|
Interview
|
 |
Born in Bedstuy,
Brooklyn, NY, 60 Second Assassin is a pretty mysterious figure,
who's mostly known for his unique dirty style and voice.
His name represents the assassination of negative thoughts, not
people. His Sunz of Man's Comrade, Hell Razah explains: "He says everything in one minute.
That's why he rhymes the way he does. He assassinates negativity.
But before the sixtieth second strikes on the clock, he on me.
Actually he goes to the other wall, it places yourself at an
advantage, you comin' for something N' he is already there, he
already done figured it out before you came with it, basically.
But give him sixty seconds which is one minute, |
| he
will assassinate something that is negative."
His first known appearance on a record was on the
late Ol'
Dirty Bastard's debut album, where he sang on the
promo cut "Dirty N Stinkin" and on "Protect Ya Neck
II The Zoo" along with fellow Sunz of Man members
Killah Priest, Hell Razah, Shabazz The Disciple and
Prodigal Sunn, but his most famous appearance was on
Raekwon's album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...", in
the song "Glaciers of Ice".
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 this 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!!! |
I like to say thanks first and foremost for
taking the time to answer these questions, highly
appreciated, and will also point out that nothing will be
altered, edited or changed when this is published online.
Wu-International: Peace 62nd Assassin and M-80, how
are you ?
60 Second Assassin:
Feeling great. Lots of trials and tribulations but that’s
what this release is all about, the culmination of the
remarkable timing.
M-80:
Sheeeeeiiiiiiit! You
can’t fuck with Clay Davis! {Laughs out loud} ...I’m good.
Wu-International: We’d like to start the interview
with some questions for the 60 Second Assassin. If I’m
informed correctly, there were first plans to record an
album with Y-Kim for Chamber music and even asked people to
send in beats for it. Do you still plan to work on that too
or has that project folded?
60 Second Assassin: The project was never official. I
rarely see Y-Kim but I’m here to make music because that’s
my soul so I’m open to whatever ideas will come from this
release.
Wu-International: You have been building gradually
with M-80 over the past years on various projects to finally
recording your debut album with him that would have been on
Chambermusik. How did you both meet and what was it like
working together?
60 Second Assassin: The Chambermusik work never came
to fruition. I would love to do a project with them in the
future but in order for me to be at my best I need to make
sure my family is secure and I can focus on making solid
music. M-Eighty came into the picture and presented me with
a situation that made me feel comfortable and allowed me to
make the timeless music I wanted to make. Even with the
situation M-Eighty put together for me at Sound Records I
only felt comfortable with my situation because M-Eighty was
in the picture to try and tighten up all the loose ends.
People will really hear the true 60 Second Assassin when I
am in the position I want to be in and run my album from the
creative aspects I am comfortable with. Remarkable Timing is
just the start and I refuse to let anyone try and stop me
from interfering with my music and my loved ones.
Wu-International: So whose idea was it to record an
EP initially?
60 Second Assassin: Initially, M-Eighty took the
project on as a Holy Toledo Productions release and only
budgeted enough finances away for the EP. Shortly after
that, we inked the deal with Sound Records and M-Eighty
showed me all the fans asking for a full length online so we
were able to build the situation into an LP. The full length
really allowed me to touch upon a lot of subjects and gave
me the drive to record more material than I had in recent
years during and after the Remarkable Timing sessions.
Wu-International: Did it quickly become obvious
the sessions were good enough to go for a full album instead
?
60 Second Assassin:
Definitely. Everyone
benefitted from the recording of the LP. Bronze Nazareth
came through with some of his finest joints. The features
got their chance to shine and we all made remarkable music
in the process.
Wu-International: Why did you choose Bronze do the
bulk of production on your debut album ?
60 Second Assassin: Bronze has a certain style that
reminds me of where I came from. The RZA influence really
opens up the floodgates of my mind and even the sessions in
which Bronze was present brought me back to the early 90’s
where everything we touched had that classic feel. Had I
been able to reach out to 4th Disciple I would have liked to
incorporate some of his productions but Bronze’s tracks
definitely put me in the mode and the reality I wanted to be
in for the recording of this album.
Wu-International: You said you wanted to integrate
the classic Wu sound that fans were yearning for while
expanding upon the soul and jazz elements that came out of
the 60’s era. How did you show Bronze what sound you were
looking for? did you give him albums to listen to or
artists to check out? If so which/who did you have in mind
when describing what sound you wanted ?
60 Second Assassin: I described to Bronze what I
wanted and after we picked the tracks Bronze and Sound
Records were able to build with Project Lionheart to make
the production sound timeless. Bronze felt my desire to
emulate tracks from the 40s, 50s, and 60s to make a new form
of timeless music in the year 2010. Diana Ross, The
Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson,
Isley Brothers, and much more is what Bronze knew I was into
in order to bring the classic sound into modern day hip-hop.
Wu-International: Whose idea was it to bring in a
live band to add to Bronzes beats ?
60 Second Assassin: In part mine, but M-eighty really
pushed for it as part of his grand scheme to separate the
Remarkable Timing release apart from not only other Wu
releases but other hip-hop releases in general. M-Eighty and
Bronze also spent a lot of time trying to get the Dramatics
to sing accompaniment on the album but unfortunately that
didn’t go through. After I heard the 1st track with Bronze
and Project Lionheart together its was like a perfect match.
From there the rest was remarkable timing, you know?
Wu-International: How did
working with a live band work out for you ?
60
Second Assassin:
I was never in the sessions with the live band but M-Eighty
was able to relay to Sound Records, Bronze, and Project
Lionheart what tracks needed certain flavor and from there
everyone just used their expertise to make it right and
exact.
Wu-International:
Can you tell us a bit more about the Rob Dixon Jazz Band who
helped you with that ? And Project Lionheart ?
60 Second Assassin:
M-Eighty had told me
about Rob Dixon who is a very well know Jazz musician in
Indy so M thought it would be convenient to do the live
recordings in Indy with his band but I think financially it
didn’t make sense when Sound Records was working with
Project Lionheart and it would help establish their name to
be affiliated with the release and at the same time allow us
to accomplish what we were trying to do sonically.
Wu-International: If you had the opportunity of
touring this album with a live band, would you be interested
?
60 Second Assassin: Yes. Mos definitely. I could get
my James Brown on and at the same time keep it 60. I could
finally bring the reality that is 60 to the masses and I
feel like a live band on the road could really bring the
best out of me.
Wu-International: One thing M-80 mentioned in the
blog was his admiration and respect for your striving for
perfection in the studio. Could you tell us a bit about that
hunger, how do you prepare a song in the studio and when/how
do you know you got the final version?
60 Second Assassin: Constant criticism. I’ll spend
countless hours listening to a beat, recording my vocals,
making notes on the track, correcting errors in the track
and making my touch-ups. As long as I’m given the time and
not rushed then I can produce the quality product that you
hear on the Remarkable Timing album.
Wu-International: Looking at the amazing guest list,
most Wu fans can not help but reminisce about the good old
Wu days where everyone was on everyone’s records. Did you
get all the features you had hoped for on the album and how
did it feel to get all this help and love from your circle?
60 Second Assassin: It feels remarkable. I would have
loved to have more features from within the Clan but after
Masta Killa blessed his verse I was more than satisfied just
knowing that I had his backing. I feel grateful to know that
when it came to call upon my people like Popa Wu, CCF,
Prodigal, Priest; and everyone else that they were their for
me.
Wu-International: How important was it for you
to get a Sunz Of Man reunion track on the album?
60 Second Assassin: MOAN is beautiful.
Reuniting the Sunz of Man was definitely remarkable. I wish
we could have had more Sunz of Man group tracks on the album
but knowing that my album was powerful enough to unite
everyone back under one beat is a remarkable thing.
Everyone’s got their own schedules, lives, albums, whatever
but M-Eighty really did the impossible and got everyone to
agree to come together to make this track possible and that
is a beautiful thing.
Wu-International: How was it for you and the others
to record again after all these years?
60 Second Assassin: It was great man. We are all
grown man and yet we continue to grow musically and
spiritually on a track. A lot of people are going to
recognize this track and feel that inspiration like if the
Sunz of Man can reunite then others in the game will feel
uplifted and in the end everyone in the music game and those
who appreciate our art win.
Wu-International:
Have you since then been talking about maybe recording more
S.O.M materials in future or even a full album? This is
something a lot of Wu fans have been dreaming about for
years?
60 Second Assassin: First and foremost, we all have
to keep Hell Razah in our prayers and pray everyday that he
makes a speedy and safe recovery. If everyone is in good
health then Lord willing we can come together and fulfil
that prophecy. Sunz of Man already gained the love of the
people and regardless of the politics it’s that same love
that we can use to conquer the universe. I still think that
our crew is the sharpest crew out. Period.
Wu-International: How did you react when you heard
about Hell Razah’s medical situation?
60 Second Assassin: Man, that shit hit me hard. It
hurts to know that your brother isn’t doing well. As we get
older all we can hope for is good health and prosperity. I
know he will be alright because Razah is an angel but until
then I think about him everyday.
Wu-International: Does this make you look
otherwise at possibly trying to record another S.O.M
album?
60 Second Assassin: Of course I would love to that.
Hell Razah’s condition hasn’t changed my desire to
record a SOM album since I’ve always been behind
another SOM album. All I can do is be ready when
that time comes.
Wu-International: Lets go back to the album,
Lots of fans been wondering if the “Warzone” remix
on the album is really a remix . They don’t really
hear a difference with the original track. What’s
different to this version ?
60 Second Assassin: Man, listen. The track was
remastered which fans should realize the difference
in sound right off the bat. The RZA interlude in the
midst of the track and the beat transition are new
additions and the joint was a good look for the
album for fans both old and new to explore a
different chamber of 60 and see that fam love. |
 |
Wu-International: Are you satisfied with the end
result ?
60 Second Assassin: I’m satisfied because after all
the hard work, all the ups and downs, the new relationships
and the travels, I have a product I can call my own. I feel
like the end result is truly embodied in the title.
Wu-International: Which track is your favourite
and why ?
60 Second Assassin:
All of them but if I had to choose I would say “No Face”
since it’s the first solo joint I completed and fell in love
with from the jump. That track to me has a timeless feel to
it and since it’s just me, Bronze, and the band it really
allowed me to revisit the various chambers of 60 that fans
would expect.
Wu-International:
Was it as frustrating for you as for the fans to know the
album had been finished a long time ago but took quite a
while to actually get released ? What was the reason for
this delay ?
60 Second Assassin: Of course it’s frustrating.
It’s like we plan and plan and plan to make the album and
then we reach the end of the plan and everyone’s at a
standstill. The label decided to place the record on hold
while they focused their efforts on Canibus and Keith Murray
and it wasn’t until recently when M-Eighty spoke with Noah
at Sound Records to allow M to kinda take over the reigns
and align a situation for them that would allow the record
to come out and please everyone.
Wu-International:
What are your future plans now the album is coming out ?
60 Second Assassin:
Just to work this album
to make sure the fans get everything and more out of it so
they can appreciate all the hard work and I can focus on the
next project. A lot of it comes with alleviating the
negativity that surrounds me as an artist and as a provider.
If the fans support my vision than it makes it easier and
more positive for me to focus on my strengths and give the
fans that 60 Sec S.O.M music they love.
Wu-International:
Anything else you would like to share with the fans that
have not been covered already ? Shout outs ?
60 Second Assassin:
I wanna give a shout out
to all my people in the depths of hell just trying to make a
better situation for themselves by any means. Shout out to
my brother Hell Razah getting better day by day. Shout out
to Priest and Prodigal, my brothers for life. RZA for having
my back throughout this entire process. Masta Killa, Timbo
King, and Bronze Nazareth for their contributions to the
album. M-Eighty for believing in me and really showing me
love. Sound Records for believing in my vision and helping
me create a remarkable piece of art and to all the fans and
those I may have forgotten, please support the album and
take it one moment of what it means to live as 60 Second
Assassin in this Remarkable Time that is right now.
Wu-International: Thanks
60, Now we’d like to ask the driving force behind this album
a few questions. M-80, how was it for you to be with 62nd in
the studio throughout the recording of this album ?
M-80: Wow! Just like with everyone you
have your good days and your bad days. The good days were
productive and great and the bad days had me wishing I was
somewhere else but that’s the endurance it takes to really
get behind a record and push for excellence.
|
Wu-International:
What have you learned from him during these
sessions. You already said before you admired his
striving for perfection, anything else ?
|
 |
M-80: Expect the Unexpected and even though
its important to act professional within your
profession it’s equally important to love and
appreciate the fruits of your labour.
|
Wu-International:
Which track on “Remarkable Timing” is your favourite and
why ?
M-80:
I have a few favourites.
I love “M.O.A.N” because of the significance of the track in
reuniting the Sunz of Man for the first time since god knows
when on a track together and how everyone destroyed the
joint. I love “Remarkable Timing” since it gave me the
chance to build with Masta Killa on the track and really
make a sound record for the album and I love “Paradise”
because to me you can just close your eyes and let the music
take you on a journey backed by an immaculate soundscape
provided by Bronze, Kristina, 60, Timbo, and Priest. Really
the entire album is dope as fuck and I’m as proud if not
more to have been there from the inception to see it to
where it is today.
Wu-International:
What happened exactly with the Amazon download a few
weeks ago? Did this cause a lot of damage to the pre orders?
M-80: Because of Amazon that shit leaked all over the
internet and definitely hurt us bad. All we can ask for is
that the fans understand the amount of time, money, and
resources that go into these albums especially a record of
this magnitude and they spend their $10 or $15 to show their
admiration.
Wu-International:
Are you considering asking Amazon re-compensation for
this unfortunate mistake?
M-80: We’ve been looking into it but there aren’t a
lot of attorneys out there that want to take on a
conglomerate like Amazon unless they’re getting a nice chunk
of upfront money as opposed to putting in the work and
waiting for a greater percentage based off a settlement so
as of right now it is up in the air.
Wu-International:
People who already checked the album were a bit
disapointed about the RZA "Warzone" remix and Shabbaz’s
feature on "Cloud 9", which turned out to be a re-used old
verse from "Conscious of sin" . Can you understand the fans
who had hoped for new production from the Rza or a new verse
from Shabaz on these tracks ?
M-80:
Of course I can. I’m a
fan too man. I make these records (60 sec, Almighty, Wu
Indie, etc) based off of what kinda shit I wanna hear and
what I think will please the fans. I am pleased with
“Warzone” and think it is a great addition to the album and
was happy with RZA’s contribution. As for Shabazz, I’d
rather not comment on how that whole situation came about
but Shabazz knows he really let both 60 and me down and yet
the track “Cloud 9” still came out sounding dope as fuck.
Wu-International:
You and Bronze have been teaming up for a lot of albums.
Could you say he’s your soul mate or musical brother?
M-80: Funny. I wouldn’t say either of those things.
Saying that might get you pistol whipped or worse in
Detroit..{Laughs} Bronze, Kevlaar, and the Wisemen are
family so we all look out for one another and whether its
work related or just on some party shit that bond grows
everytime we’re together. I always go to Bronze first
because I know what he’s capable of and that’s nothing less
than greatness. A lot of these other producers that I try to
include in other records have unrealistic expectations
because of their lack of experience in the music industry
versus what they see and hear from the media. Bronze,
Kevlaar, and the Whole team definitely earn their keep and
embody the same intense work ethic that I employ on a daily
basis. Fuck, I can’t remember the last time I took an off
day, turned the phone off, the email, the whole nine.
Wu-International:
Do you feel he’s at the height of his production skills
right now ?
M-80:
Nah, Bronze is someone
that will continue to get better year by year, album by
album, track by track. I remember when we announced the
departure from Babygrande and we were all in the studio in
Detroit celebrating, working on new music, etc and Bronze
played a track off Phillie’s album and that shit blew my
mind. He’s always got an Ace up the sleeve. Stay tuned for
greatness from Bronze, Kev, Phillie, Saulte, and the Wisemen
this year. It’s going to be BIG!
Wu-International:
Last year you had to delay the 3 Kings summer series
initiative. This consisted of the second Bronze album, the
Wisemen follow up and the next Almighty album . Would you
still like to release them like that in a series ? Any idea
when we can expect that ?
M-80:
I think the 3 Kings
series will now take form as Bronze’s follow up, the 2nd
instalment of the Wisemen, and perhaps a Bronze Nazareth
Compilation. We were about 10 tracks into Almighty 2 and as
I took on more and more records Almighty 2 became my last
priority. Currently that’s still where it resides on my
priority list but Almighty “Original SIN” still remains one
of the best releases of 2008. Any Hip-Hop fan that feels
otherwise is living in some fucked up false reality.
Wu-International:
We know you have been very busy, amongst others
recording Timbo King’s official debut album. Is it finished
or are you still working on it ?
M-80:
We are working on the
last 4 tracks for the Timbo album now and from there will be
picking the tracks we want to keep for the LP. Timbo has
really impressed me during the whole process. Priest and GZA
think it’s amazing that I have actually got almost a dozen
solo tracks out of Timbo King whose notorious for his
features. Everyone of Timbo’s tracks on the album is
theme-based and therefore no just rhyme tracks where dudes
spit whatever off brand off topic shit just to sound dope.
Timbo is really dominating shit with these recordings and as
a “Black Market Militia presents” record we are really
looking forward to the contributions from Priest, Razah,
Tragedy, Will Cooper, Bronze, RZA and more.
Wu-International:
It’s also produced by Bronze Nazareth. How would you
compare that album to 60’s Album ?
M-80:
60’s album will be
appreciated for its timeless feel in regards to the blending
of various music styles and collaborations providing that
classic Wu feel and Timbo’s album makes me want to smile in
your face and smack you at the same time because it’s tough!
Timbo’s lyrical ability is absurd and every session we work
together I find myself sitting back and observing more for
an appreciative stance rather than asserting my critiques
and whatnot. The Timbo finished product is definitely going
to be something else.
Wu-International:
Other projects you mentioned are for instance the
Horsemen debut album. Can you tell us a bit more about that
project ( production duties, features, etc …)
M-80:
HRSMN...it’s real! Check
out Ras Kass’ “A.D.I.D.A.S” album coming soon for the first
brand new HRSMN track. As for album details, I gotta keep
that in the safe for now.
Wu-International:
Even if you are releasing a lot of dope material and
giving Wu fans albums they been hoping for for years, you
still get constant ingratitude and disrespect from certain
groups of ‘fans’. Isn’t that frustrating, how do you deal
with this negativity ?
M-80:
Nah...I wouldn’t like me
either if I wasn’t me. {Laughs Out Loud}! Its like this, I’m
not vying for anyone’s affection but at the end of the day
when the name M-80 comes up from a business perspective,
you’ll consider all the releases and the quality of the
records and be like damn that dude definitely held it down
for not only Wu-Tang but for all Hip-Hop. As an artist, I
still shit on the majority of these other artists who want
to throw their 2 cents in at any given moment. Between
January and now I’ve performed in literally every state in
the USA and will keep building myself up from both angles
until I feel like stopping. Maybe then those same people
will change their tune when they realizing no one else is
going to spend every day bringing them the music they want
to hear but probably wont buy... {Laughs}! Save $10 and do
something positive.
Wu-International:
Last year you managed to break the world record,
freestyling over 9 hours. The aim was to raise money for a
charity project. Did this work out as you hoped it would ?
M-80:
Yes sir! We didn’t raise
the $30K but we did raise a significant amount of money that
went towards building the secondary facilities on to the
primary school in Nigeria. The plan is to head to Africa
with Scott Pegg the international studies coordinator at
IUPUI either this coming November or December and see the
school, meet the community, and take in the greatness of
what my efforts helped create.
Wu-International:
Well done, Any other projects we can expect in near
future , for instance from groups from your Academy roster
or others?
M-80: There’s always something man. Chopp Devize an
artist I work with out of Florida dropped today. His album
is called “Hip-Hop Renaissance” and features Canibus, Heltah
Skeltah, Priest, Planet Asia, C-Rayz Walz, Digable Planets,
Pace won, Spice 1, and more. Definitely check that album
out. I’ve got a mainstream artist that is sure to make an
impact named Philippe. His album comes out this year as well
and is called “Indicted”. The album features Cam’ron, Gucci
Mane, Young Buck, Juvenile, Maino and production from Street
Runner, Amadeus, M-Phazes and more. And of course stay tuned
for records from Bronze Nazareth, The Wisemen, Kevlaar 7,
Timbo King, M-Eighty, Planet Asia, Canibus, Killah Priest,
The Sharpshooters, Chedda Chapp, and more.
Wu-International:
Thanks a lot for you time, anything else you would like
to share with the fans that have not been covered already ?
Shout outs ?
M-80: Get well Razah, wings up!! RIP ODB, we miss you
everyday fam. Shout out to my family and friends for the
support. Shout out to the online world for making my work
relevant and showing love come album support time. Shout out
to MBL records, Holy Toledo Productions, Sound Records, 101
D, even Babygrande, how are you guys doing? Remember,
greatness comes from work. If you’re unwilling to put in the
work then your greatest ambition can be to only admire what
it is I’m doing. Work hard and fuck a recession. Keep it
Hip-Hop through and through and build something great!
Catch up with 60 Second Assassin
at
www.myspace.com/60secondremarkabletiming
M-Eighty At
www.myspace.com/holytoledoproductions
<Read Other Interviews> |
