, Brand Nubian, YZ, Two Kings and A Cypher, and Poor Righteous Teachers. The album had solid production courtesy of super producer Tony D & New Jersey based crew The Hollywood Impact and production & ill cuts by Dj King Shameek. The album is much more knowledge led than XL, with Sun taking heads with lyrical swords, still with his unique story telling, repping New York to the hilt, battling wack MC's draped in 5% Wisdom. Poor Righteous Teachers feature as guests on the track The Gods Are Taking Heads, unusual in that time as "guest spots" were rare back then. 

King Sun - Be Black

King Sun pumping Afrocentric teaching and bringing it to the many MC's and Hip-Hoppers who jumped over night onto the Conscious band wagon as a fashion, with his song Be Black, which is not unlike the 1960's  commentary in Gil Scott Heron's song Brother. 

King Sun Big Shots (Funk Master Flex Remix)
An excellent example of King Sun's story telling rap style about the rise and fall of a New York Drug Lord remixed by then A&R DJ Funk Master Flex

After his second album he parted ways with Profile Records, but recorded several songs like the DJ Jazzy J produced Mr. Policeman, and recorded the Strictly Ghetto E.P. for Cold Chillin' Records in 1994. Unfortunately by that time the rot had set in at the once legendary label and it was not well promoted, Gza, then known as The Genius, Tragedy, Grand Daddy I.U. and many of the later Juice Crew members also suffered career woes at the label.

King Sun - Mr Policeman (rare demo tape)

King Sun Iron Hand Clan Interview

Discusses his association to original Wu-Tang members Rza - Prince Rakeem, Gza - Genius & Old Dirty Bastard - A-Son in Iron Hand Clan.

King Sun - Once Upon A Time (Cold Chillin' 1994)

From the Strictly Ghetto E.P.

Not only a monster with the bars but physically a massive dude and well known for not shy to get it on, Sun has has had his fair share of beefs. As the story goes, King Sun, post-Profile was shopping demos to get a new deal. Ice Cube then Ceo of his Lench Mob Records received a Demo that from King Sun. In 1992, Ice Cube released Wicked, which King Sun believed was a bite of his Wicked hook from his Demo. The stories of King Sun trying to get at a Cube show in New York are legendary, and ended up on his the Ice Cube Diss - Suck No Dick. Cypress Hill also mentioned that episode in their No Rest For The Wicked Ice Cube Diss which was countered by Ice Cube and Westside Connection's Cypress Hill Diss King of the Hill.

Beef to the back, East Coast West Coast Unity
Bobby Brown?, friend, WC (Westside Connection), King Sun & Ma$e?

King Sun (Sun Dullah)& DJ Doo Wop - New York Love (All Eyez On Sun) [2PAC DISS]

The East Coast/West Coast Beef brought King Sun with the heat and recorded 2 early dis records, but like fellow Bronx MC Tim Dog, who dissed N.W.A. DJ Quik and others, its all in Rap and has spent a lot of time on the "Left Coast".

King Sun on his dissing of 2Pac:"Ok, I was the first to respond with a diss record towards Tupac when he first dissed Tribe Called Quest at the Source Awards in '94. Since Tupac appeared on "California" wit Dre, I felt the need to respond wit "Califony" and derived the hook from the Die Hard movie when Bruce Willis was a cop from NY and had beef in Cali. Every time he killed an adversary his reply was "Yippie Kay Ya Mother Fucker."

The beat was produced by DJ Mark the 45 King and was cut up by Funk Master Flex in D&D Studios in Midtown Manhattan. Shout outs to Doug and Dave. I then allowed Doo Wop to put the song on his mixtape to generate a buzz. Tupac and I discussed the dis song after having Ice-T play it for Pac. We laughed together over the phone and Pac new it was nothing personal, but I had to rep NY to the fullest. Shout outs to Ice-T, who's like my older cousin from the Left Coast who has always held me down, to WC Crazy Toons, DJ Aladdin, DJ Pooh, Evil E and Hen G and Shawny Shawn.

Rest in peace Pac. Our love goes out to Mrs. Shakur. Tell BIG I said "Hold some equality for me and Lady Heron and be at the door with Jesus so we can get in!"

"Doo Wop played his record with King Sun on his critically acclaimed Summer Jam '96 mixtape. Doo Wop also goes at 2Pac & The Dogg Pound at the end of the tape. Notice how the mixtape only features East Coast artists. This was around the time of Hit' Em Up. According to DJ King Shameek, King Sun had also recorded another diss record titled "Don't Know How To A.C.T." directed at Westside Connection" - From CroatianRapper youtube

King Sun - Don't Know How To A.C.T. (2Pac/Westside Connection diss)  

Sun goes in breaking down the So-Called "East Coast/West Coast Beef"

In the late 1990's Sun dropped several singles one with with Ice-T, and the others that ended up becoming the Say No More album in 1999, on his own Black Claw label. The album featured production from Louis Vega and cuts from DJ King Shameek. 


King Sun - Spittin Fire
Cuts by DJ King Shameek


King Sun - Funk Flex Freestyle
from Funk Master Flex 60 Mins of Funk 3

Zulu Nation - Rock Steady
Melle Mel, Busy Bee, King Sun, Kool Herc, Q-Unique, Crazy Legs and others

King Sun is a regular at the Annual Zulu Nation Anniversary Jams in New York, and is always down to battle!


KRS & KING SUN @ ZULU NATION ANNIVERSARY 2003


BATTLE: King Sun & D.A. Smart VS Omar & Hazardous at the Zulu Nation 20th Anniversary 1994
http://90erhiphop.de

King Sun Speaks Wisdom at Urban Underground

KING SUN INTERVIEW ON THE BREAKS (AUDIO)

podcast from The Breaks: Jammaster James & Smooth E.  King Sun's interview begins @ 1hr:30min mark
from here

http://www.discogs.com/artist/King+Sun

Hip-Hop & Consciousness - David Icke, Jordan Maxwell, Professor Griff, Brother J, Rev. Phil Valentine, Paris & Alex Jones

Jordan Maxwell Esoteric Scholar, one of the original Truth Seekers of the Hip-Hop era
http://jordanmaxwell.com


DAVID ICKE SPEAKS ON HIP HOP COMMUNITY AND MORE


Jordan Maxwell | Occult Symbols, Astrotheology, New World Order, July 7-2012
http://jordanmaxwell.com
http://universaltruthschool.com



Professor Griff The A CA PELLA REV O LU TION The Book


Tariq Nasheed: The Return Of Professor Griff
http://www.macklessonsradio.com


Rev. Phil Valentine - The Decline Of Hip Hop


Paris on The Alex Jones Show "Truth Rising" 1\5
Paris on The Alex Jones Show "Truth Rising" 2\5
Paris on The Alex Jones Show "Truth Rising" 3\5
Paris on The Alex Jones Show "Truth Rising" 4\5
Paris on The Alex Jones Show "Truth Rising" 5\5


DAVID ICKE'S POETRY - "FREE YOUR MIND" - RAP BATTLE FOR FREEDOM (2011)


Brother J of the X-Clan and Producer Phala Nazarine

DJ Shucks One Late 80s Benzy Box Beaters Part 2 Vinyl only mix of rare late 80’s Hip-Hop (Free Download)

DJ Shucks One Late 80s Benzy Box Beaters Part 2

Vinyl only mix of rare late 80’s Hip-Hop

Supreme DJ Nyborn - Versality

Gangstarr – No More Mr Nice Guy

Kool G. Rap – Butcher Shop

Finesse & Synquis – Soft But Deadly (Ced Gee Mix)

Kid & Play – Last Night

YZ – Taggin’ It Up

T La Rock – Flow With The New Style

Uptown – Dope On Plastic

Chill Rob G Let Me Show You (Pasemaster Mase & Prince Paul Remix)

Big Daddy Kane –

The 7A3 – Everybody Get Loose

Sparkiy- D – Throwdown

3XDope – Joe Familiar

3^rd Bass – Wordz Of Wisdom (Sam Sever Remix)

Top Choice – Peace Of Mind

Tall Dark & Handsome – We Don’t Need Crack

X-Clan – Heed The Word Of The Brother

The 45 King ft. Markey Fresh - The King Is Here

MC Shan – Juice Crew Law

Special Ed – I’m The Magnificent

Choice MC – Let’s Make Some Noise (Tony D Remix)

The Mau-Mau Clan Overlords - Contact Sport

Twin Hype – Double Barrel

Stetsasonic – Miami Bass

Listen/Download on Sensei.fm Here

DJ Shucks One Late 80s Benzy Box Beaters Part 2 by Shucks 1 The Idiot on Mixcloud

DJ Shucks One Late 80s Benzy Box Beaters Part 1 here

Siba 40th Bday & HHLOVES FundRaiser

Dres (Black Sheep/Native Tongues), Siba, Sadat X (Brand Nubian/ Lo-Lifes) Grand Pubs Max(in')well in the background (did you see what I did there)

Happy Birthday Siba!!!!

Siba Brüknahm/Author/MC/Producer/Independant Record Label Owner & HipHop Loves celebrated his 40th Birthday with some Hip-Hop's most loved Legends

Peace to the NY family!

  Celia (Les Nubians), Jerome, Siba, Kamala, Ren & Sadat X (Brand Nubian/ Lo-Lifes)

 DJ Kiambu (Alphabet Soup)

Alphabet Soup. Kiambu far right, more info on the group can be found here

 Siba down with the Sheep!

Sadat rippin' it with Kiambu on the 1's & 2's 

Saundi (Brüknahm) back on the 12's!

Can you see a young Saundi ; )

SibaGiba / SBG

   

www.overtimerecordsinc.com

www.hiphoploves.com

www.dvcpress.com 

Brüknahm 2nd LP. CITY OF LIGHT (OUT NOW ON i Tunes!!!)

Our French American Brothers Siba Giga, Kiambu (Alphabet Soup) & Saundi's group Brüknahm have just released their 2nd LP. CITY OF LIGHT. (Recorded in Paris) features a progressive blend of Jazz, Electro & Hip-Hop.
featuring David Murray, Nasheet Waits, Abraham Burton, Rasul Siddik, Get Open among others.

Brüknahm CITY OF LIGHT is available on iTunes here!!!!


Saundi & Siba Giba
We have discussed Siba Giga and The Get Open Crew here. Siba Giba's hard working Hip-Hop ethics did much to inspire us at The Kool Skool. His large production credits include working with Everlast (3X Platinum "Whitey Ford Sings the Blues" LP 1998). Sadat X & Get Open EP (Yellow Production 1997). Bruknahm (Overtime Records/Knitting Factory 2002).
He also worked with Jazz Legend Lester Bowie (Art Ensemble of Chicago), Maceo Parker, Vinia Mojica, Daddy-O (Stetsasonic), Shurik'n (IAM /France), Faf LaRage (France), Main Concept (Germany), and Producer for The Jettsonz Productions (Nina Sky, Sean Paul)

The now hard to get "Freestyle" (Massot/Millet Pub. France-1992) a book of interviews and photos of international Hip-Hop artists including Afrika Bambaataa, The Last Poets, Public Enemy, KRS 1, Rock Steady Crew, MC Solar, IAM, NTM among others, Co-authored with his late mother D.Bardin is a classic. It was a companion book to the Paris-Tonkar "Graffiti art in Paris and France in the 1980s", and we featured it here


Saundi on the keys!
Overtime Records Inc. is an independent music production and publishing company, based in Brooklyn NY. Established in 1999, Overtime Records has released various LPs over the years including the group Get Open (Hip-Hop), Bruknahm (Jazz/Electronica), recently the coffee table book, "Jazz Zoom, Carrying It On" by photographer Desdemone Bardin (RIP 2001).
http://www.wix.com/sibagiba/siba-layout

Brüknahm on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/bruknahm/id402976396

Sebastian Bardin-Greenberg

SibaGiba / SBG

Hip-Hop Loves Foundation

www.hiphoploves.com

www.dvcpress.com

www.myspace.com/sibagiba

www.myspace.com/bruknahm

Jasiri X-tra

Jasiri X-tra

The Kool Skool's Shucks One Interviews Conscious MC Jasiri X

The Kool Skool's Shucks One Interviews Jasiri X

For years now, day by day, the sinister Corporate mentality has infiltrated this revolutionary form of expression. MC's, turned Studio Gangstas spitting the word "N****a" like an adjective, and where the only use for women in the genre is for pouring Champagne on!!!" Recently, however there has been a subtle shift back towards towards the more, Conscious aspect of Hip-Hop culture, and Pittsburgh based MC Jasri X has worked hard to build within that movement, putting him up as a important, fresh voice in the rebirth of Conscious Hip-Hop.

Jasiri X has taken the position of an upright beach-head against the tide of 10% ignorance programming. Being a maverick is not an easy place to be, stuck between a rock and a hard place, Jasiri X is defying the Status quo, refusing the path of the least resistance, standing firm for his beliefs. Jasiri X has gained much attention for his "This Week With Jasiri X", a critical look at the mainstream media and Current Affairs in a Hip-Hop fashion, co-Produced by Paradise Gray aka “the Arkitech” of X-Clan. X-Clan was one of the original Conscious groups, known for blending Funk breaks, with thought provoking rhymes, and Pan-African thought. Jasiri X is also working with Paradise Gray on the Grassroots organization 1Hood with Hip-Hop Activist Davey-D.

Jasiri X is also a vocal supporter, and card carrying member of the Nation Of Islam, sometimes referred to as "The Lost And Found Nation of North America". The N.O.I. has been surrounded by much controversy, though behind the inflammatory headlines, it has undeniably done much to improve the mental, and spiritual state of the African Diaspora worldwide, and has had a enormous influence on the Hip-Hop generation in general.

This industrious MC granted us a few moments of his time to discuss his recent signing to Wandering Worx Music, his many projects, the right wing so-called "Tea Party" movement, his influences, books, Knowledge of Self, Buffoonery in Rap, and the apparent image Assassination of The Black Male in the media. 2011 is guaranteed to be big year for him, and we were grateful to get an idea of the man behind the X, and what makes the modern Conscious MC.

******************************************************************

Shucks One: Ok, lets start with the foundations, what set you on this road, what made you want to use MCing as a way to communicate to the world?
Jasiri X: Gaining Knowledge of self, once that happens you realize the importance of using your talents to uplift and help our community.


Shucks One: Who were the MCs that inspired you as a youth?
Jasiri X: KRS-ONE, Nas, Wu-Tang, Rakim, X-Clan, Slick Rick, Public Enemy, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Biggie, A Tribe Called Quest, and Mobb Deep.

Shucks One: Many of the people who visit The Kool Skool are true heads who know their history, and are knowledgeable with more obscure artists. Were there any artists that might be a bit forgotten by time, but had a big impact on you, that people might not be familiar with?
Jasiri X: Great Question! One of my favourite albums of all time was “Slaughterhouse” by Masta Ace, I think it’s a classic but it often gets overlooked.

"Slaughterhouse” by Masta Ace
Shucks One: How would you describe your role in the scene? Are you a “Conscious Rapper”, some MCs have problems with that title as it separates them, are you just an MC?

Jasiri X: I’m definitely a Conscious MC I want to be separated from what passes as Hip-Hop nowadays. I think the term is used very narrowly and you could argue on certain levels MCs like Jay Z and 50 Cent can be classified as conscious.


Shucks One: Elders of the Hip-Hop movement I have interviewed discuss the fact that the original concept of Hip-Hop was the importance of Unity, that everyone was involved in the “party”. Where has that Unity gone? Is it still there, and how are you trying to manifest that in a modern age?

Jasiri X: It’s there on some levels, regionally you have seen artists come together and have national success, but what usually gets in the way is money and shady business practices. We’re definitely trying to bring it back but ironically the most difficult community to find unity in is the so called conscious community.

Paradise Gray aka “the Arkitech”

Shucks One: You have been working with Paradise Grey aka “the Arkitech” of the group X-Clan, how did that come about, and how important is it for you to have a working relationship with the Conscious community?

Jasiri X: I found out he lived in Pittsburgh and it blew my mind, like the Arkitech from X-Clan lives down the street? Finally I got a friend to take me to hi studio a few weeks later we drove to the Millions More Movement together and form a strong bond. From there we started organizing in the community before we started doing music together that came later. I think it’s important to have a working relationship with the Conscious community but equally as important to have working relationship with the hood.

Shucks One: How important is it for you to use this art form as a vehicle of change, or at least a forum of discussion.

Jasiri X: It’s why I do music. To do it for any other reason is vanity.


Real Gangstas by Jasiri X

Shucks One: In your song “Real Gangstas”, you point out that we are bombarded by “Hollywood Gangsters”, Rappers throwing up Gang signs and the eons of Gangster characters in films. In your opinion is that by design?

Jasiri X: Absolutely, one a simple level sex and violence sells. On another level the prison industrial complex is the biggest business in America so to make criminal behaviour cool guarantees a full house and more money.

Shucks One: Humans are incredible beings, and are capable of many ways to express our positive aspects. To some people it feels like much of modern popular culture is geared towards only expressing and promoting our lowest attributes, Lust, Violence, Greed and Ego. Do you have any thoughts on that?

Jasiri X: I agree 100%! Everyday we’re being dumbed down by the mainstream so people only seem to think on those low levels. Sadly most people don’t even read anymore. So unless someone teaches you how to express yourself on a higher level how will you learn?

Silent Night (Do Rappers Watch the News?) By Jasiri X

Shucks One: I have been observing recently how many of the “Golden Era” Conscious MCs are becoming more “Thugged Out”, and have toned down their upright message. You get the impression that as the culture digressed in the early 90’s to “40’s & Timbo Music”, then just all out “Gang Set Rappers” and the recent “Swagger Rap” styles, that the Golden Era MCs feel they are trying to find a position to play. I have heard some say they have moved on, or don’t want to be “Party Wreckers”, meaning they are always appear to be the bearers of bad news almost. Is that a cop out in your opinion, or, just a fact of life?

Jasiri X: Both, it’s a cop out because it shows that they never truly believed the message they were presenting in the first place, but the reality is it’s a music business and there is no pension for these rappers. So some are just trying to feed they’re families.

Shucks One: A lot of people are asking where has the fun and intellect gone in Hip-Hop? You watch videos by these middle aged Ice Grilling Platinum Rappers, waving pixilated automatic weapons in their out of town Mansions, filling the trunks of their super cars with duffle bags of freshly minted bank notes and the blatant devolutionary role of women in the culture. What is the purpose of all of this on the grander scale of things? Are you concerned of the effect that this is having on the image of African American men not just in the US, but world wide?

Jasiri X: Of course I think it’s purposeful to use black man as the scapegoat for this falling economy and society. Also to keep the prisons packed because they make so much money from incarcerating our people. Lastly it keeps the black man from never learning his true self and power as the Original Man, Maker, Owner, Cream of the Planet Earth, God of the Universe.

This Week With Jasiri X

Shucks One: One of the things about how you market your music is the utilization of the self-sufficient use of tools of YouTube, etc.
You are particularly famous the weekly online Hip-Hop news program “This Week with Jasiri X”. How did that idea start and how has the feedback been for that project?

Jasiri X: It started because we wanted to first come out with a new song each week, but being an artist with a message we wanted to touch on relevant topics. Secondly we saw how these right wing media outlets were spinning the news to fit their narrative and we thought we can do the same thing accept show the truth. The feedback has been incredible and it definitely has grown much bigger than we ever imagined.


Shucks One: At a time when many artists are trying to become “independent”, you have just signed a deal with Wandering Worx Music. What are you hopeful that the Record Label can do for you, that you can’t already do for yourself through the independent route?

Jasiri X: I hope they can introduce me to a wider audience especially being they are based in Canada. Plus my album is a lot different from the videos I’ve been doing so it will be interesting to see the response to it.

Shucks One: Obviously like many MCs you do sometimes ride over popular rhythms, but you also have a back catalogue of your own music, who does your impressive beats?

Jasiri X: I have been blessed with some great producer. Rel!g!on is one, he produced my album and is part owner of Wandering Worx. Cynick Lethal produced my most popular videos “What if the Tea Party was Black?” and “Republican Woman” also King Sym who did a majority of Season 2 and a few tracks on Season 3 including are Season Premiere, “The Only Color That Matters in Green”.

Palin Packin'

Shucks One: Your new song and video “Republican Woman” is hilarious! You have been openly critical of the “Tea Party Movement” in the past, how much of this “Movement” is down to racial fear of President Obama and scapegoating, and how much of it is manufactured descent, and if so who benefits?

Jasiri X: I think all of it is manufactured because it’s so well funded by billionaires like the Koch Brothers, who are using these foolish people to push policies that enable them to keep more of their money. It benefits these huge corporations who are making record profits at the expense of the poor people of the earth.

"Revelationz 1"by REL!G!ON

Shucks One: You featured on the producers REL!G!ON album entitled Revelationz 1, which is an excellent album and has a collection of progressive heavy weights like NY Oil, Chuck D (Public Enemy), Planet Asia, Moka Only and others. How did you hook up with REL!G!ON, and do you plan to work with him in the future?

Jasiri X: I was introduced to him by NYOIL. He would email me beats and I would turn them around pretty quickly. He liked quality of my songs and my work ethic so he said let’s do an album, the result is “Ascension” which should drop on Wandering Worx in 2011.


Shucks One: Who would be your dream top 5 Producers you would like to work with?

Jasiri X:
1. DJ Premier
2. Kanye West
3. Just Blaze
4. DJ Toomp
5. Jake One

Shucks One: What about your top 5 MCs you would like to do a collabo with?

Jasiri X:
1. Nas
2. KRS-One
3. Raekwon
4. Immortal Technique
5. Lauryn Hill


Shucks One: I watch a lot of so-called “Knowledge DVDs”, that is documentaries from the conscious angle, but read books from all genres History, Metaphysical, Conscious etc. I was personally concerned when recently someone said in their lecture “I’m doing this knowledge, I’m watching these DVDs”, as in, that is the be all and end all of seeking knowledge. What would you say is the importance of reading books, not just as an MC, but as someone seeking Knowledge of Self?

Jasiri X: You can’t truly gain knowledge of self without reading. Plus I encourage all MCs to read because words are our weapons and the more words you know the better rhyme you can write.


Shucks One: If you could suggest 5 books that your fans should read, what would they be and why?

Jasiri X:
1. Message to the Blackman- Elijah Muhammad has produced some of the greatest leaders we’ve known.

2. The Isis Papers- Dr. Frances Cress Welsing breaks down racism and hidden symbols, you’ll never see the world the same.

3. Dark Alliance –Gary Webb shows how the US government sold crack cocaine to fund an illegal war.

4. The 48 Laws of Power. by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers –helps to see how through deception the powers that be stay in power.

5. In The Name of Allah: A History of Clarence 13X and the Five Percenters - great history lesson by Wakeel Allah.

5a. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter - best book on money I’ve ever read and I majored in Economics.

"JUST A MINSTREL" by JASIRI X Ft. Isada Tariq and Living Proofe.

Shucks One: In your video “Just A Minstrel” you have a snippet of Bamboozeled by Spike Lee. That is an amazing movie, since that movies release, it was almost ignored, and he has almost disappeared. How easy is it for the Major Label system to bury more enlightened, and challenging ideas? As an underground artist, how concerned is it for you that its difficult to reach a wider audience with your art?

Jasiri X: It’s harder now because with Youtube, Facebook and Twitter they don’t have the same amount of control over who hears what. The best way to not be buried by a major label is not to sign with one lol. It’s more difficult to reach a wider audience for me because I don’t have a million dollar budget. That’s why sites like yours are so important to my success.

Shucks One: Maaaaan! T-Pain and Sean Hannity???!!!! That is crazy! Actually painful would be a better way to explain it. For those people who might not be familiar with who Sean Hannity is, can you explain who he is, and why did you feature that clip in the “Just A Minstrel” video?

Jasiri X: Sean Hannity is one of the biggest haters of President Obama and a right wing racist. He has a show on Fox News where he parrots the republican talking points and hates on any black man that has an intelligent opinion.

Shucks One: I have talked to many in the older generations of Hip-Hop, they have discussed the problem that now when you are critical of anyone, or anything in Rap culture you are being a “hater” or suggest that you are jealous of other peoples success. How would you respond to that? Are modern successful Rappers beyond criticism, or does it more express a shift in how we measure modern success?

Jasiri X: I think when people say “You’re a Hater” it means they can’t rationally argue against the truth you’ve spoken. Sadly we do live in a time where we put money over art so if something makes money we feel like if its criticized it because the person is jealous because they’re not making as much. It shows how much the art has been commercialized.

"American History X" By Jasiri X

Shucks One: In your song Universal Ruler, you say; "I wear my X proudly, was lost but God found me", you allude to your receiving of an “X”, and are a very vocal representer of The Nation Of Islam. For you what is the significance of your X, and for those reading this who are not aware of its attributes, what does it mean?

Jasiri X: The significance to me is it represents a body of knowledge that saved my life and totally raised my understanding of the world around me. That’s why my logo is an X with an eye in the middle because getting my X opened my eyes. For those that don’t know it represents the unknown. We don’t know who our ancestors were because they were stolen and made slaves. Their names were taken from them, so when we come into the Nation we learn our last names are those given to our ancestors by the slave master. They’re not our names so we take the X to say our real names are unknown.

Shucks One: How does your role in the N.O.I. fit in with your music? Is it complimentary, or are there challenges, how has your music been received within the Mosque?

Jasiri X: It’s definitely complementary; I don’t know any other spiritual leader that sees Hip-Hop in its proper context other than the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Wise people see the influence of Hip-Hop and how it can be used as a tool to free the minds of our people.

Minister Louise Farrakhan at the annual N.O.I. Saviour's Day

Shucks One: Obviously in the past there were many rappers sampling Minister Farrakhan and professing the N.O.I., but not so much anymore. In fact you are probably the only N.O.I. MC I can think of at the moment. Why do you feel MCs you see at Savior’s Day and other events not more vocal about their affiliation in their music?

Jasiri X: Real Talk some rappers believe that declaring their affiliation with the Nation of Islam will hurt their career and in my experience that’s simply not the case. I think some get scared and think that if they say they’re with the Nation they’ll lose their white fan base, but I’ve never had an issue with it. I’d be a punk if I was afraid to stand with the the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, when he saved my life.

Shucks One: You appear to be so busy making music, videos etc, how do you find time to fit in your normal life, and is there any advice you could give to up and coming artists?

Jasiri X: I’ve been getting better at managing my time but I would say to any up and coming artist that if you want success in any field your gonna have to be willing to sacrifice time to do that.

Shucks One: When we see the release of “Ascension” the new Jasiri X album and what can we expect?

Jasiri X: Great production and lyricism. Real Hip-Hop!

X Lives

Shucks One: Where do you see yourself in a year from now?

Jasiri X: Hopefully doing the same thing I’m doing now but with a wider audience.


Websites etc:http://jasirix.com
http://twitter.com/jasiri_x
http://facebook.com/jasirix
http://www.youtube.com/user/jasirix
http://www.myspace.com/jasirix


Many thanks to Big DO for putting us on the Jasiri X. Please check out THE BEST HIP-HOP BLOG hands down purehip-hop.blogspot.com