HipHopHeads

What's up Hasan?

Nothing much. I'm chilling.


"Paradise Lost" is finally out. How does that feel?

It's a blessing because we've worked on it for so long. We've been working on it for two or three years. We were going back-and-forth on a lot of joints. To see it finally out is crazy. I still don't believe that it's really out and in stores right now.

Are you happy with how it came out?

I'm a perfectionist. Now that I look at it, I realize I could have done certain things better, but what I'm saying on it is exactly what I wanted to say at the time, so I'm happy with that. I'm still learning how to use my voice as an instrument. The last joint I recorded, "Prayer of a Sinner," I can hear the difference between that and my earlier joints. I can hear the growth on this album.

How do you grow as an MC?

On a musical level, you have to listen to yourself. I'm sure the same way someone plays an instrument like a horn and says, "If I go from this note to this note, it sounds better." I think a lot of times, MC's forget that they're supposed to be instruments. That's on a musical level. And personally, the more I read and the more perspectives I see, the more I grow as a person which means I'm also going to grow as an artist.

What was your inspiration for writing "Diaspora"?

At the time, I was reading a book about the African slave trade. It was Amir's book. It had a lot of slave testimonies. You know how school always tries to front like African history started with the slave trade. This book gives you real stories from people who survived. I was also reading Frederick Douglass' autobiography. Things like that change your perspective on things. I'm spitting actual facts. All the shit that they did was so vicious to the people. They made them lie on their side the whole time because if you lie on your back it can be problematic to your breathing. They knew what they were doing. Then I followed this track with "Blaxploitation" to show how people died for us and to tell people that we can do it on our own.

Looking at "Blaxploitation," how do you do feel about the consumerism that's so present in Hip Hop music today?

This is a capitalist society and capitalism will sell you revolutionaries if they think they can make money off of it. Howard Stern has the Black Power fist in his new ad campaign. They'll sell you anything. They also see how Hip Hop is making money so they want to get their hands in that, too. I don't think Hip Hop will ever stop bringing truth to people. Capitalism is going to try to snatch everything up and tell you what it is.

How important is it to be socially conscious in your rhymes?

If your eyes are open, you have an obligation. It's a sin to me if you know something and don't tell people. That's what the devil does. He keeps people in the dark. The beauty of Hip Hop is that it comes out in different ways. If someone lived a certain lifestyle, they'll tell you what it was like, whether it was the street life or the party life. You'll learn about the pitfalls and triumphs of people and maybe incorporate that into your own life to broaden your horizons.

How do you feel about BET not airing Coretta Scott King's funeral?

I didn't know that. BET is owned by Viacom. People have to remember that. MTV and BET pretty much have the same shows with different marketing. All BET has is videos and comedy. Once they took off Tavis Smiley, I stopped fucking with it. He was the truth. This is the first time I heard about it though because I don't have cable.

Do you feel that Hip Hop is a minstrel show today?

Entertainment is that way. You can never say Hip Hop is only one thing. Jean Grae or Immortal Technique or HiCoup are not a minstrel show and I consider those people Hip Hop. You can never just see what Viacom wants Hip Hop to be. I don't know what that shit is because I don't live that life. Look at the reality shows that aren't reality, but they'll call it "reality." I'll be walking down the street but nobody has ever grabbed me to go do a race around the world. Wife-swapping isn't reality. They do the same kind of shit with Hip Hop. This country has a fascination with black culture and the city. They're going to project what they want us to be. I remember there was some uproar about The Cosby Show and how that wasn't "real" black life. It may not be some people's lives, but there are black doctors out there.

Are these videos "real" black life?

I've never walked down the street and seen a girl in a bikini stripping on top of a Bentley, but I have seen loving couples that live like the Huxtables and who don't live like the Huxtables. Nobody is perfect out here, but they want people to think we live in a real negative way so they can justify shooting us in the back when we reach for a wallet. They can say, "Look on TV, all they do is sell drugs." They can justify themselves to the world. They had to kill Malcolm X before he brought everyone up on race crimes. The media slipped up when they showed people getting hosed down trying to vote. Now they tell you that you can be rich if you project a certain image.

What's your inspiration for writing?


Real life experiences.

What are your goals for "Paradise Lost" right now?

My only goal, honestly, is that I just want people to enjoy it. If it sells well, that's definitely a blessing. I wouldn't say that my goal is to sell records. My goal is to get pain off of my chest and make music that people can relate to, enjoy, and hopefully crack a smile. That's me doing my job.

How would you compare your "Paradise Lost" to John Milton's?

I've read parts of it. It's definitely poetry. We're both writing poetry. He used a lot of Biblical terminology to talk about the society he lived in, showing Biblical allegory, and I definitely talk about my people being the lost people from Israel. I'm relating that story on a smaller scale. We all lose things, whether it's talent, friends, family…we all lose something, but he have to keep moving and searching for personal peace. That's paradise to me. I'm not talking about a garden of utopia, but you can find peace within yourself because there is always going to be pain in the world.

How did you get down with MF Grimm and Day by Day?

That's a blessing right there. One of the members of the Monster Island Czars introduced me. Knowing Grimm is like knowing someone that other people would have to read about. It's definitely a blessing to know him and everyone at Day by Day. They're working to make a black-owned, artist distribution company. You can make what you want to make and someone will be representing you. I'm definitely most gracious for that.

What is 5th Column?

It's a collection of artists, business folk, and actors working to make this world a better place. On a musical level, it's me, HiCoup, Rugged and Raw, and Bad Sport. We've got a lot of geniuses working with us. These guys make me spit sharp. We've all got projects coming out soon. We've also got my brother Impaq who does production. He's light-years ahead of people on the production.

How was it working with Akir?

I heard him on the Tech album and he was nasty. It's good that we linked up. He let me hear some joints off his album…people are going to have to step it up after that drops. It just boggles my mind how much good music I hear from these people in the underground. That music should be out there because these people have skills and a lot of people are just putting out garbage. On a large scale, there's no food for thought. There are a lot of people serving up some real good music, and Akir is one of those cats.

What's next for you?

Just making more music, holding on to my job, and just building. I'm trying to put out another mixtape and I also have my second album that I'm working on. That's going to be called "Life in Black and White.

What do you want to say to everyone?

Peace. And don't go hunting with Dick Cheney.

Today i met Gza Genius and DJ Muggs,Dj muggs was mad cool gave me daps we talked for a second i got Gza's autograph on my manual told them both to keep making great music Gza stayed quiet while muggs responded definitly and some other jabber and i bounced also Bomshot and Akrobatik were in the place too.
heres some pics

“Money, Power, Respect…”you probably thought that catchy phrase was coined by money hungry ego centric emcees of the shiny suit era, huh??? Well I’m here to tell you that way before your favorite block scribes made attempts to strong arm the game and hold down your ears for the next few summers, leaders of The Roman Empire and other dictator type factions of our history books were doing what the LOX were yelling about on a larger scale. Take Caligula as an example, besides being the Roman Emperor, the guy was a mad man, torturing and murdering people for kicks and partaking in orgies amongst masons in his spare time. The off the rocker antics of Caligula would make even your most shock friendly emcee blush in embarrassment. In an ungodly city like New Orleans with its’ girls gone wild antics and other similarities to Rome it is only right that an emcee of the same morbid mind frame of the infamous Roman Emperor would come out of the woodwork bearing the same name as Caligula. “The Clone Killer” Caligula wants it to be known from the gate that this is far from your same old teenage angst, cut your wrists for attention type of rebellion music, this is more like your take over an empire triple six type of movement called Caligulanity. We sat down with the New Orleans emcee and he gave us the heads up on why he might have a Polaroid of your future wife in a very uncompromising position, why Mardi Gras will still be popping under water, and when two scumbags like Ra the Rugged Man and Caligula get on a track what kind of events can transcend. So wack emcees hold your tongue a new world order has gained an iron fist control of the industry where torture is acceptable, and it goes by the name of Caligula…





Most people have yet to have their minds twisted by the sick persona that is Caligula, so for those who have been sleeping on the “Clone Killer” this is your chance to crash their slumber party, in other words who is Caligula and what are you doing different in an industry over ran with open mic dust head emcees fresh from the psych ward???


Well first of all most of these cats out here are just gimmicks. I mean allot of the stuff I talk about is grimey but allot is related to true to life experiences that I have been around. “Love Massacre” was inspired by my friend Casey whose boyfriend shot and killed her and then turned the gun on himself. Allot of Clone Killer was just me venting. I was angry and not in a very good place in my life. I’m not a huge conspiracy theorist but the government is fucked at this point in time and I don’t really see it getting much better. That’s where allot of my anti-political tracks come from. After huge tragedies happen on our soil we pretend to give a fuck but nothing ever really gets done about anything. We are still vulnerable to terrorists. If another Katrina hit New Orleans, we’d become Atlantis again. So much of our money is being spent in Iraq. It’s pointless. When we leave there, shit will go right back to how it was. Bush’s beef with Sadaam was on some “You beat up my daddy” type shit. Anyway, as for me I can’t even listen to Clone Killer anymore. People that just now hear it tell me that the album is dope and I appreciate the feedback but this new shit is me. “War Games” is highly conceptual. I’m a self-loather and allot of my depression comes out in here but it does not overtake the album. A lot of Wars I deal with in my mind and my life on a day to day basis are on here. I’m a very self destructive severe alcoholic. A lot of this album is autobiographical and allot of it is concept storytelling. It also has a lot of anti-political messages you’ll get to hear, especially on my personal favorite track “1984”.


When mentioning the name Caligula people initially associate your moniker with the ruthless Roman emperor of the same name, how did the name of a dead Roman dictator become associated with the emcee that stands before us today, and I don’t know if you paid attention in history class or not but how is the Caligula of Rome comparable to the Caligula of hip-hop???

Ha-ha, I get this allot. When I took the name I was off my leash. I would drink morning till night, get into fights all the time, and I was addicted to sex. Not just addicted like I liked sex allot, but I wouldn’t even fuck with a girl unless I would be making porn with her. Allot of these poor girls I have documented are married now. I had to move out of town for awhile from this one incident outside of a bar. This 300 lbs. guy came at me with a pool stick. I had a broken left hand at the time so I grabbed a car club and split his head open. I had to bounce for a few months. Sometimes my self destructive side would come out and I would start fights with 5-8 people and not even try to defend myself. I’ve had glass shoved in my face before bottles broken in my eye etc. I don’t know, like sometimes I felt like I should die but I guess I would have rather for someone else to do it for me. I had remembered learning about Caligula in school. I remember reading a bio on him years ago and I loved it. I related to allot of it at the time. I still have a lot of issues but I’m not as far off as I was then. I had put off recording for so long because of my debauchery.

You are fresh off of releasing your first album, “Clone Killer,” we at Gorilla Movement know how hard it is to get people off their asses and out to the record stores to actually buy albums when music these days is so easily accessible by the click of a mouse, so for the unfortunate souls who have yet to purchase “Clone Killer,” what are their tape decks missing, what producers did you work with, artists, etc., and why did you decide to release an EP instead of releasing a full length for your first official record???

You can’t do anything about it. Downloading will only get worse before it gets better. All I can say is this, if you really like an independent artist buy the music. If the artist is putting all of their money into their own release and not seeing anything in return, eventually finances will not allow them to make new music. I released an EP first because allot of these were much older tracks. It was just something to get my name out and have a few heads hear me. In my opinion “War Games” will be my first official release. It is me. As far as buying “Clone Killer,” buy it if you just want to hear some gritty sounding shit with some stories and plot twists. Some retailers that will carry “War Games” will be giving away “Clone Killer” with orders as a package deal.

Are there any personal or hidden meanings behind the title of the record, “Clone Killer???”

It’s just what it says. I’m just sick of everything sounding the same. Mainstream all sounds the same. Underground all sounds the same. In the underground you have allot of these backpack cunts that look down on people for listening to any other type of music. These are the same kids that think Wu-Tang is old school and just got into hip-hop in the late 90’s. I personally do not listen to much rap to get inspired to write. I listen to a lot of 70’s punk right now. I go through different music phases. It’s weird because Scarface (Geto Boys) is probably my biggest rap influence. I sound nothing like him but listening to Scarface makes my want to write.


On “Clone Killer” you had the privilege of working with some veterans in the realm of indie hip-hop including Aesop of Living Legends, Kimani of the Masterminds and Rosevelt Franklin, and Cadence of Raw Produce to name a few, being that you are still kind of fresh out the box how did the collabos on the record come into effect???

All of those cats are cool as hell. I am a fan of their music and I basically just asked them if they wanted to get on the EP. They helped me a lot by telling their fans about the CD etc. They are good people.

You are already hyping your follow up to “Clone Killer,” how will “War Games” differ sound and concept wise from your previous release, how have you grown as an artist and an emcee since “Clone Killer,” what artists and producers are you working with this time around, and when can we expect the record to hit stores???

I have grown all around as an artist. My delivery, concepts, flow, and cadence on the mic are 100% better. Katrina fucked me with the release date. I wanted it out January first but it probably will not drop until mid 06’. As far as artists I am working with MF Grimm, RA The Rugged Man, Gortex (Non-Phixion), Scott Bluntz, Impulss and more. Production wise Camu Tao, Clockwork, Lyrical Graphiti , Cheap Cologne, Impulss, Lyrikill and more will be producing on it. I’m using a lot of different producers to have every track feel different.

“Clone Killer” was released by Long Range Distribution, but “War Games” is going to be released by Day by Day Entertainment, what is your relationship toady with Long Range Distribution, how did you link up with MF Grimm and company to become apart of Day By Day’s stable of artists, and what do you think Day by Day Entertainment can do differently with “War Games” that Long Range couldn’t do with “Clone Killer???”

My relationship with Long Range is very cool. Marc Kempf the CEO is a great guy. He helped promote “Clone Killer” with thousands of stickers, flyers, radio play, compilation features etc. I had sent a demo to Day By Day to this cat I know that used to work there. I called one day to see if he had received it but they said he did not work there anymore. When I told them who I was and why I was calling I was well received. Azar at Day By Day told me that they were really feeling the old joint. We discussed my dropping a full length on their label. Long Range is great but Day by Day is a growing label that can get my album in allot more stores. Grimm is a man with a vision. That cat is one of the hardest workers in the game just with the label and artists, but still finds time to make dope records of his own.


“War Games” will feature a collabo with the Zen master of morbid, shock value, scum bag emcees, Ra The Rugged Man, how did you end up working with the same emcee that got dropped by Jive for sexual harassment, what can you tell us about the track, working with Ra, and are there any future collabos in the future with the Rugged Man??

My best friend met him on a subway and gave him a bootleg of some of my stuff. He got in touch with his manager about an RA show before Katrina fucked everything up. He then put his manager in touch with me. As far as future collaborations, I’m not sure who I’m going to be working with.


You have resided in various cities, Atlanta, New York, and Houston, before calling New Orleans your permanent residence, how did you end up in the “Big Easy,” and from a scene and culture standpoint how does New Orleans differ from the other cities that you have called home during your life???


Well I was born in New Orleans. I love it here. It is my favorite city. I was here first and then I did allot of traveling. New York is beautiful. I love it there, and it’s very convenient for me because allot of the emcees that I’m working with live there. I’m going up there again to record with Scott Bluntz pretty soon. Atlanta is cool, I used to go there allot. The hip hop scene had gotten so big there. They closed Fat Beats there which sucks because I loved that place. As far as Houston, I love music from there. Scarface, Willie D., Bushwick Bill,Gangsta NIP, all of that stuff. Even the new shit like Paul Wall I’m kind of getting into. The hip-hop scene in New Orleans has grown allot. Many of the people responsible for that had to scatter around the country because of Katrina. Their hearts are still in it so it hasn’t died. The emcees, DJ’s, producers, writers etc. that I know in New Orleans are strong willed. They will all bounce back.


When people think of New Orleans they automatically associate the New Orleans hip-hop scene to Cash Money, No Limit, and other bounce type music. Do you think critics and hip-hop heads wrongfully stereotype the musical scene of your city, and besides the obvious who are some of the artists waving the flag for the New Orleans hip-hop scene???

Well that stuff is from here so people will always associate N.O. with it. As far as underground artists go…Euphonetiks, Illdren, Lucky Stiffs, Dome City Dust Crushers(formerly God Awful) Rough C’z, Skratchmo, J. Infinite, DJ Quickie Mart, Lyrikill, Bionik Brown, RUIN, Clayton Awful, Soapboxx, Lady Fingaz, Impulss, there are too many to remember right now.

Americans were horrified by the tragic events that were caused by Hurricane Katrina, that basically turned your home town into a “Dawn of the Dead” or an “Escape from New York” apocalyptic type city. Were you in New Orleans when the hurricane hit your city, from an insiders perspective how did Katrina and the events that followed effect your every day life, what is your take on Louis Farrakhan conspiracy theories, and does Bush hate the black people of New Orleans???

Well I think Bush hates all black people, not just in New Orleans. Bush is a real piece of shit. My house was completely fucked, I moved 30 minutes North of N.O. where I am currently staying. It was ridiculous. Power out for 13 days here, looters, gunshots every night, everyone had guns. It seemed like it was never going to end. My friend Josh that is in the army had to go restore order to the Superdome. They were tying floating bodies to light poles to keep count. As far as conspiracy theories I do not think that this was planned but the government sure the fuck took their time with recovery efforts.

Will there be a Mardi Gras this year, if so will Caligula be in attendance with beads in hand, and give our envious readers a last time Caligula was at Mardi Gras story that will put Girls Gone Wild infomercials to shame???

Wow. I don’t know if I will go this year. I may be in N.Y. but I have too many stories and the pictures to prove them! Ha-ha, it is my favorite time of the year. A week of public drunkenness, public ludeness, naked girls, it gets out of hand and I love it! 60% of the cops in N.O. left so I ‘m sure there will be good times this year. You can usually see girls giving head in public, people fucking, girls going at it with other girls etc. You should check it out one year.


At this years Scribble Jam, Icon the Mic King got to give Pete Nelson something you have been dying to give him for a very long time, how did your hatred for Copywrite first develop, have you had the privilege of running into him, and what are your thoughts on the Icon the Mic King beat down that he caught at Scribble Jam???

Hahahaha! That was great. Icon and I had a good laugh about that. I bought some beats from Pete years ago and he had kept ducking me. To this day no beats. He will get what is coming to him again. If you fuck over enough people it will come back on you. Camu Tao and Scottie Bluntz also lumped this kid up. Karma has not been good to him as of late.

You had a small role in the Sundance released movie “Becoming Vex,” how did you get involved in the film, what was your role, what can you tell us about the movie, and do you have plans of acting in any more movies down the line???

Nah, I’m not good at acting. My best friend is an actor and got me in the movie. I was just one of the main characters friends in the movie. My character just basically drank allot, egged on fights and whatnot.

From the song “Alex Krycek” off of “Clone Killer” it’s very obvious that pop culture has some kind of effect on what you write about, what was the last movie you saw, book you read, or album you bought that inspired you to hit the studio???

Yea, I love the X-Files. I just watched 1984 again and just watched Devil’s Rejects for the 1st time. I’m into the Jon Stewart America book at the moment. As far as albums I have been listening to a lot of Sex Pistols and Geto Boys lately.


What is on tap for Caligula for the rest of 2005 and on into 2006???

Hopefully I will stop hating myself so much. I want this album to be flawless. I wouldn’t mind finding a girlfriend instead of messing with random girls all of the time. I don’t want The AIDS.

Do you have any last words, shout outs, disses, Zen Ideologies, or Springer Final Thoughts that you would like to leave the readers with???

“Regrets I’ve had a few, but then again to few to mention.”

The 5% teachings is very popular in today's hip-hop, known mainly as the Nations Of Gods and Earths, Hip hop greats such as Big Daddy Kane, Brand Nubian, Poor Righteous Teachers, Wu-Tang Clan, just to name a few have used some of the ideology's in thier ryhmes and music. Another ideology that has been ignored is that of the Nuwaubian influence on the hip-hop culture, very well made visible by The Lost Children Of Babylon.

I once heard someone say Nu-wop, while LCOB might not be the first ones known for heavily using Dr. York's teachings, they currently stand in the fore front. By the time hip hop started taking off, Dr. York was already a prominent teacher of alternative black cultural knowledge, working extensively with young people. He was also an active musician and producer (played disco/r&b), with knowledge of the industry and access to studio equipment.
Doug E. Fresh and Afrika Bambaataa were among the old-schoolers who benefited from Doc’s guidance, according to the teacher’s adopted son, Tariq L., of the Atlanta-based duo the Hemisphere… “I just happen to be Nuwaubian,” says Tariq. “It’s not like I’m telling the world, ‘You got to be one.’”

That attitude is common among Nuwaubians in hiphop. So the teachings are a lot less prominent in rap lyrics than, say, Five Percent Nation lessons, which tend more toward the directive… Posdnuos from De La Soul… has been down with the Nuwaubians for years, but his rhymes lend De La fans nary a clue. Prodigy from Mobb Deep, among the most respected of active rhyme writers, revealed in an interview some time back that he adopted a strict vegan diet on advice culled from Dr. York’s books, which he recommended to a fan with questions about nutrition. One of the best independent hiphop album of the modern era, MF Doom’s Operation: Doomsday, has on its back cover a photo of the artist and his late brother and KMD partner, Subroc, at the upstate New York Nuwaubian facility. It is not labeled as such.

Amongst the indie hip hop ranks you have Nuwaubians who perform what they call Nu-wop, such as Daddi Kuwsh, Twinity, Nefu Amun Hotep, 9thScientist, Scienz Of Life, Ntelek, and Lost Children Of Babylon to name a few.

Together, they made an album rife with quotes from The Matrix and rhymes about ancient Egypt, outer space and chromosomes, all laid over futuristic/sci-fi beats that seem transplanted from other worlds. It’s really much more than a musical creation; it represents a new, somewhat complicated teaching called Nuwaubu (new-ah-boo). “You can dance to our music,” Rasul Allah explains of the group’s aim, “but it’s strictly to stimulate certain latent forces inside your chromosomes.” going on to say "When I came into contact with another form of knowledge and enhanced my consciousness, I wanted to start spreading that as a form of message, through sound and words and music." Of the mix of spirituality and hip-hop, Kemite claims, "It’s the new evolution of hip-hop.

Wu-International had the privilege of talking to Richard Raw and Rasul Allah Of LCOB about past catalogue and the new album, The United Nuwaubian Nation Of Moors, Wu-Tang, and hip-hop in general.

.................................................
Question: Peace, How are you?
Richard Raw: I feel good, just staying busy.

Question: Rasul Allahu, what’s good?
Rasul Allah: I’m doing ok, hopefully our albums will sell.

Question: We're just going to dive into the questions, please let us know who the Lost Children Of Babylon are?
Richard Raw: The lost children are Richard Raw, Rasul Allahu, Breath Of Judah, Ancient Kemit, Atun Sen Geb, Cosmic Crusader, and Amun Sen Hotep Re!!!!!!

From left to right: Ancient Kemite, DJ Ghetto, Rasul,
DJ Man E, Niz Da Phyz, B. Jesus 2000, Cosmic Crusader
and Shamash:


The Ninth Elder.Question: How was the group formed and how did everyone meet?
Richard Raw: The group was formed by Rasul Allahu. Originally lost children were just Rasul Allahu, kemit and Judah. Rasul came to one of my shows because I released a record of landspeed back in 2000 called America. We were only to do a few songs but he just told me I was a part of the group and that’s how it happened.

Question: Rasul, you being the founder, could you please add on to this, how long has the group been in existence and how has it evolved to its current roster of MC's, producers etc?
Rasul Allah: The LCOB is a group of apostles that form a council of nine, we are from the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors, and LCOB consists of Rasul Allah (Verbal Terrorist), Rich Raw (Tehuti Mos), Cosmic Crusader (Quetzalcoatl), Ancient Kemet (Lyrical Alchemist), Amun Sen Hotep-Re, Atun Sen-geb (The Elohim), and Stretch The Mad Scientist. We have been around since the late '90's.

Question: And is everyone in the group from Philadelphia?
Rasul Allah: Yes

Question: Is there a meaning to the name “Lost Children Of Babylon”? Why lost?
Rasul Allah: Well the name is a metaphor, it implies that we are children of the most high lost in Babylon (America)
Richard Raw: As you know America is the new Babylon. We who represent the voice of the children are lost in the midst of the madness.

Question: Spiritual hip hop? the media has labelled your group as this, how would you describe LCOB type of music?
Rasul Allah: I see LCOB as having an Esoteric and Psychedelic sound, Spirituality is inherited in it because of the subject matter that is being spoken about.

Question: You also go by the name Lost children of Egypt, but everyone is used to LCOB, any other names/aliases that you use? And why did you try to change it?
Rasul Allah: No, We used LCOE because the supreme grand master teacher Dr. Malachi Z.York-EL asked us to use LCOE for our second album (Words Of the Duat) which has a more Egyptian-based view that ties in to our ancestors.
Richard Raw: We never sought to change the name LCOB, the lost children of egipt was to represent our alter egos. The second album words of the duat was a much different sounding album for us. We were trying to go a step above the equidivium. I still think people weren’t ready for it.

Question: How did you meet with Jedi Mind Tricks to work on the Psycho-Social album?
Rasul Allah: This is a good question and I’m glad you asked. The story goes like this, after I met Killah Priest and the Sunz of man back in 94 they told me that we needed to put together a demo, at the time LCOB was a group but we didn’t have any material. When I went to Philly I began to compose my scrolls, I got this call one night from a friend saying "His Friend (Vinnie) wants to do some songs with you" at the time they were in a group but weren’t called Jedi mind tricks yet. So I met up with them, and I began teaching them the ancient science of Nuwaupu, previously Paz was studying the hare krishna culture so he related to the teachings, we were discussing on collaborating on a spiritual - based album like the sunz of man, We began working on some tracks.

Question: There were rumours of a rift between you, the group and Jedi Mind Tricks in the past, is this true and could you please shed more light on this?
Rasul Allah: The reason why a rift began is because individuals in the street were talking negatively about Vinnie, because he was rhyming about 5%, NOI ,and Nuwaupu lessons, and being that he was white people didn’t accept it at first and I was caught in the middle of it being a student myself. People, they thought I was the one saying those things when I wasn’t. So at the time we parted ways to further cause no more tension. I personally don’t know what took place with Jus Allah so I can’t comment on that situation, But all in all JMT and LCOB ARE IN GOOD WORKING TERMS....


Ancient Kemite, Wazulu & Rasul Allah

Question: There have been debates online about LCOB being the founders of spiritual hip-hop, what is your claim or view on this?
Richard Raw: There have been many that have pioneered spiritual hip-hop. I personally think it got its start with Brother J of X-Clan. The Gravediggaz took it a step further. So we did not start spiritual hip-hop. We go more deep than others but no, Peace to professor x and brother j of x clan.

Question: What influences or inspires your music personally and that of the group?
Richard Raw: I am influenced by what I see. I try to write from the heart. I have read so many books, I don’t read no more, I am trying to live and practice what I already know. We are all inspired by each other.

Question: Your lyrics draw influences from numerous sources such as that of the Nuwaubian philosophy, Islam, Nations of the Gods and Earths, etc Do you follow any religion or science?
Rasul Allah: Yes, I am A Sufi-Muslim, from the Sufi order of the Suns of the Green Light, I am also part of various masonic orders.

Question: The CNN once described "The Nuwaubian philosophy to include elements of Christianity, ancient Egyptian polytheism and a belief in unidentified flying objects (UFOs)." What is your take on this?
Richard Raw: Nuwaubu is an ancient science practiced by the being we call the pygmy... As you know eve of the genesis story came from this tribe who were considered the earliest inhabitants of this planet. They practiced a way of life called nuwaubu (the science of sound right reasoning) all religions and ways of life came from this including the so called egiptian philosophy. As you know Christianity and Islam has roots in egipt. So all is inclusive. That’s why they can’t pinpoint us. Nuwaubu is not a religion it’s more of a fraternal order.
Rasul Allah: First of all I don’t believe in any UFO's because the statement itself is illogical. The reason why you see various religious imagery within the nuwaubu philosophy is because we are rewriting theology. Christism, Judaism, Muhhamadism, all come from the Ancient Mystery Schools of Egypt

Question: Thanks, So Rasul when and why did you start searching for the right knowledge?
Rasul Allah: I was raised a Muslim and I would attend the madras, I would always question the Quran, and so I was reprimanded. Finally I was introduced to the teaching of Dr. Malachi Z York around ‘93 that lead me into the principles of sound right reasoning.
Question: Ok, Moving on, there was a logo of Sunz Of Man on your first album, and also a recent press release claimed you had an affiliation with Wu-Tang Clan’s Sunz Of Man, Is this true? If so please tell us how you are affiliated?
Richard Raw: We actually snuck behind stage of a sunz of man concert years back. We rhymed for them and killah Priest took a liking to us. We have kept in contact with them ever since.
Rasul Allah: Yes, we are affiliated with Sunz of Man, Killarmy, and the rest of the killabess. The first affiliate that I met was 4th disciple and Budda Monk (ODB’s brother), he then introduced me to 9th prince (the madman) who then introduced me to killah priest. And we have been tight ever since.

Question: So would you consider yourself to be affiliated with the bigger family of the Wu-Tang Clan?
Rasul Allah: Yes
Richard Raw: We all represent truth justice and equality. Wu-tang is for the children and we are the lost children who they were trying to reach. So we grew up listening to our elders and we are ready to stand with our big brothers. Rest in peace to ODB!!!!!


From right to left: Cosmic Crusader, Rasul Allahu, Richard Raw, Killah Priest & Amun Sen Hotep Re

Question: Have the group worked with Sunz Of Man or their members on any songs and are there any plans for further collaboration in a song or album?
Richard Raw: Actually, I just recorded a song with Killah Priest called baby Israel, its one of the craziest songs ever!!!!!!!!!! Me and Rasul just recorded a song with Killah Priest and Hell Razah called March. We are working real close with them these days. The lost children of Babylon just did a show with killah priest in Miami.

Question: Will there ever be a Sunz Of Man / LCOB album?
Rasul Allah: Yes there will be a future lcob/sunzofman collabo. Hell Razah and killah priest are working on a project called the premix ...so look out for that ...produced by Ahmad and Jesse for Bombshell recordings..

Question: Who else in the Wu-tang family tree are you or the other members of the group close to?
Rasul Allah: We’re cool with the whole fam, but we’re closest with Priest and Hell razah.

Question: What else as in groups/religion etc are the LCOB affiliated or linked to?
Rasul Allah: We study Nuwaupu, which doesn’t bind us to one religion, we are students and teachers of all philosophies and cultures

Question: Please tell us about all 3 albums released by LCOB?
Rasul Allah: Our first record “The Equidivium" takes you on a philosophical spiritual journey through theology math, and metaphysics. Then “Words from the duat” is taking you on a darker journey yet with the same subject matter. Our most recent record the 911 report deals strictly with today’s issues around the world and in politics....

Question: The albums were initially released independently and they sold very well, It is to date one of the highest sellers on eBay, You have fans in Europe, Asia and worldwide who would pay big box to get a hold of your CDs, why do you think this is so and do you think the internet is the future of album releases and sales?
Richard Raw: We are one of the last groups to maintain a spiritual twist to our music. So when people have access to it they don’t mind paying for what is almost extinct. There are a lot of people across the waters that love LCOB. Being we are not able to get there physically, we get there though our music via internet. So having a strong hold on the net is a must. This is the future of hip-hop.
Rasul Allah: The reason is because people want to hear something different, consciousness is rising in hip hop and people realizing the artistic talent in LCOB and are drawn to it.

Question: LCOB have done well selling out most of your albums independently, why did you hook up with babygrande to re-releasing all 3 albums again?
Rasul Allah: Well we tried to sign with babygrande 2 years ago but for some reason, I think there was someone in the background telling Chuck Wilson (CEO) not to sign us...we probably would’ve sold more records if we would’ve signed then. But we are proud to be a part of the Babygrande team.

Question: How did you get involved with Babygrande then?
Richard Raw: Babygrande always knew about us because of the Jedi mind tricks album. We actually were out in LA and we sent Chuck Wilson a copy he replied back to us and the rest is history... You know a lot of people are pissed because we are on baby Grande. STOP THE HATING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Chuck recognizes real talent period point blank!!!!!

Question: Will “The Appendices: The Scroll of lost tales” album ever be released and on what label?
Rasul Allah: yes, it will be released through babygrande executively produced by Killah priest look for that by the end of 06.

Question: The group is always linked to Jedi Mind Tricks and right now you are all on the same label, Babygrande, Can the fans expect any collaboration with Jedi Mind Tricks or even Jus Allah in the near future?
Rasul Allah: Yes .. definitely
Richard Raw: We are open to work with anybody. I think if we collaborated with JMT it would be groundbreaking for underground hip-hop. I never recorded with Vinnie but I always was open to do work with him and stoup. I got love for Vinnie shit he is the one who got me my first vinyl deal... I will try to make that happen, I will sit down with them and smooth out the ruff edges so we can bring back that classic shit.


Richard Raw

Question:: Please tell us about your last album “The 911 Report – The Ultimate Conspiracy” Is there, if any, a meaning behind the title?
Richard Raw: The title should be self explanatory. We actually did the sound track to Michael Moores Fahrenheit 911 being the fuck didn’t want to put no real hip-hop shit on there!!!! TRUTH IS TRUTH

Question: Being a fan of your music, I already own all 3 albums and there are great albums that get constant spins on my ipod, I think 911 album is more political than spiritual compared to the other albums, Is there any reason for this?
Richard Raw: I actually suggested that we do this album. I wanted to diversify our audience. We always would talk about the truth behind why 911 happened, we just put it to music. We also had to prove that we could do more that just spiritual hip-hop we are also political.

Question: Where were you on September 11th, 2001? How did you deal with it? How do you think it has affected Hip-hop?
Richard Raw: I was home sleeping when it happened. Dr. Malachi Z York already warned that this was going to happed years ago so it was not a surprise. I don’t think it really affected hip-hop. It happened to affect the economy.
Rasul Allah: I was sleeping, my friend called me and told me to turn on the TV, when I saw the buildings had been attacked... and my grandma said "they took the buildings".

Question: The artworks on your album covers are very unique and unlike any album covers out there, The 911 report is quite a controversial cover, do you not think this might hinder sales of the album?
Rasul Allah: Not at all, if anything it would help sales, if you really look at the cover, it is not demeaning in anyway. The flag isn’t burning or is not upside-down, what people see is the fire burning, but they saw the buildings explode on TV. The cover in itself is a symbol of a dictating force that is governing people. They say Muslims are terrorists when it’s really America that is terrorist.

Question: What would you say are some major misconceptions that people have about the group?
Rasul Allah: one of the biggest misconceptions is that all we rap about is aliens and space ships. If you really listen to the words we really speak on subjects that relate to theology, Egyptology, metaphysics, and Physics.
Richard Raw: People put us in a box, if we do something beyond what they think we are capable of, they trying to say we are confused. Also they think we are real militant. You should get to know us and talk to us. We won’t fuck you up if you don’t provoke us to!!!!!!!

Question: The internet has aided a lot of hip-hop activities globally, do you think the net has affected or contributed to hip-hop?
Rasul Allah: I think the internet has helped greatly. We need to learn how to utilize the internet to better our business, if it wasn’t for the internet we probably would not be talking.

Question: On a more personal level, do any of the members of LCOB have any solo projects out apart from yourself Richard, as I know you have a solo album out?
Richard Raw: Yes Rasul will be working on his solo album this year. Look for cosmic crusader next year. And I think atun sen hotep is finished.
Rasul Allah: Yes I am currently working on a solo project entitled Bear Witness: The Ghetto Quran, Rich Raw is working on two projects: Word to the Wize vol.2 and The Quill, and Cosmic Crusader’s project is called Cosmic-Calculations.

Question: Richard Raw, You have been busy, tell us about your album, mixtapes, upcoming album, and Headlinerz Ent?
Richard Raw: My first album is called MY CITY. I have about 6 mixtape waiting to be released. The latest is word to the wize pre-album mixtape volume 2. Log onto WWW.HEADLINERZENT.COM. Headlinerz is my own company, we are getting ready to start a movement.

Question: You first outing “My City: A Place Where Somebody Can Nobody” was quite decent, diverse, and contained vast topics and versatility, would you say the solo ventures allows you to cover certain topics you would not otherwise cover on a LCOB album?
Richard Raw: Yes.

Question: Ok, So how would you describe your style?
Richard Raw: I don’t have a style. When someone is able to define you, they are able to confine you. So I am like the water--- you hear me!!!!!!!!!!!

Question: What can we expect from your next album “Word To The Wize”?
Richard Raw: Word To The Wize is banging!!!!!!!!!! I have a song on there dedicated to DR. York called (we can change). This album is well rounded filled with hot production from myself and others. People don’t know that I produce my own music.

Question: Will it be released independently by yourself or by a major label?
Richard Raw: We in talks with several labels who are interested in releasing it. I’m just trying to get the best possible deal so there is stuff of the table. I also am 20 records into my double LP. I just recorded 5 songs for my revolutionary album as well. Let me tell you something,,,,,, RICH RAW will be at the status of like 50 cent or Jay Z don’t trust me just watch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question: Who did you guys grow up listening to and who do you listen to now (musically, any genre)
Richard Raw: I grew up on Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, LL, you know the greats. My three favorites of all time Tupac, Sizzla, and John Coletrane. I listened to it all. Shit I like Advril Lavine I would love to record with her.
Rasul Allah: I grew up listening to Kool G rap, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy, Xclan, The Wu-tang clan, Boogiedown Productions, Das-Efx, NWA, Boot Camp, Redman, Intelligent Hoodlums, and many more......I currently listen to some new age music and Underground Hip-Hop.
Question: Ok, Rasul, are there any artist out there that you would like to work
with, dead or alive?

Dr. Malachi Z York & Rasul Allah

Rasul Allah: I would’ve loved to work with Big Pun (RIP), because lyrically he was one of the best to ever touch the mic. Right now I’d love to work with Nas, any one from the Wu, Shabazz the Disciple, Tragedy Khadafi, Killah Priest, Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, Chino xl, and Krs .

Question: Do any of you go into the studio with pre-written rhymes, lyrics, and themes or do hear the beat first and write there and then?
Rasul Allah: It really depends on the situation
Richard Raw: There is never a set formula. I may freestyle, write in my head or on paper. Depends on my mood.

Question: So what is next on the menu for LCOB as in albums, tours etc?
Rasul Allah: Right now were concentrating on the Appendices.
Richard Raw: We are going over this year. I can’t wait!!!!

Question: Rasul, What is your take on hip-hop’s current state and that of Philly?
Rasul Allah: The current state if hip hop is destroyed, the only way for the culture to redeem itself is for major labels to sign Revolutionary Hip-Hop artists like us, JMT, Sunz Of Man, Immortal technique, etc, In order to put hip hop back in order. My personal opinion on the Philly hip-hop scene is that it’s the wackest of all time and full of haters.

Question: What advice would you give to a young emcee or producer who wants to have a music career?
Rasul Allah: Do everything for yourself and don’t just try to run and get a record deal because you won’t get one.

Question: Most of your fans are also based across the globe, I can speak for Europe, are there any plans of the group coming over in the near future?
Rasul Allah: Yeah we definitely acknowledge the love and support and want to return the support when we do go out to tour in Europe. We love Europe.

Question: What book(s) would you recommend to any one seeking right knowledge or light to read?
Rasul Allah: it depends on what school of thought you come from, I can’t really tell you one particular book to get enlightened from but what I will say is "seek and you shall find"

Question: Ok just a quick word association on time, I am going to say a group/name and you would say the first word that pops in your head, for examples if I Say “Dead Prez”, you may say “Revolution” okay? Here we go; there are only 6 of them for you Richard, and 4 for Rasul...
Killah Priest & LCOB

Question: The Police?
Richard Raw: Corrupt!

Question: Egypt?
Richard Raw: GODZ!

Questions: Wu-Tang Clan?
Richard Raw: Classic!

Question: President Bush?
Richard Raw: What?

Question: Death Penalty – For or against?”
Richard Raw: FUCK!

Question: Malachi Z. York?
Richard Raw: Reformer!!!!!!!!!

Question: Thanks, Rasul.... Killah Priest?
Rasul Allah: Biblical Narrator

Question: Hip-Hop?
Rasul Allah: Culture

Question: Freemasons?
Rasul Allah: Circle and Square

Question: Religion?
Rasul Allah: Enslavement

Question: Thanks very much for that, anything else you might want to add that we missed? Or any final words for the people who are reading this, Shout outs etc?
Richard Raw: Yeah peace to my LCOB crew. My headlinerz crew MIKE J MUSIC, SUGE, DJ VORTEX, BIG M, peace to REVOLUTION HIPHOP. This is just beginning!!! OOOOOOO shit go cop my new mixtape if you don’t have it already... WWW.HEADLINERZENT.COM. tHANX TO WU-INTERNATIONAL FOR YOUR TIME AND TO THE FANS TOOO
Rasul Allah: I wanna thank Wu-International for giving me the time to speak my mind, I want give a shout out to the whole LCOB squadron, Revolution Hip-Hop, Killah priest , Sunz of man, Killarmy, The whole Wu-tang, Black Market Militia , The Maccabees, Jedi mind Tricks, Babygrande , Seventh Cathedral, DGK, Stevie Williams, Stretch the Mad Scientist, Wazulu , Allen Sands, and my grandmother, and I also wanna shout out my peoples in Portland, NYC, LA, Florida, Europe, and all over the globe , Everyone that supports LCOB. Peace....

Dark 7 Invader: Thanks very much... Peace