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Interview
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Combining a unique
poetic expression with the Right Knowledge spread by Dr. Malachi
Z. York-El, the master teacher of the Nuwaubians, and a variety
of culturally infused theories about the creation and ultimate
destiny of the human soul, the rhymes displayed by the Lost
Children of Babylon are considered super-conscious, to say the
least. Nuwaubu is a belief system which encourages the correct
translation and vigorous study of ancient texts which
incorporates aspects of various cultures. Although
interchangeable with the United Nuwaubian Nation Of Moores, it
appeals to individuals of any race who are interested in diverse
spiritual ideas and religious concepts.
Last week marked
the beginning of the The Lost Children of Babylon's interview
series by Wu-International. Hosting about 7-9 members, Rasul
Allah was the first to be interviewed and this week's guest from
LCOB is Cosmic Crusader. Read on as we continue to find out more
about The Lost Children from each member's perspective about the
group, their new album "Zeitgeist: The Spirit Of The Age",
belief system and more.. Enter the pyramids of the Cosmic
Crusader.. 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 Cosmic, how are you?
Cosmic Crusader: Peace To The Gods, Keeping It
Positive As Always.
Wu-International: When I think of Cosmic Crusader the
first thing that comes to my mind is the 1982 computer game,
why are you called Cosmic Crusader?
Cosmic Crusader: That's a good reference, I believe
there's also an old head musician on Venice beach in Cali
who goes by "karma cosmic crusader" - though I believe I
still lead the pace in the Google results. The moniker was
bestowed on me from above when I was ordained to travel the
cosmos in order to write the rights and gong the wrongs.
Wu-International: You have been down with LCOB since
the formation, how would you say the group has grown
musically and anything else since you all first started?
Cosmic Crusader: The original vision of the group
remains untarnished. Primarily, we have grown in numbers -
by both adding core members and by forming new affiliations.
The entities we've added on have aided us in musical growth;
dope new production and varying but valid points of view
from new voices.
Wu-International: What does Zeitgeist mean to you
personally as an album title and why has the group chosen
that?
Cosmic Crusader: Of course it's a direct reference to
the movement of the same name, ignited by the powerful films
of Peter Joseph. Likewise, it's meaning "the spirit of the
age" is what we're addressing through our music - there are
dangerous moves in play on the global chess board and we
hope to spark the consciousness of the pawns in the game.
Wu-International: What would you say is the
difference between this new album and the group’s previous
albums?
Cosmic Crusader:
Mainly quality, the production is unrivalled. Coming off the
911 report, we had to make sure we maintained the calibre of
the precedent set by Mad Scientifik. It was challenging
because we worked with so many different producers on
zeitgeist, but ultimately it crystallized into a high grade
product. Also subject matter. Our first two albums ("The
Equidivium: where light was created" and "Words from the
Duat: the book of Anubis") were spiritual classics. "The 911
report: The Ultimate Conspiracy" was obviously political in
nature, but "Zeitgeist: the spirit of the age" crosses more
into the realm of conspiracy theories and modern occult
paganism.
Wu-International: Who were behind the production on
this project?
Cosmic Crusader:
First and foremost, the Snowgoons murdered it on 5 tracks.
Then we got DJ Woool, Blastah Beats, Arch Druids, Tragic
Allies, White Lotus Clan, plus a couple gems from our own
Stretch the Mad Scientist (Mad Scientifik) and Jon Murdock.
Wu-International: What tracks from this project
stands out for you and why?
Cosmic Crusader:
Personally, "Beware the Zeitgeist" is the main banger for
me. I feel like it captures the essence of the entire album
plus that beat (Snowgoons) is a spine-tingler. The opening
track, "The great depression" (using a sample from the 1976
movie "network") rings out as loud as ever as an anthem for
the economically oppressed. Another stand-out is "The Venus
project" (another Goons track), a tribute to the vision of
Jaques Fresco - which was a major inspiration to Peter
jJseph when conceiving the Zeitgeist films. "Martial Law" is
a grimy posse cut while "2012" (the Mayan Factor) addresses
the popular yet perplexing prophecy of December 21, 2012.
Wu-International: Thanks, Zeitgeist was
leaked with 10 songs very early this year, so to be honest I
have heard songs like “Martial law”, “Beware of the
Zeitgeist”, “Shadow Government”, “Great Depression” etc.
Will these songs still make the album or did you have to go
back to re-record or change these songs etc?
Cosmic Crusader: The versions originally
leaked were not finished. Those songs are still included on
the album, but in a more complete fashion. To compensate for
that irretrievable loss of novelty, we're including some
bonus content on the companion DVD in the physical Zeitgeist
package.
Wu-International: Do you have a clue how these
songs leaked and how has it affected the group or album
release?
Cosmic Crusader:
We know how it happened and actions have been taken to avoid
a repeat incident. It was definitely a blow to the
anticipation of the release, but we're glad the songs were
received with such consistently high accolades. In this age,
it's only a matter of time before everything is leaked and
pirated. The era of artists profiting directly from album
sales alone is drawing to a close. Musicians, and the music
industry in general, are going to have to become more
creative about the means and forms of compensation they
seek.
Wu-International: Zeitgeist is coming out via
Chambermusik, was there any reason it was not released by
Babygrande as initially thought?
Cosmic Crusader:
Without going into too much politics, we parted on good
terms with Babygrande. We just felt it was time to explore
new options. We're handling the digital release ourselves
through LCOB productions and Chambermusik is doing the
physical.
Wu-International: Thanks, the group structure has
changed since it first started, we were informed that Breath
of Judah stopped rapping, any reason why?
Cosmic Crusader:
No comment.
Wu-International: We had an interview with Amun Sen
Totep last year and he spoke about falling out with Rasul and
subsequently left the group, what’s your current
relationship with Amun and how do you feel about him
leaving?
Cosmic Crusader:
I haven't really spoken
to the brother since that happened. I can't breathe for
anybody but myself.
Wu-International: We were informed that he was in
good terms with most of you except for Rasual, was it a
group decision to get him out?
Cosmic Crusader:
No, he made that decision himself. There's no drama about it
within our square.
Wu-International: There are 2 new members in the
group, Murdock and Lex Starwind, are these replacements? and
why did the group feel the need to include 2 new members?
Cosmic Crusader:
One thing you need to overstand about the entity that is
LCOB is that we have never been tied to the traditional
notion of a musical group with fixed members. It's more like
an order that anyone fitting the desired criteria can be
initiated into, and likewise drift away from should their
attributes change. That said, no one has been replaced. We
brought foundation (Lex & Murdock) onto the stage because
they brought valuable contributions to the table.
Wu-International: What would you say are the
requirement needed to be part of LCOB then?
Cosmic Crusader: A sharp lyrical sword yet a
discerning hand. An auspicious spirit and an open mind. The
discipline of a monk with the heart of a warrior.
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Wu-International: Ok, you have Stretch as your
main or in house producer and Rasual listed White Lotus, are
they both part of LCOB as members or affiliates?
Cosmic
Crusader:
As I said before, we
really don't play the "member" game - but if you need to
establish some differentiation, Stretch has seniority as he
has been working with LCOb longer. But Lotus is a valuable
collaborator and we're not downplaying his inclusion in the
group.
Wu-International: what ever happened to DJ Man-e from
the first and second albums?
Cosmic Crusader: Man-e is still involved in the
group's operations, though his range of contribution has
shifted from sonic to legal. A somewhat unexpected
metamorphosis, I admit, but valuable nonetheless.
Wu-International: You have always used or maintained a
solo producer for a project, from Man-E on first and second
album to Stretch on 911. Rasul also informed us that White
Lotus will be producing the next album "The Appendices"
entirely. "Zeitgeist" on the other hand is a different story
with numerous producers on it, any reason for changing this
formula or any reason for even using one producer all the
time?
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Cosmic Crusader: Most classic hip hop instalments
were produced by one producer per album.
There's something to be said for the
continuity that can be achieved this way. On
the Zeitgeist though, we wanted to showcase
some different styles. Each and every
builder laid some skilfully wrought stones
in the structure. Rasul did an excellent job
executive producing this one. He basically
coordinated the cohesion so that the
untrained ear wouldn't necessarily
distinguish between the various producers
contributions. |
Wu-International: Thanks, so what would you
say each member bring to the group from you to the
last member please?
Cosmic Crusader: Cosmic Crusader: creative
mathematics, Rasul Allah: Conceptual genesis, Atun
Sen Geb: Unhindered individuality, Jon Murdock:
Acute aptitude, Lex Starwind: Innate technique,
Ancient Kemet: Quiet concentration, Stretch the Mad
Scientist: Murderous resonance.
Wu-International: Thanks, on previous
interview we were made aware that you are also the co
CEO of LCOB productions and its evident you have LCOB
affiliates all over the globe this minute, a move some fans
feel was unnecessary and have watered down the authenticity
of LCOB productions, we know some are fake so can you please
give us a list and country of who are part of LCOB
productions
Cosmic Crusader: LCOB productions proper will
reveal itself as official releases unfold. The internet is
an illusion just as this material plane is, let us not
dissect the semantics here.
Wu-International: How does one get down with
LCOB productions?
Cosmic Crusader: Hit us up, if the skills are
intact we can build.
Wu-International: Thanks again for those
answers, we are made to believe that after this project "The
Appendices: The scroll of lost tales” is coming next on the
menu, do you have a timeline in mind?
Cosmic Crusader: The twisted plot thickens
and ya'll will just have to sustain the suspense for now.
One thing is for sure, we won't keep you waiting as long as
we did last time.
Wu-International: We knew of Appendices first
before Zeitgeist: the spirit of the age, was there any
reason you decided to put out one over the other?
Cosmic Crusader: There are many reasons, but
the main one is that we wanted to provide the most powerful
content for our listeners. The appendices is a hidden jewel
but the zeitgeist deals with a lot of issues that need to be
addressed now - basically, you need to wake up before you
eat breakfast.
Wu-International: Due to the amount of members in the
group, LCOB hardly gets any features on the album, is this
still the case or do you have some featured guests for this
or next projects lined up?
Cosmic Crusader: That's true, and we actually
have been making a concentrated effort to make the songs
slightly shorter which proves even more difficult to include
features. We do have Tragic Allies on a couple tracks on the
appendices though, those cats are skilled technicians. Rest
assured, we're aligning the planets for some high profile
features in the near future.
Wu-International: If not mistaken I might have seen a
cover or advert for a Cosmic solo project, can you please
confirm and let us know if you are working on one?
Cosmic Crusader: Absolutely, I'm in the lab as we
speak.
Wu-International: Please give us more details, as in
working title, when to expect it, featured guests etc, and
if not also give us a reason why you are not working on a
solo?
Cosmic Crusader: "Cosmic Calculations" has been the
working title. It's been a long time coming but the nexus
will open in 2011 for sure. You can expect visitations from
the LCOB fam and a few other notable mercenaries.
Wu-International: So do you belong to any other
groups or working on any other project outside that of your
group?
Cosmic Crusader: The LCOB DNA is always mutating,
you're gonna see some cameos here and there. I recently
hopped on projects with Anahata Sacred Sound Current, Rich
Raw (solo project), Alterproductions (out of France) and a
collab with Canibus and like 15 other mcs called "Hero".
Plus upcoming tracks with Amos the Ancient Prophet, Sick
Since, Decipher, Sars one, Son of Saturn and more. My
brothers from Boomshell records got an ill compilation
coming out soon ("the premix") with a solo track from yours
truly ("lights out") as well as a track with Rich raw,
Killah Priest and Hell Razah ("Solar Powered emcees").
You're also gonna see some internet exclusives poppin up
soon, we gotta keep the fans fed after all that waiting.
Wu-International: Anything else you might want to add
on that’s not been covered already, shouts, thank you etc?
Cosmic Crusader:
Peace to all the eye openers out there, stay on the plus
sign - keep adding on in a positive fashion. Respect to all
my LCOB brethren worldwide, keep them sonic scriptures
reverberating. Homage due to Peter Joseph of the Zeitgeist
movement and Jaques Fresco of the Venus project. Finally,
utmost love to the loyal fans - especially the ones who will
still buy the album on October 19th after all the leakage we
suffered. 1.
Catch up with The Lost Children of Babylon
http://lcobproductions.com/
www.myspace.com/thelostchildrenofbabylon
Related Interviews:
Lost Children Of Babylon Series
#1
[Rasul Allah 7] -
The Face of The Golden Falcon Interview
#2 [Cosmic Crusader] - Cosmic Calculations Interview
#3 [Atun Seb Geb] -
Right Rhyming Interview
[3rd Nov 2010]
#4 [Jon Murdock] -
The Foundation Part
1 Interview [11th Nov 2010]
#5 [Lex Starwind] -
The Foundation Part
2 Interview [18th Nov 2010]
#6 [Ancient Kemet] -
The Alchemist Interview [25th Nov 2010]
#7 [White Lotus] -
Chief Of The Lotus
Clan [30th Nov 2010]
#8 [Stretch] - The Mad
Scientist [06 December 2010]
Other Related Interviews: Lost Children of Babylon
[Amun Sen
Hotep Re [aka Bigga Dre] - Broken Silence: Truth Revealed]
[LCOB -
Righteous Politics With The Lost Children Of Babylon]
<Read Other Interviews> |
