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Interview
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There has always
been more to the Wu-Tang Clan as a movement that meets the eyes
and this is common knowledge between the die hard fans. So much
so that there is always a quest for more knowledge, truth and
music from the Clan members, Killa Beez, the movement and
anything else that is lurking at the background that is not
known to the public or yet to be known. Ever since Wu-Tang burst
onto the scene and captured the world, some elements of the Wu
have also remained a mystery regardless of their commercial
success and this is one of Wu-tang’s many attractive traits,
regardless of how long they have been in the game, something new
is always getting discovered year in and year out, be it a new
addition to the movement, drama within the members or a blast
from the past, the movement is forever exciting and elevating.
Background in art can be seen as the part of the scene that
appears to be farthest from the viewers, the background is
always there and has always been there but is usually oblivious
to the audience and only when you take a closer look do you
realize that the background is an integral part of the whole
picture or in this case the movement that makes it complete. So
many names and voices within the Wu has stayed and remained at
the background for years, some will never be known or heard of
and very few will be made manifest with time.
One of these voices that the fans might be familiar with but
know nothing of is Selima. This song writer, singer and emcee
has been described by The RZA as "a talented writer who’s lyrics
flow like water" and legendary producers such as Pete Rock, DJ
Scratch (EPMD fame) and Swizz Beats have gone on to express
interest in working with her. While most Wu fans will be
familiar with songs such as Wu-Revolution off the classic album
“Wu-Tang Forever”, not many know who was going back and forth
with Blue Raspberry on the background to that song, not many
know the original vocals used for “Tragedy” by The RZA on the
Rhyme and Reason soundtrack and in fact how that was supposed to
be a Gravediggaz song, and what about the songs that never made
it to “Wu-Tang Killa Beez: The Sting” compilation? While songs
like “Scrilla” off Ol’ Dirty Bastards still unreleased project
“A Son Unique” and many others remain shelved or pending it will
be difficult to recognise some of the elements that have been
contributing to the movement since day one.
Selima born in Brooklyn, New York to a Southern mother and a
West Indian father from the small island of St. Vincent and the
Grenadines, She spent many years enjoying the freedom of her
youth in Tennessee and also lived in East Point, College Park,
Georgia before returning home to Brooklyn. She desired to be a
singer/artist since she was able to talk and after an
immobilizing car accident which left her hospitalized at age 5,
she became even more determined to see her dreams become a
reality. As a teenager she formed a group called "Euphoria" with
a combination of friends and this is what lead them to capture
the attention of Ghostface Killah and eventually The RZA from
The Wu-Tang Clan and the rest they say is history.
After sitting quietly behind the scenes, Selima has emerged to
capture the masses, with a hot single “Asking U2 Stay” produced
by Wu Element’s own Bronze Nazareth and its currently tearing up
the internet and radio stations, Selima is now ready to take on
the whole music industry. Wu-International caught up with her to
find out what she has been up to, her views on music, the good
old days of 36 chambers records, and many many more… welcome to
the 36 secluded chambers of Wu-Tang… 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 Selima, how are you today?
Selima: I'm real good; definitely blessed.
Wu-International: Can you please tell us a little bit about
your background as in who you are, where you are from etc?
Selima: Well, my name is Selima Ayana, I was born in Crown
Heights; Brooklyn, where I still reside.
Wu-International: Is Selima just a stage name or also your
real name and what does it mean if anything?
Selima: No, Selima is my real name, it means "daughter of a
king".
Wu-International: Nice, so when and why did you first start
to rhyme / sing?
Selima: I began singing when I was two yrs old, that's when
I predicted that I’d be a singer. I didn't know about
rhyming then, haha!! I started rhyming about 12yrs ago.
Wu-International: Ok, before we go further into your
background, can we just get the Wu-tang questions out first,
would you say you were discovered by The RZA or Ghostface
Killah and how did that happen?
Selima: Hmmm, that's a complex question. I'd have to say
both, definitely both. I met the clan in Atlanta after I
jumped on stage. I didn't even have a "demo", "mixtape", or
any of that. All I had was an instrumental tape with 3 beats
on it. I was with my group "Euphoria" at the time. I
approached Rza first but he wasn't really trying to
entertain the whole "I have a group, please listen to me
sing" scenario, so he told me to holla at Ghost. I sang for
ghost in the lobby of the Marriott while the tape was
playing & he loved it. He said I reminded him of Caron
Wheeler from Soul II Soul. He gave me like five phone
numbers; Rza's basement studio that he had back n tha days,
the management office, his personal manager’s number, his
girl’s house phone number and his sky pager too. Haha! I was
like "damn, this is it! I just sang for ghost?? Ohhh shiitt!!"
after that I made a little bootleg demo with my group, gave
it to ghost, he gave it to Rza then the rest as they "say"
is "hip-hop history".
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Wu-International: Nice, You then went on to
work with The RZA on a number of songs. Firstly "Tragedy"
was not credited under your name but "The Truth", was this
you? if not could you tell us what your role was on that
song and why you were not credited for it?
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Selima: I contributed the key element to that
song... the hook. "The truth" about this situation is Rza
called me in to firehouse studios, I’d never really recorded
at a professional spot b4 so I was maaad nervous. The
Gravediggaz were there, Ghost too. Originally the entire
Gravediggaz were supposed to get on the track, I don’t know
what happened to that, but anyway, Rza asked me what could I
do to that track... I sang something entirely different at
first, don't ask me what because I can't remember, he didn't
like it so I took a few seconds and the eurhythmics "here
comes the rain again" came to mind, I changed up the words a
bit and he loved that shit. His original verse was ill, I
still have it on tape somewhere. A few weeks later Rza
called and said Eric Sermon (EPMD) had a group that he was
trying to promote "The Truth", and they were going to get on
the hook. I was like what'da fuck?? They got on there and
tried to sound just like me??? I definitely was heated!! My
phone was ringing non-stop about that shit because soo many
people had heard the original & they wanted to know what
happened. I was maaad young when this took place, not even
20, so I had to fall back and take it. I thought my name
would at least be on the credits but that was squashed too.
I guess I was a "silent partner" on that shit huh? Wow!!! It
was like "welcome to reality" kid, even to this day though
Mathematics still remembers me for that. It was one of Rza’s
best selling solo single.
Wu-International: Wooow, Well moving on to another song,
Wu-Revolution? where you doing the background vocals with
Blue Raspberry or was it someone else?
Selima: Blue and I did that together with Uncle Pete and
Papa Wu at the hit factory. Rza told the engineer to let the
beat rock and then he told us he wanted us all to go in the
booth. Nothing was premeditated.
Wu-International: You also mentioned you were on the song “skrilla”?
could you please tell us more about this song, where it’s on
and your contribution?
Selima: Good question.. Where is that song?? Scrilla is one
off Dirty's songs that Rza was workin on about 3 months b4
O.D.B. passed away, Rest in peace Dirty. I was on the hook.
Wu-International: Have you been featured on songs with other
Wu members and affiliates that we do not know of (perhaps
unreleased yet or you were not listed on the features) that
you might want to tell us about please?
Selima: You have to understand, the Wu has archives. There
were two studios, the old 36 and the new 36 that was located
right across from the Copacabana. The original 36 chambers
was like home based studio, I recorded alot of material
there. When that studio shut down, alot of shit came up
missing, unsolved mystery...
Wu-International: So what is your status within the Wu,
where you signed with The RZA of any of the labels
associated to him or Wu-tang when you worked with them or
were you just putting in work as fam like a lot of Killa
Beez did then?
Selima: That's the amazing thing, I was never signed or
obligated to anyone. I'm thankful for that now. No hard
feelings at the end of the day.
Wu-International: Thanks, to rephrase that same question as
I guess what the fans want to know or hear is if you
consider yourself as an official Killa Bee?
Selima: I would have to say yes to that, queen killa bee m.c....
I'm not really into titles though, haha!
Wu-International: Usually when an artist is working so close
with most members of the clan, especially The RZA they are
deemed Killa Beez and generally introduced via a music
forum, was there any reason why you were not featured on the
Killa Bees compilation like “The Sting” as you were around
before the release of that project?
Selima: I was around when he was working on The Sting, that
was right after the towers fell. I stayed in BK alot around
that time, I wasn't really rhyming because Rza wanted me to
focus on writing and singing. I was going through a
metamorphosis. I started playing the piano as well and
reflecting on my mortality. I did go into 36 and we worked
on an R&B song called "Sleepless Nights & Lonely Days" with
a badass singer named Mars. Suga Bang Bang got on that one
too. I didn't see how that would fit on The Sting though, so
I didn't stress it. I was just like "alrite, what's next??".
Wu-International: Never heard of that song, probably still
unreleased to date. Are you still close or working closely
with the Wu members and who would you say you are closest wto right now?
Selima: I was with the brothers a few times over the summer.
They were recording 8 Diagrams up at legacy in Times Square
& also doing the "Rock The Bells" tour . Ghost performed in
Brooklyn at the hip-hop fest. I went through with my sons.
It was all love. I was on stage at the Randall's Island show
and in San Bernardino, Cali. I keep in contact with Rae too.
He was one of the first people to listen to "Askin U2 Stay".
He gave me the official stamp of approval. We have plans to
collaborate, Killah Priest too. It's hard to keep up with
everyone being so busy and on tour.
Wu-International: Seems you have been around the Wu way back
as '97 if not earlier, what was it like working with legends
such as the clan members, being one of the chosen few
females to lounge in 36 chambers?
Selima: I met them in 95. It was definitely intimidating at
first. I used to take the ferry from Brooklyn out to the
spot they had on Bay street in Shaolin, that's where Ghost
recorded "Iron Man", I remember hearing "Daytona 500" for
the first time! Fire!!! The beat played allll night.
The Force M.D's came through and got on it. Killa Sin and
Killah Priest were also there, maaad peoples...Ahhh good
times!! Rza used to make me sing this song I wrote called
"So Many Ways" in front of everyone, Sunz Of Man etc etc. I
was really shy at first so he kept testing me constantly,
just trying to break me out of it. It worked eventually,
huh? 36 chambers was like the basement, rats and all. All
kinds of shit happened there. NYPD used to circle around
that spot like sharks waitin to eat! That was my favorite
spot, I really miss it. So many people used to come through.
Swizz Beats owns it now from what I heard. We need to get it
back.
Wu-International: True indeed, having
done our maths, we know you are as authentic as they
come, but wanted to know how you felt about all the
Wu-tang clones or as referred to the fans as Wu Killa Wannabeez who claim Wu-tang just because they
have done songs with a Wu artist or took pictures
with a Wu affiliate, especially after reading one of
your interesting blogs in regards to this same
question. What are you views on these so called
Wu-tang wannabeez and please feel free to call out
any names?
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Selima: hmmm, I don't respect all that. I
grinded for years, shiiit, i'm still on the grind. I know
that I was blessed to be a part of the Wu entity, regardless
of all the drama, it's something I don't take for granted
but when I see people throwin the "W" around or using it
like an e-z pass, that kills me. Pay your dues, and develop
your own style!! Like Ghost and Rae said on cuban linx,
"just be original"!!! Some cats are out here tryin to sound
exactly like Bobby? You're not payin homage, you're defeatin
the purpose! I don't even have to call out names, they gotta
feel the burn right now.
Wu-International: It makes it harder for bona fide
affiliates to come out without being questions. Anyway,
moving along, with so very few female affiliates do you know
or maintain contact with the originals such as Tekitha, Blue
Raspberry and recently Tash Mahogany just to name the few?
Selima: I’ve been around since 95, the only female that was
around in the compound was Blue Raspberry. Rza was in the
process of puttin her CD together, and after Ghost let him
hear my demo, I was assigned to write for her, so it was
only me & Candy a*k*a Blue Raspberry. Tekitha didn't come
around until 97-98. Rza also wanted me to write for her too.
He wanted me to write all the time. I met Tash around
2004-2005 or so, right before they opened the new spot. No
disrespect but me and Blue are the originals. We went
through a lot of shit together.
Wu-International: Thanks, shout outs to Tekitha, Blue and of
course Tash. In regards to Female groups in Wu, word is RZA
was trying to put together a project or group called "Black
Shampoo" some years back to include an all female cast such
as Tekitha, Makeba Mooncycle, Blue and some members from
Deadly Venoms, Where you aware of this or included on this
project and what happened to it?
Selima: I guess so, Ghost told me that they had a group of
females that they wanted to rock with originally but that
was before Tekitha came into the picture. Like I said
before, Blue and I were the only two that Rza had at first
so we spent a lot of time throwing around concepts. I spoke
to her (Blue) yesterday, we have plans to work together
soon.
Wu-International: Alright, thanks. You were in a group
before your Wu days, please tell us more about Euphoria and
its current status?
Selima: Euphoria consisted of 4 females. It was me, my
cousin Keinya, my best friend Carmelita, and Suntee. We were
nice. I was writing the majority of the hooks; Sun was a
poet, Carmelita was and still is one of the illest female
lyricists I ever witnessed, and my cousin keinya is a
prolific poet. She recently had one of her poems published.
We started off as four, dropped down to three, then
Carmelita moved to ATL, so it was just me and Sun. After I
started workin with Blue in New York, Suntee decided she
wanted to fold.
Wu-International: You claim Brooklyn to heart but have also
lived down South, would you say your upbringing have any
sort of influence in the music that you make today?
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Selima: There's a reason why we call
Brooklyn "Da Planet"; everyone is definitely on
their own alien shit out here, haha. Growing up
here, I displayed an independent streak at a young
age. My moms was constantly busy, she and my father
split up when I was two. So I was either at granny's
house, with the babysitter or with my sister.
Regardless, I ended up spending alot of time on my
own. I learned how to be creative & I listened to
the radio constantly. I was able to free up and be a
little girl in Tennessee, instead of being a
responsible grown woman all the time, however the
dark side to it was as you grew older, there was
less to do down there. I saw alot of people get into
the dope game at a young age. Alot of brothers got
murdered, locked up, or just lost hope period. It
was very depressing, I smoked alot of gunja down
there, livin in Atlanta was a wild experience! I was
around all kinds of shit! Rappers, strippers,
wannabee models, it was crazy!!I put all of my life
experiences plus the trials and tribulations of
others into my lyrics. It's all real.
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Wu-International: It seems you sing as well
as emcee, which would you say is more you?
Selima: I love singin but look around you, every other
female wants to be the next American idol! it's an epidemic!
I have soooo much to say at this point in my life and I
really can't get my point across singing love songs like
Mariah right now. I'll never stop writing songs and singing,
it's in my heart, but for right now, that's not my main
focus. My focus is re-establishing the female M.C. as a
valuable resource in this so called game. It's not a game to
me, it's strictly, serious business, 4real, 4real.
Wu-International: We heard a couple of hot joints off your myspace page, feeling the Bronze Nazareth produced “Asking
U2 Stay”, that’s my flavour right now, how did you connect
with Bronze?
Selima: Up at 36 chambers. Bronze was up here from Michigan
briefly working with Division (C.C.F Division), I came in
and heard some fire playin! I looked around and saw Bronze.
We exchanged numbers and kept in touch for awhile. This was
a few years b4 the Think Differently project, Wizemen etc.
He used to send CDs up to 36 for Rza but they would
mysteriously come up missing so he sent some of them to me
and I took one of them up to 36 to give to Bobby. After all
that, Bronze ended up with two joints on "Birth of a
prince".
Wu-International: Interesting, wonder what happened to those
lost CDs. Ok, so you have worked with legends such as DJ
Scratch (EPMD), Pete Rock and Swizz Beats, how does it feel
having greats like that show interest in your work and
what’s it like working with them?
Selima: They all definitely gave me massive respect as an M.C. period. Pete and I haven't put in any work yet. He was
working on his project & travelling alot, but we will in the
near future. We've been doing the texting/email thing. I met
Swizz out in L.A. but we haven't been in touch lately. I was
just in the studio with Scratch the other day. We're puttin
the finishing touches to "hit the floor". He's definitely a
hands on perfectionist. No drinking and smoking allowed up
in there, haha!! It's been amazing working with him though.
EPMD was one of my biggest influences coming up, so
collaborating with him is a dream come true.
Wu-International: "Thug Passion" is another hot song, so are
you are currently working on a solo or even group project?
Selima: Thank you! I gots to say peace and love to KPL
allstars!! DJ Kiilu 100grand! Thanks for looking out! Thug
passion is some real shit that alot of ladies can relate to.
Yes, I'm workin like a beast! Being mommy, cooking,
cleaning, praying, trying to maintain in these last days,
haha. 4real tho, i'm working on my solo joints and also my
group project.
Wu-International: Please tell us more about it, as in how
many songs deep, album title, and when can we expect it to
drop?
Selima: I write constantly. Rza used to say I write like
water flowin. I'm not even sure how many joints I have
written, a lot.. As far as the title, we won't settle on
that until the product is ready. God willing, it should be
out before the end of this year.
Wu-International: Who can we expect to be on it as featured
guests and on production?
Selima: I like to work with all kinds of producers, I've
been gettin alot of beat submissions. I do know for sure
that my peoples from Jersey, Polo/Rahdamus Konvoy
contributed some lava!! He was the assistant engineer to
Choco Reynoso up at 36 Chambers, now he's on his way to
being one of the illest producers out there. I have Blunt
Technics from Michigan, Goody from Brooklyn, I wanna rock
with "Dirty Lost Tapes" from Brooklyn Zu. I like alot of so
called "unknowns", but then again I have DJ Scratch, DJ
Kiilu grand, Bronze, and Pete Rock. I got producer like
Annex from Phoenix, Arizona, he gave me some fire!! And also
the producer Kev Sakoda from LA definitely looked out on
production. I'm an equal opportunity type M.C. hopefully I
can get my people Jaz-O to get on too. Rae, Ghostface, Deck,
Meth, Masta Killah, Killah Priest, and Golden Arms. I want
everybody to come together. Let's do a "We are the world"
type collabo. I respect the veterans. I hate paper mache
rap.
Wu-International: Do you intend to get it out through a
major or you just going to do it independently as most
artists do these days?
Selima: Indie baby. All I need from a major, if anything, is
distribution.
Wu-International: Thanks for that, we look forward to
anything from you, seems you also have another project in
works “Eighty Five” can you please tell us more about this?
Selima: Awwww, thanks..."Eighty-Five", that's me and my
homegirl from another world, Carmelita Foxx reachin in your
stash box. she was in Euphoria too. We're two female emcees
goin back and forth like early Mobb, Rae & Ghost, Smiff-n-Wesson?
That's us. Solid hip-hop. We got fire fo that ass!!! We
takin it back to 85!!
Wu-International: Nice, so can you describe your process for
creating music to us? How does a piece start for you?
Selima: Truthfully, ideas just pop up all the time. I get
inspired by all types of situations. I write in my sleep
too. I always have concepts runnin through my mind.
Sometimes I write to tracks, sometimes I write without
tracks, it doesn't matter. I've always been very observant,
I absorb everything. Writing is my therapy, trust! If it
wasn't for my music, I don't know how I would've made it
through alot of situations that approached me in life, truth
be told.
Wu-International: So is there any thing out there that you
would like to share with the fans that has not been covered
on this interview?
Selima: I think i've exposed myself enough at this point!!
Nah, i'm just playin.. I have nothing but love, respect, and
the utmost admiration for these talented M.C's that I was
blessed to be embraced by. No matter what may happen in this
uncertain life I live, I'm eternally a Killa Bee no matter
what.
Wu-International: Before we end this interview, what’s your
view on the said beef going on within the clan members and
most especially old associates firing diss songs at Wu-tang
members?
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Selima: As with any family there's
bound to be internal conflicts, dramas, etc. Look at
the scoreboard, there has yet to be another group of M.Cs as masterful and lyrically skilled as the Wu,
their styles are so unique! They made history when
they evolved up from the 36 chambers. Millions of
lives were altered in so many ways. I know my life
changed after I smoked a blunt and listened to enter
the 36 chambers for the first time; I knew I had to
find these brothas and work with them.
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That was 1993, 15 yrs ago! Now there
are so many other issues at hand, Dirty is gone,
millions of dollars are involved, egos have been
crushed, there's a lot of mistrust, a lot of haters
like to feed off the negativity, so the best thing
to do is either agree to disagree and keep creating
that fire that the millions of fans all around the
globe love, or simply go separate ways. After 15yrs
in the game, I don't see separating as being an
option. Everyone should try to resolve the issues at
hand and put in work. We need quality product out on
the street!! I'm tired of the garbage that's being
put out and I know I'm not the only one that feels
that way. At the end of the day all any real M.C
wants is to hold the mic, spit and emit their
rhymes, get paid, and get laid. Haha! Seriously
though, the public display of inner conflicts and
turmoil isn't a good look, but I understand the
frustration. Everybody needs to get that cream and
respect that they deserve. |
Wu-International: Thanks, being affiliated
with the Wu has been called a blessing and a curse by the
fans and old associates, what’s your own view on this?
Selima: That's definitely the truth. A lot of people didn't
want to deal with me after they heard I was affiliated with
Wu. I was even told not to mention that I worked with them
before? Come on now, that's like me trying to pass for
white; I couldn't pull that off if it was my drawers like
Ghost would say, haha! it's just not feasible. I won't try
to deny where I came from. So I'm taking this affiliation as
a gift and rockin it, hard body.
Wu-International: No doubt, thanks. Least but not last, what
do you outside music, as in interests and hobbies?
Selima: Music is my life!! I have two beautiful sons so I am
mommy first and foremost. I read and I love to cook, when I
have the time.
Wu-International: Thank you very much for taking the time to
answer this, fans will definitely appreciate it, do you have
any last words, shout outs etc?:
Selima: Yes, I really want to thank Wu- international for
giving me the opportunity to set the record straight and
allowing me to introduce myself to those who didn't know
about me and my secluded chamber in Brooklyn. If any of you
want to know what I do check my page,
www.myspace.com/selimabk
No, I don't have a lot of
glittery designs, I don't have time for all that shit, this
is hip-hop in the purest form baby, me nah deal wit all
that! Oh yeah, "Askin u2 Stay" is currently on heavy
rotation on Radio Mic Beatz,
www.Mic-beatz.Com.
One love to all my real people across
the US, all my folks that are incarcerated, in NY and Tn,
all my family in England, Italy, Germany, and last but not
least St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Dis a worldwide
thing!! Peace, thanks a lot.
Wu-International: Peace queen.. and get that song onto
Chambermusik radio also.
Catch up with Selima, drop her a note, line,
at
www.myspace.com/selimabk
<Read Other Interviews> |
