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Interview
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Wu-Syndicate (then
Joe Mafia, Napoleon and Myalansky) hailing from Virginia, USA,
captured the world with their debut album almost 10 years ago,
initially known as Crime Syndicate, the group became Wu
Syndicate upon meeting and establishing a music and business
relationship with the almighty Wu-Tang Clan, specifically
between The RZA and Divine who saw the potential of the group
and quickly signed them up and amalgamated them onto the
then new but ever growing Killa Beez family tree.
The trio came together to create music way before their Wu-tang
affiliation, Myalansky was a solo artist creating a buzz on his
side of Virginia, while Joe Mafia and Napoleon then collectively
known as Hell Raisers were also eminent on the underground, a
chance meeting via a mutual friend ended up with the trio
becoming a group. When the album "Wu-Syndicate
[Myalansky & Joe Mafia]"
was released Napoleon was incarcerated and was featured
as a guest artist on the album which sold very well and to date
is considered a classic within Wu fans and any hip-hop fan who
have heard the album in its entirety. Due to a number of
circumstances the group members took time out amid being locked
up to focus on other things. Joe Mafia released a solo album
independently entitled “This
One” in 2002, Myalansky came back home and joined forces
with Joe Mafia around 2006/2007 and continued making music
resulting in the highly sort after mixtape “The
Syndicate is Back” which was later given to fans for free
via Wu-International in 2008. Napoleon on the other hand
released his solo album “Kingpin
Wit Da Inkpen” in 2007, and 2008 saw Mya also dropping his
solo album “Drastic
Meazures”. While the group members have been independently
active within the game, its been about 10 years in exact since
the fans heard a full album from Wu-Syndicate as a group not
taking into account the mixtape or features.
Wu-0010, the new
year sees Mya and Joe Mafia finally complete and put out the
highly awaited and anticipated “Grimlenz” album that have
been in talks for a while now. This digital only release is an
exclusive album for the fans and can be purchased directly via
their own site
www.myspace.com/myalansky757, This album produced entirely
by upcoming producer Antagonist, reflects the grim horror
witnessed through the eyes of Joe Mafia and Myalansky over years
of struggling in the Ghetto, the music industry and life on the
streets, politics, relations and what have you. This album can
be considered as a free album as The Syndicate brothers felt it
necessary to give something back to the fans for their constant
support over the years and have made it available for only $1.99
as a way to say thanks and hold on for bigger things as the
group is currently working on their 3rd album (or 2nd official
album depending on how you want to view it) expected to drop
something this year. This will involve features from their Killa
Beez affiliates as well as The Abbott (The RZA) being involved
as well.
With the release
of Grimlenz, The RZA back in the picture, continued steady
growth of fans, and a more matured Mya and lyrically sharper
Mafia, 2010 seems like a year to watch out for the duo
(unfortunately as of date Napoleon is not in the pipeline).
Wu-International went to the labs to look through the lenses as
seen by Joe Mafia and Myalansky to view the music, Grimlenz, their Wu affiliation, Mya's public
fall out with Napoleon, future plans and everything else the
fans wanted to know. Happy Wu year 2010. 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: How are the Syndicates doing?
Myalansky:
We cant complain who would listen.
Wu-International: what is the official date for the
release of Grimlenz?
Myalansky:
Its Available Now...
Wu-International: You released “The Syndicate is
back” mixtape a couple of years back, why has it taken you
this long to complete this album?
Myalansky: No reason just weighing out options as far
as wait for major distribution and budget or go ahead and
hit the fans with some new shit...
Wu-International: How would you say this album
differs from your first album at Wu-Tang records?
Joe Mafia:
Maturity in Myalansky's
voice for one lets you know that we are not kids anymore and
our budget is different but lyrics and concepts will
continue to rain supreme.....
Wu-International: What label is this coming out from
and will it also be available on a physical format?
Joe Mafia:
Yes this is only a digital release only, no physical copies
are available and this will be released independently on our
own label Syndicate Entertainment. By the way thanks to the
kid out in England, TCG GFX and Wu-International for hooking
up the cover art.
Wu-International: Why is the album called
Grimlenz?
Myalansky:
Because it reflects the Grim pictures we witnessed through
the windows of our eye lenz over years of struggling in the
ghetto....
Wu-International: So where can fans get this album
for now?
Myalansky:
www.myspace.com/myalansky757 just scroll through
the profile and click the pay pal buy now button $1.99.
Wu-International: Any particular reason this album
was produced by just one producer?
Myalansky:
As you know the first Wu Syndicate album production was
covered mostly by DJ Devastator and then a few tracks by
others but Once again we linked with a kid that held enough
heat to cover the entire album by the name of ANTAGONIST
once he hit us with the tracks the album wrote it self.....
Wu-International:
You also kept the
features minimal, was there anyone that you wanted on this
album that never happened?
Myalansky:
Its always a honour to
collaborate with other artist but our reputation was built
on mostly our own voices being soul controller of each album
but who knows what the future has in store?
Wu-Int:
I love what I have
heard so far, “The Lights Here” is one of my
favourite, are they any songs that stand out to both
of you and if so, why?
Joe Mafia: We also agree that "The Light's here" is a
banger guess because of the political standpoints we
covered. |
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Wu-International:
The album is just 12 songs, tracks like “Killa Be Stung” and
Torch Still Burning” and a few others you leaked never made
it to the album, any reason for this and will they be
officially put out?
Joe Mafia: Killa Bee Stung and Torch Still Burning
was promotional just to keep the buzzzzzzzz.......
Wu-International: You are practically giving this
album away for free as you are selling it for just $1.99 on
your site, any reason why you have decided to sell your
highly anticipated second album this cheap knowing fully
well you could sell it for more?
Myalansky: Its not about the money right now its
about the promotion allowing the fans that supported us from
day one to continue to get Wu Syndicate material regardless
if we have a major recording budget or not, we started from
the street with this shit so once again like a hustler some
times you gotta cut the middle man off and deal directly to
your customers at a lower price.......
Wu-International: Thanks, I speak for the fans when I
say they are grateful for these free albums, this is not the
first time you have given music away for free, as an artist
you also have costs and expenses, how do you manage these
costs if you are given albums out for free and are they are
long time benefits of this apart from free promotion and
keeping your names active?
Myalansky: It's a bigger picture ahead and as far as
the cost and expenses like we said we started in the street
with this shit so you do the math...
Wu-International: Thanks, what's with the constant
group name change from Crime Syndicates, Wu-Syndicate and
then apparently dropped the Wu to just The Syndicate and on
this album you are once again back to Wu-Syndicate, fans are
wondering which is it and why the continuous changes?
Myalansky: Really that's a dumb question because what
difference does it make what the name of the group is, the
name Wu Syndicate don’t make Myalansky and Joe Mafia who
they are, we will always be two individuals that no matter
what you call us our lyrics and concepts is what made you
fuck with us not our names, The name Chicago Bulls didn’t
make Michael Jordan play the way he did no matter what name
he use its still Michael Jordan........
Wu-International: Its evident you are still closely
linked to the Wu, could you please tell us of any recent
development as far as making music with The RZA, Divine and
other Wu affiliates?
Myalansky:
Rza reached out for us and we have been communicating back
and forth he's asked us to submit new materials to him for
2010. So by then we would start all and any
negotiations and hit the table so lets see what happens.
Wu-International: Great to see you are dealing with
the RZA on a business and personal level again?
Joe Mafia: We will always be
family..........................
Wu-International: There were talks of your group and
Westcoast Killa Beez “Indoviduals” and their manager working
on a project together?
Myalansky:
We reached out to
Indoviduals to get some shows in motion on the West coast
but for some reason it didn’t happen other than that they
cool Westcoast killa beez aint nothing but love.........
Wu-International: Thanks, Your first album is a
definite classic, and was released almost 10 years ago, with
the group just resurfacing again, would you say Wu-Syndicate
is still relevant in the rap game and if so, why?
Joe Mafia:
No
matter when we strike our message will hold weight because
its dealing with maths so today or tomorrow our message adds
up.......
Wu-International: You had
Napoleon feature as member of the group and word was
when he got back home from incarceration, the 3 of
you would go back to making bangers again, is there
any reason why Napoleon was not included on the
Grimlenz?
Myalansky:
Napoleon Who?????
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Wu-International:
Mya, you went all
out at Napoleon on the diss song “I’m Syndicate”,
why was the reason for this?
Myalansky:
They interviewed him on Chambermusik and he said the
wrong shit...
Wu-International: That song
broke down a lot as far as the history and formation
of Wu-Syndicate; could you kindly tell those that
missed it, how the group actually came about, Hell
Raisers and everything people need to know?
Myalansky:
I was was solo at
first, Joe Mafia and Napoleon had a group
together called Hell Raisers but I didn’t know them
one day in the hood this cat named Thin let me hear
this tape I peeped the shit and was like niggas got
some heat and I asked dude what's up with me and
them doing a track so he put it together we linked
up a few times then I got locked up but was still
reaching out to Hell Raisers like yo when I come
home I'm gonna feature you on my album titled Crime
Syndicate which I had drawn the logo on the table in
the back cell block, 5th floor Portsmouth city jail.
When I came home to make this long story short my
concept for a solo record was chosen to be the name
of us as a group true story ....... |
Wu-International: So Mya, what is your current
relationship with Napoleon and is there any chances of you
three ever working together again?
Myalansky: Beg ya pardon, Napoleon Who?
Wu-International: Ok, Joe Mafia kept pretty much
keeps out this beef, is it safe to assume Joe Mafia, that
you are still cool with Napoleon and can he please tell us
your point of view with this whole situation?
Joe Mafia:
Myalansky
and Napoleon's situation is their thing, I got love
for both of them,
Wu-International:
Mya, you let the music do most of your talking for you, why
did you make a song called “He is still alive” ?
Myalansky:
Some fans thought i was dead, rumours can be good and
they can be bad but at the end of the day I'm the only one
that really knows what's going on if the fans wanna know
anything next time cut the middle man off and call me direct
7572682171.
Wu-International: You released your album “Drastic
Measurez” last year on a digital format only, how well was
it received by the fans?
Myalansky: With no major budget for marketing and
promotion I didn’t cover my full sound scan of consumers so
I think it could have done better with the right machine
behind it.
Wu-International:
Only Heaven knows was
reminisce of “Where was heaven”, what inspires you to write
heart felt songs like that?
Myalansky:
The reality of the struggle needs a voice.
Wu-International: You featured a producer and also
rapper from Germany on that song, how did that collabo come
about?
Myalansky:
Jesse Taylor let me hear the track and I was like that's my
first single.
Wu-International: What would you say is the
difference between making a solo album and a Syndicate
album?
Myalansky:
How bad u wanna know?
Wu-International: Thanks for those questions, so Joe
Mafia, was there any reason why you re-released your first
solo project again “This One” via Chambermusik last year?
Joe Mafia: Fans requested for it?
Wu-International: You
initially put it out via 58 West Diamond Street, is that
label still in existence and who’s on it?
Joe Mafia: Yes it is still in existence, and
myself and few up and coming artists are on it.
Wu-International: The album review for “This One” was
very good, is there any reason why you have not followed it
up with another solo project?
Joe Mafia: Thanks, in 2010 I'm thinking about giving
the fans the next solo record but with a new Wu Syndicate
venture on the table some sacrifices will be made.
Wu-International: Your chemistry with Myalansky is
equivalent to that of say Rae and Ghost, what would you say
is the difference between you and Mya as far as music goes?
Joe Mafia: I'm more complex, and Mya simplifies the
message, a complete balance.
Wu-International: You were featured on Napoleon’s
album, are they other collabos you have done you might want
to share with us with other artists within or outside of US?
Joe Mafia: A few within and outside, mostly paid
features from local artist.
Wu-International: Thanks for all the solo answers,
now back to the group, what’s next for The Syndicates after
this album?
Joe Mafia: The 3rd Wu Syndicate Album......
Wu-International: You were instrumental in putting VA
in the map, the likes of The Clipse are currently carrying
the torch, will the fans see both camps collaborating any
time soon?
Joe Mafia: Why not who knows what the future
unfolds....
Wu-International: Anything else you both like to say
to the fans that have not already covered on this interview?
Joe Mafia: Thank yall for coming out god bless
you goodnight...
Wu-International: Any shout outs, message for fans?
Myalansky: Yes, thanks to Rza, Divine, Daddy O, Glenn
Wallace, Real Hood Music and the fans.
Buy the album or chat with Myalansky or Joe
Maifa at
www.myspace.com/myalansky757
www.myspace.com/mafiasworld
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