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Anglo-Saxon - Interview
Please introduce yourself to the readers of thebaske.com. Tell us where you‘re from and how you got your name.
Peace, I appreciate the opportunity to speak. My name is Alan or ILL AL the Anglo-Saxon. This name came about back in the early 90's when a lot of white MCs would choose names due to their race. I was talking with my homie Dj Soups about how I thought that trend was ridiculous and made the joke that I'd just take my name down to the origin. The name kind of stuck, later I felt it to be more like a lack of a name. I'm just another human who chooses to express myself through the art of rhyme that happens to be of Anglo-Saxon decent. ILL AL is pretty self explanatory. I was born in Redwood City, California but moved to Phoenix, Arizona when I was about 5. I've been out here in AZ for 21 years now and it's really home to me.
How did you get into rhyming. How old where you when you got into the art?
Growing up I was going through some hard times, I related to the reality that was discussed in Rap music. When I was 10 my Dad was killed while trying to kill my whole family as well as himself, this lead to my need to vent out certain frustrations. Not to mention, I just loved the sound of hip-hop music. I wanted to cultivate that ability to create my own sound within the art and have it become something people would want. My oldest brother was in an electronica band in the 80's and had a bunch of equipment left over. I think it was about 96 when he lent me and my friend Chris (DJ Soups) a Roland TR-707, a Zenith mic and a Peavey amplifier. This equipment added to Soups' Tascam 4 track recorder, wa wa peddle, 6 string guitar and his tables we hashed out some rough mix tapes. We did this for about 4 or 5 years until Soups moved out to LA. I would assume that just like most musicians, the reactions I received off those few tapes from friends and family made me want to continue.
Before we get into you‘re music I would like to know more about the Hip-Hop scene in Arizona. The graffiti artists, the b-boys, the Mcs and the Djs and the connections between the Elements.
The Arizona Hip-Hop culture is amazing. We are lucky enough in AZ to have the world famous Furious Styles Crew which is a B-Boy/B-Girl grouping headed up by B-Boy House. Furious Styles Crew is currently in the 11th year of existence and has grown from it's once Maryvale Headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, to judging, competing and performing around the world. We are home to the legendary Drunken Immortals, an 8 piece band that has traveled the globe spreading all things Hip-Hop. Drunken Immortals is preparing to release their new album entitled "Hot Concrete" feat. Abstract Rude, Black Sheep and more. The "Blow Up Co-Op" and "Avenue of the Arts" are among the larger more active factions in AZ hosting weeklies and supporting the live venues. The "Blunt Club" being one of the livest weeklies held every Thursday by Dumperfoo, The Professional and Dj Hyder is a don't miss when in AZ. Universatile Music is Arizona's most successful independent hip-hop label recently releasing Brad B's "Drifter" LP, my "Unplug" LP as well as new releases by Living Legends member Scarub and Die Young of the Shape Shifters. The art scene in AZ is uncanny. We are home to legendary artists Dumperfoo, MAC, Kaper, Jason Rudolph Pena and plenty more. Renown breaks DJ, DJ Element calls AZ home as well as DJ Z-Trip and DJ Radar. Yea man, Arizona has deep roots. I could continue for ever on this.
“Unplug“ is the title of your first full length Lp. Tell us all about it.
When writing "Unplug" I was attempting to give the listener an experience that would leave you feeling like you've actually traveled some where and returned with new ideas to question and views to consider. I wanted to shed light on every issue in a hue not yet seen, if I could find it possible. You will find politics, corruption, child labor and break ups right next to break dancing, party anthems and general observations put to rhythm. The production on the album was key to providing that diverse sound that gives you something native to AZ, as well as some flavors of other states and their sound. DJ Les and Konradio (The Unusuals) lent a heavy hand to the production on cuts like, "This Old House", "Keep It" and "Power Trip" where as guest production on the "Unplug" from Life Rexall on "Lead" gives you that LA grit. I had the chance to work with one of my favorite MCs, LMNO of the Visionaries as well as Neila. I really liked working with Neila, she has so much soul and is real humble. I set out to make an album that was really necessary and hard hitting. I feel as though it's a mission accomplished.
How has the feedback been so far?
The response has been amazing. I didn't know what to expect really, but it's been way more then I hoped. "Unplug" is a limited pressing put out by myself, Grave 9 and Universatile Music. The record has almost sold out and everyday someone new will contact me from another state via myspace and give me their thoughts on the record. That means a lot that some one spent their hard earned cash on my record then took the time to tell me they enjoyed it and are spreading the word. For me, that's above and beyond any reward. Not to mention the love at the shows...it's all as new to me as I am to it...so I'm loving every second. Speaking on my home town specifically, I feel as though AZ is a rough state...that in mind the people within the Arizona Hip-Hop culture have backed me 1000%. That's what gives me the confidence to take this distinct AZ hip-hop sound to other states and countries and expose them to what we have to offer.
Who did the fantastic artwork for the album? Not only the album artwork is fantastic, the video to “ This old house“ is one of the best Hip-Hop videos I have seen in a long time. Where can people see it? How much did it cost to come up with such a dope video? What‘s the whole story behind it.
Ahh yea, the artwork for "Unplug" was done by none other then Jay Fotos of Spawn Comics. I described to Jay about how I wanted to illustrate the concept of actually taking the television over and having the back of the T.V. ripped out and you'd see all these bio mechanical wires pouring out of the back and connecting to my head. Then showing an image of the elitist dollar bill pyramid upside down on the front, as if projected from my mind. Symbolizing that the tell-a-lie-vision is there to coax us into over consumption. This over consumption essentially brings the rest of the world to it's knees through corporate owned sweat shops and environmental hazards all in the name of profit. I think Jay captured all of this perfectly, he's working on my new record entitled "Dungeons and Dragons" as well. Jay is the type of artist where you can give him the gist of what you're going for and he'll take the idea and elaborate on it, then bring it to life with visuals far beyond what you originally conceived.
The "This Old House" video was a blast to work on. I was lucky enough to get a request from Todd Angkasuan to put together a video for one of my tracks. Todd had listened to the track "This Old House" and came at me with the basic direction he wanted to take the shoot. Basically I got out of the way and let him work. He seemed to really understand the importance of the song and how it needed to be portrayed visually. We collaborated a bit on certain imagery I wanted placed in the shoot and on a shoe string budget he put together a really dope video. I definitely plan on working with him again in the future.
Where do you get your influences from when you write. How does a song come together from beginning to the end?
Drawing from day to day life is what influences me the most. Just sitting still in a crowded place and observing human behavior. I read a lot about current events, I try to stay connected to what is happening around me. I draw from conflict I may have with someone or something, anger is a beautiful motivator. Music or documentaries on hip-hop's history can really inspire me as well. I think everyone creating within hip-hop culture can rely on the stories of our beginnings for influence. I think what motivates me to write most of all is DJ Les, Konradio and Soups' production. When I hear their beats, I hear the story in the music before I start to write. From there I just have to place the words in sequence. It's a very natural process. I usually do my own recording and mixing, or I will head down to Les' spot and spend a day working on a record.
Brainstorm- I give you a word and you tell me whatever comes to your mind in a “short“ answer
Hip-Hop
Something you live.
Graffiti
Street publishing.
B-Boying
Tradition.
Djing
Backbone.
God
Safety net.
Friends
How many of us have them.
Money
Sumerians.
Politics
Everyone politics to some degree. I think Chris Rock said it best when speaking on Republicans and Democrats, "anyone who makes up their mind before hearing the issue is a fucking idiot."
Illuminati
Global elitists networked in a specific design to maintain power within a certain social class. Basically if anyone were to spend their money sickly within their own neighborhood and replace all corporate products for that which can be found in your community, you could create a new social class and design it however you pleased. Hopefully it would be for the common good of your fellow man. But what the fuck do I know...I never graduated from high school.
What does it mean to you to be on stage?
Recording is a relatively new idea. Performing ones art goes back to beginning of man. I feel as though performing is what defines your authenticity, not your album. Though albums are very important this day in age. For me it's privilege to get up in front of a bunch of people and share what I have created and have it be accepted. When someone comes out to your show, they more then likely just got off work, have some one at home who's too much of a crab ass to come out and just wants to relax or vent out their stress. It's my job to give them that release, I try to get all I can out of the short time I get to spend with people on that level. The feeling is very addictive.
Who would you like to work with in the future?
Three months ago at the top of my list would have been Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship, but I just had the rare opportunity to work with him. He's on my new record "Dungeons & Dragons". It would be amazing to work with MF DOOM or DJ Z-Trip. Rhettmatic, Madlib or Abstrakt Rude are definitely on this list of people I'd like to work with. This cat from Seattle just moved out to Phoenix by the name of MG the Visionary. I plan on working with him for sure. This guy possesses an enormous amount of talent.
What are your thoughts about Rap in 2006?
I see more old school styled party anthems presented in a modern day format. At least that's what I'm into. Now, I don't mean "Club Bangers" and all that. I'm talking about those golden era house party jams.
5 Favorite Rap songs:
Luchini - Camp Lo
Meat Grinder - MF DOOM
Coat of Paint - Abstrakt Rude
Hustlers Ambition - 50 Cent
First Things Last - Myka 9
5 Favorite Rap albums:
Infamous Mobb - Mobb Deep
Citrus District - Myka 9
Deltron 3030 - Del
Nocturnal - Heltah Skeltah
Only Built for Cuban Linx - Reakwon
Top 5 songs of any music genre:
Human Behavior - Bjork
Girls On Film - Duran Duran
Window Licker - Aphex Twin
Enjoy the Silence - Depeche Mode
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
What‘s a good day for you like?
The other day describes this perfectly. I woke up in central Phoenix next to a beautiful Latina woman about eleven am. Ate some eggs, bacon (pork is good) and home fries with a tortilla (because that's how we do it in the South West). I bounced down to South Phoenix where Les stays and started writing this record called "Give It to the" for the "Soul Collectables" album. Finished this new mix I have coming out called "Amongst Friends" the "Unplug" mixtape, a dope online store called "CratesandApparel.com" is putting that out. Then I recorded the "Give It to the" cut with no hitches and started practicing for my set that night at the Blunt Club. Finished up practicing feeling good about the set and dipped down to the Chinese owned fashion store where they keep all the crisp blank shirts and dickies pants. Picked up the goods and headed over to the Blunt for sound check. A reporter from the Arizona Republic showed up and we chopped it up about the photographer they had coming to take pictures for the article they're doing on my whole situation. Then my oldest brother Paul (who's only seen my live show once about 5 years ago) showed up out of no where. The place packed in as the Vinyl Rockers (Dj Foundation, Dj Pickster One and Dj Skip Skoolnik) played a solid opening set. Blunt Club host Emerge Mcvay of Bionic Jive gave me an introduction as I took stage and rocked to a live crowd of quality hip-hop heads accompanied by fellow AOTA crew members, Courdek and Beatnik the Enforcer...Dj Les anchoring us with the tables no doubt. Yea, that was a good day.
Tell us what you got in the oven.
Louisiana Succotash with boiling Adamome on the stove.
Is there any certain advice you could give to our readers?
Don't worry about selling records. Make GOOD music and think only about the music. If you're in this for just the business then you're missing the point.
Shout outs:
The Baske.com, Avenue of the Arts (AOTA), Blow up Co-op, Alpha Monsters, Guerilla Radio, Death Star Cult, MLA, Furious Styles Crew, Fortule, CratesandApparel.com and all the people in Germany. Stay up and be creative.
-ILL AL
Interview by: Frank Dirr
