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Interview
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Prodigal Sunn is
a man with the essence of the road running through his veins. During
his youth, Prodigal was known as the ‘Sun of Man’ and was later
re-christened “Prodigal Sunn’ by childhood friend Killah Priest
in reference to the well known parable in Luke chapter 15, verse
32. Along with Hell Razah, Priest and 60 Second Assassin, they
would form the first group associated with the Wu Tang Clan
known as Sunz Of Man. The group went on to release 2 studio
albums, the legendary “The Last Shall Be First” and “Saviors
Day” (on which Prodigal served as the Executive Producer) as well as an
EP, numerous mix tape projects and a classic radio single with
“Shinin’ Star” featuring Earth Wind & Fire and Ol’ Dirty
Bastard. Sunzini has built a reputation as one of the more
socially conscious and lyrically deep artists associated with
the Wu family. Alongside Dreddy Kruger and Timbo King Prodigal
Sunn had crossed the Atlantic to work with international
artists to win a Grammy award in France for La Saga
with French group IAM as well as a VIVA award in Germany for DJ
Tomek "Ich lebe fur hip-hop" along side Wu-Tang's craftsman GZA/Genius.
A versatile
artist, it has to be noted that outside music Prodigal Sunn was
one of the first artists approached by LRG Clothing for a
sponsorship with full pages ads that ran in XXL, Source, URB and
many more. His acting resume includes an appearance on HBO’s Sex
& The City and he is a co-producer as well as a featured artist
along with Jay-Z, Outkast and more in American Rap Stars, the
longest running rap documentary ever on cable. Prodigal is
currently in production on additional episodes of American Rap
Stars.
2010 could easily
be called a Sunz of Man year as every member of Sunz of Man had a
sort of project released except for Prodigal Sunn who by the way
had features on 60 Second's “Remarkable Timing”
album and few other features but no solo work of any sort. It
has been 6 years since “The return of the Prodigal Sunn” album,
so how about another return? What about the 2 On Da Road project
with 12 O’ Clock? Had he been too occupied with his company or
just put his solo career aside?
Luckily this year
we saw Sunzini slowly but steadily returning on the scene.
Beginning of this year he released a free download compilation
and just last week he again released a very enjoyable mixtape
called “Prodigall Sunn meets DJ Premier” which was also a free
download. After seemingly a lifetime of criss-crossing the
world, the country, classic albums, tours and all the experience
that brings, the Prodigal One, it appears the ‘Sun of Man’
finally comes home to focus again on himself, his upcoming
projects and his new label, find out what Sunzini the Great has
been up to, what he is currently working on and his future plans. Enjoy
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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: Hello Sunzini?
Prodigal Sunn: I’m excellent! Thanks!
Wu-International: “The hood Chronicles Hardlife Vol1
“ was announced some time back but you just put out
“PSunn Vs DJ Premiere” mixtape, what's happening with Hood
Chronicles?
Prodigal Sunn: Hood chroniclez is set to release
after this project later this year.
Wu-International: So lets talk about your upcoming
mixtape “Psunn vs Primo” can you please tell us more about
this project, how this idea was born and its release date?
Prodigal Sunn: Yes this project came to me a few
months back with my boy DJ B Original. After we finished the
best of Psunn we thought would be great come back with nice
tribute to hip hop. I was always a fan a primo’s work. So I
found the tracks I was feeling, Its so many but I narrowed
it down to few. The mixtape release July 25.
Wu-International: Primo is definitely one of the best
there is in hip-hop, but apart from that, any reason why you
have chosen a Primo beat as opposed to say a RZA, Kanye West
or Dr. Dre’s beat?
Prodigal Sunn: DJ Premier's beats was exactly what I
was looking for. Plain and simple.. that vintage sound of
hip hop baby!
Wu-International: So how many songs are on this
mixtape and is it solely you or you have features on there?
Prodigal Sunn:
8 songs with just me.
Wu-International:
Mixtape is going to be a free release, any particular reason
you have decided to make this free when you could have sold
it exclusively for cheap?
Prodigal Sunn: Yeah its a gift to all my fans for
supporting me up to date. Also just giving back to the true
hip hop fans that appreciate real hip hop!
Wu-International: Thanks, I am sure the fans will
appreciate the free release, do you plan on putting it out
as well on CD or will it just be digital?
Prodigal Sunn: Digital.
Get your hard copy at your local PSUNN SHOW
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Wu-International: Will you be looking to do a sequel
to Sunzini Vs Primo with another producer and if so who
would that be?
Prodigal Sunn: Yeah most definitely. I’m not sure yet
who the producer will be.
Wu-International: You have worked with Guru (RIP) in
the past, but can’t recall you on a Primo beat to date, have
you ever worked with him before?
Prodigal Sunn:
We talked about working
on a few occasion but never got around to it! But I’m sure
you will see us in the works in the near future.
Wu-International:
We are assuming this mixtape is an appetizer to your next
solo project "The Sunn”? when can we expect that to drop?
Prodigal Sunn: Yes, there will be plenty free music
for the fans before the album drops. Like I said this the
new beginning. So this is the new me and they are about to
hear and see a lot of PSUNN SUMMER TIME 2012 the album.
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Wu-International: How far gone are you with this
project if any?
Prodigal Sunn: I haven’t begun.
Wu-International: Your Sunz of Man comrades have been
consistently putting out great albums, from Killah Priest,
Hell Razah, 60 Second Assassin to Shabazz. Does this lay
pressure upon you to equally make an impression with “The
Sunn”?
Prodigal Sunn:
No
Wu-International: Fans were delighted to hear a full
S.O.M. reunion on 60 Second’s album “Perfect Timing” on the
song “MOAN” , is this something you hope to also do on your
album with features from some if not all your S.O.M. members
on a song or different songs on your album?
Prodigal Sunn: Yes
Wu-International: any planned guests and producers
yet?
Prodigal Sunn: I’ll let you know when I start working
on it.
Wu-International: Is that a definite title “The Sunn”
for the album or a tentative one?
Prodigal Sunn: For now, yes! I have another title but
it’s a fight between the two.
Wu-International: YYour debut album “Return of the
Prodigal Sunn” had a style/sound of its own but was received
with mixed feelings. Are you looking to go into another
direction with “The Sunn” this time around and if so how
will this project differ from the first?
Prodigal Sunn:
Yes as I grow MY music grows. It definitely will be
different because I’m in a different place in life. But you
can definitely expect real hip-hop music.
Wu-International: Thanks for those, lets move onto
another prolonged project or collaboration that the fans
have been waiting for a very long time now, your project
with 12 O’Clock as 2 On The Road, is that still going to
happen and if so when?
Prodigal Sunn: I’m not sure right now. I’m just
focusing on Prodigal Sunn right now. But we will always be
Two On Da road!
Wu-International: You have
both leaked a lot of songs that can count as an
album so its evident that you both have enough
material for an album, what’s been holding this
back?
Prodigal Sunn:
We live in two different states. We each have
obligations to our own careers and family first. So
I’m just focused on hitting my fans with that PSunn
material. It way over due!
Wu-International: Would you kindly like to share more
about the 2 On The Road project with the fans as in, planned
title for the album if any, producers, featured artists etc?
Prodigal Sunn: When I know more I’ll let them know.
But as of now, we are both focused on our solo careers and
I’m sure there be a 2 On Da Road record in the near future.
I’ll keep the fan posted!
Wu-International: I have always wanted to clear or
get the correct spelling of the group’s name, is it 2 On Da
Road or 2 on Tha Road (2OTR) as most spell it?
Prodigal Sunn:
2 On Da Road
Wu-International:
How did this union all come about, and when did you and 12
decided to form a group together?
Prodigal Sunn:
We formed in '99 while the Clan was doing the 'W' album
in Cali. The studio was booked out so we would use the time
the clan wasn’t using to record tracks. Me and 12 got the
name 2 On Da Road from a karate flick. We are Out of
Brooklyn Zu and Sunz of Man and we were always across the
globe travelling and politicking on the road. So we
connected in California after I came off the Beneath the
Surface tour with GZA. We bang out 12 songs and that
was the birth of 2 On Da Road!
Wu-International: Since we are speaking of groups and
projects, how likely is another Sunz of Man project with all
members involved in this moment in time?
Prodigal Sunn: There will definitely be another Sunz
album you can count on it. Just waiting on everybody to
finish their solo’s and we’re also giving Razah time to
heal.
Wu-International: There are rumours about a 1996
shelved Sunz of Man album “Nothing New Under the Sun”, can
you please tell us if this is indeed a true title of a
shelved album, and why it was shelved if any?
Prodigal Sunn: not true, album does not exist.
Wu-International: Let's go back in time, you were
once an active rep for the United Kingdom aka Population
Click, fans always want to hear or know something about this
collective which we already covered on our recent Timbo King
interview, but can you kindly share with us your own
personal recollection, experience and stories about this
almighty collective?
Prodigal Sunn: United Kingdom was originally just the
song title of a track we did with producer Greyboy from SD
in '97 for a compilation during the ASR convention. It later
became a movement when I gave the name to Poppa Wu as the
title to use for his projects United Kingdom and it blew up
from there.
Wu-International: Thanks, let’s talk about your
company and imprint, Godz Inc, who are involved or currently
part of Godz Inc apart from yourself?
Prodigal Sunn:
Theres no more Godz Inc. the company is now Goldcity/Godzent,
Prodigal Sunn is currently the only one on the roster.
Wu-International: We ask as there have been talks of
artists such as Leggazin, Chi King, Makeba Mooncycle and
General Jihad all being signed or part of your label, can
you please tell us more about each artist's involvement if
any?
Prodigal Sunn:
These people are friends and family now. I had Chi King
and Leggezin signed but shared enough knowledge with them
about the music industry where they now know how to handle
there own business. It’s a beautiful thing when you can help
an artist from the heart. They are both great brother and
talented artist.
Wu-International: General Jihad has recently told us
he is now part of Godz Inc and affiliated to the Wu via you
and Raison Allah the Zu Keeper?
Prodigal Sunn: Godzinc is no longer. Jihad is my
brother and very talented. He has his own brand Birds of
Prey but I never signed him to Godz Inc.
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Wu-International: We interviewed Leggazin early this
year, who was once your protégé, we believe he is back in
Angola? Are you both still in touch and working together on
anything?
Prodigal Sunn: Yes we talk on the regular and will
be doing music in the near future.
Wu-International: Leggazin credits you as one who
brought him in contact with the likes of RZA and the rest of
the Killa Beez fam, what did you see in him that made you
want to work with him as I assume they would have been loads
of other artists before him who have crossed your path?
Prodigal Sunn: Leggezin Fin is just genuinely a true
brother and very smart and talented. We connected at a 2 On
Da Road show in Santana. He gave me his CD with tracks he
produced. The tracks were fire!!! We met up in LA in 04 and
started doing music . later I signed him as a producer to
Godz inc. he produced campaigning on the Return album. He
likes my little brother! The rest is history
Wu-International: You seem to mentor a number of
artists, I recently discovered about this rock artist
called Megan Mccauley who seemed to have a connection to
you. Can you please tell us more about her, how you met etc?
Prodigal Sunn: I met Megan 2007 through a friend
of mine that was her personal manager at the time. We
clicked on music and I begin to mentor her on a few thing
about music business. I told if she ever needed my help not
to hesitate to call me. I got call from her one day saying
Uncle P I need your help to get a new deal. I’m label free.
So I started consulting and manageming her with Reginal
Askew. Its been on every since. Look out for her this year
big!!!
Wu-International: You, Shyheim and Choco worked with
Noah Francis on the beautiful song “Immortal”. How did that
collabo come to be ?
Prodigal Sunn: 2004 in 36 Chambers studio. Noah
had time booked. I was on the other side of the studio in
the office working. Choco came and got me and said I got a
feature for you to appear on with this guy from the UK named
noah Francis. I heard the song. It was new sound but
never the less hiphop. Then I got a call from Shyheim, and I told
him he should come the studio and jump on this song. He came
through and history was made!
Wu-International: On Balcony TV London you
performed the song in an acoustic version plus another song
called “Bleed”. Was that song also officially recorded,
released and are there more collaboration with you and him?
Prodigal Sunn:
Yes Yes...
and More to come!!!
Wu-International: It’s been 6 years since “The return
of the Prodigal Sunn”. In the meantime fans had to quench
their thirst for Sunzini material with features on other
albums. Which feature in the past years would you say was
your favourite and why?
Prodigal Sunn:
Immortal with Noah Francis. That’song speaks for
itself. The verse I drop has a real sentimental connection
on real things I went through in life.
Wu-International: There are talks of a new
Gravediggaz project underway, have you contributed to that
yet or Achozen project and if so can you please tell us more
about your appearances?
Prodigal Sunn: No appearances yet
Wu-International: Thanks for those answers, you have
also been active in the movie world from Sex in the city, to
The Bait and Director, how did you get into acting and is
this something you will consider doing for a long haul?
Prodigal Sunn:
Well
I got in acting because I love it. Yes it will definitely be
for the long haul.
Wu-International: Crappy Father’s day was hilarious,
how did this project come about?
Prodigal Sunn: I got call from my boy Heat Cliff
about playing this role with rocker guy by the name of Har
mar. Its was comedy so I thought I would give the fans a
laugh.
Wu-International: The fans did not know how to take
this feature, some were impressed with it and others from
the comments on YouTube were disappointed to see you there,
what’s your take on fans who didn’t understand your role as
an artists in these kind of movies?
Prodigal Sunn:
Its all good! I allow
people people to say what they want To say. Its doesn’t
matter. What's done is done.
Wu-International: Thanks for those answers, is there
anything else you would like to share with the fans as far
as projects, collabos etc that has not been covered yet?
Prodigal Sunn: Be sure to get your free
download on July 25. Prodigal Sunn meets DJ Premier / the
new beginning
http://hulkshare.com/boriginal and
http://djboriginal.podomatic.com/entry/2011-07-23T10_28_06-07_00
Also check the movie I
associate produced called “COUGARZ INC” staring Denise
Richards Jim Bulushi, Kylegallner, and Christian Murphy YEAH
BABY! THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR
Keep up to date with
Prodigal Sunn
at
www.myspace.com/prodigalsunn
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