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Interview
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“Hard
work, dedication, perseverance, and devotion, a
solid foundation on which to build a successful
empire!” These are words used by great men to
inspire greatness. One such person who fits these
shoes is Popa Chief.
Born in Fla, raised in the garden state, music
always fuelled his soul. His first love was
deejaying. A few years later all attention was
turned to his new love, emceeing. Dropping his first
project “The
Warpath EP" under the name Courageous Chief
through Stone Creek label, the same label that
housed the likes of then R&B heavyweights Boyz II
Men. The label unfortunately folded just before it
was Popa Chief's turn to drop a project leaving the
Chief with no kingdom to govern. He kept
himself busy by touring and working with
some of the biggest acts in the 90's ranging from
the likes of Biz Markie, KRS-One, Brand Nubian, Kool
G Rap, Poor righteous Teachers, Black Sheep and much more.
It was not long before Popa Chief started forming
close alliance and affiliations with other
established artists, resulting in him becoming a
member of Ol' Dirty Bastard's extended Brooklyn Zu
family; The Zu-Ninjaz, with this sprung different
projects resulting in Popa Chief and the original
Drunk'n Masta himself ODB (RIP) forming a group
together called D.R.U.G.G. (Dirty Rotten Underground Grymmiez)
alongside the likes of 12 'O'Clock, and Master Fuol.
Unfortunately the project never materialised past
few recorded demo songs and collaborations before
ODB passed away.
Popa
Chief has gone on to release a number of solo albums
independently, a group album with Zu Ninjaz and
featured on the Brooklyn Zu "Chamber #9, Verse 32” in
2008. The sky seems to be the limit for this
courageous chief as he toured with The almighty
Wu-Tang Clan on the 8 Diagram Tour as well as
getting his name out there. There is a wealth of
unlimited talent and the world should get ready for
the new hot releases to come from Popa Chief and
his new label "Burnt Biskut productz". Its a new
year and a new way to re-introduce the last of the
Mohicanz via this exclusive Wu-International
interview.... 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 Chief, what’s good?
Popa Chief: Feeling great, life is great, what
else is it! Just excited about the new projects and what the
future has in store.
Wu-International: Can you please introduce yourself
and let us know who you are, where you are from, your
affiliation and so on?
Popa Chief: I’m Popa Chief, aka Blakk Zakim,
aka blakk Unicorn, aka Supa Ninja or Niga. You make the
call! Straight out of South Jersey. All over Burlington
County, but Willingboro to be exact. I’m Brooklyn Zu thru
ODB. Adopted by the Zu Ninjaz, Blakk U from Blakk & Tann.
Wu-International: When and what made you pick
up the microphone?
Popa Chief: My love for hip hop in general.
Like a lot of people who witnessed hip hop grow from a seed.
Rappers Delight blew me away. I was like what’s that?!
Growing up as a kid in Trenton N.J. gave me my identity and
culture. Later moving to Willingboro would slowly evolve me
in to the rapper to be. A partner of mine, Taking Allah, aka
my popz from the block was my biggest inspiration. He was
from Brooklyn and was the first in town with fashion, slang
and style. One high school function he brought Dougie Fresh
to the boro and I knew he was the man to school me on the
hip hop culture. Done deal.
Wu-International: Ok, first a DJ before you started
emceeing, why and how easy was it for you to make that
transgression?
Popa Chief: Being a DJ was my first love. I
love to blend songs, scratch, and backspin records. If you
could control the crowd and keep them on the floor, you were
the man. It seemed the DJ was bigger than the rapper. Then I
joined the army and went to Germany. My plan was to get
equipment. People I knew who were in the service and came
from Germany had the best and most powerful stereo systems.
Not having equipment yet, I entered a talent show on base
and put a group together. Dj Abdul and the Jazzy 4 brothers.
I wrote two raps and the hooks for two songs. We didn’t win
but I stole the show. It was something about me everybody
loved. Guess I had swag, lol. I took my two raps on the road
hitting up the local club seen and got a great response. I
wrote a few more and the love kept coming. I had found my
calling and never looked back.
Wu-International: So lets talk about the names, only
just found out you used to be known as Courageous Chief,
some say you are also Cherokee Chief, and now Popa Chief, can
you please break down the meaning of all names and reason
for adopting or replacing these names?
Popa Chief: My very first name was Ez Cool
Courageous Chief, EZ3C for short. I know, that’s a mouthful
rite. I drop the Ez and the cool and dubbed myself
Courageous Chief. With time comes wisdom, with wisdom comes
maturity. Hence the evolution of Popa Chief. Cherokee Chief
was a producer named Mango if I was informed correctly. He
produced a few tracks for the D.R.U.G.G. project as well as
other projects. I added on Blakk Zakim during my Ninja days
and Blakk U for Blakk & Tann.
Wu-International: I have 3 of your projects you put
out via Chambermusik, but only recently just found out about
your 1991 album “Warpath”, can you please tell us more about
this album and why it was never full released by your label
at that time?
Popa Chief: One of my favourite projects. The
EP “Warpath”. Actually it was my first released project. I
had other deals on the table but they weren’t the right
situations. I was approached by Tirade Records, a small
indie new label with big plans. I really liked the fact that
I had a lot of creative control and say along with my DJ Kam,
and the producer Reggie Reg. We got off to a great start. I
was opening for some big names at the time from Philly to NY
like Black Sheep, The Fusnickens, PRT, KRS1, Brand Nubians,
G Rap, and many others. The label was new and not that
knowledgeable about the record business so it was basically
me and Kam taking it to the streets. The label soon after
gave up. Had this project been properly exposed and prompted
the record would have been a out of here! The response it’s
getting now is crazy!
Wu-International: Was it only released in vinyl’s or
were there also CD versions?
Popa Chief: it was released on vinyl’s and
cassette's. CD’s became the norm about a year or so later.
Wu-International: Seen it sell for a couple of
hundreds on eBay, and Dopefolks records are planning to
re-release limited amount of the vinyl’s this month, can you
please tell us more of this re-release and if it will also
be available on CD?
Popa Chief: Yeah for some reason it’s a
collector’s item. A few of the original vinyl’s went for
over a grand. We just worked out a limited re-release with
Dopefolks for the true hip hop heads and dj’s to get the
buzz going again. Currently working on distribution deal for
CD’s and down loads. Please be patient everyone, and our
lawyers go hard on the bootleggers! I would love to perform
this material again for old fans and the newly exposed to
the Warpath experience.
Wu-International: So what direction did you take
musically after the release of Warpath?
Popa Chief: I worked with alot So. Jerz finest
out of Trenton and the Boro. At the time we would all bump
heads at WPRB out of Princton University. They had a station
poppin on Thursday nites with Tony D r.i.p., G the Promoter,
Jay Ski, DJ plex, and many other dj’s. I use to vibe with
PRT, Suiside Posse, Almighty and KG, the Muckmen, Razee, and
many others. The group thing had extra flavours so I wanted
to try a goup out for a change so I formed a group and we
called ourselves Souljaz Of Fortune. Popa Chief, 88 the
Great, and Lord Salaam The Singin Bomb. Me and 88 were the
rappers and Salaam provided a splash of reaggea flavour.
Really hitting hard it the Philly So Jersey and NY area. I
was sought after for more solo projects. A few deals were on
the table but not the right ones. I started working heavy
with Mas Productions out of Willingboro with other up and
coming acts where I really honed my skills. Then I was
introduced to Wonya of Boys II Men and did the rap on their
artist Uncle Sams first single, Can You Feel It. That went
very well and I was offered a deal on their Stone Creek
label but the label folded right before my turn. Time to go
back to the street sounds what I know best.
Wu-International: We are little bit confused as to
your affiliations, we know you are part of Zu Ninjaz, and
sometimes been listed as a member of Brooklyn Zu also, what
is the difference between Zu Ninjaz and Bk Zu and what’s the
connection?
Popa Chief: Zu Ninjaz are from So Jersey.
After we hooked up with Dirt Dog he added the Zu. We’re
considered Brooklyn Zu’s Jersey chapter because ODB and
Buddah Monk ,use to come down record and spend time with us
or we would be in BK at Buddahs studio or in the studio with
Dirt. That’s how we got our Zu. BKZU is his original pplz,
12 oClock, ZU keeper, Murdock, Shorty Shit Stain, Dutch
Master and Buddah Monk.
Wu-International: How did you get involved with the
Zu (Brooklyn Zu or Zu Ninjaz whichever came first)?
Popa Chief: I was hearing about and bumping
into the Ninjaz around town and at shows. Around the time I
hooked up with the Ninjaz, I had a show opening up for ODB
in Delaware. I had the Ninjaz with me and back stage before
the show. We had been hanging with Wu members at different
show here and there but this one, us, Dirt and Buddah Monk
really clicked. We started going to BK and they started
coming to so. Jerz. The rest was history!
Wu-International: Obviously Zu fam comes into the
Wu-Tang Chamber via ODB, can you tell us how you met ODB and
your thoughts of the man now that he is gone please?
Popa Chief: During my early Popa Chief
and SOF days, I use to open up for alot of Wu Tang shows
throughout the lower northeast. G the Promoter from WPRB was
doing alot of promotional work for the Clan in the Philly
area and would hook me up with shows opening for them. I was
lyrically rambunctious and spit with the clan every chance I
got back stage. I knew Rza from WPRB radio station when he
was promoting the Prince Rakeem alb. I use to always get at
him for beats. Then I met the rest of the clan. Rza and Meth
always showed me love but it was something special about Ol'
Dity Bastard. I would holla and pick his brain every chance
I got. He soon became my fav out the group. Then he dropped
his solo alb. He was like a magnet Everybody was hooked!
It’s a hard thing to deal with, a bitter pill to swallow. To
actually be extremely close to an icon, a legend of his
stature, and without warning it over and he’s gone. Man I
still have probz accepting he’s no longer here. I get choked
up every time one of his songs come on. The one spark that
shines light to the darkness is to see his seed Barson
following in his father’s footsteps. He is the spitting
image of his old dad. It kind of makes me miss him even
more!
Wu-International: Having worked and toured with ODB,
what can you say you have learnt from the man?
Popa Chief: #1,
make sure your business is correct and the paper work is
straight. Stay true to yourself. How to captivate the crowd.
Not everybody can do that. Show your fans love and the will
show you love back. Lastly Don’t take no shit!!!!
Wu-International: Can you please tell us more about
the D.R.U.G.G. project/group you were both part of, why and
how did ODB go about
assembling its members?
Popa Chief: It was a brainstorm of his he just
surprised me with. I was hyped just by being considered to
be a member. The name was so dope, Dirty Rotten Under Ground
Grimmies! How could we loose with a name like that, plus 2
be in a group with Dirt, priceless. He just broke it down
and we got started.
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Wu-International:
We are aware its you, ODB, Master Fuol and 12 o’clock, were there others that
were part of this project as well?
Popa Chief: Not sure what his exact plans were
but that was the beef and potatoes of it.
Wu-International:
Please tell us
more about this project as in how many songs were
recorded, was the group just a hypothetical
project that never kicked off?
Popa Chief: It was very real. We recorded a
few with Mango and a few in LA. But as the project
really started getting serious, his court and other
issues got in the way of the project. The tracks we
recorded were fire!!! That is the project that saddens
me the most. I was to actually be in a group with ODB.
Wu-International: So do you have copies of some of
the songs you all recorded as D.R.U.G.G.? If
so do you plan on putting them out sometime down the
line?
Popa Chief:
I wish. Lol. I found a
cover online and was wondering its origin. No music though. |
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Wu-International: Will you be interested in doing
something with the other members to complete this project
without ODB?
Popa Chief:
If it was up to me hell
yeah but probably not. Don’t even know who has it, or where
to begin with that. Would be nice though. Lol.
Wu-International: You have been working with
12’O’clock to date, but what’s good with MasterFuol, are you
still in touch, done any music together since?
Popa Chief: Again, would love to but I haven’t
been able to contact him over the years.
Wu-International: So which groups came first, Zu
Ninjaz or D.R.U.G.G.?
Popa Chief: Zu Ninjaz, D.R.U.G.G. was right
before his second album "Nigga Please". He was working on that
and Wu-Tang Forever project.
Wu-International: What is the current situation with
Zu-Ninjaz, is the group still functioning and are you
working on a group project?
Popa Chief: Not really sure. There is a new project
in the works but I haven’t recorded with the group as of
yet.
Wu-International: So lets dive into your
solo projects; you are like 3 albums deep and about to
release a 4th one, Why have you called it Hood Hymz?
Popa Chief: It came to me as a good follow up
for Ghetto Poetry. Ghetto poetry was a good street oriented
album. Since the follow up is as well a very good street
oriented alb, it was only fitting I call it Hood Hymz. Songs
to sing while we navigate these mean streets.
Wu-International: Please tell us more as in when it
is dropping and any featured guests and producers?
Popa Chief: The release date is very soon, but
not nailed down. I have a new more mainstream album coming but
this is for my Wu heads that follow PC. As usual I don’t do
a lot of features. I think it takes away from the artist.
But Tystick of Lifted Musik provided the track for Declare
War and his partner Daze followed by BabyFace Finsta and his
artist Coco Barbie. Got my ppl’z Nyckl Plated on the
Wellness Store produced by my fav westcoast producer,
Godson. The video is on youtube and its bananaz. Unbreakable
features The Conclusion, General Gahad and Gisim who did the
track. Moscow Winter produced by Deech features Deech, Cmex,
and Boxbik, Voshyk, Sinbad, Sofa, andLSP. Other producers
include Murcry from Bungi and The Weirdos, Severe from my El
Paso fam Street Associates, Nate the Great from the bay, RC3,
and me for choose you.
Wu-International: Is this also coming out via
Chambermusik and how would you say it differs from your
previous albums?
Popa Chief: Yes as well as Itunes and other major
download sites. I kind of went a lil more Wu style with this
one. Not too much because I love to be me. But it still has
all that PC street comical flare.
Wu-International: I'd recommend new comers to
start off with "worldwide v 2.0" especially if they want to
know your style. Which one would you recommend yourself and
why?
Popa Chief: That’s a great one to start with.
Might as well Stay in sequence then Brain Food, then Ghetto
Poetry, and finally Hood Hymz. It’s a great collection to
ride to. My brain goes in all kinds of directions on the hip
hop highway.
Wu-International: You produced ¾ of the songs on
“Brainfood" and a third on “Worldwide V.2.0” but did not
touch a beat on “Ghetto Poetry” what and why was the reason
for this?
Popa Chief: Sadly to say while away, I was
robbed for all my equipment and over 50,000 tracks. It broke
my heart into a million pieces. Enough about that.
Wu-International: There was a mistake with the
release of “Ghetto Poetry” as the pre-release of the album
got sent off too early, causing a difference with the final
release. What caused this mistake and why did some of those
songs not make the final cut?
Popa Chief: That
was a chambermusik era that wasn’t supposed to be released.
Wu-International: In an interview with ChamberMusick,
you mentioned there was indeed a “Worldwide V.1” album but
the world was not ready for that yet. What did you mean by
that and when do you think the world will be ready for you
to release it?
Popa Chief: Lol. If the fanz really want WW
V.1 I couldn’t disappoint them. WW V1.0 at the time was
extremely underground.
Wu-International: The original version of the song
“Gettin' High" by ODB that was meant to feature you was
apparently deleted from the album “Nigga Please” but
released on “Worldwide V.2” by you, do you know why your
verse was taken off?
Popa Chief: First things first, WW V2.0 was
suppose to be a mixed cd. Getting High was done in a
D.R.U.G.G. session. We never finished the project, I never
asked any questions.
Wu-International: Thanks for those answers,
seems you are busy with the albums as well as other
ventures, you are currently working on a DVD “Where there is
smoke, there is fire” can you please tell us more about this
project and why you have called it that?
Popa Chief: It’s a clean cut beats and rhymes
approach to the one they call Popa Chief. Mainly a prelude
to Ghetto Poetry vidz and live performances, plus a few
extra treats.
Wu-International: When do you plan on putting it out?
Popa Chief: Early this spring 2011.
Wu-International: Anything else you are working on
apart from your albums or the projects mentioned
above that you would like to share with us?
Popa Chief: My group out of El Paso Tx called
Street Associates, or The S.A.’s. They go so hard in
the Wu sounding paint! I had to put 'em down with me.
And A few other secret weapons to be name later.
(With an fiendish grin!).
Wu-International: Thanks, a couple of more
questions and we are through, you have toured and worked
closely with Buddha Monk, he seems to be the figure head of
Zu (Zu Ninjaz & Bk Zu) since the passing of ODB, can you
please tell us how important Monk is especially to you and
your career?
Popa Chief: We’re still all
cool & the gang, but everybody been working hard on
individual projects all over the place which makes it very
hard to work together. I do miss the days of heading to
Brooklyn to record at Buddahs studio, Popa Wu’s studio, or
recording with Dirt. The hits the world will never hear. If
the studio walls could talk.
Wu-International: Did you meet him via ODB or knew
him already?
Popa Chief: As I explained earlier, we all met at
the same time and it was on and poppin. Especially the
chemistry we had. We were the Ninjaz and Buddah had the
Manchuz. When we got together to do shows or record, it was
always fire & flames!
Wu-International: Are you close with some of the Clan
members or Killa Beez, and if so who?
Popa Chief: I’m
good with all the Clan members. I have nothing but love for
the Clan for they what done for hip hop and all the doors
they have opened in the industry. Meth, that’s just my nig
but I got love for them all. Nothing but love for my Zu
bro.s, Sonz of Man, Wu Syndicate, Killa Army, Black Knights
and the rest of the west coast killa beez.
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Wu-International: Last question, is there any reason
that you constantly refer yourself to "the last of the
Mohicans" in some of your songs?
Popa Chief: Hip hop has drastically change
over the years in so many way. More bad than good, but it’s
still here and pushin stronger than ever. Not enough homage
is paid to where it has been and where it has come from. I
incorporate some new to stay relevant to the new, but that
is why I stand strong on my old sounds and styles. Doing
that, I feel that I am and always will be the Last of the
Mohicanz. It’s just something I will always hold on to and
never let go.
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Wu-International: Before we end this interview, do
you have anything else to add on or say to the fans, any
shout outs, etc?
Popa Chief: Yes. I love hip hop. I eat, sleep,
shit, and breathe hip hop. I apologize for the slight lack
of quality and and quantity of my releases. Security
measures. I’m my own label and it’s hard sometimes to keep
up with the Jones without a major budget and promotions, but
every day is a better one. And great things are in our
future. Keep showing me love and I will not let ya’ll down!
Shouts to everybody who held me down, who, helped me with
any of my projects, the dj’s, to all the fans who support
me, Brooklyn Zu, and the whole Wu movement. Peace.
Catch up with Popa Chief at
www.popachief.com
www.facebook.com/popachief
www.myspace.com/popachiefzu
www.twitter.com/popachief
www.youtube.com/popachieftv
For bookin:
popachief_zu@yahoo.com
ndaskymanagement@yahoo.com
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