|
Interview
|
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! |
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 Bronze, appreciate you have
been busy?
Bronze Nazareth: No problem, I'm always here...
Wu-International: So how are you?
Bronze Nazareth: I'm good, maintaining...ready
to come out to Europe and get it in.
Wu-International:
This series is basically about the Wu-Elements, and we have
to say apart from The RZA you are probably the most busiest
and active of the Wu-Element collective as we know them, you
are probably the last addition as well, how would you say
you have grown from when you first started making beats?
Bronze Nazareth: ummm my first beats really
were just my raw talent...we're talkin the Unknown era back
in like '94. From then on I took it more serious and set my
goals...so I took a piano class to add some order and
technique to my raw talent, so my production over the years
I would say has become more orderly and polished. I do still
have those old raw talent beats because you need that flavor
still...
Wu-International: Lets dive right into the questions,
What's good with The Wisemen's "The Children of a lesser
god” project?
Bronze Nazareth: Children of A Lesser God is about
three or four songs from the finish line as far as
recording. Then we'll take a couple weeks, mix it out with
my man Ziko, master it. We're looking at September dates
because it has the feel of fall not quite a winter album,
but its for that air where you know a storm is coming, and
you are in the midst of weather changing. Salute stepped up
to another level now, Phillie dropped some incredible
verses, Kevlaar is still top notch with that delivery that
just slices into a track and he has a lot more production on
this one than than our debut...It's definitely crazy.. got
some comedy on there too. But it's some real genius mixture.
Wu-International:
Cool, What's behind the title though?
Bronze Nazareth: I
heard this title awhile ago from an old 80's drama movie,
but ours has different meaning. It's really our way of
saying these are the hip hop blues, that's one our new
genres Phillie came up with, we like to describe ourselves
as. But the title is a way of saying we sometimes lose
faith....like yo, we been through this, that, growing up in
wild times, sometimes seeing no way out, it can begin to
look like you have not been given the same care on earth as
others have, like we were given a lesser God to handle
us....so that's where the title comes from..
Wu-International: Recent songs that have surfaced
have seen the other members of The Wisemen such as Illa Dayz
featured on them, does this mean the full line up including
Immortal, and Break Bred will be featured on the upcoming
project?
Bronze Nazareth:
Umm
basically there will be features from all of us Wisemen, but
on a contractual level, Salute, Myself, Kevlaar 7, and
Phille are the group. My other artists you mentioned, Illah
Dayz, Immortal is June Megalodon, they are on the Black Day
artists roster. Break Bread doesn't even rhyme so you might
hear him talk some shit on a track or two.
Wu-International: You and the group left Babygrande
records, it didn’t seem like you left them on good terms,
was there any reason you left?
Bronze Nazareth:
To sum it up, we
did leave on a disagreement, There was no good communication
and when it came to the second round, I wasn't willing to
renegotiate more into their terms, so they had to either
stick with the contract or we walk. We were able to walk.
Wu-International: Is Think Differently Music still
part of Babygrande and are you still signed to Think
Differently records or a free agent now?
Bronze Nazareth: No, Think Differently is
not with Babygrande anymore. Yes, I'm a free agent now, as
well as The Wisemen. Our label, Black Day In July
Productions, has been offered several distribution deals,
and we are looking them over. I'm trying to get the label in
place, so we can put out catalogue ourselves and own our
materials right out. We've are looking for investors to
support our marketing plans, and become a partner in the
label, so anyone out there who wants to get involved, give
me a shout!
|
Wu-International:
That brings me to
the next question, your project “School of the
Blindman” is it close to completion and do you have
a planned date of release?
Bronze Nazareth:
Looking to
release this in August. It's at the tail end of
mixing because I'm awaiting a few features. But yeah
it's very close.... |
 |
Wu-International: The Migration was a classic
in my view, how different will your 2nd album be from the
first one?
Bronze Nazareth:
It's very different sound-wise
but it's the same level of heat. Quality wise it's probably
much better than the first. I have a sharp engineer and I
know what's going on every step. Lyrically - the same shit,
I bang my head on the walls trying to make sure every word
is visual, not too complex but still clever. I really truly
stress myself out, sometimes I get to a point where I don't
like anything I'm writing, so what actually makes it on a
track lyrically on my album has gone through a heavy filter.
I have a track called "The Letter" which is a truly soulful
dedication to a fallen comrade (RIP KIRK JACKSON!!! 6-9-09),
it's even got some Bronze singing on there...but not on no
corny shit just letting my heart out.... so this one is a
little more introspective and personal, instead of bleeding
to the people like on "Good Morning", I'm looking at my own
personal obstacles like on "Pictures" from SFTN, where I'm
talking to these old pictures of deceased family members,
who talk back and help me take a look at the path I'm on in
life....It's crazy deep... Beat wise it's a soulful, heart
felt, heavy banger...these beats top the production on
Migration.
Wu-International: Who are featured on it and will you
be producing all the joints on this album like?
Bronze Nazareth:
I'm doing 98% of the beats...Cilvaringz
did "Bronzeman 2", and there's a Kevlaar 7 joint on the
album, with Me and Priest on it, called "Gomorrah"....There
will be two or three generals on it, depending on how it all
falls. Wisemen of course, and as far as any others, I'm
still waiting for a few people to get it knocked out, so
I'll keep that behind yellow tape until I get that work.
Wu-International: Why that title and do you have a
label situation for the album yet?
Bronze Nazareth:
School for the Blindman is me just saying I'm giving my
thoughts words, experience, and knowledge to listeners,
through music. You could be physically blind, listen to it
and take something from it as well as you can be blind
mentally and learn through it. So this is my experiences and
schooling for those who can and will listen. I have a few
distribution situations in place and ready the label will be
Black Day In July Productions.
Wu-International: What is your current relationship
with Dreddy and do you still work with him?
Bronze Nazareth:
I haven't heard from
Dreddy lately, last time we spoke he was setting Think
Differently back up through another label.
Wu-International: Thanks for those answers, you have
been quite busy producing for a lot of Wu members, you more
or less produced the whole of “Remarkable Timing” by 60
Second Assassin, what was it like working with 60 sec?
Bronze Nazareth:
Working with 60 was dope. It was fun to see him go through
these songs and do his own thing...he knows where he wants
to go with a song and goes in with no filter. You can see
the family similarities and vibes off ODB coming from him.
He's a real nigga too so he vibed with me and June Mega well
while in the studio. Got some funny stories too, good times
with 60 Sec.
Wu-International: Another album everyone has
been waiting on is Timbo King’s album that is also said to
be produced entirely by you, how true is this and how close
to completion is it?
Bronze Nazareth:
100% true. I did most of Timbo's album but we like to throw
a couple different producers in the pot to mix it up. I
wasn't deeply involved in this one as I really just gave
Timbo a stash of beats and he picked them out, had a concept
and did it. Then I arranged the beats around his vox and
M-80 took it from there, I think it's at the tail end of
mixing as well.
Wu-International: Can you please share with us
how you work with these acts, do you send them beats to work
on and premix it or are you all in the studio working on
these songs together?
Bronze Nazareth:
I like to be in the
studio with who I work with, because I can see what's goin
on with my production. Nowadays though you can't avoid the
convenience of sending files out. We might begin by me
sending over a folder of beats over and then get in the
studio once ideas are formed. I prefer to work in person
though for chemistry reasons.
Wu-International:
The chemistry between you and Timbo on “More than gold” was
just sick; will you also be lending your vocals on his
album?
Bronze Nazareth:
Yeah I laid a dope verse for his album
on the "High Ranking Remix". It's a horn fueled beat with
Timbo throwing darts then I come third verse on them...'I'm
an ace shot/ they cage my thoughts like a crazed
ox'....joints is sick...
Wu-International:
How did this collaboration come about and what would you say
you have learnt working with him?
Bronze Nazareth:
M-80 offered to put
Timbo's album together, funded it and Timbo accepted. M-80
hired me as producer and we went with it. Besides that Timbo
and I go back several years, Timbo King was the first Killa
Bee (after meeting Cilvaringz) to call me for beats. I sent
him 12 beats back in like 2001. He wanted all of them, but
we lost touch somehow. Then, a couple years later I ran into
Timbo in 36 Chambers, at one point there were no real
pictures of Timbo anywhere, so I had no idea what Timbo
looked like. So this guy was all in the studio and I'm like
who is this cat... and he starts talking like he knows me,
and I'm thinkin, who are you? At the same time he must have
seen the confusion on my face, and he was like half laughing
and said..'yo Bronze I'm Timbo King...' I was like
OH!!!!!!!!! hahaha that was kinda funny. He's a good dude
tho word. Nice with it too.
Wu-International:
When you produce for an individual do you have to adopt
your style significantly to suit their styles or just throw
in what you have and let them do the choosing?
Bronze Nazareth:
Both. I have people who ask me for a particular sound and as
a producer you should be able to translate what they need.
Other times I throw a number of beats out, and they
pick.....and it never ceases to amaze me what artists
pick... you could have something perfect for an artist and
they will go the other route.
Wu-International:
So how would you say the beats Timbo used differ from the
ones 60 Sec chose?
Bronze Nazareth:
Timbo King's choice is
more hard edged. Less soulful more gritty than 60's...plus
Timbo has a more organized and calculated style, 60 is
boundaryless...both hot...
Wu-International: Anyone else you are producing a
full length album that we do not know about?
Bronze Nazareth: Not as of now...but there will be
more coming. Go see the movie 'Ice Grill, USA" though...they
used some of my music in the movie, and it's a really dope
film about the choice between normal life and hustling out
in Atlantic City. The film is rotating around film festivals
currently, look it up and check it out.
|
 |
Wu-International: Will do, thanks. Some fans
are in doubt that you produced some or all the beats
on 67 Mob’s “Raising
the bar” album, mainly because some of the beats
according to them didn’t have your trademark sound
or quality?
Bronze Nazareth:
That's not the case at all. I did all of those. The
group hired me to do their album. When they came to
me, they had 6 or 7 songs in the can already but did
not want to use the beats they had, so for some of
the tracks they asked me to make some beats with a
similar mood and feel. They were also concerned
about samples so I used a lot of keyboard on their
album. They also have a different style, so I can't
just give them some Black Royalty or super soulful
joints. They did their thing in their own way. They
asked and I produced what they wanted, as a producer
should. A lot of their album was made as we went
along, or beats made from scratch for their project
and style. |
Wu-International: If you had a chance to
produce an entire album for any Wu-Tang general who would
you choose and why?
Bronze Nazareth:
Ghostface's would be my
pick. My beats compliment his lyrics and soulful style. I'm
confident that I could give him another classic that could
stand against his other great albums.
Wu-International: We also have interviewed Moongod
Allah who said your album was a classic and has expressed
interest in working with you again if the opportunity
arises, is that something you would want to do?
Bronze Nazareth: Of course. I have much love for
Moon, Ringz, and Q since day one...all they gotta do is say
the word.
Wu-International: You, Moon and Ringz were the last
addition to the Elements, and if there was a battle between
the 3 of you who do you think would win as far as beats
goes?
Bronze Nazareth:
That would be me, the
king of fire!! Them boys got heat but I got them rocket
launchers!
Wu-International: The fans would love to see the 3 of
you if not 2 working closely together again as before, any
chance of that happening?
Bronze Nazareth:
Well
Ringz got one on the album so, we're still around.. like I
said though they just gotta say let's go and I'll jump in
the car.
Wu-International: How would you say you approach to
making beats has developed over the past years from when you
first started?
Bronze Nazareth: It got a little lazy (plus had
two kids) for a minute and I had to check myself. Everything
went to computer so I got into the habit of just throwing a
sample in pro tools choppin it up and throwing drums on it
and saying I'ma throw the rest on later...instead of
breaking out the necessary equipment and doing it right.
Computers can make you lazy!! but I broke out of that spell
and got back into being extensive. I think all producers go
through these phases, especially if you are multi-faceted as
far as writing, producing, making videos, artwork...etc.
Wu-International: Was Remarkable Timing your first
attempt to produce an album with a live band and what would
you say are the advantages of using a live band to make
beats as opposed to sampling and cutting up tracks on Pro
Tools?
Bronze Nazareth: Yeah it was my first project
with a live band. I actually performed with the band Project
Lionheart live in Seattle. It was my first live performance
with a band, and it was crazy ill! I always wanted to be on
stage directing a band, so when I asked for something grimy
in like D Minor they did it, and I just went off the top on
it. I'm a dope freestyler especially when the beat inspires
me. I even got topics from the crowd...and one guy gave the
word - photosynthesis...but I tied that into a freestyle
that praised photosynthesis for being there to keep us
green...and keep the green growing lol...it was a memorable
night...
Wu-International: Do you play any instruments?
Bronze Nazareth:
I play a bit of
piano. I'm no Mozart by any means but I can read
music and put something together. I add a lot of my
own playing to my beats.
Wu-International: Thanks very much for your
time, any thing else you would like to say before
the end of this interview that has not been covered
already?
Bronze Nazareth: No
doubt, thanks to Wu International for the coverage,
and y'all will see us very soon...go support these
albums, itune it, and go get you a physical copy
too. They will be worth it....PEACE.
Thanks
for your time and we wish you all the best in your future
endeavours.
Contact Bronze nor
management via:
halfentity@yahoo.com
Keep up to date with
Bronze
www.myspace.com/bronzenazareth
Related Interviews: Wu-Elements Series
#1
[Moongod Allah] -
The
Dutch Master Interview
#2
[Cilvaringz] - Inside
The Mental Chambers Interview
#3 [Inspectah Deck] -
The Manifesto Of A
Rebel Interview
#4 [Mathematics] -
The Math Files Interview
#5 [Goldfingaz] -
Gold Tha Deal Maker
Interview
#6 [Bronze Nazareth] - Half Entity Interview
#7 [Darkim Be Allah]
- King Christ Interview
#8 [True Master] -
The Master Craftsman Interview
Related Interviews: Bronze Nazareth / Wisemen
[The Wisemen] - The
Wisemen Are Here Interview [February 2007]
[Bronze Nazareth] -
The
Great Migration Interview [May 2006]
<Read Other Interviews> |
