60 Second Assassin & M-Eighty - Remarkable Timing Interview     

He only sings in the end of the song, but this is where you can find him first say his famous "It's been a looong time..." sentence. He was also featured on numerous projects and collabos amongst all the Sunz of Man's albums. Sunz of Man were the first group ever affiliated with The Wu-Tang Clan amongst Killarmy and Gravediggaz. All active members have gone on to release solo materials except for 60 Second Assassin, and as the title of their first album indicates "The Last Shall Be First " 60 Sec after so many years of of a promised solo album drops his début "Remarkable Timing" featuring the production skills of Bronze Nazareth and a live band with a full guest list Wu fans would die for. This project would not have been possible without the intervention of M-80, the A&R and brain behind releases such as "Think Differently : Wu-Tang meets Indie Culture" The Almighty Project, and much more.

Remarkable Timing has just been released on physical format week, Wu-International caught up wit the 60 Second man for a round the clock interview and also snatched the opportunity to interview one of the busiest and hardest working man in the game right now M-80. Wu-International presents 60 Second Assassin and M-80 on Remarkable Timing (The Interview) , Enjoy!!!

Please click on pictures above or This link to read full interview.

Darkim Be Allah - King Christ  [Wu-Element Series #7]

Not many know this but while patterning his persona and adopting the name of a “King” (Darkim means King), the man behind Fame Labs was probably the first Wu-Tang Killa Beez to be signed as an artist as well as a producer as part of the production team known as Wu Elements. Sure there was RZA but he doesn’t really count being a founding member of the Clan and Elements. 4th Disciple while part of the Killarmy collective was mainly signed as a producer, and Inspectah Deck on the other hand was probably not signed as a producer as he was also a founding member of Wu-Tang. That leaves Goldfinghaz, True Master and Allah Mathematics...  Goldfinghaz and Mathematics go without saying as it's quite evident they were both signed as producers. True would probably be the only one that might have been signed as an artist as well as producer with Wu-Tang as he did both but peoples first introduction to True was as a producer who sometimes got on the microphone. Darkim pretty much was the opposite as fans knew he was signed as an artist who did beats at times but very few knew he was actually signed as a producer as well as an artist.

Hailing from the Big Apple (New York), Darkim also known as King Christ, got involved with Wu-Tang as part of the production team and as duo in the group A.I.G. along with his rhyme partner Allahwise. Unlike these days where its easy to make beats with the emergence of production tools such as Pro Tools, CuBase etc..  Darkim’s production duties came out of necessity, his great ear for sound and manipulation of it was unique in it's own but sits very well within that gritty New York and Wu premises. This gift ultimately got Darkim to produce the full length album (then titled “Truth or Consequences”) of his group under Wu-Tang records around 1999 that remains unfortunately unreleased to date. Knowledge of his production came to light however when The RZA picked up one of his beats and used it for The Gravediggaz project on the song called “12 Jewelz” off the gold selling album “The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel”.
With the album in limbo when Wu-Tang records folded under Priority, Darkim went underground for more than 5 years after a couple of internet releases. While away his internet release “Live at the Lab: Take 1” was heavily bootlegged and the genuine albums were getting sold an average of $100.00 ob eBay, leaks were coming out here and there and Darkim’s legend grew and grew on the underground. Wu forums were locked on debates as to the best lyricist within the Killa Beez circle and Darkim’s name would appear in line with the likes of Killa Sin, Timbo King, La The Darkman, Killah Priest and so on. The imaginative and creative MC finally ended the mystery in 2005, resurfacing with a new album and making up for lost time with a critically praised "Fame Labs presents: A.I.G. (Darkim Be Allah & Allahwise)", on his own indie label Fame Labs and the following year saw the official release of several projects from “God In The Ghetto” to “The Manhattan Project”, as well as several singles and online leaks.

With the Wu Element series looking to come to an unfortunate early ending with a no show from True Master and 4th Disciple still in doubt, Wu-International sees it fitting to provisionally end this great series with this gifted wordsmith and beats maker who was also part of that history but has remained somewhat a mystery to few, more like the hidden chamber of the Elements, The King Christ himself, Darkim Be Allah. Even though a wealth of bootlegs, compilation appearances, mixtapes, and Mp3’s surfaced over the years, Darkim’s fans never seem to get enough of his music, as they are eagerly anticipating “Live At The Lab: Take 2, as well as an AIG reunion and a full-length follow up solo album from him. Not many know of his production history and skills which is covered on this exclusive interview as Darkim tells us all about it, his favourite tools and confirms the rumour about his full album collaboration with Krohme. Enjoy!!

Please click on picture above or This link to read full interview.

Bronze Nazareth - Half Entity Interview [Wu-Element Series #6 ]

The latest additions to the Wu Elements, Bronze hailing from Detroit was given his name and introduced into the Wu-Tang family tree through Cilvaringz. The pair met around  1998, Ringz was impressed by Bronze's work that he added him to his own production team and label Ringz & Partners Inc. with whom Bronze released the internet-only release The Unknown - Death's Birth: The Grip Of Behemoths in 2002. Eventually he was asked by The RZA to join the Wu's in-house team known as Wu Elements with the likes of Moongod Allah, Ringz, Darkim Be Allah, Goldfinghaz, 4th Disciple, Mathematics and Inspectah Deck. Bronze went on to contribute two beats to RZA's solo album Birth of a Prince. Immediately picked up by another Wu entrepreneur,  Dreddy Kruger employed the skills of Bronze to help him set his his then new label and handle most of all of the production duties, this resulted to the classic and highly praised  2005 compilation album Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture, released on Dreddy's  label Think Differently Music. On May 23, 2006 Bronze finally released his first solo album on that label titled The Great Migration to critical acclaim. It featured Wu-Tang Clan affiliates such as Timbo King, Prodigal Sunn and Killa Sin. Teaming up with his group as The Wismen they released "Wisemen Approaching" around 2007 via Babygrande records.  Bronze has gone on to produce for countless established and respected artists from his Wu brethrens like GZA, Masta Killa, to others such as Jedi Mind Tricks, Immortal Technique, Afu-Ra just to name a few. 2010 saw him doing things differently and with a live band behind him he has recently produced the entire (11 out of 13 songs) off the latest offering from Sunz of Man's 60 Second Assassin's project "Remarkable Timing". Currently finishing the entire album of Timbo King's debute as well as that of his group (The Wisemen) and his solo album "School of the Blindman" album. Wu-International just managed to catch up to this busy bee to find out what the hold up is with the albums, Babygrande's departure, working with 60 Second, Timbo King and others. Salute the kid, Bronze for his skills and work ethics. Enjoy!

Please click on picture above or This link to read full interview.

Goldfinghaz - Gold The Deal Maker Interview [Wu-Element Series #5 ]

This is for those that slept, or rather those that doubted, this is for those who are behind the scenes and are as important a factor to the success of any project which would turn out differently otherwise, this is for those who have worked hard but have been forgotten by the mainstream but thankfully not by the real fans.

Wu-International published the 3rd Wu-element interviews on the site some weeks back and The Rebel INS aka Inspectah Deck was our special guest and it got fans talking again about how important the Elements were to the Wu movement, it got fans speculating a Wu-Massacre type collaboration between Deck, GZA/Genius and Masta Killa and even got newer fans wondering why some fans fussed over a silent deadly weapon behind the Wu known as the producer, DJ and engineer Goldfinghaz.

Was he an Element? Where has he been? Which songs did he produce? As pointed out on the intro, this is for those that slept or doubted; Goldfinghaz was one of the originalsand among the first producers to be signed as part of Wu-Tang Productions / Wu - Elements, he began his career as DJ Scottie Deep, and holds experience spanning over 17 years. Goldfinghaz as he was later and commonly known, began a career in the music industry while attending college in Michigan. The love of music inspired him to start an independent record label at the age of 19. As an artist, producer, Dj, art director, publicist, distributor, marketer and accountant, Finghaz sharpened his expertise in the art of negotiating, global distribution, and producing records.

After moving to New York from Detroit, at age 22, he established solid-working relationships with major label executives which afforded him the opportunity to record over 25 dance records for various labels. Finghaz coordinated and oversaw international VIP events travelling to Zurich, Pisa, Rome, Paris and London as “Dj Scottie Deep” allowing him to Dj in some of the best night clubs on the face of the earth. While working and building with The RZA of the almighty Wu-Tang Clan, Goldfinghaz signed with Wu Tang Productions as a premier producer for Wu-elements in 1997. His production and sound become well recognized and in high demand. Due to the overwhelming response and reception to his production of his infamous beats, Scott landed “Brooklyn Beats” as a song placement in the 1996 Hollywood motion picture The Juror.

Goldfinghaz has worked with major gold and platinum artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Gravediggaz, Capadonna, Black Knights, Kelis, Sweetback, Snoop Dogg just to name a few. Scott is a 2004 MTV VMA nominee for work he has done with Snoop Dogg as well as a Grammy Award nominee for the work he has done on the 1997 Wu-tang Forever project and a Spike TV Video Game Soundtrack of the year winner for the True Crimes- Streets of LA video game. He is also responsible for securing publishing deals with BMG and has been awarded several Gold and Platinum Awards along with other prestigious music awards for his productions.

So what has he been doing since his Wu days? Goldfinghaz, real name Scott Kinchen is the co-founder, and president of Ambition Management Group which is a full service management company, that exclusively represents; Recording Artists, Record Producers, Songwriters and Actors.
Through a life changing experience, he has now dedicated his life to transforming Contemporary Christian and Gospel music into a powerhouse through the combination of season expertise and the drive to increase the visibility of Contemporary Christian and Gospel music.

Having interviewed the likes of Inspectah Deck, Cilvaringz, and Moongod Allah it is only fitting to find out what the real Gold deal has been up to, the fans wanted to find the whereabouts of Black Knights album he produced? did he actually discover Kelis? Is he still down with Wu-Tang? Has he quit the game all together? get all your curiousity killed by the man himself, Wu-International presents you Gold The Deal Maker: Wu-element's own Gold maker, Goldfinghaz. Enjoy...

Please click on picture above or This link to read full interview.

Mathematics - The Math Files Interview [Wu-Element Series #4 ]

Mathematics or Allah Mathematics is Wu-tang's official DJ and also main producer as part of the Wu-element's, this is the man that the Clan members be it solo or as a group turn to when going on tour or when they want that classic Wu sound. A well rounded artist, Mathematics does not just produce, DJ, mix or manage new acts, he was also responsible for drawing the original "W" logo, drew the artwork for GZA's Liquid Swords album, and written the theme and additional music for Wanda Sykes' television show, Wanda at Large. 

Born Norman Porter in south-side Jamaica, Queens, Mathematics was exposed to hip-hop culture at an early age. His older brother brought home mixtapes of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Treacherous Three, Cold Crush Brothers, and others jamming at area block parties. There were no double tape decks at the time, so Mathematics and his brother made copies by pushing two boom boxes together, one playing and one recording.

The future producer originally thought of himself as an MC and imitated Spoonie Gee, Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, and other favourites, but a realization that it was the DJ who controlled the tempo and flow changed everything. Influenced by early greats like Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore, and DJ Charlie Chase, he started DJing block parties in the '80s while his brother hooked him up with future Wu-Tang member GZA/Genius. GZA was working with the Cold Chillin' label and needed a DJ, but this was only the beginning of Mathematics' Wu-Tang association.

GZA's family lived around the corner from Mathematics, and one day GZA called the young DJ to go to Queens and watch his cousin shoot a video. The video was for "Ooh I Love You Rakeem" by Prince Rakeem, and Mathematics was shocked to find out Prince Rakeem was actually an old friend, RZA. Over time, RZA taught Mathematics all he knew about production, like how to use samplers and how important it is to have your own voice. At the time, the copyright rules for sampling stated that if you kept a sample under three seconds you didn't have to get label clearance. To avoid seeking clearance, Mathematics sped up old soul records and created a sound that has since become widely imitated. "Wu Banga 101" from Ghostface Killah's Supreme Clientele, "Rules" from the Wu's Iron Flag, and un-credited work on "Must Be Bobby" from RZA's  Bobby Digital: Digital Bullet, and recently the Wu-Massacre project  by Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah are some of Mathematics' major contributions to the Wu world amongst others.

In 2003, Mathematics released his first full-length, Love, Hell & Get Right (Da Come Up) on his own Quewisha Records label in conjunction with High Times Records, which was followed up by The Problem, Wu-Tang Clan & Friends Unreleased, and Return Of The Wu & Friends in 2005, 2007 and 2010 respectively.

A creative force behind Wu and hip-hop in general, Mathematics has been busy touring, producing, putting together mixtapes, radio shows, his Mathfiles blog's and a list of other side projects only this man can do. In continuation with the Wu-elements series haven chopped it up with Inspectah Deck on The Manifesto Of A Rebel Interview  last week, Wu-International presents you this week with the Math-files interview, find out what the 5th Disciple has been up to, upcoming projects and more, Enjoy ...

Please click on picture above or This link to read full interview.

Inspectah Deck - The Manifesto Of A Rebel Interview [Wu-Element Series #3 ]

Just like any burgeoning culture, hip-hop is inundated with corruptions and false promises. Lately, the MCs in commercial leadership are too busy basking in their new found riches to uplift the starving streets that supported their talent in the first place. But while the false prophets are shopping at Chanel and sipping Cristal, there's a growing number of MCs that are dead set on pulling hip-hop music out of its' fantasy rap mode and back into potent reflections of real life.

As a member of one of the most significant musical collectives in recent history, Inspectah Deck of the Wu-Tang Clan has never fallen victim to the ill powers that be. Also know as Rebel INS, Deck was one of the featured rappers on many of the Wu Tang Clan's major hits like Triumph, C.R.E.A.M., Pinky Ring and more, and just like any gracious minded veteran, the Staten Island raised MC is primed to supply the street's demand for real live hip-hop on his latest offering "Manifesto" that was released just in March. The album ( featuring Raekwon, MOP, Cormega and others) was given a 4/5 ratings on this site and marks Deck's return to his production duties.

On the heels of dropping his fourth LP, Inspectah Deck is also readying the release of his first instrumental album. Unknown to most, Deck has been making beats and hits for over 15 years now, first learning how to piece tracks together from his group's mastermind The RZA, and crew affiliates DJ Mathematics and True Master. Deck soon started experimenting and his efforts showed enough promise to make him an official member of the original almighty production team and collective known as Wu-elements, alongside The RZA, 4th Disciple, True Master, and Mathematics. From then on we saw him gradually placing his beats on just about every Wu-Tang release from his fellow clansmen except the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, including songs for Ghostface’s "Supreme Clientele", Method Man’s "Tical" and RZA’s "Bobby Digital in Stereo", along with his own solo albums and outsides projects such as the "Tales from the hood" soundtrack and lately his new protégé Fes Taylor.

Wu-International started a Wu-elements series of interviews a couple of months ago and it is only right we have an interview with one of the Clan's founding member and producer The Rebel INS. The fans will get to hear how he got into producing tracks and people he has produced for, his latest offering "Manifesto", the beef with Joe Budden, his supposedly 2Pac collaboration, upcoming projects (from movies, books to the long awaited Rebellion album) and everything else he has been involved in lately, ... in the words of Guru (R.I.P), and long-time friend of Deck, we say "Respect the Architect" , Enjoy...

Please click on picture above or This link to read full interview.

Wu Music Group: Presents The Swarm III    

Holocaust & Bomshot - Warghost   

Release Date: June 22, 2010
Label: Wu Music Group
Total Length: 47:50

Tracklisting

Release Date: May 4, 2010
Label: Clear Label Records
Total Length: 47:12

Tracklisting

Cilvaringz - Inside The Mental Chambers Interview [Wu-Element Series #2 ]

As always with the Wu, the saga continues. As indicated, Wu-International presents the 2nd installment of the Wu Elements series. What better Element to follow up Moongod (aka Dr Moon’s) interview than his friend and partner in rhyme/beats Cilvaringz? The man responsible for getting Moon and Bronze into the Wu-Tang family tree, the first Non American Wu-Tang Killa Beez, The man, Wu-Tang's own Abbott (The RZA) calls the hardest working Killa Bee in the game.

The series aims to find out what the backbones of the Wu-Tang movements have been up to, the production team collectively known as the Wu-Elements included The RZA, Inspectah Deck, Mathematics, 4th Disciple, True Master, Goldfinghaz, Darkim Be Allah and later Cilvaringz, Moongod Allah and Bronze Nazareth.

Cilvaringz has just completed a Europe Tour with his Wu-Tang brothers, Method Man, Mathematics, Streetlife and DJ Sueside and had just about had the time to give us his view on a broad range of subjects from mc’ing to producing, from his early works to a follow-up to “I”, from Holland to NYC to Morocco, from organizing tours to acting, … Meet the man, the Mc, the producer, business man, scholar, CEO, manager, and the list goes on, Enter the mental chamber of Cilvaringz on this second outing or Wu-Elements interview series.
Enjoy ... 

Please click on picture or This link to read full interview.

Moongod Allah - The Dutch Master Interview [Wu-Element Series #1]

Did the Wu fall off after "Wu-Tang Forever"? Most fans still argue about the direction Wu took after “Wu Tang Forever” nailed artistic and commercial triumph. Ego’s / visions collided and a series of disappointing, mediocre albums followed. All things go in cycles, and regardless of the fall from mainstream, Wu has managed to maintain its cult following as diehard fans have stuck with them through out the public fall out, disappointing or shelved albums. Optimism began creeping in with the release of Masta Killa's "No said date", hailed as a classic and the return of Wu, this indie album must have been the spark of it all as it served as an indication that sooner or later the Wu would get things back together, sharpen their swords and show the hip-hop world who really held the crown. Masta Killa kept it simple, used the same ingredient that the Wu have been using with a modern twist to it, Family affairs or rather "Fam members only", NSD boasted mostly and solely in house production and featured members. 
Last two years fans and artists alike started using the term “Wu Renaissance” especially with a solid release from GZA/Genius (Protools) the highly anticipated “Only built for Cuban linx “ by Reakwon and a list of others from Ghostface, Inspectah Deck, Wu-Massacre and surprisingly U-God astonished most skeptic fans with Dopium.

One component that‘s been mostly lacking in this exultant return to form is the legendary Wu Elements. For the non Wu fans or Wu comers (New comers) who have never heard this term before, The Wu-Elements were the constant production team responsible for the bulk if not all of all the Wu releases since they started out in the game. The elements were the backbone of the Wu movement, Fronted by The RZA, the elements had 4th Disciple, True Master, Allah Mathematics, Inspectah Deck (Yes he makes beats too, or used to), and the latest and last additions Cilvaringz, Moongod Allah and Bronze Nazareth.

The RZA has been scoring movies, self producing and still contributing to countless Wu-tang Clan and Killa Beez projects.
Off course DJ and producer of the Wu, Mathematics has also been active with his compilations as well as dishing out darts for his Wu brethren’s projects.
Probably the busiest of them all next to RZA is Bronze Nazareth, last 2 years has seen this beat specialist contributing to some of the greatest records and albums made within the Clan and outside…. but where are the rest?
4th Disciple has inspired a host of new breed of producers and has contributed maybe 10 songs since his duo album with Hell Razah, few of his releases have been from his archives as far as new materials have been concerned...
True Master, who had a very solid but rather small input throughout the Wu catalogue, provided even less material last decade, (some songs for Masta Killa and one for GZA) with rumors of him doing a full collabo album with the legendary KRS-One as well a solo album that has been completed but not released to date...
What ever happened to Moongod Allah, the producer from Cilvaringz camp or was it Ringz that was from Moonlight camp? Either way this once disciple of GZA and The RZA made waves with internet releases and sharp beats that gained him a lot of fans quick and just like that vanished off the face of the earth apparently.. . Fans all over the world been wondering where he is…
The Rebel INS has not produced to our knowledge for almost 6-8 years now, but seems to have gotten back to it with the release of his latest album “Manifesto”,
Last but not least, Cilvaringz, who dropped a stellar debut album, getting critical acclaim amongst Wu fans but that has already been 3 years now and no sign of a follow-up, with rumors of him retiring on the mic and maybe focusing on just productions?

For a team of producers that should be in the lime light along side the likes of Kanye West, Just Blaze and co, these elements have been pretty passive apart from the few mentioned above, Wu-international decided to get a Wu elements interview series going and search and find (those possible) on what they have been up to, current work and the whole nine yard.

Who else better to set this series off with other than the harder to find and highly sort after legendary Dutch producer “Moongod”. Last known of his whereabouts was that he has quite the rap game and no amount of money would bring him back and he was settled in a country side or so. Lots of fans loved his refreshing production style on albums from Cilvaringz “I” to Most High Brothers, Lin Brotherz, the Henchmen and his own 2 cult “Tiger” classics . Was “The return of the ten tigers” indeed his last album in 2002 ? Has he stopped making music ? Where is he now and why is he so silent?? Why don’t we find that out from the horse’s mouth? Yes, Wu-International dug deep and caught up with the actual Dutch master and he has not only answered all the fan’s questions, he has been kind enough to leak an exclusive unreleased song from the Iron Empire project to Wu-International featuring Tekitha, Cilvaringz, Ganz and Magpie from the Moonlight days. Enjoy the read … and be on the lookout for the next installment of our Wu Elements interview Series!!

Please click on picture or This link to read full interview.

The Glass Suitcase Project [Tekitha, Mikeflo & Jeff Jones]

For those that missed out on The Prelude EP just put out by Tekitha, it can be found on any major digital outlet such as Amazon, iTunes etc.