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  Genesis Elijah Interview
interview 0433 added
05.07.06 words: Madrox
technical:
QED
Genesis Elijah is a hard man to pin down. He's on a
constant hustle,
which means constant new things to look out
for on the music front. Having just released one of the nicest mixtapes you
could hope to wrap your ears around here. He's still got things sat around
waiting to go - including a transatlantic split EP! I caught up with him via 20
quick e-mail questions to get insight into these forthcoming releases, his views
on the words/chester 'thing' and much more...
"...At the end of the day the "industry" are a bunch of blood sucking slave
master's but as long as you understand that from the get go nothing will
surprise you..."
Madrox:
Good evening Genesis, your undoubtedly one of the top shelf MC's in the UK.
But for the purposes of kickin this interview off - could you state your name,
where your from, and what your about?
 Genesis:
Thank you for the compliment. My name's Nathaniel Bygrave AKA Genesis Elijah. I
was born and raised in Brixton but I ain't into all that reppin’ you're ends
bollocks, I rep myself. I'm about justice and liberty for every person on this
planet.
Madrox:
So...Deh Pon Road dropped to a heavy reception. Pimp Principle broke a few
servers here 'n there. Now Industrial Revolutions just dropped and it seems like
you’re improving every step of the way. How do you feel? You think things are
finally appearing clearer to you?
Genesis:
I think just the fact that people wanna hear my music is amazing. The one thing
I love about being an mc is that you're always improving and finding new
techniques and ways of writing. Also as you grow as a person you find more
things to write about and you see things in the world that were always there,
but you may not have noticed or understood before. I think as far as things
becoming clearer they are on a personal level in what kind of music I want to do
and what kind of things I wanna write about. The industry on the other hand
still looks fuzzy to me. The music business is really not a nice business to be
in, but I’m learning fast.
Madrox:
It says on your myspace site you've been rhyming since the age of 11. Who was
your original inspiration? And when did the UK scene really become noticeable to
you?
Genesis:
The first hip hop I really listened to was NWA, Big Daddy Kane and LL Cool J,
but it wasn't till I got hold of my first Ice Cube album "Amerikkka's Most
Wanted" that I realised I couldn't live without it. That's when I knew I had to
get hold of every hip hop album ever. The first UK album I brought was Blak
Twang "19 Longtime" and that showed me that this music was universal. To me it
was like Black Twang and Roots Manuva took what the U.S. gave us and made it
their own. Writing lyrics just came naturally to me, in fact it baffles me how
people can listen to Hip Hop and not wanna write.
"...I'm about justice and liberty for every person on this planet..."
Madrox:
I've already mentioned that Industrial Revolution dropped recently, but have you
already got another project underway? If so, can you give us details?
 Genesis:
Yeah I got another 3 1/2 other projects planned before the end of the year. The
next one is a mix CD titled "Murder City" which is themed around the horrible
things that go on in this city and city's around the world. It's ready now and I
wanted it out for July but Munk who mixes and master's my stuff is away for a
month so it will probably be August now. The one after that will be "Gangstivist"
which is basically gangster + activist. As the title suggest it's a bit more
political but it ain't on no preaching shit kind of nudging my listener's in the
direction I'm try'na take things. I want that one out for October cos I got my
black history month track on there. Both have got a few interesting collabs so
look out for them. Also I got my free MySpace EP (That's the half project).
That's 4 brand new tracks and a video so check
www.myspace.com/genesiselijah
around August for that. The last one planned is a joint EP with a Boston artist
called Myart. We're doing a little transatlantic collab thing so look out for
that. I'm getting my hustle on right now so them other artist need to step their
game's up. And don't think I'm sacrificing quality, if it ain't sick I won't
even record it, let alone let it out the studio.
Madrox:
I've heard nothing but good words about your live shows. Apparently they can get
quite lively haha, you've even performed at Glastonbury! So do you have a
favourite show or moment live? And have there been any really bad experiences on
stage for you?
Genesis:
I've had so many good show's, but Nottingham sticks out as one of the rowdiest.
They knew all the lyrics and when 'Jah Bless' came on the place want crazy. I
felt like a star that night. As for bad show's I've never had one where my
performance was shit, 'cos I always give 100% but if you listen to my track
'Everything' off my Pimp Principle EP, you'll hear how me and Answer came up.
I've done show's where it was me, Answer, the promoter and the bar staff. Fuck
that. I live for the live show's, that's when I'm doing what I do best. I always
forget my lyrics and stuff but it's always good fun. The journey's to the venue
and back are usually joke's, it's normally me, Answer, Ahmos, AC and Terra and
it's like one long comedy sketch.
Madrox:
You've quite obviously got some big name MC's as friends. Have you been working
on any special collabs recently? Who do you enjoy working with the most?
Genesis:
My collab games strong at the moment, but I'm not at liberty to divulge at this
time. Hopefully you should hear me with a few big(ish) artists very soon. I'd
love to work with Klash again, but apart from that I'm cool with just me and my
main producer Richard "Neehi" West. The majority of my work is done with him so
we're used to each other and work very well together.
"...The music business is really not a nice business to be in, but I’m learning
fast..."
Madrox:
On the line of MC friends. I've been asked to get an answer to this by almost
everyone. I'm aware also that you've already answered it on your
forums. So I do apologise - but for those who haven't read your statement. Would
you care to reiterate your basic thoughts and stance on the whole Wordsmith vs
Chester P 'thing'?
Genesis:
No need to apologise, alot of people wanna know wha gwan. To be honest I'm not
really interested in the whole situation anymore. For me to spend my time and
energy getting involved with a dispute between two grown men who can both take
care of themselves would be a total waste of that time and energy. I said I
don't want nothing to do with it and certain mans wanna try and drag me in but
I'm just doing my thing. As long as the people involved know where I stand I
ain't bothered. What I will say though is all you faggot chat room gangsters
that wanna post comments disrespecting behind a fake name need to fix up. If you
got something to say to either Wordsmith or Chester P or any other MC say it to
their faces. If you feel that strongly don't be cowardly about it. Man up.
Madrox:
Judging from a fair few of your tunes, you sound like you've had a bit of a
rough time with labels in the past. Is there any advise you can pass onto
budding MC's to perhaps help them avoid these pitfalls of the industry? And how
is 'Broken Souls Production' working out for you?
 Genesis:
Don't trust anybody. Get a good lawyer and keep close to them gangster's from
your ends (you'll probably need them). Understand that these labels are only
here to make money. In most businesses the person with the product makes the
money, but in this business we (the artist) have the product (the talent) and we
give it to someone else who then profits off it more than we do. It's crazy.
That's why I'm all about the mix CD’s 'cos that's me in charge of everything and
all the money coming to me. Broken Souls was a good fit but I'm starting to out
grow it so I'm moving on to other things. I've got my own label now (Escape
Route Music) so we'll see how that works out.
Madrox:
You've been on the street all day sellin CD's...through rain and sleet....you
come home and sit down with a nice drink/zoot, whatever...What CD do you reach
for to stick in your player first?
Genesis:
CD? Nah homie it's iPod all day! And It really is on all day, I even seep with
it. I listen to everyone but right now I'm hooked on Papoose, Immortal Technique
and M-1 from Dead Prez.
Madrox:
Before 'Deh Pon Road' - you did a bit of host-work on Ollie's Mixtape - can we
expect you to take up your role as host again anytime soon?
Genesis:
Yeah I'm hosting the new Kay K mix CD "Blackout", the new Answer mix CD and I'm
also doing the next Terra Slim and Ahmos joints. I like the hosting stuff cos
it's a chance to just mess about and have a bit of fun plus it keep's my name
out there.
"...Writing lyrics just came naturally to me, in fact it baffles me how people
can listen to Hip Hop and not wanna write..."
Madrox:
Your supremely outspoken against the industry - how do you feel the UK scene has
changed for you? Are you pleased heads like Plan B, Kano and Sway et al are
gettin some serious limelight now - or does that annoy you? How do you feel
we've evolved as a scene in the last say....5 years?
Genesis:
Annoy me? Hell no! I love their success, I think it's beautiful. They have all
worked so hard for what they have and they deserve every bit of it. At the end
of the day the "industry" are a bunch of blood sucking slave master's but as
long as you understand that from the get go nothing will surprise you. The UK
Scene has been given a massive boost with the emergence of Channel U, BBC 1xtra,
RWD, SOS and various other UK focused media outlets. The Grime artist really set
the pace, but the rest of us catching up now. 5 year's ago you couldn't dream of
waking up switching the TV on and seeing a Skinnyman video, a Jay Z video
followed by a Black Twang video. To me scene is something to be proud of right
now. I feel privileged to be a part of it.
Madrox:
Have you ever considered hitting a Grime track? What do you think of Grime in
general?
 Genesis:
The Movement was a grime track I think that's one the first conscious/political
grime tracks out there. I love Grime. Dizzy, Goodz (Doogz), Kano, Roll Deep,
Doctor, Bruza, JME, Jah Murkle... wait let me stop before I miss someone out and
they get offended. There all sick. Well most of em...
Madrox:
Where in the world do you feel most comfortable and content?
Genesis:
I've only ever been to New York and Jamaica so my answer could change, but right
now I'm saying London. I really love NY and Jamrock but London's all I know. I
would love to live in the motherland Africa but it doesn't have all the benefits
that 400 hundred year's of free slave labour help to create so for now I'm good
here. Hopefully you can get back to me in 10 year's time when I've seen the
world and ask me that question again.
Madrox:
Have you got any new videos on the way? a DVD perhaps?
Genesis:
Yeah I'm working a few video's right now that are for tracks from my new mix
CD's. I wanted to do a DVD earlier this year but the timing just wasn't right.
When I do a DVD I want it to be something little different than a camera man
following around my "hood" hoping something exciting happens.
Madrox:
Can we expect you to pop up in any London based movies soon? What do you make of
flicks like Kidulthood and Rollin with tha 9's?
Genesis:
Yeah in my fucking dreams! I ain't no where near that status yet. I'd be happy
if I could just get on a soundtrack or something. I'd love to be in a film but
I'd probably need some acting lessons first.....Actually fuck that, I've done
some acting! I was a Shepherd in my school nativity play when I was about 6 or 7.
I didn't have any line's but I was real convincing... I think. Any casting
director's out there holla at ya boy! I haven't seen them films yet, but I've
heard Kidulthood is heavy. Oh and let me just big up AC cos I heard he’s on the
Kidulthood DVD extras.
"...if it ain't sick I won't even record it, let alone let it out the studio..."
Madrox:
You don't get to being where your at without some serious sacrifice's being
made. Is there anything you really regret doing to get where you are? Would
there have been a different outcome to your story if you didn't decide to pick
the mic up?
Genesis:
Yeah I've sacrificed a lot i.e. Time, Friends, Relationships, money and whatever,
but to me the real loss would be if I didn't. I have a goal I want to reach and
to me the ultimate failure would be looking back at my life after not achieving
what I set out to achieve and wishing that I had done more. I see opportunity as
a door that may only be open for a limited time so while it's open you have to
do all you can to get through it. If I wasn't rapping I'd probably still be
playing Basketball. That used to be my life and if I stuck with it I'd be making
a living playing ball. I was pretty good but I ain't played in about 7 years.
I've played with guy's that are in the NBA now.
Madrox:
Your allowed to collab with any American MC still spittin - who do you pick and
why?
 Genesis:
Pa-poose, Pa-poose! Straight up, no contest. He's the best MC out now in my
humble opinion. To me he's got the whole package (no homo) as in flow, punch
lines, metaphors, concepts, voice, character, delivery, credibility,
intelligence it's all there. But like I said that's just in my humble opinion.
Madrox:
Theres a quite interesting little competition on your site - to 'win' a
verse from you on a budding MC's tune. How did that come about? Are you
concerned about the outcome? Haha.
Genesis:
That's a label thing. To me that shit's kind of corny 'cos I ain't on no X
Factor shit and it makes it look like I think I'm something special, which I
don't, but at the same time you're gonna have to be good to get on a track with
me, 'cos I wont compromise on the quality of the music I make. No matter how
successful I get I'll always do tracks with up and coming MC's. I owe it to Hip
Hop and the mans who helped me out. If it wasn't for SkinnyMan and Klashnekoff I
wouldn't be where I am now.
Madrox:
Ok, penultimate question. Whats your favourite track, that you've made? and of
course...why?
Genesis:
I record about 5 or 6 tracks a week and the last one I record is normally my
favourite. By the time they're released though I hate them. There are only a few
songs I can still listen to, "Road Rage" with Ahmos is one and that track and
"Everything" is another one. My favourite track at the moment is one I recorded
the other day with a producer called Beezwax, it's called "Everything & Nothing"
dunno when it will be released but it's sick sick sick.
Madrox:
Lastly then, do you have any shout out's or thank you's to throw out?
Genesis:
I just wanna say thank you to the people behind the scenes making this all
possible so big up Nina Carmela aka The Godmother @ Rhymes N Beatz ,Naomi Palmer
@ Elastic Artist Agency, Alex "Munk" Banks, ImZ @ Broken Souls, Richard "Neehi"
West, Chi Shabazz and the whole Escape Route Music online/street promotion team.
And to everyone who feel's my music, understand I do this for you. One love.
"...If you got something to say to either Wordsmith or Chester P or any other MC
say it to their faces..."
 One of the hardest working MC's in the UK and he's still goin. It was confirmed
shortly after this interview that he'll be hosted the next Wolftown Mixtape
aswell! Plenty to look forward to and hopefully a little clarity on the Genesis
camp for all his fans. I wanna thank Nina @ Broken Soul for making this possible
and being so cool about it. Hope you enjoyed. Peace.
-
Madrox
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