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Interview
In
today's culture where Fake is foremost, it is difficult to
find natural beauty. Even more so is this true in the world
of music. Njeri Earth is determined to fight this trend. She
has chosen to work through her music, which is straight up,
real, and thought provoking. Her compositions and lyrics
convey a message of truth, which is both timeless and
limitless.
The release of Wu-Tang Clansman GZA/GENIUS's ALBUM, "Beneath
The Surface," in June 1999 marked Njeri's formal
introduction into the International Hip-Hop world. She
co-wrote and performed on back to back tracks "1112" and
"Victim," more than holding her own with veteran rappers. In
August 1999 she performed on the Detroit, Michigan leg of
the GZA/GENIUS Beneath The Surface Tour.
Coming straight out of the motor city, Njeri Earth is poised
to take the music scene by storm in 2005 with her debut
album, "Supa
Sista." Having already proved herself in Detroit's
burgeoning underground scene as both a producer and a
lyricist, Njeri Earth is ready to give the mainstream a
taste of her formula.
So stay tuned in 2006 and beyond as Njeri brings the same
talent, dedication and hard work that has proven herself in
the past back to life with her debut album "Supa Sista."
Check out the 411 on Njeri on this Wu-International
exclusive interview.
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I like to
thank you first and foremost for taking the time to answer
these questions for the interview, and I would like to say,
nothing will be altered, edited or changed when this is
published online.
Peace Queen, How are you?
Peace I am fine thank you.
Where are you original from?
Detroit Michigan, born and raised.
Where will you be on December 31st?
On December 31st I was at home with my family.
We
were introduced to you as Njeri on "beneath the surface"
album and now you go by Njeri Earth, What does the name
stand for and is there any significant reason for the
addition of Earth or has it always been with Earth?
I took on the name Njeri Earth in high school when I began
studying Mathematics, black culture, and beginning my quest
for knowledge of self. Earth has always been connected with
Njeri. I'm not sure why Earth was not included on GZA's
album.
What
other names/aliases Do U Go By?
"Supa Sista", I guess
How
long have you been Rhymin, and what was the first thing that
made you want to get out there and rap?
I began rappin when I was like 8 or 9. Back then Hip Hop was
fun and female emcees as well as intelligent rap was
emerging.
It
is safe to assume you build with the nation of gods and
earths? How and why did you get into the nation?
I was enlightened to the knowledge of myself in high school.
I had previously been studying alot of Nation of Islam
literature. The concept of what the Gods and Earths teach
made so much sense to me. I've always been an independent
thinker. That's the type of man Father Allah was.
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What albums did you listen to growing up? What do
you listen to now?
Growing up: Rakim, Salt N Pepa, Tribe Called Quest,
MC Lyte, Roots, Nas, Fugees, Wu-Tang Clan, I know it
don't fit, but Snoop Dogg etc..
Now: Most of the stuff I listened to growing up
along with my own stuff.
What's your favourite album, artist and track? And
why?
Favourite Album: The Score (Fugees)
Favourite Artist: Hip Hop: Lauryn Hill / Nas
Musically: Prince
Lauryn Hill is too talented not to still be all over
the airwaves.
Nas is one of the greatest MCs in hip-hop history.
Prince- the name speaks for itself. If they hadn't
already deemed Elvis "the King", Prince would hold
that title. |
You are not
just an MC but also a musician, right? You produced most of
the songs on your album, Please tell us what your creative
process is like? how do you approach a song?
I usually go through tracks that I've created, and as I feel
it, write to them. Occasionally I'll have lyrics that I
wrote to nothing, or that I wrote to some one else’s
instrumental, and I'll construct a beat around the lyrics,
or match the lyrics to fit a beat I already made.
So
which One is more you or which do you prefer most, Spoken
Words, Mcing, Singing or Producing?
Mcing is me all day. I would also say producing (as in
Creating music) is also a big part of what I do.
What
do you get up to hobbies wise when not making music?
Watching as well as playing basketball, writing, reading,
learning new things, being with my Sons.
How
did you link up with GZA/Genius to appear on the classic
"Beneath The Surface" album?
I left some of my demo tapes at Allah's School in New York.
At the time an A&R who is also part of the Nation, got hold
of one of my CDs and presented it to GZA. I was called and
flown to New York not long after.
You
held your ground featuring along sides one of the greatest
lyricist in the game, what was it like working with the GZA?
Working with GZA was a dream come true. He was one of the
artists I listened to as a kid.
So
are you in any ways affiliated with the Wu-tang clan or a
protégé of GZA. I ask because after "Beneath The Surface" Wu
fans were ever so curious about who you are and your ties
with the Wu?
No, I'd like to catch up with GZA though. I got some tracks
for him.
Are
you still in touch with GZA or anyone else from Wu-Tang/Wu
Killa Beez fam?
I performed with GZA when he came to Detroit to promote the
album "Beneath the Surface", after that, I didn't hear much.
What
happened with MCA, were you signed to release an album with
the label?
I was only
under contract with MCA to perform on the two tracks off
GZA's album. MCA never offered me a contract.
Those verses you dropped with GZA were heavy, Who,
or what are your inspirations/Influences?
My inspiration on those verses was the history of
Black people as well as the pain and suffering we've
experienced since the slave trade to the present.
I only
recently just found out it was you freestylin on the
8 Miles movie along Eminem and co, how did that
happen?
I found out about auditions for the film, went down
and auditioned, and was called back for the part.
Do you
know Eminem personally?
I came up in the Detroit underground hip-hop scene
around 1996-1997. I passed him a couple times in the
studio or at the Hip Hop Shop, we never talked
though |
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Movies
freestyles aside, You were really a finalist in the
2001-2002 Spitfest competition, that is quite impressive,
You ever won any competitions to date?
I entered freestyle battles and battle rapped a little as a
kid just because I could. Battle rap ain't me.
With
your solid skills & resume, why do you think you have not
gotten the shine you rightfully deserve?
I think it's a multitude of reasons, including many I take
responsibility for. However, I continue to work hard and be
patient.
Do
female emcees get as much respect as they deserve or do you
think they're still under-rated?
Female MCs are generally judged by their looks rather than
their skill. In today's male dominated society, that's what
it is.
On
your songs you rep Detroit to the fullest, what is your take
on the hip-hop scene in Detroit?
The Detroit Underground scene has a tremendous amount of
talent just waiting to be discovered. We're struggling, just
like the other underground ciphers throughout the US.
Ok
let’s talk about your new album, Was it released in 2004 or
2005 as I have seen different dates for it?
2005 was the release year.
Supa Sista? why the title?
"Supa Sista" is my super hero alias. Supa Sista's
mission, is to assist in saving Hip Hop from the
evil powers that currently control it.
True
Indeed, Any featured guests on the album?
Genero Cambpell produced "Change Gon' Come", Mark
"Swami" Harper played keys on "Last Friday..", and
guitar on "Pipe Dreams", and Jabril McKay was the
producer of "Caramel Covered Brotha". |
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Personally I am feeling a lot of the songs on the
album, I love "Supa nigga", "Change gone come",
Preservation of life just to name a few, What are
your personal favourite tracks on the album?
"Preservation of Life" and "Just Us" are two of my
Personal favourites.
Will
you ever release the full version of supa nigga or
was it just meant to be a snippet, I really like
that song?
Probably, and thank you |
"Cold World"
is a hot track, why was it not included on the album and
will ever be released?
"Cold World" will definitely be a near future release.
How/Where can the fans buy this album?
Fans can cop my album on my website:
www.njeriearth.com.
Do
you have a record label backing you?
My Record company is Earth's Rotation Records.
Anyone you would like to work with now or in future dead or
alive?
My father,
Karl Lewis Moss Sr., Marvin Gaye, John Coltrane, Bob Marley,
Prince, Mos Def, Lauryn Hill, Nas, E. Badu, and a few etc...
What
is next on the menu, as in what are you currently working on
now, any planned future projects, musically and otherwise?
Currently I'm recording another project, not yet titled, to
be released spring 2006. I'm also hosting several live
performance venues in the Metro Detroit area, as well as
some nation wide performances.
www.njeriearth.com for updates.
What
would you say about the state of hip-hop today?
Dying fast. Need Heroes, Saviours, and Martyrs.
You
do have a number of fans in Europe, have you ever toured or
been outside the US?
Only Canada, if that counts. I went to Kuwait when I was 13,
but not to rap.
Thanks very much for taking the time to answer these
questions, any last words for the fans, shout outs or any
thing else you might want to add or say?
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to anyone who has or will
support my music. Stay positive and positivity will come
right back-atcha.
Happy New Year and we are looking to hearing more from you
in 2006, Peace!
Thank You. Peace and Love.
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