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Interview
U-God Speaks To Wu-International:
Hip Hop Rap Artist U-God also known as UGodzilla Of The Wu-tang
Clan just dropped he’s latest album, Mr. Xcitement on the 13th of
September. Nearly a decade after first coming into the game with the
intentions of shifting the entire power structure within the music
industry, U-God continues to reinvent both himself and the climate
around his art. His latest LP,
Mr. Xcitement, is a
testament to his artistic development and proof that time rears
wisdom. Enriched with a bevy of styles, the follow-up to U-God’s
critically acclaimed debut, Golden Arms Redemption, is a well
rounded album that incorporates as many characters as it does
musical influences. "Mr. Xcitement ain’t just about partying," tells
U-God. "Mr. Xcitement is a drug dealer/killer/pimp. I spent four
years writing this album, I took my time—I didn't rush the shit."
Variety has a lot to do with U-God’s
appeal. The fact that he is able to touch on so many different
topics and morph his character into someone who is still relevant
today says a lot about his ever-changing mic skills. “Niggas don’t
realize the U in U-God stands for universal,” he explains. “It means
no boundaries, infinity, it goes on forever. There’s no shape or
form that you could say, ‘That’s U.G. right there.’ You’re always
gonna be like damn that’s him?”
Even if you don’t recognize the man on the mic you will learn to
love what he’s done for rap now as much as ever.
Wu-International recently had the
privilege of conducting a brief interview with the God himself, and
broke down the Wu-tang rumors, the album, upcoming projects and so
on, Read On..
Dark 7: Thanks very much
for taking the time out to answer these questions. Please tell us
how you hooked up with Don King?
U-God: That was a crazy situation, I don’t really want to
tell you that or people will start copying me (laughing).
Dark 7: Your new album, Mr Xcitement is about to come out,
What was the creative process like?
U-God: I did the album in three places, New York, Florida and
Los Angeles so it was crazy. I made enough for 3 three albums of
work.
Dark 7: What is like living in L.A?
U-God: I’m still in New York though LA is like my second
home. I love LA, recorded part of the album and shot the video
there.
Dark 7: What was it like working with the likes Of MC Eith,
Binky and those westcoast Rappers?
U-God: Just like working with New York niggaz, they came in,
did their jobs and mutherfuckin threw it down. Eiht is one of the
fastest writing niggaz I’ve met in my life. He’s the King of LA.
Dark 7: There are updates online that The Wu-Tang Clan's
album is about 10 tracks deep without any vocals from you, Ghost or
Cappadonna yet, is that true and when will you be laying your vocals
down as we all know it is not a Wu-tang album without you?
U-God: Don’t believe everything you hear about Wu-Tang
recording process or take everything you hear as the gospel truth.
It blows my mind the amount of lies and propaganda that gets spread
around. Plus if I hear a Wu track that ain’t the truth to me, I’m
not trying to hear it. Much love for that last comment.
Dark 7: You released The Hillside Scramblers CD and a DVD
some time back, will they be a follow up to the Hillside project?
U-God: We gonna see. I’d say most definitely I’ll be putting
out a DVD next year. Right now, I’m all about the Mr Xcitement
album.
Dark 7: You released this album under the moniker
Ugodzilla? Please break down the meaning behind the name?
U-God: I’m a Beast when it comes to this music. Ugodz-illa
stompin’ the Metro.
Dark 7: Your Protégé Leathaface has been around for a
while and he's quite nice, can we expect anything from him soon?
U-God: Yes. Check him out on Mr Xcitement. Me and Face go way
back. He’s lyrically dangerous and yet most people don’t know how
dope a producer he is. He did the beats for half the record,
basically. You should hear what I got in the vaults. Incredible.
We’re working on his album now.
Dark 7: You had an EP out on Koch some time back called "Supanigga"
What happened with that release? Was it supposed to be followed by
an album or was it just an EP?
U-God: It wasn’t on Koch and it was actually just a 12inch
deal on a small distributor called Landspeed. ‘Face murdered the
WildStyle Superfreak track. Homocide did the beat. Check that 12inch
out, it’s a collectors item.
Dark 7: Oh yes, Landspeed is what i meant, What can the
fans expect from U-God, As in future projects and endeavours?
U-God: Not being afraid to push the envelop with this rap shit. Not
being afraid to try something. People need to know I’m musically
adventurous. I’m going to try new shit whether you like it or not. I
let the Wu be the Wu when it comes to Wu-Tang albums but on solo
albums I want to do what I want to do and try things I can’t do
within the limits of Wu.
Dark 7: Do you log onto the net regularly? If so which
sites do you visit?
U-God: I’m an analog brother still but my peeps got me into
this whole myspace thing which has been a great way to hear directly
from my real fans. Check it out a myspace.com/ugodzilla. I wish I
had time to stay on it and answer everybody, the love has been
rewarding.
Dark 7: Please check out www.wu-international.com from
time to time when you have the time :-)
U-God: (Laughing) I’ll do that for a brother
Dark 7: Will you be planning any tour to promote your
album, and will you be touring Europe?
U-God: All promoters reach out to me at myspace.com/ugodzilla.
We’ve got dates planned but am continually looking for more shows.
I’m heading to Switzerland right after this interview.
Dark 7: How do you view Europe in terms of Hiphop and
touring over there against back home in US?
U-God: Europe has more energy and spirit at their shows. The
US crowd more or less don’t want to get their clothes dirty or break
a sweat. We played to huge festivals in Europe that’d blow you away.
As far as HipHop, Europe tends to like that raw underground joints
much more than the US.
Dark 7: Any last words to the fans?
U-God: Much love and support throughout the years thru all
the ups and downs. Much blessin’ to all the families out there. Get
money and have babies, multiply! All the support is much
appreciated. Yea man.
Wu-International would like to thank
U-God, Mark Copeland, Binky Mac & Robert for making this interview
possible.
Log On to
http://www.myspace.com/ugod For the Bump Remix
Opportunities: Download the instrumental and vocals (Accapella) of
the track "Bump", and remix it yourself, Anyone and everyone can
send their remix in whatever the hell style they want and with
whoever they want to add as a guest on the track, whatever, to info@freeagencyrecordings.com.
It’s not a contest, but an opportunity. U-God just wanted to
make the parts available and see who’s got next out there in this
world, you never know what can spring out from this.
Wu-International would like to thank
U-God, Mark Copeland, Binky Mac & Robert for making this interview
possible.
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