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Interview
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First there were
four, then they became six, and back to four again, and lately
reduced to just two. When one thinks of Black Knights, the names
that mostly come to mind would be that of say Rugged Monk and
Crisis The Sharp Shooter. Not that the rest were not equally as
popular but mainly because these are the remaining Knights still
flying that flagship and having another new generation of MC's
with them in what appears to be an invasion of Westcoast Killa
Beez. The Black Knights were composed of four forward-thinking individuals: Crisis The
Sharpshooter, The Rugged Monk, Holocaust aka Warcloud, and Doc
Doom (R.I.P). The Black Knights first formed in 1995 as young
teenagers coming primarily from Long Beach and Compton and then
teaming up with Wu-Tang's very own RZA in 1997. RZA initially
put them together with their allies Northstar (Meko The Pharaoh
and Christ Bearer) to form Black Knights of the Northstar and
introduced them to the world as the first Westcoast Killa Beez
to ever be associated with the Wu-Tang. Their explosive
talent and professional associations have led to 3 national
tours and extensive key appearances on 3 Platinum and Gold
selling albums including Wu-Tang Killa Bees Swarm and Bobby
Digital. They have worked with names such as George Clinton,
System of a Down, Kam, Kurupt, Battlecat, J-Wells, Killarmy, various Wu-Tang
producers and artists, just to name a few.
The Knights and
Northstar continued to make music together but as separate
groups within a family unit. The Knights have at least completed
about four projects that remain unreleased to date, their first
début was meant to come out via Loud/Wu-Tang records in 2001 but
was shelved due to label folding. Taking matters into their own
hands, the group released the album "Every Knight Is A Black
Knight" independently via their own imprint Black
Ball'd Entertainment and sold more than 15,000 copies worldwide
without any distribution, or mainstream promotions.
Unfortunately the group lost Doc Doom around 2007 and with
Warcloud focusing mainly on his solo and side projects, Crisis
and Monk continued making music, touring and gaining new fans
and associates whilst they were at it.
The Black Knights
are aware of their skills and are now taking steps to fulfil
their potential, Crisis and Monk naturally seek to open
peoples' eyes and to make the best in any life situation and
their music achieves that in a way that has gotten thousands of
albums sold without any financial support, managed to get
clothing deal, their own label with talented roster of artists.
They are
still one of RZA's favourite groups to date and still repping
that Double W, as in West coast and Wu-tang. Their forthcoming
album "All Skillz, No Luck" which features their Wu comrades (RZA,
Prodigal Sunn, Beretta 9 etc) and other giants such as WC, Truth
Hurts etc is a testament to their skills, endurance,
relevance and longevity within the rap game.
RZA planted the
seeds in 1997, these seeds grew, became full trees and are now
planting their own seeds, four years ago there were only a
handful of Westcoast Killa Beez, and in 2008 to date via
Northstar and mostly Black Knights the world has come to know
about talents such as Dexter Wiggle, The Committee, Indovizualz,
Yellow Jackets and many many more stretching beyond the
Westcoast to the East and even globally to Europe, United
Kingdom. Wu-International has decided to dedicate a whole
interview series to the Beez the world never saw coming, This
month and the next we will be covering news, music and exclusive
interviews from the best the west has to offer. It is only
fitting to set it off with the forefathers (even though still
young) and foundation of the Westcoast Killa Beez,
Wu-International presents... Black Knights "All Skillz No Luck"
Interview. Its The Knights or Nothin'..... 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: Black Knights in the building, how
are you both doing?
Crisis:
Life just tryin to stay afloat.
Monk:
Maintainin flyin under the radar.
Wu-International: The fans are eager to know when the
group will be putting out another album?
Crisis: Later fall
09..., the album will feature some of the last tracks we did
with Doc Doom R.I.P.
Wu-International: New album is way overdue, any
working title? And any particular reason it has taken this
long to put it out?
Crisis:
The title is "All Skillz No Luck"…the reason it took so long
is because we were dealing with life issues..
Wu-International: So far who are the guest producers
and features and how far are you from completing it?
Monk:
Guest Producers include the RZA, J. Wells, Westcoast
general W.C. and some
underground heat makers cause we are deeply rooted in the
underground. Features RZA , Truth Hurts, Stone Mecca, West
Coast Killa Beez ( P. Dot, Dexter Wiggle) Blackballed
Artists (Lou- U, Homicidal Committee, D. Nichelle AKA Storm)
May see a bonus track featuring Blackballed up and comers
Bills Benjamin and Marvelous. The album is almost complete
we are putting the final touches on now.
Crisis: " The cake is
baked, now we put on the icing" {Laughs}
Wu-International: Do you have any particular
songs off the new album that stands out individually for
both of you?
Monk: Songs that feature Doc.
Doom R.I.P like "Fallen Angels", "Ghetto Romantic"...
personally there are songs that I love such as "Jackpot" and
"Wash Me".
Crisis:
Songs like "Designated
Driver", its radio friendly but still reps the Black
Knights, and "Fallen Angels" its speaks to real life
situations that generations have been going through out here
on the West Coast...it's also another song featuring Doc
Doom...R.I.P"
Wu-International:
Can not wait to hear them, last album was executively
produced by The Knights even though RZA was on it, is that
still the case on this one or is RZA jumping on board
executively?
Monk: LOL... Yeah the big homie
jumped on board on this one and gave it that official stamp.
Crisis: RZA will
digitalize the situation this time.
Wu-International: Its great fans will hear some Doc.
Doom verses, is he all over the songs or just some?
Crisis:
It
would only be right...anything else would be uncivilized.
Monk: Definitely... Blazin
Ones.
Wu-International: Warcloud was once part of the
collective; fans want to know if he will be involved on the
new album or if there are any future work planned together?
Monk: He was Warclouded out
working on his own projects.. but he will always be a Black
Knight.. he will always have a slot.
 |
Wu-International: We look forward to this new album,
how different would this album be musically to “Every Knight
Is a Black Night”?
Crisis:
You will hear the growth on this album.. its not just for
the hood.. its universal.
Monk: In recording the Every Knight Album it
reflected more of our reality in everyday situations in our
underground domination, this album is telling the story of
global and industry domination. |
Wu-International: So any particular date of release
in mind for All Skillz No Luck?
Crisis:
The cover is done, we tryin to get Blue Raspberry on a bonus cut,
Monk: I would say September.
Wu-International: “Every Knight Is a Black Night” has
sold out and was reprinted only to be sold out again as many
times as one can remember; do you have a clue as to how many
units was sold?
Monk: You could say we reached a ghetto classic
status and gained industry respect at the same time.
Wu-International: I have seen it sold on eBay
for $100.00 for just one CD a couple of years ago,
was there any reason it was only released
independently and not via a major?
Crisis:
Unfortunately we got
caught in the shuffle then Loud Records' demise... but the
album was so hot we had to get it out.
Wu-International: Correct me if I am wrong, but it
seems to be currently sold digital via Wu Music Group, is
the group signed to the label?
Crisis: We are Wu Music Group.. We put the G
in Killa Bee and made it the Killa Be Gang...
Monk: {Laughs} Str8 West Coastin'.
Wu-International: Thanks, Knights and Northstar are
the forefathers of the new movement coming out of Cali right
now, “Westcoast Killa Beez” or Killa Bee Gang, how did this
all come about?
Crisis:
West Coast Killa Beez initially consisted of Black Knights
of The North Star...
Monk: {Gangsta Grins} But we
separated the groups because of creative differences..
Westcoast Killa Beez consists of Black Knights and
NorthStar... K.B.G ( Killa Bee Gang) consists of all those
that come under Black Knights and North Star.
Wu-International: Interesting, so is the title
Westcoast Killa Beez and Killa Bee Gang two of the same or
different, if so how?
Monk: They are the same unit... the distinction is
Black Knights and North Star were actually signed by The RZA..
and the K.B.G includes east and west affiliates under us..
Wu-International: This collective seems to have grown
recently with the likes of Indovizualz, Eternal and
Homicidal Committee and so on; could you please give us a
full list of who the Westcoast Killa Beez are, solo and
group members?
Monk: That is a good question cause its a lot of
niggas out here tryin to claim the fame and they aint part
of the Gang... K.B.G. consists of east and west affiliates
(Homicidal Committee, Big Sup The Long Beach Pusha, P.Dot,
Bills Benjamin, Black Techs, First Lady "Flawless".. D.
Nichele aka Storm, Lou U, Individualz, and our San Diego fam
Eternal)
Wu-International: D. Nichele rings a bell, is she not
from Stone Mecca as well? There have been names featured on
your first album that don’t seem to be active anymore such
as the groups Black Techs, Sandman etc, what’s good with
them?
Crisis:
Yes she is, Black Techs and Sandman are still down, shout
out to 6mill, & P-Nut the Weasel.. Sandman is in the cut
waitin to be released with his group Trials of Life.
Wu-International: It's common knowledge that to be
officially affiliated you have to come through The RZA or
any of the generals just like Northstar and Black Knights
did, did these new groups have to be okayed by RZA?
Crisis:
RZA always has the final say so because this is the house he
built.. but when you come under West Coast Killa Beez you
have to answer to the Black Knights.
Wu-International: What are the requirements or rather
what does one need to be a Westcoast Killa Bee?
Monk: Sharp Rhymes,
Loyalty , Dedication, Street Credibility, readiness to be
enrolled as a student in the class of hard knoccs, many come
but only a few are chosen. |
 |
Wu-International: There are confusion to
previous artists such as Madam Scheez and Tekitha who are or
were from LA or Cali respectively and are both official
Beez; would they also be considered part of the W.C.K.B.?
Monk:
Yes, technically speaking, they are part of the movement.
Wu-International: Are there any plans in the near
future of an album/project under K.B.G. with all members
involved?
Monk:
Yes.. why not that would be politically incorrect.
Crisis:
If that's what the people
request, then we'll give 'em what they want.
Wu-International: Let’s move on to Black Ball
Entertainment, what is it, and who are involved in it?
Crisis:
Blackballed Entertainment is our record label.. Homicide
Committee, Big Sup, D. Nichelle, Flawless, Bills Benjamin
and P. Dot C are all a part of the label, we will also drop
some of our material as well, Blackballed is the voice of
the streets.. a place for raw talent that needs to be heard.
Wu-International: Is every Black Ball Entertainment
artist also part of KBG?
Crisis:
The majority of them are
Wu-International: So who will be the first act to
come out on Black Ball and when?
Monk:
The Black Knights already set
it off with Every Night Is A Black Knight... Homicidal
Committee is next up.
Wu-International: Speaking of The Committee,
you recently put a dope video "Go hard/Turn It Up" featuring
them, is that your first single?
Monk:
No that's not our single,
that's just something we put out there to stay in the
peoples ears and give a little visual of the Black Ball'd
movement, as well as introduce the world to the next group
Committee.
Crisis: Yeah
Committee is dropping after the knights, they're the first
thing smoking on Black Ball'd
Wu-International: Thanks, so after your album is
Committee?
Crisis:
Well we have a mixtape coming out in here and in the UK in
July, hosted by DJ Frickton and presented by RZA, be on the
look out for that.
Wu-International:
It is common knowledge that
you have a couple of albums that was recorded in the East
with all original members of the Knights (including Doc &
Holocaust) that remain unreleased to date. Produced mainly
by Goldfinghaz, RZA and Mathematics,
will these songs or albums ever see the
light of the day?
Monk: Yeah, we do have those songs that are
floatin around and locked in chambers but the stolen
legacy of Black Knights will live on... we will drop
the Stolen Legacy Album with those songs executively
produced by The Black Knights some time down the
line.
Wu-International:
RZA is known to
sit on so many jewels, can’t you both push him
to put it out or give it to you to release via your own
imprint... {Laughs}?
Monk: {Laughs}
RZA is a genius but he sits on a
lot of dope.. |
|
 |
Crisis: Yes,
we are working on that now..
Wu-International: On our recent Wu Elements series
interview we spoke to Goldfinghaz and he told us about the
full album he produced for you and how he would love to do
more work or remixes with the group?
Crisis:
Yeah we did some joints with Goldfinghaz, he is a great
producer and we will work with him again soon, that's
something to look into.
Wu-International: I think I speak for all
when I say fans would kill to see songs such as the
ones from the Swarm or Sting compilations featuring members of Northstar,
Black Knights and Warcloud together again, how realistic is
this?
Crisis:
It will never be exactly the same without Doc Doom, You will
see some of that on the new album though, we make music
together whenever we can.
|
Wu-International: There is a song which was
leaked to us via email that pretty much mirrors that full
line up collabo with the Knights, Holocaust, Dexter Wiggle
and Northstar called “Floyd Part 3”? Is it on your
forthcoming
album or on a compilation?
Crisis:
That's a feature we did with our boy out in London,
England... Shaka Amazulu (7th).. he is putting that
out, shout outs to Afro La Familia.... Coming Soon.
Wu-International: You have done a number of
collaborations with Shaka Amazulu the 7th, what's the
connection, is he part of Black Ball'd Entertainment?
Crisis:
That's our UK connect, ordained by Rza, Shaka's with the Killa
bee gang
movement, we have a lot in the making, so stay tuned.
Wu-International: Thanks for all the questions, Monk
had a solo joint on the Afro-Samurai album, will any of you
be following the solo route anytime soon?
Crisis:
First and foremost its
Knights or Nuthin...
Monk:
{Laughs} The Monkevelli
project is the works if Crisis lets me do it... but it will
be done in the fashion of Rae's Purple Tape with Ghost all
over it.. Crisis will be eatin all over the gansterism.
Crisis:
Monk's crazy... {Laughs}
I got that Sharpshooter Bulls Eye in the makin.. no matter
what we hit u with it will be that Black Knightful,
Exciteful that our fans are used too.
Wu-International: Monkevelli/Sharpshooter Bulls Eyes?
Interesting titles, you can both always do it like Outkast's
double CD "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below". So you both have
been working closely with The RZA, the fans have posted
blogs on forums saying you are RZA’s favorite group, what do
you have to say to that?
Monk:
Thats the truth..
Crisis:
All Skillz No Luck.. but
RZA shows no favoritism.
Wu-International: Cool, what valuable lessons would
you say you have learnt from The RZA after working with him
this long?
Crisis: There are too many to list it would take all
day.. RZA is a genius and that would take up a whole nother
interview.
Wu-International: How involved are you on the Achozen
project with RZA and Shavo?
Monk:
The Knights are in the buildin'... what party can you go to
and The Knights ain't there?
Wu-International: Thanks, so what else has the Black
Knights got in store for 2009 and beyond?
Monk:
Grindin... making hot
music.. a dvd release including unreleased raw hood footage
of Doc Doom straight from the streets the dirt up niggas.
Wu-International: It’s great to see how the group has
grown lyrically and musically since your first introduction
on The Swarm, how has the group managed to stay relevant and
constant in the game?
Monk:
We keep our ear close to the
streets like we sleep on the sidewalk.
Wu-International: Last but not least, we see you
still keep Doc Doom's name active, how would you say
his passing has affected the group?
Crisis:
Critically... first and
foremost Doc was my brother as well as my rap partner so no
matter how far Me and Monk take this it will never be the
same.
Monk:
Tremendously.. Doc's passing was a great loss and a heavy
blow to me personally …it will never be the same
Wu-International:
We will be covering a special week on Doc Doom after
this interview, can you please tell us one or two
things about Doc or any memorable moments you had
together?
Crisis:
Doc doom was one of the founders of the Black
Knights and was a master at his craft
We didn't meet over a bowl of soup, he was one of
the big homies from the click in the streets way
before we started the group. All the times were
memorable with Doc Doom, he was off the chain but
one of the most memorable moments for me personally
was the welcome home Doc Doom show because that was
the last time all the Black Knights were on stage
together.
Monk: RIP Doc Doom!! |
 |
Wu-International:
Any last words? Anything else you
like to say that has not been covered? Shout outs etc?
Monk:
Str8 West Coastin its Knights or Nuthin on mines but I've
learned a lot in this game and my travels.. and from the big
homies.. cause first and foremost this is not just rap shit
that we do this is a family and loyalty lies deep...and my
brothers (speakin on the 9 members) have taught me a lot not
just the RZA.. how to maintain and stay focused, dealin with
showmanship as well as mastery of my craft.
Crisis:
R.I.P Doc Doom…Your dream will be fulfilled
…How can hip hop be dead when Wu Tang is 4eva…Knights or
Nuthin... Wu International, Peace!
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True indeed, Rest in
peace to Doc Doom, Thanks guys for the time..
Looking forward to hearing more from you soon, PEACE!
Keep up to date
with The Black Knights on Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/almightyblackknights
Follow them on Twit
Crisis The Sharp shooter /
The
Rugged Monk
Related Interviews: West Coast Killa Beez Series
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[Black Knights] - Knights Or Nuthin' [All Skillz No
Luck] Interview
#2
[Doc Doom] -
Knights Or Nuthin'
Part II [Tribute Week]
#3 [Northstar] -
Christ Bearer's Yellow Jackets Interview
I
#4 [Indovizualz] -
Do It Movin', Keep It
Movin' Interview
#5 [Dexter Wiggle] -
The Official Entrance To The
Chambers Of Dexter Wiggle Interview
#6 [Stone Mecca] -
Meccanism Interview
#7 [The Committee] -
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#8 [Eternal] - The
Dark Knight Interview
#9 [Big Supa] - The
Long Beach Pusha Interview
#10 [Yellow Jackets] - Wu-Tang's Yellow Jackets
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#11 [Christ Bearer] -
Setting The Record Straight (Yellow Jackets
Interview III)
#12 [Holocaust] -
Channel Warcloud
[Tribute Week]
<Read Other Interviews> |
