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Interview
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Frukwan can only
be addressed as the True and Living Teacher ( GREATNESS ) when
Hip Hop needs a savior- “Frukwan is one of the most powerful and
passionate MCs in the game I've heard come out of Brooklyn,” said
Timmy Grins of the acclaimed Brooklyn hip-hop collective ARCANE.
“He has a message and he is not afraid of being who he is to the
world.”
Frukwan is one of few rap artists that doesn't need a household
name, incessant spins on radio airwaves, or a top 10 video on
TRL or 106&Park to earn his respect. Immensely esteemed by many
of his contemporaries, Frukwan's presence should rightfully
humble the demeanour of anyone with an adept knowledge of
hip-hop history. Credited as founding member of the very first
Hip-hop band, Stetsasonic, and the soul of underground monsters,
the Gravediggaz along side The RZA (Wu-Tang Clan), Poetic, and
Prince Paul, the Brooklyn bred MC has already made notable
contributions to the hip-hop movement and is not stopping. After
17 years in the music industry, Frukwan, now known as Frukwan
Sun-star and also known as The Multiple Supreme (for his various
rhyme patterns), offers a diverse concoction of styles,
narratives, and pulsations. |
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He describes his
solo venture as a natural transition. While remaining
introspective Frukwan continues in the Gravedigga tradition
“Everybody asks the questions, what's life and what's my life? I
kind of made Life as the answers to the questions. Pretty much
what I wanted to do was save the babies,” said Frukwan. Unlike
most rap artists of today he trusts his own ingenuity, acting as
sole producer and performer on his album.
Possibly one
reason why Frukwan has a lot to say is because he's encountered
his share of trails and tribulations. He looks back on the
unfortunate passing of his partner in rhyme, fellow Gravediggaz
member, Poetic, to cancer in April of 2002 as one of his biggest
learning experiences! Not letting anything hold him back,
Frukwan has returned in 2009 with a brand new album rightfully
titled "Greatness"
that features 10 banging tracks produced by Chicago's 5th
Element, E-Mack and so on and has gotten back in touch with The
RZA and his extensive Wu-Tang family tree as far as music,
collaborations, tours, and just teaching. Wu-International
followed up from the interview conducted about 5 years ago to
find out what this master of craft has been up to and fans would
be shocked, excited, etertained and educated, at what they hear
in reference to his new album, the new Gravediggaz line up and
projects with The RZA, Killarmy, Sunz Of Man and Black Knight
members, his views on hip-hop, Obama, life and everything else
dug to light by this legendary gravedigga MC, Read, enjoy and
be edutained! |
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 Sun, how are you?
Frukwan: Peace, I’m good you know me, constant
elevation, building and I hope your family is well also?
Wu-International: Yes, Thanks. On our last interview
you were down Chicago working with 5th Element? Are you
still there or back in N.Y.?
Frukwan: Well since then yes I was out in Chi-Town
building with the gods out there like 5th element and E-Mack
From the south side. But I had returned back to Medina
Brooklyn since then.
Wu-International: How does living in Chicago shape
your attitude towards music, art
and culture in general in comparison to New York?
Frukwan: Well I do have children out there and their
wonderful mother. Other then that just hung out round the
south side and travel back and forth from NY.
Wu-International: Why have you added Sun-star to your
name?
Frukwan: Well I’m surprised myself, but that’s how it
came out, I mean I always carried that name. but basically
Sun-star simply means “one and the same”, like me and my
father. R.I.P. God!
Wu-International: Thanks, you just dropped a new
album digitally, “Greatness”, will it
be released on physical copies and if so when?
Frukwan:
True it was a joint
venture, Sun-Star Music Group through Famous Records,
digital distributors has release a digital Frukwan album but
this is just to test the waters for what’s to come because
the fans still love real Hip Hop. Also the CD will be
available, Date TBA.
Wu-International: Was there any specific reason
you have decided to put it out only first on a digital
format only?
Frukwan: To keep up with digital demands one must
make it easily accessible, and the internet is what’s moving
right now. So why not hit the gate running.
Wu-International: True, and its via Famous records
and your label?
Frukwan: Yes, Famous Records based out of Florida.
Wu-International: Why have you called it “Greatness?”
Frukwan: Because we need to recognize our greatness
and the contribution our people have made in the creation of
civilization. And to this day still Shaping and constructing
ideas that are being robed and we're being discredited as
being the foundation of it all.
Wu-International: Ok, Seems this album has been in
works for more than 5 years, any
reason for this duration?
Frukwan: Since the album LIFE I just wanted to take a
lil' time off to get back to self, do some studying, build
with my seeds, really understand things like nationality and
common law, which I can say I pretty much master now in my
return to music, with now “Hip Hop” being my ministry.
Meaning “conscious music” I mean if I am one of the
particles in the atom that help spread it since 84, I might
as well claim it. Cause “Hip Hop” is sovereign and
“RAP” is its straw man meaning the mirror image of it,
but poisoned meaning fake, and have no substance.
Wu-International: That's deep, we already know some
of the songs were produced by 5th
Elements, who else was responsible for the production?
Frukwan: Other producers on the album are, E-Mack out
of Chi Town with 5th element , and Doxkingdom out of North
Carolina.
Wu-International: 10 great songs with little or no
guest appearances, any reason for
this?
Frukwan: Not really I just have a lot to say, so when
I write I’m deep in thoughts with my concepts from beginning
to end and some time I just don’t want to ask no one to jump
on my songs, maybe in the near future there will be brothers
with some king of Knowledge of self….we all just need to
build from and enlighten degree.
Wu-International: How does “Life” compare or differ
to “Greatness” lyrically and musically?
Frukwan: There are two tracks from Life that are
remakes on the Greatness album and that’s, Glide and step/
Life, and Sun Star/timez r hard. But the rest of the album
are all new concepts and I feel that the team I’m working
with now, did there studies well. And I still didn’t wanna
come out with a new album for partying, but I had to remain
focused on, what I’m held responsible for, which is
EDUTAINMENT!
Wu-International: In reflecting on the recording
process, what would you say was the
tone and feel you were aiming for and what type of balance
did you strike with this particular album, musically
speaking?
Frukwan: I feel this album was more of me, Frukwan,
like what I’m thinking, and how I’m acting as a Blackman
that’s been pretty much a legend of the underground music.
Greatness is the balance of power between self and
understanding, meaning to "look at" does not means to “see”
for in order to see clearly one must have the ability to
understand, who, what, where, and why!
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Wu-International: I personally
love the album but some fans would easily say that
10 songs is more or less an EP of a very short album
in today’s average 15 – 22 songs in albums?
Frukwan: 10 songs that are strong enough to carry an
idea for others to see a different light, meaning
Concepts, flows styles, and vocabulary are more then
enough for my fans that knows what I’m about, not to
mention my catalogue is extensive, but when they
come to my performance they will witness power in it
self from the gift of word play. And I’ll rather be
10 for 10 instead of 4 or 5 of 15……{Laughs}
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Wu-International: Feeling the song “Just like Me” do
you have any favourite songs off the
album?
Frukwan: Right about now I think that R.I.P. is my
favorite for I have many friends and family that passed
away, and when I listen to “Rest In Peace” It just brings
back memories, I feel that keeps me grounded and to think
ahead cause, to inhale and exhale the breathe of life is
precious in today’s existence of what’s taking place in the
world, and R.I.P is a universal song for everyone you loved
that are no longer with us today. To my Godson O-Allah R.I.P.
I like the whole album.
Wu-International: You have a song “Real MC” off the
new album, what would you say
makes a real MC?
Frukwan: You have to first understand the difference
between a MC and a RAPPER, an MC is a Master of Concepts, in
the changing of a vision that makes a RAPPER bite that
style, image, or concept. MC’s are thinkers with logic and
reasons “Leaders.” RAPPERS feed off ignorance backed by a
commercialize system that glorifies, they are carbon copy
artist that pumps there image as a program, illusion or
fantasy world.
Wu-International: Ok, so if you have to list at least
5 other real MC’s aside from yourself that you admire
musically, who would they be dead or alive?
Frukwan: Nuttin' personal but I respect all the Godz,
but some or most of them are lost in their ways, if there
was any one I admire and look up to would it would be all
those who was part of the self-destruction movement.
Wu-International: Poetic (R.I.P.) lives on through
his music and people like you who
carry the torch on for him as well via your songs, the Wu
fans post up blogs on forums to celebrate his life the day
he passed away every year, how does that make you feel?
Frukwan: I wish I could give every fan a hug for
their support though the hard times I been in on this
journey of mines without my brother Poetic, but real Hip Hop
fans know Grym in their own ways which they can just bring
up at any time. So I say to the fans. He’s watching us all…R.I.P.
My brotha.
Wu-International: How important do you think it is to
keep the names of fallen soldiers in the game active?
Frukwan: it is very important, such as something the
youth coming up can understand, to visualize there destiny
in case they choose to take this path of Music. But I hope
they don’t become easily lead in the wrong direction. So our
soldiers were both good and bad…but we should focus on the
good of this industry..
Wu-International: Speaking of fallen soldiers, what’s
your take on the passing of Michael Jackson, and were you a
fan of his music?
Frukwan: Yes me and my brothers back in the days use
to have our own Jackson steps…… {Laughs} with our afro’s
muti-colored shirts with the flare bottom slacks….{Laughs}
so now we have another angel looking over us….he and Poetic
are probably working on a track together. To save the youth
I’ll give you further updates.. after I awake………. From
rest..
Wu-International: Thanks, having come up and
maintained a following in the game for all
these years, how has your views changed over time with your
approach towards making music and the perspective that you
have now as opposed to when you were a young up and coming
MC?
Frukwan: No.. in my case I was always with a Group ,
Stetsasonic, then Gravediggaz, so now my approach is to
teach my ministry, the culture of Hip Hop, cause I live it
everyday, not to mention there will be another Gravediggaz
coming soon, hopefully by the end of the year.
Wu-International: Oh word? We will touch on that
shortly, on our last interview we asked if you will be
releasing any unreleased songs you had with Poetic and you
said you would have to contact the family first to get their
blessing, has this happened yet?
Frukwan: No I haven’t been in touch with his family.
Wu-International: What about the others, when hen
last did you see The RZA or Prince Paul and what is your
current relationship with both of them?
Frukwan: Currently been touring with RZA on the Rock
The Bells tours, and promoting Greatness, and building with
RZA on the next Gravediggaz concept, I haven’t really been
in touch with Prince Paul …if my fans see him first, tell
them to tell Paul to hit me up, I miss building with him
{Laughs}.
Wu-International: Sure... Gravediggaz pretty much
became just you and Poetic before his
unfortunate departure, fans still debate about it, RZA still
talks about its possibilities in concerts, how close or
doable do you think another Gravediggaz album is?
Frukwan: Already in motion, songs have been laid
down. And we are looking forward to this Final saga of the
Gravediggaz. With new members Kinetic 9, Shabazz The
Disciple, 9th Prince, Killah Priest, Prodigal Sun and Alim.
Wu-International: Who is Alim then?
Frukwan: Alim is someone I am binging to the table.
Wu-International: No Warcloud then? Wow, fans will go mad hearing that,
half Killarmy and half Sunz Of Man which were intial
contributors in the past!! thats the most exciting
news we have heard in ages. You are obviously
back in the Wu circle, seen pictures of you with the
likes of Black Knights, Popa Wu, Cappadonna etc
early this year, was this in California and what
even was this?
Frukwan: Yes, Cali and NY. But when I was promoting
my music in Cali. I had support from my Brothas from
the west coast, who also welcomed me in the Wu West
Coast family Cipher, so I guess now I’m know as a
Grand Master teacher, with The RZA's blessings,
being one of the elders in the Wu family, I just
want to see the Godz build and stop the BS…..we know
we have a responsibility to teach.
Wu-International: What was your involvement at this
event, where you there to support or part of the
actual event?
Frukwan: There were several events I attended with
the Wu fam, and I received nothing but respect from
fans and other artist alike. |
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Wu-International: What was it like connecting with
Wu-tang members and Killa Beez fam again and did you get a
chance to record new materials with some or any of them?
Frukwan: yes I have recorded with RZA, Kinetic 9, and
Shavo. From ACHOZEN, also dropped a verse on the Black
Knights new up coming LP.
Wu-International: That's really major for any Wu fan
to hear, how did you pair up with RoyalSunn Enterprises
(also responsible for the likes of Beretta 9 and Leggazin
Fin)?
Frukwan: RoyalSunn are my peeps, and have been for a
minute, but they been on my side since day one of the Wu
trilogy, now that I have returned to life. RSE Got my back.
So anyone wanting to make trade for access to me contact RSE.
Wu-International: Is this like a management, label
company? What are their responsibilities?
Frukwan: Keeping it in the family and keeping the
family busy with events, shows, and film.
Wu-International: Apart from seeing you featured on
NLZ mixtape, fans hardly see
you doing features, are there features out there you would
like to share with us or is that something you are not
particularly interested in doing?
Frukwan: TBA
Wu-International: Hip-hop keeps changing and must
have gone through many transitions since you first started
out, how do you feel about Hip-hop’s current state?
Frukwan:
The current state I think
of Hip Hop is what it is… watered down, to a point that it
has opened the door for the old school artist to make a run
on tour now and perform their hits cause of the corporate
taking over Hip Hop and the mirror image of it’s music
called RAP.
Wu-International: Like to point out that it’s
refreshing to see you are still educating and dropping
knowledge in your rhymes, something that is missing in
today’s hip-hop. There has been a recent debate about the
use of auto tunes in hip-hop, what’s your take on that?
Frukwan: I don’t know much on that auto tune stuff.
Please excuse me for that.
Wu-International: Sure we will {LOL} Ok, couple of
random questions before we end this interview, if you could
change anything about your career what would it be?
Frukwan: Nothing at all, I’ve had a great run. Since
1981. I’m still hear and I’m building and saving more lives
then ever. Cause it’s not about the life style of the rich
and infamous, cause for me…the greatest, riches is the
Knowledge of self. It’s priceless and that’s why I’m still
growing.
Wu-International: True indeed, what are your views on
Obama?
Frukwan: That’s a good question, 1st of all how can
there be such a person called a President, when this
Government been bankrupt since 1933, when Roosevelt
announced that on national TV. Which means that it has been
a corporate takeover in 1914 by the M.I.C, and Roosevelt was
the first of many corporate pitchmen. So sorry but Obama is
just a new face of the cooperation. Now the secretary of
treasury calls the shots cause he have to manage the
bankruptcy. Americans need to really wake up. If the old
can’t change their ways, then they need to let their
children’s survive for the love of this land.
Wu-International: Ok, so moving along, what next do
we have to look forward to from you?
Frukwan:
I’m still working on
fashion, and doing a lil' script reading now, but I
could promise that I will never sell out and i am currently
working with Killarmy's Kinetic 9 on
some future projects…. Look out, here we come!
Wu-International: Looking forward to all that, any
last words, message for the fans or anything you like to say
that we might have missed?
Frukwan: Nuttin' I can think of now, but I want to
really thank the fans for their unconditional love and
support…so holla at me and let me know what you think of the
album Greatness…………………………….Myspace.com/Frukwan, or Facebook,
or twitter. and thanks to Wu-Int for letting me share my
Journey.. PEACE!
Wu-International: No, no.. Thank you!!
Catch up with Frukwan, drop him a note, line,
at
www.myspace.com/Frukwan
Read First Interview
Gate Keeping With Frukwan
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